In truth, it hurt to love and not to be loved back. But what hurts most is to love and not have the courage to express it. Jackson didn't possess the boldness to express his feelings to Miss Simpson, and he would have rather died with his desire if Tommy had not taken the bull by the horns. Every step Miss Simpson took towards him increased his heartbeat, and he was as white as a ghost when she arrived beside him, stooped and whispered in his right ear. "Your son said you want to dance with me." "Em... Yeah, sure. Did you mind?" "I won't be here if I do. Now be on your feet and don't keep a lady waiting," Miss Simpson mumbled, then stretched her arm towards Jackson. "Wow! Thanks, Miss," Jackson announced as he held Miss Simpson's hand, and with fingers intertwined, both couples stepped into the middle of the hall and then moved in rhythm to the melodious voice of the musician. On the podium far off, Andrew peeked at Jackson and Miss Simpson as they held tight to each other, and
The whole hall turned hysterical after Einstein's speech, and some guests left in annoyance, while others uttered profanity words at the sad-looking man. During the commotion, Jackson pulled his two sons by their hands and then gestured to Andrew and let out, "Let's get out of here before it turned violent. I have kids here with me." "Let us go to my lodge so that your children can relax. It had been a hectic day for all of us." The two men wobbled among the crowd and were at the hall entrance when someone called Jackson's name from behind. "That is Miss Simpson's voice. Let's wait for her," Andrew let out and then smiled at his shivering friend. "Are you going without saying goodbye?" Miss Simpson announced. She paused, gawked at the identical twins and asked, "Which among you came to call me?" "I." "It's me." Miss Simpson looked at both twins, giggled and let out, "Are you trying to get me confused? Anyway, I love twins and I adored them when they were identical. She turned
"I suggest you go and meet her, she sounds autocratic, and I would hate to be on her bad side," Jackson muttered, and his speech seemed to pull Andrew out of his reverie. "I hate the way she is trying to order me around," Andrew answered back, standing up and pacing to and fro in the well-adorned executive lodge. "You don't have a choice, at least you ought to know why she called for you." Andrew nodded his head, peeked at his Thuraya satellite phone for a while, and then hurriedly punched some numbers on it. "Who are you calling?" Andrew ignored Jackson's peering eyes as the line rang at the other side, and then released the breath he wasn't aware of holding when a voice muttered. "You finally decided to call me since I gave you a phone... How are you, Andrew Elizabethans?" "I am good, sir. Isabella called and demanded my presence. May I know the reason why?" "All your sisters had been eager to meet you since I informed them about you. I think she just wants to see what you l
After several hours of driving, Andrew noticed a billboard that notified them of a mall half a kilometre away, and this made him turn toward Jackson and let out, "Drive into that mall so that I can pick some gifts for my family." "Good idea," Jackson let out, peeked through the left car window, branded off the highway, into the blue-painted open gate, and parked at their car park. "Stay inside the car, while I go into their stores for the gifts." "No, Andrew. I am hungry and need to pick some food to munch on the way. Let's go together." The two men disembarked from the Bentley and walked towards the blue-painted mall, and the sliding glass was opened by a middle-aged man in an impeccable white T-shirt and blue pants. He bowed to welcome them, and then let out, "Welcome to Santa Fe Mall, Sirs." "We are here to pick some gifts and something edible," Jackson answered back, and then asked, "This place is filled with several goods and will take us some time to discover what we need,
Joel picked up the Da-Vinci painting from the shopping cart, folded it and was about to hand it to Bush when Andrew stepped in his front, shook his head sideways and let out, "I have already bought this painting. Tell your customer to pick another artefact." "You must be a stranger at this side of the city," Bush shouted out in anger, pointed at Andrew and yelled louder, "You will be sorry for being at loggerhead with me." "Who are you?" Jackson stepped in front of Andrew and walked toward Bush. His tall and huge size made Bush cower back with fear. "Mr Bush is engaged to the Elizabethan family. As you are aware they are the most powerful family around here, being in his bad record will not augur well for us," the sales manager whispered to Andrew's right ear. He then bowed at Bush and mumbled, "They don't know you, but I do. Be patient and let me handle this." "Patient my foot. Tell these two strangers that I am related to the royal family by marriage, and annoying me will not end
