The New Yorker meets Royalty

Chapter 25: A Call From A Whilom Lover

"Audrey, check this out," I said while looking down at the newspaper on my hands.

"What is it?" she replied.

"We're on the news!" I exclaimed laughingly.

She took the paper and read, "James Dean and Audrey Hepburn dating?"

She started giggling and sat on one of the dining table chairs.

Marcus Jr. was eating his breakfast, not caring what was going on, while Aunt and Uncle listens to what Audrey was saying.

"James Dean and Audrey Hepburn seen together in a Carnival found in Marion, Indiana with a little boy last 2 days. They ran away from the paparazzi without answers," she said.

She then grabbed her coffee and took a sip.

"Why did you ran away from them?" Uncle asked.

"There were too many of them and they encircled us. Besides, I don't want to hurt Marcus Jr.," I replied.

Then all of them agreed.

"By the way, the director called me this morning," Audrey said as she took a bite of her pancake.

"What did he say?" I asked.

"He just told me that he really needed me next week."

"Oh, okay."

She then said, "Maybe this Monday I could leave. Are you going with me?"

"Of course, I still need to check on my movie once again."

"Okay. Hey James?" she said.

I looked up from my plate to her, who had a shy smile formed on her lips.

I smiled back and said, "Yeah?"

"Well you see, I really wanted to have my own house, and I'm wondering if you could help me find a house rent when we get back," she stuttered.

"How lovely!" Aunt exclaimed.

"You know, James is not really good in houses," Uncle joked.

She laughed softly and said, "I chose him because he's honest, and I absolutely need his opinions."

I felt my cheeks heated. This giddiness is coming back again.

"That's nice," I simply said, concealing the intense euphoria that I'm actually feeling.

After breakfast, I and Audrey washed the dishes once again then later went upstairs.

'Ask her now so that you could tell her those three little words and why later.'

I took a deep breath and finally said, "Hey Audrey, do you want to go to a beach?"

Her eyes sparkled and she replied, "Really? Sure!"

I smiled and nodded.

She suddenly shrilled in delight.

"Let's pack up now!" she exclaimed.

I beamed at her and stood up to get a bag.

She really look pleased in almost anything. She's amazing, and I still can't believe that she's mine.

While we're packing, I heard Aunt shouted from downstairs.

"James! There's someone in the phone for you," she exclaimed.

Audrey stopped and peeked at me. I shrugged and excused myself.

When I got down, Aunt was still holding the telephone with a worried look on her face.

"Who is it?" I mouthed to her.

She shrugged and gave the telephone to me.

"Hello?" I said.

"Hi James," the woman stuttered.

'Oh no. I recognized the voice.'

"Pier," I simpered.

I heard her inhaled sharply. There was a long silence and I'm just waiting.

"I read the news today," she stuttered.

"What news?" I replied.

"You and Audrey together," she muttered.

"Is it true?" she added.

I smirked and genuinely said, "Yes, it's true. We're already in a relationship and I'm very happy. She's angelic."

I heard her gasped on the phone.

"James, please come back. You're meant for me, and not for her."

In that moment, she enraged me. How dare her judge who's for me!

"Are you an adjudicator? She makes me happy and you're not going to change that. Don't you dare speak that she's not meant for me. I've already done many things with her. The things we didn't do!"

"James we could do the same thing if you jus-"

"You're already married! Why can't you just set me free? She's a good influence to me, and I need her. She helped me clean my place, I was able to talk to her about my family without getting angry, we don't hide our relationship, Aunt, Uncle and Marcus loves her, we went to our family barn, and the list goes on!"

"But I was your first," she said.

"Does it matter? I don't care about the past, I cared about the present. I love her Pier and nothing's ever going to change that."

I could hear her sobbing.

I sighed. I felt bad.

"Pier, I don't want to make you cry but please listen to me. I love her, I love Audrey. She makes me happy. I don't want to replace her. She's all I got now," I said, feeling my mouth wobble.

She inhaled sharply and said, "Okay. I'm not going to bother you anymore but always remember that I'll always be there for you. Don't you ever forget that."

"Thank you, Pier. I'll never forget that," I said.

"Okay. I should go now. Good bye," her voice was shaking.

"Good bye," I simply said. I then hung up.

So long as I put down the phone, Audrey called my name.

I turned around and saw her in the stairwell.

"Are you done packing?" I asked.

She nodded and walked towards me.

"Do you mean it?" she suddenly asked.

I froze for a moment.

'Maybe she heard me talk to Pier.'