“Hope to see you again, Tom.” Emily said as she handed him the grocery bags.
“I’m afraid you wouldn't. Tom is going on paternity leave starting next week.” I said, sadness reflecting in my tone as I spoke.
“Oh! Congratulations on becoming a parent, Tom.” Emily said beaming with smiles.
“Thank you, Emily.” Tom said.
“I'll miss seeing you here though.” she said.
“You won't have to miss me much. I will be back soon.” Tom said, flashing her a smile.
I tried not to think about it. Tom had been my bodyguard for five years, but he was leaving for paternity leave next week. He would be back after three months, but I know the probability of that ever happening is close to zero. Charlie already hired someone else to resume today. I was happy for him, but I would miss him. He was not only my bodyguard but a friend, and I could only hope for his replacement and I had the same connection.
“Oh no, you wouldn't. I'm moving back to my hometown soon too.”
“You’re also leaving soon. You could stay and I'll help you run the store.” I directed my words at Emily.
Emily was moving back to her hometown, a small town in Ohio. She was in her sixties and the owner of the store. She wanted to retire and hand it over to someone else. Even though she was the owner, she made sure to personally attend to me whenever I came to the store.
Since the first time Tom and I set foot inside the convenience store my sophomore year, Emily has been like a mentor and a really close friend. It was the first time I've ever gone to a store in my entire life. I got lost and almost got scammed by a cashier, Emily stepped in to help me.
Emily let out a small laugh. She walked to me and gave me a hug.
“You're a sweetheart. I'm going to miss you alot.” She said
“I'm going to miss you more.” I hugged her tight.
Between Tom, Emily, and my impending graduation from Havard, where my major was international relations—as expected of a princess—I had enough goodbyes to last me for the next ten years.
“You will make a great queen.” She said and gently patted my head.
Even though I had no interest in becoming queen, I didn't say that to Emily. I merely smiled at her. I was the second in the line to the throne. My chances of becoming a queen were very low.
My parents were late. My mother died shortly after he gave birth to me, and my father, a few years ago in a car accident. My brother Charlie, who was five years my senior, had been training to take over for our grandfather King George since he came of age.
Once Charlie had children, I would be bumped further down the line of succession. I had no complaints about it. Becoming a queen is my worst nightmare. Being a princess was already hard enough as it is.
“Emily.” One of the staff called. “We need your attention back here.”
“I'm coming.” She yelled back.
“I need to go now. I'm not leaving till next week. I'll see you around.” She said to me, I gave her a quick goodbye hug before she rushed off.
“Are you ready to leave, your Highness?” Tom asked.
“Sure, let's go.” I said.
We walked out of the convenience store and headed towards my apartment off-campus. It was only ten minutes away. I loved the fall and everything that came with it. The cozy clothes, the hint of cinnamon and smoke in the air. Everything. If I was in Potomac, I wouldn't be able to walk freely on the street without getting mobbed.
It's also one of the things I loved about Harvard. The school was filled with popularity ranging from children of royalty to children of celebrities. Being a princess is no big deal here. I could be my own person without having to worry about the shackles of responsibilities of upholding the family's honor.
“Tell me about the new bodyguard. What's he like?” I asked.
It's a question that has been bugging the corner of my mind for a while. My brother would not compromise my safety for anything. I was afraid he employed a very stern person. It was bad enough that I studied far away from home. I had to throw a huge fit before I was allowed to go away after highschool. Well, I didn't exactly attend high school. I had been homeschooled my whole life.
I wasn't allowed out of the palace gates unless it's a ceremony or a very important event. Even then, I always have a huge procession following me. I have always wanted to experience life outside the palace. I wanted to feel normal. I might sound ungrateful, but I'm not. I really do appreciate the privileges I was given growing up. But when you're a royalty, there is nothing like normalcy. With Tom going away, my last shred of normalcy I've managed to attain at Harvard will soon go away.
“I don't really know much about him, except that he is a contractor.” Tom said.
The royal family sometimes hired private security contractors to work alongside the Royal keep, the security group for the royal families, even though such occurrences are rare. In my twenty one years, I have never had a contractor as a bodyguard.
“He is supposedly the best. An ex militant. Top notch recommendations, years of experience in guarding high profile personalities. He is the most sought out in the company.” Tom added.
An American bodyguard.
“I hope we get along.” I said.
“I’m sure you'll get along. You're very easy to get along with, your Highness.”
“You're only saying that because I'm your boss.”
“Well, technically, The crown prince is my boss. I'm only speaking the truth.” he said.
We both shared a laugh. Despite his insistence to keep calling me ‘your Highness’, Tom and I have formed some sort of friendly relationship. When you're with someone all hours of the day, you get to become friends with them or it's going to be miserable for the both of you.
Throughout the rest of the walk, we chatted about Tom’s impending fatherhood. He was clearly excited by the prospect of being a father. I knew he would make a great one.
A tiny bit of me wanted what Tom and his wife had. Love. Being a princess doesn't leave room for dating. I was expected to have an arranged marriage. Something I've been dreading ever since I came of age. I've had a fair share of blind dates but I'm still unable to choose a suitor. I really wished to fall in love.
My house came into full view a few minutes later. A black Bentley was parked out front. A man dressed in black shirt and navy blue pants trousers was accessing the house. He had his back on us so it doesn't seem like he heard us approaching.
That must be the new bodyguard. He is tall, about 6 '3. His posture seemed confident and proud. Even from the back, you could tell he was a good-looking guy. He had a very fine figure that could only be achieved with years of workout.
“He is early. He is not supposed to arrive until four.” Tom said.
“Punctuality is good.” Although an hour earlier seems like an overkill.
As we approached, he turned swiftly to face us and my heart literally dropped to my stomach. His extremely long legs are up the distance between us in three strides. For someone that huge, he moved really quietly. If I hadn't seen him coming I wouldn't have noticed him approaching at all.
When I said he was good-looking, I meant he was really hot. Extremely hot. He seems to be competing with the sun which of them was more hot.
His long jet black hair grazed his collar, I felt a terrible itch to run my fingers through them and find out if they're as soft as they look. His emerald green eyes have to be the most beautiful I've ever seen. His sharp features were so ethereal, his sharp and pointed nose and slightly pursued pink lips.
He stood in front of me and I found myself moving closer to him. I couldn't resist the gravitational pull his body emitted.
“Christian Allister.” His deep masculine voice with a hint of roughness resonated over me.
I swear, I felt butterflies in my stomach when I heard his voice. I've seen a fair share of good-looking men but my new bodyguard was downright gorgeous. I was so lost staring at him that I forgot to respond. Tom let out a small cough. I quickly composed myself.
“Isabella.” I said, deliberately omitting the princess title.
We shook hands and the butterflies in my stomach turned into bats, beating fiercely against my rib cage. It was just his first day and I already felt this way. It is going to be a really long year.
I, Isabella , are officially attracted to my bodyguard.