Lance ran his hand through his hair, feeling the frustration running through his body. Until now, he was bothered by the turn of events. He was not expecting that he would end up in such a complicated situation.
He had been reviewing the papers before him, but all his eyes saw were the image of her beautiful face, remembering the way her body moved with his.
“Aaahhh!” Shouting his annoyance at how his body and mind were reacting to her. He was like a schoolboy who just had started having sex. He could not control his need to have her.
He stood up from his chair, going to the side of his table and taking a full glass of scotch. He should not be drinking at work, but he had a valid reason.
Taking a large swig before swallowing a mouthful, he returned to his seat, hoping that it was enough to relax him. He settled the glass on the side of his table, returning to his work.
So far, it was a futile effort as his mind swirled to another face. His mind shifted to the woman he had sworn to protect and love. But just as a friend and a sister. He slumped down on his table, cradling his head in the palms of his hands.
“Look at what you have done.” A bass tone interrupted him, jerking him away from his thought.
.....
He looked up from his position, looking at his father, who walked through his doors, not waiting for his secretary to announce his arrival.
“What did I do this time?” Lance asked irritatedly as his eyes narrowed at his father, wondering what he was talking about this time.
His father had reprimanded him this morning when his father summoned him to appear before him during breakfast. He thought it was the end when he told him that he had no plan to marry his childhood friend.
When his secretary heard his father’s angry tone, she immediately moved back and closed the door to give them some privacy.
“Amelia is missing because you humiliated her by rejecting her.” The Count said in an accusing tone. “You know she has been in love with you since you were young.”
His father’s eyes were blazing with fury, but his hands fisted on his side, but still, he tried to control his temper as he continued to walk toward him.
“Missing?” He was suddenly alarmed by the news. His mind quickly searched for places where his friend could have gone in times like this.
He stood from his chair, moving to the window as guilt again engulfed him, remembering his face of Amelia when she saw him walk out of Eida’s room.
He had no idea that Amelia was in the house, not expecting that she frequented Eida’s apartment. He was not even aware that Eida was entertaining a guest.
“Yes, his father had been looking for him. Since yesterday, she had not shown up in their house, but it was doubtful that she had left the country since her papers were still in her room.” His father continued, explaining the current situation.
His father paced in his office as if waiting for him to make a move in looking for her. But he had no plan of doing that. Amelia was not his obligation.
“Well, are you not going to do anything about this?” His father stopped in front of his table and stared at him, angrily narrowing his eyes, directing at him.
“Amelia is a grown-up woman who had lived her life alone, away from us for a long time. I am sure that she was more than capable of taking care of herself.” He was not falling into this trap that his father and friend set up for him.
Once he started searching for Amelia, they would think that he had finally conceded to their desire and proceeded with their plans. He was not allowing them to meddle with his life.
He might be confused about how he felt for Eida, but he did not want to marry Amelia. He was sure of that. There was a difference between the two.
“So, you are letting Amelia suffer because you are too high and mighty that you could not even show mercy to that poor girl.” The Count was using guilt to push what he wanted.
His father was good at this tactic. He did not mind before since he did not find anything wrong in following his suggestions. But this time, it was different. He disagreed with what his father wanted.
“Marrying Amelia is putting her in misery. Not marrying her is showing mercy.” Lance corrected his father, believing that he only wanted to save them from a lifetime of torment.
He walked back to his chair, thinking of looking for her to make sure she was safe, but he had no plan of telling his father about it.
“What is wrong with you? Amelia is beautiful, kind, talented, and more. Besides, she already loves you. Why are you having doubts about marrying her?” His father exasperatedly asked as he waved his hand in the air as if he was slowly losing his temper.
“Because I do not love her.” He finally answered his father, opening a file of his work, pretending to be busy.
He lowered his head to the files, assuming a working position. But his father did not buy it as he grabbed the folder and closed it on his face.
“We are not yet through talking about this. Don’t act like you are busy because you are drinking in the middle of the day.” His father’s eyes darted at his drink.
Nothing seemed to miss his father’s attention as he grabbed his glass with a few remaining of his drink and threw it on the wall, smashing the glass to pieces.
“As long as you are my son, you will marry Amelia and become the King of this Kingdom.” His father shouted before storming out of his office, fuming with anger.
He watched his father’s back disappear behind the corner. Then he was once again alone in his office. But he was left with more things to think about than before.
His father had already mentioned his wish to make him King, which he had already declined. But it seemed his father was determined to pursue that route.
Now, he could see why his father was so adamant about arranging this marriage because this would suit his plans well. Amelia would be a suitable wife for a future King. But what about Eida, his mind asked. Did she have the qualities of a possible queen?