Walking beneath the neon entrance sign, I entered a literal tunnel of fantasies. Every merchandise, odd or even were displayed in a marvellous manner, hanging from the ceiling to popping out from the walls.
It somewhat reminded me of the blossoming roses in the darkest thunders of the world- how their stems and roots never gave up to make use of the right amount of rain and simple ignore the shitty intruders. Though rare.
As I was moving my fingers on Elizabeth Taylor's portrait, my phone rang.
With a wry smile, I picked it up but kept on viewing the products.
"Guess what, sis?!"
"Uh you bought a flying unicorn who cleans your morning pee on the bed plus it eats all your rainbows. Too much but yay!" I scoffed sarcastically.
"Wha- no Amy! It's serious!"
"I do understand you being serious, princess."
"Ugh, I'm getting married , yikes!"
Even hearing her utter those imbecile words made me wanna puke. The portrait frame by a Taiwanese artist slipped from my hand from the amount of shock I gained, and instantly I found the shopkeeper's steps towards my way.
I sneaked out from that area and hid behind another showcase shelf.
"This must be a joke, Angel."
"No. I'm seriously getting married to the king of Spain. God, that's terrific."
"Okay. Okay." I exhaled deeply, "That's gonna be hell-a tough to digest." I tried a yoga breath-in-breathe-out shit , but it really was astonishing. Not like I was not happy for my 2-years-elder-sis but there is always this insecurity; as in never being able to see her in that joyful single ass and enjoying the time- or something similar.
"Well when's that? Like must be tomorrow."
"Lolz Amy. Funny but no. And yes, you are totes coming. I'll send the private jet ASAP. OK?"
"WAIT wait. You know that's no possible. I can't- its_ I really can't girl. It's been 6 years and I-I don't know."
"Does that really have to matter now? I understand you have problems with our paren- my parents but it's me getting married. Not them. And you love me right?"
"Yes Ann but look. I won't be able to face all those shit again, for which I left years ago. For not coming back, I broke all those family ties."
"Except me. Not as a sister, but as my best friend. Not as the forgotten prince-princess but as my guest. Please Amanda. This is the most important day of my life which you- being my most important wingman cannot ditch. Please Amy."
"I- Fine. No bargains. Simple come-and-go. Now I'm in Chinatown Market. Send the private jet. And you won't believe, for you I broke one of the awesome painting of_"
" So you were the one." I turned my head slowly towards someone I didn't want to. The shopkeeper, "Oops."
"Hey Ann. Send $400 on the plane, please sister." I chuckled, regretfully though.
***
The clouds dissipated into the wide sky as the view of the sumptuous palace came across the windowpane.
With it along, memories came back haunting every second of the landing. I was suffocating horribly and felt the whole world spinning- yes, it was that terrible.
With a successful landing, I set off my steps quickly to detect my elder sister. It has been 6 years since I left the palace and my beloved parents. Angel had always assisted me to escape and to a high level, I did owe her.
She discreetly came to visit me to every destination I made around the world and to speak honestly, she's been my only support, my love, my best friend and my life.
"Welcome back, prince." The butler warmly spoke but I only grimaced for being called that, "I'm not the prince-princess. Forget that shit already Jones."
And how could I forget that- being called prince every single time. What can I say? I was not a big people-person, also being more into speaking my thoughts and my own style.
As a tomboy princess, I had difficulty in fitting in along the paparazzi as well as handling my paren- her parents' anger. Well now that was over.
However, I searched the garden to the ballroom. Waiters and waitresses, all forms of paid servants bowed to me but that only raised the awkwardness.
Suddenly, I felt thin smooth arms wrap my open shoulders from behind and I got ready for a defensive assault already- until I saw who it was.
Delicate cinnamon skin glowing with her perfectly azure eyes; her manicured hands waved a small hi before we broke in a sisterly hug.
It was surely necessary to get her warmth once again.
Our family union was simple but elegantly powerful. Soon enough she filled me with all the details about her future husband, constantly fantasizing about their marriage.
"... espagnol is totes awesome sis. I don't know how to say it but he is the perfect one for me. I'm like so in love with him. Though it's the arranged marriage but I feel like we're gonna have an magnificent royal life. Like he's so bold, manly, frank, kingly and oh!"
I grinned at her happiness of being at the verge of starting a new other life. But there were things that bothered me a lot about her. She was too naive as well as a sly witch. Good witch.
"Look Ann. I know I am the little one here but I do need to give you the sisterly advice."
"Must be special."
"Yeah. Look, this thing_this marriage is a solemn well-made decisional importance in a girl's life. An-and it's nothing like you can easily break anytime you want and definitely not confirming the option of being exclusive. It-its not like any of those relations with your exes. Okay? And it's a shit load of serious stuff to take hold of."
"Of course darling. I assure you. He is the only one for me."
"And you said the same thing about your previous boyfriend."
"Exactly sweetie, boyfriends, not husband."
Our laughter was soon interrupted by the presence of the only two people I never wanted to see.
"Oh hey mom dad." Angel greeted but their eyes were only on me. Like they even care.
"We are going to Madrid 3 hours later. Get ready with your suitcases and everything." they eyed me once before turning away, "And tell the trash you bought to come if she has the right feeling to."
What.the.hell?
"How dare she_!" I was just about to assault her from behind, only if my dear sister didn't stop me.
Next time won't be good.
***
The Royal Palace of Madrid was indeed a very lush sophisticated castle to start with.
We intended to see the king, in the hallroom- which was massively designed. There were fine portraits of the members and fascinating decor.
As we went through a chitchat completely ignoring her parents, I saw a fascinating view coming down the stairs.
His arched eyebrows perfectly matched the sepia eyes and his alabaster skin was purely painted on his sculpted face of hollow cheeks.
It took me a while to study his emotions but there wasn't a single clue. He was truly bold as Angel described yet there was more to it.
He pulled his suit inward, taking a seat adjacent to us, forcing out a smile.
I looked up to Angel, who looked otherwise. She seemed to be in her own dreams, leering at her fiance. She crossed her legs in the process and due to her tight and short pastel skirt, the smoothest and longest legs in the world was displayed. They were always tanned, and shimmering as if pixies came over the sprinkle glitter over it every second.
Then after a bit of formal greeting session one of his manager in black suit - most probably- uttered, "We have a bad news for you."
I frowned, what type of bad?
This time, the king answered, "I apologize but I have to call off the wedding. I cannot marry your daughter. And the charges of money you have wastes upon this marriage will be paid off by my manager there. Thank you."
He simply got up showing not a single trace of emotion - as if nothing happened and careened upstairs. His butler or someone royal leaded us to the exit.
I was shocked- horribly shocked. I just became blank at his statements and actions, coping with the flow.
What was happening again?
And leave that, I was just a wingman to say but the bride- my sister. Oh shitty hell!