"Hey, babes!" I yelled the moment I spotted Melissa's car driving past me, searching for an empty lot at the Royal Shopping Mall parking area. I was not at all surprised that I was a bit earlier than her as she was always the one to turn up dramatically late. She waved to me, rolling the shutter down of her Buggati Chiron.
It was early in the morning of the final Sunday before final level lessons started and as planned I was out with my all-time bestie to have fun. She and I were on the phone almost till midnight yesterday, planning the day out. She did not let me hang up until I told her what I was to wear today and here I was with a thick layer of makeup under my eyes to cover the puffiness, because I was lacking my beauty sleep.
Melissa got down after parking and gave me a you-never-wear-the-piece-we-plan look with her hands on her hips. Her fake I-am-so-annoyed pout faded into a smile as she gave me a tight hug. The tiny pup she always carries in her tote bag gave out a yelp when it got crushed between us, earning a laugh from me, while Melissa went on checking if 'her darling little peek-a-boo' was all in one piece.
After locking my Porsche 911, I laced my fingers with my bestie's and we made our way towards a day of endless shopping and gossip.
After going in and out of a few dozen department stores and with our arms loaded with casual, but elegant pieces of matching colors, we were both overcome with hunger. As it was already past midday, we decided to hang out in the VIP lounge and grab a light meal there.
While the meal was being served, Melissa pulled out her phone and pushed it under my nose, excitedly, making my vision blur.
I raised my eyebrows at her. I was confused as to what she was so excited about.
"Isn't he the cutest?" She pointed to the male IG model on her screen while placing her phone on the table for me to get a better look.
I sighed without realizing it. He looked much like someone I knew. Melissa had always been the type to fall for the bad boys, but as for me, I have had enough bad experiences with that type to even consider the model appealing or anything.
"He DMed me yesterday and asked for my number. I think he's interested in me," she started gushing, pulling me back from my thoughts, and when she continued her voice was all low. "You know the best part... he invited me to dinner next weekend."
"I don't think it's a good idea, Mel. Think about your image. You have to maintain your reputation for the sake of your family. You will be a member of the royal court someday." I tried to pour some logic into her fuzzy brain.
"Look who's giving the speech here. Just because you had had some bad chemistry with Calvin, it doesn't mean that I will have the same fate..." She clapped her hands over her mouth, realizing that she had trespassed over some sensitive topic, only it was a bit too late.
I tried to remain calm, hiding all my emotions under a forced smile. I was feeling a sense of nausea wash over me and I wanted to leave the table right away. But I did not so much as stand up for the sake of not causing a scene and ruining our friendship. I reminded myself that she was the kindest friend I ever had and she only said those words because she was crazily crushing on that model.
"I'm so sorry, Ava. I didn't mean to-"
I somehow found my voice in time to not make her worry. "No, Mel. It's fine. I'm good. You didn't say anything wrong anyway. I just need to learn to handle this.. this thing that is in the past." I croaked while Melissa gave me a sympathetic look, which I had had not seen after we graduated high school.
Melissa waited silently for me to pick at my food as long as I pleased, which I was grateful for and when I was finally ready to leave, it was almost 3 in the evening and I had not even finished half of my plate. She tried to cheer me up by cracking some jokes and I made up my mind to forget about the upsetting memories and to go with the flow.
Thinking that I might want to end the day out earlier, Melissa started dragging me further into the mall to change my mind. She insisted that I buy some new sexy lingerie for the upcoming season.
"And why should I be doing that?" I scoffed, arching my eyebrow up. I was suddenly feeling like I was succumbing to laughing gas.
"You'll be getting married soon, probably within a year's time. And you need to feel confident in front of your suitors as well. Nothing better than sexy innerwear to boost your confidence, girl." She pointed out matter-of-factly. "If you are not gonna buy, I'm gonna send some as a gift on your wedding day. Or better, I might send them to you tomorrow during your lessons with Ms. Sophia." Her tone was dangerous and she was someone known for her pranks. If she happened to send such a thing in the presence of Ms. Sophia, my etiquette teacher, I would certainly get an earful from her.
So I gave in and let Melissa guide me to some good lingerie shops that she would recommend as she said 'specially for someone like me, who's new to the field'. I did not give any seconds thoughts as to ask what that meant because I knew her well enough to know that she was referring to my inexpertise compared to her when it came to looking sexy.
After getting billed all the items she recommended, we exited the lingerie shop. It was almost getting dark outside, so we decided to head back home. Since Melissa and I had a few of the Administrative lessons together the next day, I asked her to sleepover at the palace to which she agreed instantly.
We were on our way to the parking lot, passing the Royal City Hotel when a bunch of teenage girls swarmed past us. We were surprised that they did not even so much as notice the Princess of the Cordelian Empire and would have even pushed us if we did not manage to move out of their way in time. I gave a sideways glance at Mel to see if she minded the rude behavior of the girls as she was always the first to complain about things like that. Besides looking somewhat uncomfortable, she did not even open her mouth to complain.
As we walked by the girls, who were now gathered at the entrance to the City Hotel, I heard them swooning about 'the return of the Beauforts'. I stopped in my tracks and looked their way only to see that they were holding signs and boards, which had spray-painted hearts around the name that knocked the breath away from me.
The words they had scribbled on all the boards in neat handwriting flashed right in front of my eyes. Melissa too had stopped and was now shaking me with a terrified expression on her face.
"Don't tell me... don't.. tell me.. you didn't know about this." I stammered.
"I'm sorry, Ava. I just didn't think that he would come here of all places."
I did not say anything else to her, I just grabbed her hand and hurried in the opposite direction from the crowd, dragging her with me. I had already forgotten the etiquette lessons of Ms. Sophia and I was running away very ungracefully and in a way not befitting to a princess. All thoughts about elegance and image had left my mind.
"Running away, princess?" I heard the voice I dreaded the most, coming from right in front of me. I heard it above all the cheering of the girls, who were coming this way to catch a glimpse of their star of the day. I could only hear his damned voice, as all the other sounds faded into the background. I stopped in my tracks for the second time that day and I had no logical excuse to give for my actions apart from the fact that I was assuming he was blocking our way. When Melissa tugged at my hand to signal me to get going, I came back to my senses.
Casting my eyes down, I tried to walk past him without creating a scene, but he grabbed my arm to prevent me from leaving. And I was left with no choice, but to stop. If I tried to shout at him or do anything rash, the audience that was gathered earlier to see him would start talking about my behavior. They have already noticed that the princess was trying to run away, thanks to him.
Trying to stay calm, I turned to Melissa and whispered to her to wait for a little while until I think of a way to leave in a less dramatic way. Then I turned to meet his cat-like green eyes exactly after four peaceful years.
"It's been a long time, princess," he smirked. "Did you miss me?" With those words, he did not forget to display his ever-so-perfect smile, which used to melt me like ice back in high school. But it had no such effect on me now. I knew him too well to fall for him. Calvin was a mistake I made in the past and he has returned to haunt my present.