THE ROYAL AFFAIR

BAD NEWS

Shnaya had slept quite late because she had been thinking of her life and the mess it had become .

So when she woke up next day she found Eric already awake . Eric had showered and changed into fresh clothes and was smiling at her .

"Good morning Shnaya "

"Good morning Eric . What the hell were you doing at the bat yesterday night ?"

Eric smiled sheepishly,"I am sorry Shnaya for my behaviour last night . Actually I met Luke at the bar . He seemed to have fought with his girlfriend and kept on drinking . "

"But Eric she told me she was his wife "Shnaya asked .

"I am sure he used the word girlfriend and not wife . Anyway He asked me to join him and feeling sad at your rejection I joined you . After four round of drinks he started abusing all girls . He said all girls wanted were good sex and loads of money .When I said that not all girls were like that . I told him about you . I said you were honest and that even my money could not impress you .

But he started abusing you as well saying that if you were not after money then it had to be sex .He told me that you must be a promiscuous woman so you didn't want to be tied down to one man or maybe you had seduced someone even richer than me and you planned on stringing both of us along .

When I asked him to shut his mouth he laughed at me , called me a loser and he punched me on my face . After that I punched him back.

Moreover I was also very drunk by that time . I am very sorry Shnaya . I ruined this trip for you ."

"Apology accepted but lets leave now "

Shnaya went to shower and change while Eric went to his suite to pack and ordered breakfast. He also ordered flowers which carried a note saying SORRY.

With breakfast came the morning newspaper . In the page three section was a huge article ,"Billionaire realty estate mogul Eric in Paris in a secret weekend engagement to Indian Fiancee "

He read the article which didn't give much information about Shnaya though it did say she was an Indian . However it did state that they were staying together in the same hotel and celebrating their engagement .

But the most damning thing was the accompanying photograph which showed him and Shnaya leaving the hotel together hand in hand . Their faces were very clear and the photo was taken when they had left for the yacht dinner .

If this news leaked Shnaya's reputation would be damaged . He had already spoken with his PR team and asked to find the reporters . They would also make sure that no new information about Shnaya would teach the press . But he was worried at her reaction .

Shnaya packed her stuff and joined Eric for breakfast . He was quiet today . Maybe because of yesterday he was in a serious mood .

After breakfast surprisingly the manager of the hotel and someone from front desk came to meet him and carry the check out formalities.

They left the hotel from a side entrance where a car was already waiting for them.

As they boarded the jet Eric heaved a sigh of relief . All through the distance from hotel to the airport he had been expecting the media but thankfully they met no one .

Eric was speaking with the pilot when Shnaya picked up a newspaper to read . When she read the article on page 3 she looked accusingly at Eric ," You knew "

"Yes but only in the morning before breakfast "

"Why didn't you tell me ? That's why you were silent the entire way ?Oh my God what will I do ? How will I convince everyone that this news is fake ?"Shnaya started to cry .

Eric tried to console her ," Let me call Ajay . He will speak with rest of the family "

"No Eric I will call him " saying this Shnaya took her mobile out pf her purse . It was switched off . Then she remembered that she had forgotten to charge it so it must be off . She charged it for five minutes and found so many missed calls . There were missed calls from Ajay , her father and even from Vikram .

What had happened ? She was really scared . She decided to call Vikram first . With trembling hands she called him ,"Vikram what happened ? Why were you calling me ?"

"Shnaya where the hell were you last night ? I must have called you at least ten times ? What happened to your mobile ? Why was it switched off ?"

"I am sorry Vikram . I forgot to charge it . You tell me why you called ?"

"Actually I wanted to tell you that Maharaj is seriously ill . The doctors have lost hope . He is not responding to any treatment and day by day his health is deteriorating . I know you love him as a father so you had a right to know "

"Vikram is there no hope ? Maybe we can have him treated here in London or even USA ?"

" No Shnaya I have spoken with doctors all over the world . They have the same opinion "

"Vikram I am coming back . As soon as I reach London I will book a flight to India "

"Shnaya that has been taken care off . The royal jet took off six hours back and will reach London in three hours . You just inform when you need to come back . He will be ready "

Then she called her father and Ajay who told her the same news .

Shnaya took her face in her hands and wept the entire journey from Paris to London . Eric tried to console her but she was inconsolable.

Today was one of the worst days of her life . First bad news was the problem in Paris and then this bad news regarding Maharaj condition.