My Fiance, The Playboy Prince

Chapter Five: Mon Ami

• Prince Aspen Castillo •

"Don't go after her," I command, but a few of the reporters have already made their way to the kitchen. I groan. What else is new? It's not like reporters or the paparazzi actually listen to me. They too, have a family to feed. I rub my hands across my face, frustrated that things have not gone according to plan.

The reports that did stay continue to press me for information. A man who seems to be in his mid forties is, at the moment, shoving a camcorder in my face. It takes all of my willpower not to roll my eyes at him. I hate this. I absolutely detest this with my entire being. Most of the time, I just can't help but think that life would've been so much easier if I weren't the crown prince and future king of a nation.

I spent most of my life, homeschooled, trained, disciplined to be the perfect prince. To put it simply, I was a prisoner in my own home. That is, I was pretty much the perfect locked-up heir until I hit seventeen, two years ago, and then everything went down to hell. All of a sudden, I stopped caring. Maybe I just couldn't take any of this anymore. I don't know.

Human emotions are so fickle. Just like the girls I sleep with.

Wanting to get out of here as soon as possible, I dig my iPhone out from my jeans pocket and speed dial Bill, my driver. While waiting for him to answer, I look to the four bodyguards on my right that were pretending to be customers the entire time and nod my head at them. They immediately start pushing people away from me.

They then form a circle around me and together, we make our way towards the door. Bill picks up just as I step out of the cafe. "Things didn't go as planned, Bill. Bring the limo 'round front. Now."

I end the call and sigh to myself.

• Colette Eatton •

Mrs. Sherman suddenly remembers that she has things to do. Before she goes up the stairs, she throws me a wink. In response, I give her my signature eye roll. She loves it when I roll my eyes.

Do it, dear, and maybe someday, it'll be stuck that way. Forever.

She's always coming up with ways to get me and Carter alone together. I think the poor lady just can't accept the fact that Carter has a problematic girlfriend. Though I have to admit, his girlfriend is beautiful.

And I like Carter. I do. He's my first and only close friend since I moved here, two years ago. So, Carter's just that, a good friend. Maybe someday I'll find someone to love but that someone isn't him. Sorry, Mrs. Sherman.

To be frank, I don't have a lot of friends. You could say, I'm quite lazy. I just like being alone most of the time. A few close friends is more than enough for me.

Carter opens a big box filled with books. "Listen, Colette.." He passes the books to me one by one as I arrange them neatly on the carpeted floor.

I flip through the covers to check if there are any missing or torn pages. "Yeah?"

He stops passing the books and just stares at me, "Yeah...?" I coaxed. My hands stop on a book.

His eyes never leaving my face, he sits at the spot next to me. "You see... I got accepted."

I put my hands to my lips, "you.. you mean you got into TUA?" I gasp.

He nods his head. "Actually, I've been accepted for a while now. I just didn't want to tell you." He looks away, "I'm sorry."

I put my hand on his shoulder, "why? Why didn't you tell me?"

He looks at my hand before looking at me in the eye, "because you haven't gotten yours. I was hoping we could go together." He mumbles.

I look down at the carpet and sigh. "I know. It's okay. I guess, I'll just have to keep on waiting."

Trying to lighten the mood, I joke, "well, The University Of Artenia better be ready! They have a nerd coming their way." I say, looking up to grin at him.

He pushes me and I laugh. "So, when are you leaving?"

"In two days."

I open my mouth in shock, "you ass! Are you for real?"

I attack him. I tickle his sides and he starts shouting with laughter. "Stop it! Stop! Colette! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" His laughter echoes throughout the entire shop and I don't stop.

Somewhere behind a shelf, Mrs. Sherman peeps at them, a satisfied look on her face.

• Prince Aspen Castillo •

As the limo makes its way through the familiar road surrounded by trees, I look out the window at the palace, or should I call it, home, looming on the horizon. The walls are a pale stucco yellow and as high as the eye could see.

The wide gate opens as soon as the guards standing on top at either sides of it sees us approaching. Inside, I am greeted by a long gravel driveway with a massive lapis lazuli designed fountain spouting water in its centre.

At the front, my butlers and maids wait to welcome me home. The car halts to a stop and the door opens. I duck my head and step out. They have their heads bowed as I make my way towards the palace doors. I raise my hand as a form of acknowledgement.

Once inside, the door closes silently behind me.

My footsteps echo throughout the hushed space of the imperial living room. The huge chandelier made purely out of gold twinkles above me.

I hear soft footsteps coming from beyond the room.

The maid halts when she sees me. She quickly bows her head before disappearing through an intricately designed corridor that leads to another much smaller living room.

Leaving me all to myself, once again.

The marble floors are cold. The entire room is cold. I stop and look around me.

I hate this cold and empty place.

♔♔♔

I poke at the bubbles and watch them disappear. Just like the people in my life. I slowly breathe out. I lean my head against the bathtub and close my eyes. The warm water comforts me a little.

An image of Colette glaring at me appears in my mind. I thought I would never see her again. It's entirely by pure luck and good timing that one of my trusted maids, Giselle, happened to chance upon her yesterday, on her day off, at the cafe.

It's good to see her again. I smile and then frown.

It's a shame that the reporters had to be there. Things would've turned out very differently.

I let out a chuckle. Funny. She has no clue who I am.

"Hmmm..." I open my eyes and purse my lips. I think I'm going to play with her for a while before things get serious. I grin. This is going to be fun. And interesting.

♥︎♥︎♥︎

Hi! Here's Carter and his possessive lover. He's a cutie pie!

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