CHAPTER 4

“Well, what do you want from me?”

“Be my girlfriend.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“You don't want to?”

“Why would I?” Her eyes were popped out.

“What's the big deal? Should I have asked for us to be friends?” He parked in front of a restaurant.

“I'm not interested in you.”

He turned around to face her. “Stop trying to break my heart. Do you have a boyfriend?”

“N_ yes, I do.”

“No, you don't. Let me give you three reasons to date me. One, I'm rich. Two, I'm good-looking. Three, I'm not bad in bed.”

“Is that all you can boast about?”

“No, but they're important for boyfriend material.”

“If you need a call girl, I can get you a list to choose from. But I'm not one.”

“Why aren't you?”

Natalie only stared at him.

“To be in a relationship isn't a big deal.” He sucked in a breath. “I'm single, and so are you. Moreover, it doesn't need a formal process to begin or end.”

“We aren't speaking the same language, Isaac.”

“What's your major?”

“May I know why you ask?”

“Because I have to win you over.”

“Let's not do this the hard way, please.”

“I believe I should be the one saying that. So? Are you gonna tell?”

“I doubt I'd be comfortable eating with you, I'd rather take my leave.”

He sucked his teeth, plucked Jonas's phone from the holder, and opened the camera app. “As you wish, Natalie's your real name, right?”

“I have no reason to lie to you.”

“You did.” He took a picture of her.

“You're not allowed to do that!” She asserted.

He smirked. “I am.”

“Let's never meet again.” She alighted, and he gaped at the door.

“Wow, this is the first time a person walked out on me.” He came down as well, and running towards him came Jonas.

“Your Highness.” He bowed his head.

“I want every information possible on her.” He ordered, his eyes glued on her as she stopped feet away to hail a cab.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Natalie stared in their direction only to see him gazing at her. Who the hell is this man?

***

Natalie Cabel, 25 year old art fresher, raised by a single mother who's a renowned floozie. She catered for herself from a very young age, earning money the only way she knew how to. Natalie's her birth name, which she's popularly known by back home and Bella, well, she's known as that in her businesses. She left home years back and raised the bars for herself, becoming one of the most expensive call girls in the whole of the state.

“She's highly in demand, Your Highness.” Jonas informed. “Even though she's not been in service for the past months. Word has it that she hit the jackpot or maybe got tired.”

Isaac sighed, an invisible smile on his lips as he browsed the enclosed papers. “What department is she? In arts?”

“Fashion and design, Your Highness.”

“Let's go to the university.” He said, rising from his bed.

It took roughly an hour to get ready and reach the college of arts. They did, and he requested a meeting with the Head of Unit, which he was granted.

“How may I help you?” The robust bald man asked as Isaac relaxed in a seat.

“Are you understaffed?”

“Why do you ask?” The HOU asked, vividly finding him weird.

“Can you hire me? You don't need to pay me, though, or anything. Just an informal employment.”

“I'm sorry, but we're not hiring at the moment.”

“Uh, okay, well then, can you admit me as a student?”

“There's normally a procedure you need to follow before admission.” The elderly man informed in a ‘that's common knowledge’ tone.

“I know, it's not like I need to be registered as a student, I'm currently pursuing a PhD. in history. I just need you to introduce me as a student or lecturer or anything, I'm not gonna cause trouble, and you don't need to pay me. In short, I'll pay you.”

The man gave him a careful, assessing look. “You seem very suspicious.”

Isaac sighed, reclined on the seat. “What do I need to do?”

“You need to follow protocol.”

“I don't have time.”

“I'm sorry, but I don't think I can help you. I don't have the power to do as I please.”

Isaac sighed again, sank into the seat. I need someone with power then.

He left the office, and Jonas drove him to the state's Premier’s residence. Upon reaching, they're informed that he's in the State House, but the Premier quickly headed home after learning of Isaac's visit.

“I hope all is well.” The Premier sought after the greetings. They're seated in the lounge enjoying some refreshments.

“Yes well, except for one thing. I need informal employment or admission into the college of art. I don't want to be paid, don't have it on paper, it's just for a limited time.”

“Um, okay… I presume the reason is personal.”

“You can tell.”

“Okay, when would you like to start?”

“Tomorrow, if possible.”

“Okay, I'll get it settled, Your Highness.”

***

Jonas helped him into a bathrobe as he stepped out of the bath, and he headed to the closet where the servants were waiting to dress him up.

The order was simple; make me look good.

It's unlike him, but he found himself wanting to impress Natalie highly. It took him the whole night to choose his outfit for the day after consulting all seven of his stylists.

Why? Don't ask him that.

He relaxed on the lounge chair and allowed the servants to do their job. Two were pedicuring, two were manicuring, and two worked on his face.

"What do you think her reaction would be?" He asked nobody in particular.

"She would be astonished, Your Highness." Jonas answered.

"Oh yes! She asked me a question last time; 'who am I?' How do I answer that?" He switched his gaze to the heavy young man.

Jonas pondered on an answer briefly. "You're one of the most powerful men in the world. Anybody who doesn't know that would at least know that you're not a regular man."

"Really now?" He chuckled. "I'm flattered. But if I tell her I'm Isaac Bardekk, she'd know who I am, right?"

"Of course, Your Highness."

"I can't wait to sweep her off her feet. Do I have anything to do today?"

"Your schedule has been cleared as you ordered."

"Good, I might be lucky enough to go on a date today, keep everything I'd need in the car."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Isaac smiled and shut his eyes, delving into the sweet thought of her. But his bliss was short-lived as one of the servants used the trimmer she's using for his brows to push back his hair, which fell on his face.

He snapped his eyes open, and Jonas immediately grabbed the lady's hand, pulling her up to her feet, and she began trembling instantly.

"I - I'm sorry, please forgive me. I dearly apologise." She begged.

Isaac calmed his racing heart first, then fired his angry eyes at the lady who's already in tears. "Get her out of here and make sure I never set eyes on her again."

"Yes, Your Highness." Jonas dragged her out of the room.

Isaac clenched his jaw, stared at his reflection on the mirror, and wondered when he'd ever be able to get over that phobia of his.

He asked for an elastic band which he bundled his hair with, and let the others continue their tasks.