The Prince and His Pauper

Chapter 37: The Prince in Interrogation

"Natalia, do you mind if we talk some other time? I'm busy at the moment." I inform her over the phone, trying my hardest to not let my frustration show.

All day long, I've been receiving texts from Sebastian about the damn board of directors, the press, and now there's been a error in one of our deliveries. Apparently, one of our deliveries didn't make it to its destination on time. The buyers are furious at us for not fulfilling our end of the contract. They're going as far as involving lawyers for a breach of contract and have been telling reporters that we are giving the Americans more preference.

An addition to that, one of our new proclamations that passed isn't going as well as Father wanted it to. Father has been been trying to convince me to return home for the past hour. I told him that I was nowhere near our house, but he doesn't listen. He insists that I return home immediately.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I forgot about that incident, you and your father must be working hard in resolving it?" Natalia inquiries, curiosity in her voice.

"It's not my place to tell you that. But, I really have to go. I'll talk to you soon." I urge, stressing the importance of having to hang her up.

Natalia appears to have understood my lack of wanting to talk because she replies back, "Alright, Antonio. Will you text me when you're done?"

"Yes, thank you for your understanding. Bye." I respond curtly and instantly hang up. That takes cares of that. . .

As I was putting my phone back in its rightful place, another text comes in from my father. It says, "Head home now. As my heir, you must see how to handle future problems such as this."

Why can't he understand that I'm too far from home to head back? Then again, I didn't told him I was with Cassiel. If he knew this, he would get suspicious and would start asking questions. Questions regarding me being with Cassiel alone. I can't have him be suspicious. But, what should I do?

If I don't leave now, Father would be suspicious. But, this date I have with Cassiel was all my idea. I can't simply drop my drop, my first date, right now. Or can I? Could I end the date early so that I could go home? No, that would be rude of me. Cassiel was excited about this date and so was I. If I tell him that I have to go, he would be crushed.

That's not including how reclusive I've been throughout the date. I'm quite certain that Cassiel has noticed me not paying much attention to the animals or him. My only distraction from Father's constant badgering was getting to see glimpses of Cassiel watching the animals. The sight of him in complete awe and amazement is the sole reason I haven't dragged him back to my car.

I suppose we could stay for another hour or so. . . I thought to myself as I head back to Cassiel's side. He hasn't moved from where I left him, but there was something different about him. I can't put my finger on why that is. Still, I ignore the slight change and ask, "How are the pandas?"

"Fine." Cassiel answers in a clipped tone. As though, he's angry. Why? Have I done something wrong? Other than not being able to enjoy our date together as I should have been?

"Are you alright?" I question, wanting to know if he is in fact angry.

"I'm fine." Cassiel replies with a bit of annoyance in his voice. I don't understand why he's annoyed, I haven't done anything to make him feel that way.

"If you say so. . ." I mutter and quickly refrain myself from asking him anymore questions. He probably wouldn't want me to pry.

However, Cassiel had a different idea and asks, "Who was that on your phone?"

Why does he want to know about Natalia? He hasn't asked me who I was texting with all day, and I know he's noticed me texting my father, but he never said anything. So, why now? Why does he know about my phone call with Natalia?