“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 at their direction only to see him gazing at her. Who the hell is this man?***Natalie Cabel, 23 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.The HOU hurried out of his office as he was informed of Isaac's arrival to welcome him.“Good morning, your Highness.” He greeted with a bow.“It's okay, act natural.” He patted him warmly, glancing to see if anyone noticed that. “The less people who know who I am, the better.”“I apologize for not recognising you yesterday. My sin is unforgivable.”“Don't say that. You'd make me want to punish you.”“I'm sorry.”“Where's the lecture hall?”“This way please.” He led them to the hall.“For fashion and design freshers?”“Yes, the class started about twenty minutes ago.”They reached and the HOU headed in to speak with the professor while Isaac searched for her among the students.Gotcha. He smiled contentedly as he spotted her at the last row.The professor stepped down from the podium to pay his respect but Isaac was quick to stop him.“I don't want to gain too much attention on my first day.”“Uh, o - okay. What do I do now?” The mid-aged man was quite nervous.“Just do what you do. P
“And the third?”“The third, in the classroom, I fell in love with you.”“Love? Don't you know what I do for a living?” She asked incredulously.“What do you do?” He pushed back his shoulders, his eyes not detering from her round face even for a second.“I'm a prostitute.”“And?”“‘And?’ You only get weirder the more I get to know you.”“I believe I've led a more shameful life than you have. But I don't let it bother me.”“Obviously, we're from very different social classes.”“Which is why you should take advantage of my feelings for you.”She drew in a deep breath and sighed.“My entire life, I've never put this much effort in anything, Natalie. All the girls I've been with fell for me first.”His intense gaze made her look away from his eyes, pushing her bob cut behind her ear.“Let me ask you a question. Do you truly have absolutely no interest in me?”She not being able to answer the question was enough response for him.“I'll take it that henceforth, you're my girlfriend.”“No.”
Natalie couldn't conceal her curiosity and just had to pop the question. Isaac drove past red lights, and there's no signs of him getting pulled over any time soon.“You must be from a royal family.”“Yes, well, obviously.” He chuckled.“You've been skipping red lights.”“I…” He pondered on how to say it to her. “I don't obey traffic rules.”“Why?” She voiced surprisingly.“They don't apply to me, I could be endangered at a stop. It's just like how officials use sirens to clear traffic, but I don't need that.” He grinned at her.“What royal family are you from?” She asked, her heart in her throat hoping it wouldn't be Bardaen.How could a lowlife like her possibly have anything to do with even a cleaner of the Bardaen empire? We're talking about the most powerful kingdom in the world.Isaac's brows furrowed in thought. “You don't know?”“Was I supposed to?”“I thought you'd at least look it up. You don't seem quite interested in me.” He sank in his seat.“I did search on social media.”
Natalie debated all day on whether or not to look Isaac up and decided it's better to assume him to be though a Bardaen prince than to be sure he was.At least she should get to know him a little bit more so that she wouldn't find him too uncomfortable to be around.She looked through the window to the vast blue orange sky, the sun shone brilliantly as it set, and the clouds took on diverse shapes. It was a windy day, but she couldn't appreciate the wind as the car windows were up.She reclined on the plush leather seat, which welcomed her body and promised to ease her exhaustion. But she dared not to close her eyes because the hunk behind the wheel had yet to earn her trust.Jonas kept his eyes on the road, his face straight and body tensed. He made it quite obvious that he disliked her, but thankfully, he never acted it out.Natalie, on the other hand, had no idea how to get on his good side. Was it even worth a try? She honestly had no answer to that.They reached the hotel, and Jo
Natalie couldn't explain how happy she was with the way Isaac held her hand as they walked into the restaurant.It was a fancy eatery and Isaac? Well, he just naturally commanded attention anywhere he set foot in. And she being the woman beside him got her ecstatic.“Are you comfortable here, or would you like to go somewhere less crowded?” He asked as they found a seat.“Here's good.” She pulled her seat and he did the same.“Good evening. What'd you like to order?” A waiter approached them with a notepad in hand.“Get us the best and most expensive set you have.”“Okay.” He smiled warmly and began to walk away.“Wait! Do you have an allergy?” His face was suddenly clouded with concern.“No, I don't.”“Carry on then.”The waiter complied.“How's your day?” He relaxed on the plastic chair.“Fun.”“Tell me more.”“I filled in for one of the dancers who fell sick, it's salsa, and it's fun!” She cooed.“You can salsa?”She laughed. “Yes, I know a lot of dances, it's part of entertaining.
Isaac stared blankly into space, his mind lost within himself.He kept asking himself why he's overreacting.So what if she's dancing with a man? They weren't kissing each other, so why couldn't he stand it? Why was he so disturbed that she wouldn't go home with him? And why the hell didn't he force her to since she refused?Could she have fallen out of love for him? Or was she already in love with another person?Of course she wasn't! She shouldn't! He'd have whoever it was beheaded if she were!“Then why the fuck is she acting out?!” He hurled his glass of wine on the floor of the balcony making Jonas shudder. “Huh? Why is she being like this?”“I… I believe it's due to the fact that she just found out who you were.”“No, she had her doubts. She asked me and all I did was affirm it. I understand her not recognising who I was earlier but shouldn't she be more careful now that she knows?”“People differ, your Highness.”“As if I care. Get me a cigarette.”Jonas did just that and calle
After a long and quiet drive with Natalie wondering at the back of her head where it was that they're going as the hotel wasn't that far to the best of her memory, they arrived at a wrought-iron gate that swung open automatically.Jonas wheeled into the long, tree-lined, cobblestone driveway that curved in front of the porch.Natalie appreciated the stunning architecture she beheld. The white two-storey building stood gracefully with large pillars and windows that covered almost all its height. The walls and floors had strips of LED that illuminated it as well as the numerous light fixtures that hung on the walls or suspended from the ceiling.A group of about ten uniformed servants, six of whom were females, lined up to welcome Isaac home.He held Natalie's hand, and they walked in together while Jonas carried on to park the car.The interior was sleek and luxurious with polished marble flooring and intricately crafted ceilings. The colour theme was gold and off-white, and the blinds
Natalie was practising for her dance when Isaac walked in. She faced him, her breath short and her hair still wet from the shower she had about fifteen minutes ago.He'd left her alone for the past two hours and it's already past 7 pm, but the room's lighting could give the false impression that it's still daytime.Isaac gave her a smutty look. She looked cute dressed in his t-shirt with her hair tangled and hanging over her face.“Hey.” She uttered nervously after pausing the music, remembering their last encounter.“I doubt you're hungry?”“No, not yet.”“Practising?” He continued into the room, closing the door behind him.“Yes. How're you feeling?”He curved his brows. “I'm not sick.”“Well, I've been feeling guilty about earlier.”He chuckled and sat on the bed. “I'm okay. It just disturbs me briefly.”“I might be out of line but… is there a reason for that?” She sat beside him.“Trauma, my mother used to cut my hair a lot when I was a child. It's so bad she'd get me bleeding at t