Royalty [BWWM]

11. Blind-Leap

                 

August

I never thought I would be on a plane three months later on my way to Europe, but I was taking a leap of faith here. I was using two of his many tickets to get here and I was nervous. He didn't know I was coming and neither did I; it was in the spur of the moment.

A lot of possibilities ran through my head.
What if he doesn't want me here?
What if he moved on?

I haven't heard anything from him since our spat and that had me worried.
Why didn't I just write to him first?

Doubt ran through my mind and my heart, but I brought an extra ticket as back up. If he didn't want me here then I would take the next flight back to Atlanta. I was prepared to sleep at the airport if I had to. But I needed to apologize in person, and no amount of words seemed appropriate or enough. Plus, I missed him beyond measure.

It was easy to find out where he was staying considering it was a palace.

When I got off the long plane flight, I collected my small luggage and rolled it out the airport. I barely packed anything, especially because I didn't know what was going to happen. I waved down the first taxi I spotted, shielding my face from the sun as it approached.

"Where to?" He asked in a thick accent.

"The palace."

He looked at me as he thought. "That's a bit far but I'll give you a good price." He promised.

I hopped in without asking considering I was tired and eagerly wanted this journey to end.

"You're an American?" He wondered as he looked at me through the mirror.

"Yes," I smiled, turning to admire the view out the window. I didn't want to make small talk; I just wanted to sit in silence. Between a crying baby and a snoring older man beside me on the plane, it was all I needed to get rid of my headache.

He continued his questions during the hour and a half ride into the city and then out into the far lands. He wasn't kidding when he said it was far. When I spotted the stone structure slowing approaching, I got nervous and excited at the same time.

Why didn't I call first?

I swallowed and rubbed my palms together in anxiety. He pulled up at the driveway entrance and stopped at the two guardsmen at the gate. This was becoming real.

What was I doing?

"That will be three hundred pounds."

"What?" I freaked when I heard.

"I said I would give you a good deal. That's a good deal!" He explained using his hands. Why didn't I Uber or something? Oh yeah, no Internet.

I cried internally as I opened my bag to pull out most of the money I brought, placing a single fifty bill back in my purse.
How was I going to get back if he didn't want to see me?

I bit my lip nervously and prayed I didn't just get myself stranded on a different continent with no money and nowhere to stay.

I hopped out of the cab and stood at the gate, staring in awe.

"Do you want my number in case you need a taxi in the future?" He was reading my mind but not my wallet.

"It's okay. If anything, I'll walk back to the airport."

I walked up to the gate and pressed the bell. The two men stood planted wearing large hats and a stern look. They did not look down at me, only straight a head.