Grayson took a sip of his wine, but hardly touched his dinner, not in the mood to deal with his father. But he thought that he would get it over with. He hadn't seen his father since the incident, and he had nearly thrown a fit for him to come to the castle. This was their first family dinner in a while. It was a shame that it had to be under these circumstances.Grayson missed the days when his mother was alive. Back then, they had dinner together every evening, no matter what was happening in their lives. After she passed away of cancer, the family dinners just weren't the same. Grayson had been ten, and Xavier was eight when their world changed.After she passed, their father had become hard, not the carefree man that he had been when his wife was alive. He soon became distant, treating his family as a business firm and not a true family. But luckily, Grayson and Xavier had remained close over the years.Looking back, it was impossible to believe how they had survived it. But the ab
Queens, New YorkAri left the hospital to clean up and get some rest while they waited to find out the next steps with Henley. It had been the first time that she had been back to her dorm room since the incident. She vowed to come back for the rest of her things later. "Hey, stranger!" Vickie chirped when Ari walked through the door, pulling her in for a hug. She released her a moment later and looked into her eyes. "So, how's Henley?"Ari sighed, feeling the effects of the last few days as she plopped down on the sofa. "She has Leukemia. The tests came back positive."Vickie's eyes widened. "Oh, Ari! I'm so sorry...."Ari thought for a moment and then leaned forward, propping her elbows on her knees. "May I ask you something?"Vickie sat on the love seat across from her and leaned forward. "Of course, you can! You can ask me anything! You know that! What do you need?""I have an idea and I need to talk to you about it. But you have to promise not to tell anyone."Vickie scoffed. "H
"Don't worry, Mom. Everything's going to be all right." Ari squeezed her mother's hand, waiting in the hallway just outside of the hospital administrator's office. Ari could only imagine why. She just hoped they would continue to treat Henley.Cecille gave her arm a gentle squeeze, forcing a smile, but said nothing."Mrs. Douglas?" A woman greeted them, dressed impeccably in a business suit, her hair styled into a perfect brunette bob."Yes," Cecille asked, rising to her feet. "I'm Mrs. Douglas...." Then she motioned toward Ari. "And this is my daughter, Ari Douglas, Henley's sister. Would you mind if she sits in on the meeting with me?""Yes, of course." The woman smiled, extending her hand. "My name is Dr. Alice Sanders, the hospital administrator." She motioned toward the open door. "Would you come in?"Ari followed her mother into the office. Everything was just as meticulously arranged as the hospital administrator. Everything has a purpose. Everything has a place."Please. Sit do
Ari quickly dialed Vickie's number as she left the hospital. If anyone could help her, it was her zany friend."Hello?" Vickie answered on the first ring. "Vickie, I need your help," Ari spat into the phone, headed across the parking lot toward her car.There was a slight pause. "What do you need?" Vickie's voice was suddenly serious, more restrained than Ari had ever known her to be.Ari climbed into the driver's seat and a moment later, the engine roared to life. "I need you to make me pretty."Vickie laughed. "You're already beautiful. We just need to make you gorgeous!"Ari smiled. With all the doom and gloom in her life, Ari was relieved to have a moment of reprieve."So, you decided to do it?" Vickie asked, excitement coloring her voice. "Which company did you decide to go with?""AmericanMate." Ari turned the corner onto the main road. The certified virginity statement was on the passenger's seat. She caught it before it fell onto the floor. She made a mental note to make a cop
A few days after sending in her paperwork, her phone rang. When Ari looked at the caller ID, it was AmericanMate. "Hello?" Ari asked, answering on the first ring. Butterflies danced in her stomach. This was the call she had been waiting for. "Yes. Is this Miss Ari Douglas?" a female voice asked at the other end. Ari worked to keep her voice even. "Yes, this is Ari," she replied, her heart pounding."Hello. My name is Alba and I'm calling from AmericanMate," the woman said. "We received your paperwork and the owner would like to speak with you personally regarding your match. Do you have a moment?""Yes, of course." Every scenario ran through her mind from being set up with a millionaire to being rejected… and everything between."Hold just one moment, please." Chamber music immediately started playing in her ear. Ari didn't mind. She was glad for the moment of reprieve. She took a few deep, calming breaths while she waited.Vickie looked over from her desk where she was doing her h
"Olivia, I'm expecting a call in just a moment," Grayson said into the speaker phone. "Hold all my other calls, please.""Yes, Your Highness," she responded. "Thanks, Olivia."Grayson let out a deep breath as he disconnected, hoping he was doing the right thing. He had thought of it over and again and knew it was the right choice. He had only given his heart to one woman before... and she had just shattered it. No, he was better off living without love. After all, his forefathers and other royals in the past, even nobles, married for status, money, and to continue their royal lineage. Why shouldn't he?The phone buzzed and Grayson hit the speaker button. "Your Highness, the call you are expecting is on the line.""Thank you, Olivia." He clicked off a moment later, he clicked a button on his computer. Immediately, a well-dressed man with salt and pepper gray hair appeared on the screen. "Your Highness, my name is Mr. Franklin from AmericanMate. I have Miss Douglas on the line. Is now a
Later that day, Grayson gave Carlton a call. He had stressed to Ari not to divulge her connection with AmericanMate, but Carlton knew about it, too. Grayson knew Carlton wouldn't leak anything to the media, but he wanted to make sure."What's up?" Carlton answered on the first ring.Grayson let out a deep breath. "I need to ask you a favor."Carlton laughed. "You change your mind about the girls?""No, not hardly." Grayson rolled his eyes. As long as they had been friends, he really was starting to get on his nerves. But they had been through too much together and like brothers for too long. "What can I do you for?" When they were younger, Carlton seemed worldly, in control. He had always been Grayson's best friend. But now that they were getting older, the act was getting old. Grayson wondered if he was ever going to grow up. But, clearly, he had Peter Pan Syndrome and probably never will. Grayson just hoped that one day he would."Do you remember our conversation the other night?" G
After Declan left, Grayson texted his brother. So, are you going to the castle tonight for dinner?I hadn't planned on it, Xavier answered. Why? Should I?Grayson laughed. You know me well. There was a pause, and then Xavier texted back, I take that as a yes.Thanks, man. See you there. Then Grayson clicked off. Now was as good a time as any to get this over with, and he wanted his brother there when he dropped the bomb on their father. Grayson hurried to pack his briefcase and then rushed out the door. He went home and showered, shaved, and dressed in proper dinner attire, and then headed to the castle. Both Grayson and Xavier had moved out of the castle officially a few years back, although their father still maintained rooms in the castle for them. Grayson thought that their father was secretly hoping that they'd both move back permanently one day. But that wasn't going to happen. Both he and his brother liked having their own lives away from the castle. Before long, he turned do