Andrew and Jackson entered their Bentley and drove out of the mall, and their car accelerated towards Orange County. Because they had spent lots of time inside the mall, the sky was dark except for the stars and the moon, and the coolness of the night made them believe rain may fall over the night. Jackson turned toward Andrew who sat beside him at the front and begged, "Give me your phone. I want to call Miss Simpson and ask about my kids." "You want to ask about your kids, or you want to hear Miss Simpson's voice?" Andrew asked as he removed the Thuraya satellite phone from his pocket and dialled Miss Simpson's telephone number. Jackson collected the phone and muttered back, "Both. I would love to hear her voice, and also to know if Tommy and Jimmy are okay. He paused his speech as the phone rang at the other side of the line and was picked up by Miss Simpson. "Hello, Andrew," Miss Simpson's voice boomed out of the telephone's speaker. "This is Jackson. Andrew's friend. I wa
Since Andrew and Jackson's wrists were handcuffed, nothing they could do, but complain as they were driven into the front of a big, blue gate, then into Orange County police station, and then marched into a blue-painted building. Two officers saluted Rollings and mumbled, "Welcome, boss." "What happened during my absence?" Rolling asked. "Nothing, boss. We were just sitting and chatting since you left," one of the officers answered back. Rollings nodded his head and smiled with satisfaction, pointed at Andrew and Jackson and announced, "These two were arrested for possession of the royal emblem. Call Mr Elizabethan and find out if they lost any property." "Okay, boss," the officer answered back, gawked at the two accused and announced, they looked like criminals." "You won't believe they were driving a Bentley when we arrested them." One of the officers that arrested Andrew let out. "Where is their car?" "Parked where they were arrested. We will drive it down here and conduc
The villa Jackson drove into was constructed on large hectares of land. And the light from tall poles made everywhere look like daylight. The wall was painted purple, and at the front of a big castle stood a huge statue of a lion that symbolised their connection to royalty. Some guards in blue uniforms bowed to welcome them into the villa. And one among them pointed at the car park far off and then raced after the Bentley. He stopped in front of the passenger's side at the front seat, bowed and muttered as he opened the car door, "Welcome, Prince Andrew. All your family are waiting in the dining room for you, please come with me." Andrew stepped out of the car, smiled at the guard, and then gestured at Jackson to come with him. "Wow!" Jackson exclaimed a the sight of various exotic cars awaiting the royal family. He shakes his head and utters, "It's good to be rich. Imagine driving a car that matches the colour of your clothing whenever you are going out." "There are choppers and
A year later, Andrew had almost forget about his estranged queen, and only the vacant position of the queen keeps Jasmine's memory fresh in his brain. During the chiefs meeting one late night, the chief chamberlain cleared his throat and muttered, “When is our kingdom having a new queen? It’s over a year since Queen Jasmine left our palace.” “The chief chamberlain just spoke my mind,” An older chief in a white regalia let out. “ As our custom demand, the throne of the queen must not be vacant more than twelve months. We must choose another queen as soon as possible.” Andrew Inhale louder and swallowed a mouthful of saliva. “I can’t just make a random woman my queen. I need to first find a woman that I like, fall in love with her and then choose her. Don’t you think this is a long process that can’t be achieved in a few months.” “We all know this, your highness,” Another chief in a blue regalia and extra large hat mumbled. “We have all think this through and decided to choose Andrea
Jasmine barged into Andrew's chamber one night and met him staring at some family photos. “You don’t bother to check on me since Andrea arrived.”Andrew offered a sardonic smile and gestured to her to come closer.“I’m so sorry. You have been acting cold and making it difficult to talk to you.”Jasmine fixed her eyes on Andrew's face as she stepped closer and stood beside him. “You know why am angry, yet you keep doing the same thing to drive me to anger... Did I do wrong by marrying you?”With an innocent smile pasted on his face, Andrew shakes his head sideways and asked, “What did I do wrong? You have been avoiding me since Andrea arrived in the Palace.”“You know what you did, Andrew. So stop acting all sweet.”“I only knew Andrea’s presence here is not agreeable to you. But as you already know, she is the mother of my heir and I can’t stop her from visiting her only son.”“Oh!” Jasmine exclaimed. “Are you shaming me because I haven’t given you a child or you just hated me?”
