Romani Prince

Chapter 13: The Clan

"Do you think he likes Roquefort cheese?"

"Mother!"  I glare at her in desperation.  "Why can't you simply make your famous lasagna?"  

"But he's a prince, isn't he?  I'm planning a full five meal course to befit his standards."

Exasperated, I examine the grocery list on the kitchen island.

"Roquefort on avocado?  Vichyssoise soup and steak tartar?  Not even I can swallow this stuff!"

She snatches the list from my hands.  A viciously cold expression of defiance on her face.  "But you will because I taught you better than that.  You'll eat anything you're faced with a pleasant smile.  Any educated and polite guest would."

I feel a tear threatening to come out, but that would be exactly what my mother wants to see, so I suck it up.

"You're doing this on purpose...  You're trying to humiliate him in front of me, aren't you?"

Mother gives me the sheepiest smile that she can muster.  "If he's royalty, he should be comfortable with all these choices.  Are you worried?"

Without expecting a response, she grabs her purse and heads to the door.

"I'm going to the nail salon and then, to the grocery store.  Don't get home late again, or you'll be grounded."

I lower my head, feeling utterly defeated.  "Yes, mother."

The door slams behind her, leaving me alone and completely flabbergasted in the middle of our ostentatious kitchen.

Falling down on a chair, all my excitement to see Luka vanishes in an instant.  

Grounded?  

I've never been grounded in my entire life.

Why am I being treated like a little irresponsible brat?  Just so I give up on Luka?  

Fat chance.

I have to laugh.  

This is so ridiculous.

Little do they know that there's no going back.  No giving up.  

Our connection has become so strong in such a short period that I can't even imagine existing without Luka, anymore.

Still, I don't want my parents to know how bonded, how destined we are.  Not yet.

They sure know me well enough to see that something is very different about Luka.

Clearly, it worries them.  

They've never seen me so happy and excited.  I also have never been so outspoken and defiant, before.

So strong and determined.  

I wonder if they feel in their guts that I could leave everything behind for Luka.

My parents are scared that they may be losing control over me.

News flash... They never really had it to begin with.  I simply played along, waiting patiently for my independence.

I get up, feeling a new strength building up inside.

Breakfast is in order, and taking Zed for a run.  Then, getting ready to meet Mina at her house, so we can drive up the coast and I can finally run into my Luka's arms.

I've decided that today... is going to be an incredible day.

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