Modern Royalties

Chapter 2 (It's Getting Worse)

 

“This is ridiculous!” Daphne fought the tears back while looking through the tinted glass. “I can’t go out there! All those smelly people, the garbage and… and…” She gasped for breath like she’s suffocated already.

“You’re over reacting.” She heard Blake sighed in annoyance. “C’mon, this is just a small village. Better than the place of terrorists. Or…” He smirked, “You want to choose them instead?”

Panic ranged inside her. “Fine, I’m getting out.” She managed weakly. “But only 10 minutes, Blake. No, 5 minutes is too much… I guess-“

She almost stumbled when Blake pulled her out from the SUV. Normal days will make Daphne cry and run to the nearest five star hospitals for the pain caused by the pull. But after smelling the foreign air, all she wanted is to die.

“Oh dear… tsk, tsk…” Blake seemed to be enjoying his self after reading her terrified expression. “This is a perfect scenario to start the research. What do you think Ms. Aristocrat’s princess?”

She hated it when she’s called that way-especially when it is this guy is the one talking. “Of course,” She tilted her chin up fighting the shivering knees. “This is great!” She mastered those lies difficultly. “The village is nice, garbage here and there, shattered roofs, broken windows, smelly kids running back and forth, adults plowing the earth expecting for gold to pop out, and worse, uncivilized culture and shameful manners where fortunately, YOU belonged.”

He expected him to burst into fury but he kept in the deafening silence. And the bad news, Daphne felt the twinge of unusual guilt of what she just said.

Silence

 She shifted her feet uncomfortably like she’s checking if the Gucci heels were stained with unwanted muds. Still, Blake is not saying anything and their driver decided to get inside the car after the few awkward attempts.

 

The door shut behind Blake and she heard Daphne wantingto say something but he cut her off.

“It is easy for you to say that, Daphne. It never occurred to me that princesses do a lot of judgments at their back in the public. How mean is that?”

She didn’t answer. Maybe she somehow realized what she just say, he thought glumly reminding him of the old guy he once knew. She can’t blame her though. It feels good to break from the shell of acting the good one. The thing is, it never sounds pleasant particularly when you’re the subject of such opinion.

“Sociology is the study of society.” He started to walk breaking the cold distance between them ‘cause it’s not an ideal relationship between two working partners. “We are asked to make a survey to their common problems. Interview is better than that that’s why I decided to take this place because people living here are more honest than those who lived in mansions.”

He noticed her follow while uneasily jumping from cellophane to the next crumpled paper. But he had the feeling that Daphne knew what he means because she almost stepped on a banana skin but managed to keep herself fine after that, for her, tragic mistake.

“How long will us…  You know s-stay here?” She asked with the hope in her voice like saying, “Please, please, ten minutes…” But he ignored her. He can’t tolerate her stubbornness.

“It will take months for us to finish-“

“Months??!”

“Or more I guess.” He glanced back to let her see him smiling for the record of aggravation.

“B-but-“

“You can drop the subject if you want.” Blake said before knocking the door he planned to go. He heard her mumbling complains but she’s not saying anything about dropping the subject and he’s grateful after all.

 

Daphne spent her bath for almost three hours in the bathtub. She can’t figure out any idea why she’s being punished like hell. Not that she’s a bad brat sometimes but staying in a village every Sunday and Wednesday is more like torturing her to death! How insensitive that Blake is! She kicked the bubbles while thinking his cold insults and two or three meant sentences during the interview.

“That’s really good, sweetie.”

Daphne’s father said during their dinner. She expected him to get furious and shut the university down for letting her daughter do the dirty job, but the person she’s picturing to do it seemed to be proud and obviously happy.

“Your Mom and I decided to let you into that college because we studied there and that’s the reason why you are here in this world talking with us right now. “ Her dad continued after sipping a small amount of wine. Reading her what-do-you-mean expression, her dad added with a smile. “She’s my research partner then.”

She choked with the idea. Her mom threw her the what-happened-to-your-manners look and Daphne gathered her composure. “Sorry Mom.” She managed, wiping her teary eyes from the sudden outburst. “You mean, Dad, you created this romance thing during the research?”

“Yes my daughter,” He answered amused by her dropped jaws. “I was touched the way she interacted with all those poor people your grandfather used to accommodate with his power. She’s been honest all the way through that I finally found myself falling into her pit of kindness.”

“I was wondering why your father liked me that much when I am nobody-a commoner.” Her mom spoke this time looking at her so dreamily. “He said I have the heart of gold and no money can afford such gift.”

“You remembered the lines.” Her father chuckled.

 

“Ugh…” Daphne literally threw herself in her bed covered with thick matching mattresses. Tomorrow is another day to face her interviewees and this time, she can’t help thinking the horrible possibilities. And worse, she had just known that she’s no pure blue blood at all! Her mom’s a commoner and she’s still trying to figure out if it’s good news or what.  

And add Blake, she reminded herself while slipping under the satin cover of the bed. Oh yes, he might have the looks if only he’ll stop wearing those frown every time he talks to her. Or a simple smile from him never meant for happiness or appraisal, but for mocking and sneering for his own amusement because she tipped over or whatever scandal she made. How depressing that would be when she’ll fall for him? Embarrassing, rubbish, and candidly unimaginable, she thought sullenly. Soon, she drifted off.