The legal battle was tougher than Andrew had imagined. But at last, Jackson was given the option of parole only after five years and a commendable behavior. Though it wasn't exactly what Andrew wanted. Yet still, he was glad that he was able to reduce his punishment. A year later, Andrew was attending to some political guests when he was informed of Ajay's arrival in his palace. "Take him to my private chamber. I will be with him in a few hours." He quickly dismissed his guests and rushed to attend to his childhood friend. "What brought you to my palace at this time of the night? I thought you had gone to Arkansas City for the Yuletide holiday." "Yes, I just came back some hours ago," A smile appeared on Ajay's face as he muttered," Andrea is back at the O'Connor's villa." "Oh! Why doesn't she come to me?" "She can't. She knows that you are happily married and she won't like to be a distraction to you or your wife." "Married, yes. But not happily… Do you have her new mobile n
Jacob was found dead in his room the following morning. As expected, Jackson was arrested for the murder of Teddy. During the interrogation, he refused to mention Andrew's name and insisted it was an accident. Nevertheless, he was found guilty of manslaughter and was sentenced to ten years imprisonment. Though Andrew was happy that he had avenged his father's and grandfather's death, he felt sad that Jackson ended the scapegoat. But because of the sensitivity of the case, he had no choice but to sit and watch the law take its full course. A few days after Jackson's judgment, Andrew was seen gazing absent-mindedly into the sky when he heard some footsteps behind him. He turned and a smile appeared on his face at the sight of the unexpected guests. "Hi, Simpson.""My king!"Andrew stepped closer and held Simpson in a tight embrace. He then picked up his daughter, hugged her and then ruffled Jimmy and Tommy's hair and mumbled, "You guys are growing fast," He turned towards Simpson
Andrew was right. Bad news travels faster than its counterparts. His rumour of death had reached his enemies even before Jackson arrived. Sevreachedmen were seen in a jovial mood as Jackson stepped inside a splashy large room with a blinding light. "Welcome, Jackson. We have heard of the usurper's death, and we realized this is your handwork," Jacob announced as he held Jackson in a tight bear hug. "Now that he is dead, let's see how he wants to wear the crown.""It's my pleasure to serve you, people," Jackson mumbled as he offered his hand for a shake. And he was aware of the poisoned pin as it pricked Jacob's palm. Jacob also feels a light sting and his eyes immediately gawk at the ring on Jackson's finger. "Where is the poisoned ring?" Jacob asked as he released the breath he had been holding. Seeing a different ring on Jackson's finger brought immediate relief to him. "Here… Here it is," Jackson said as he dipped his hand into the pocket of his suit and brought out the deadly
Though Andrew didn't believe Jasmine's explanation. Nevertheless, he decided to let the sleeping dog lie. Yet still, this seemed to bring a bigger hole in their imperfect relationship. And the two of them live like cat and mouse for months. A year later, Andrew was still wondering why he ended up with Jasmine when he was informed of a guest awaiting him. Thinking maybe it was Andrea, he immediately asked if it was a man or a woman, and disappointment could be seen on his face when he was told it was a man. "I can't see him tonight. Take him to the guest quarters until I'm free to attend to him.""Yes, Your Highness. Though he claimed that it was very urgent and begged for your immediate attention.""What is his name?""Ajay O'Connor. He seemed to know you from your days at Arkansas City.""Send him in," Andrew mumbled. He wonders what Ajay wants with him and his curiosity makes him restless until Ajay arrives. The young man was a shadow of himself. His once smooth and shining ski
After their first night together, Andrew and Jasmine seemed inseparable. Though their relationship can be termed one-sided, Jasmine appeared to be happy and satisfied, and it looked like Andrew had at last forgotten his lost love. Since the royal chief won't stop disturbing him from getting married, Andrew has no choice but to propose to the excited Jasmine who immediately agrees. In truth, when the desirable is not available, the available becomes the desirable. Six months later, the pair decided to tie the knot. Their marriage was the talk of the town, and a week was declared a public holiday to celebrate the important occasions. During the royal banquet, Andrew was seated among his family and friends in a deep conversation when he noticed a silhouette of a woman who resembled Andrea. "Excuse me, please," Andrew muttered, standing up from his throne and hurried towards the outgoing lady. He ignored all the well-wishers who called out to wish him a happy married life and smiled
The sun was already glaring in the sky when Andrew woke up. After having a light meal, he decided to visit his ladies, at least for courtesy's sake. They came from far and near, and sending them home without attending to them seemed very insulting. They were put separately in different rooms, and Andrew knocked on the first door and stepped inside.A tall and shapely lady with a beautiful face stood up from the bed and walked towards him. "Good morning, my lord. I have been waiting for you since yesterday and I am glad that you finally come to visit me."The lady hugged him seductively and dragged him towards the bed in the middle of the room. But Andrew gently removed his hand and then motioned to the lady to sit down, while he sat beside her. "What is your name?""Janet, my lord.""And your profession?" "I'm a barrister and I'm working with a private company." Janet placed her palm on Andrew's chin to caress him, but Andrew held her hand, frowned and shook his head. "Take it eas
Three months later. Andrew was seen walking to and fro in his palace, and the grimace on his face showed his state of mind. His body shivered, and his eyes were cloudy. A red line shows around his eyes and a patch appears on his forehead. After yawning twice, he suddenly whirled towards the men at his back and asked, "Are you telling me she had grown wings and disappeared from the surface of the earth? I have spent millions of dollars to look for her, sent people from one end of the earth to the other side, and the result is always negative." "I'm sorry, my lord," A tall man with a large scar in between his eyes answered back. " I guess she didn't want to be found and had been evading us." "We heard she was in Orlando, and we immediately flew down there. But she must have heard of our arrival and disappeared before we reached her hideout." Andrew's frown deepened as he stared at the men on his front. "Why am I unfortunate to be surrounded by letdown people? I want a result and no