CHAPTER EIGHTEEN - CINDY
I hated packing up my house, and the worst part of it was not having anywhere to go. Patrick was in the kitchen nursing a paper cut, and he had unpacked three boxes looking for a bandage.
“These things hurt worse with cardboard for some reason. Look, it’s still bleeding.” He held up his finger, and I took his hand and gave it a kiss.
“I’m sorry, friend. Thanks so much for taking care of me.”
“Yeah, well, just remember that when my handsome prince comes along.” He lifted one of the boxes and stacked it on another. “You’ll like it at our place. Edward has already changed the sheets and had a Scentsy burning. I hope you like the smell of leather; it’s his favorite. The entire house smells like a new car, but I can’t get him to stop.”
“It’s fine. Thanks again for taking me in and I promise it won’t be for long.”
“Nonsense. It can be for as long as it takes and in this city, you never know.” He stacked another box, and I was glad to have his muscle with some of the boxes that had packed heavy.
My phone rang, and it was a number with an unknown area code. I put the phone down and pushed it across the table away from temptation.
“You should take it. Stop avoiding him and see if things could work out.”
“You have no idea what’s it like. His mother will never accept me, Patrick. She doesn’t even accept her granddaughter.”
He narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”
I let out a long breath knowing it might be best to go ahead and let him know about the situation with Esme. It wasn’t my gossip to tell, but maybe he’d understand. “Esme is his daughter, and she hasn’t even been given his name yet. Her mother was a common woman who had a drug issue, and they had Esme and then she died. I don’t think his mother ever accepted her and they didn’t want him to keep the child. They tried to get him to have her adopted out, but he wasn’t having it. To this day, his mother treats her horribly and ignores her existence. Her own flesh and blood. Even the King won’t extend the birthright. Enzo said that upon his first orders, he’s going to give Esme the Roche name, and the title of princess.”
“What about the Queen? She won't still be in charge in some way?”
“No, the country has a monarchy, and the honor falls to the bloodline, not the spouse. So, she’s going to be even more pleasant I’m sure when the King dies, leaving her the Queen Mother.”
“Wow, and we think our politics are bad. But you know, some people are just that way, Cindy. Take Edwards parents. They know he’s gay; have known it since he was in high school, yet they insist on trying to introduce him to women. They hate me, and I’m not allowed at their house.”
“I had no idea.” I thought that everything was perfect with the couple. “You always say how great it is.”
“It is great, honey. Between me and Edward. We’re the ones who matter. But don’t get me wrong; it hurts. I’d do anything to have them accept me. But I have to live with knowing it might not ever happen. And as for what anyone else thinks, we’re content to tell them all to go to hell. Our love is stronger than all of it.”
I hadn’t ever considered that my issues with Enzo could be so similar to Patrick and Edward’s. I wished it was different. I’d do anything for the Queen to like me too. But with those stories floating around, it would never happen.
“Enzo told me he love me,” I admitted to him
“What? And you still let him get away?”
The phone rang again before I could respond, and Patrick leaned forward and glanced down at it. “It’s Aramis calling again.” He snatched the phone, and I jumped up and tried to answer it, but he stood up and was at least two head’s taller than me.
“Hello, this is Cindy’s phone.” He stared at me wide-eyed and then his face fell, and he paled. “Yes, Ma’am, one second please.” He put out his hand shaking the phone as if it were urgent. I gave him a shrug, but he pushed it on me.
“Hello, this is Cindy.”
“Cindy? This is Queen Ophelia Roche, of Aramis. I’m Enzo’s mother.” I glanced over at Patrick who was still in shock that the woman had called. “Are you there, dear?”
“Yes, ma’am— Your Majesty. Is there something I can help you with?” I waited for her to threaten me, to tell me that I was unwelcome near her son or in his country and that if I didn’t obey her, there’d be hell to pay, but none of that happened.
“My son has his coronation on Friday, and I’m afraid he’s been a bit out of sorts since your recent breakup. I have spoken to Lucas and asked him what we could do to bring him around, and he seems to think that you would be the only answer.”
“With all due respect, I wasn’t sure that you’d want me to be anywhere near your son considering the incidents at the charity gala.”
“My husband is dying, Cindy. Call it, stress induced empathy, but I am in a position to soon mourn the only man I’ve ever loved. I hate to see my son lose two important people. As for the incidents, Lucas explained them both, and I’m quite sure that my son wouldn’t choose anyone unworthy of his daughter’s affections, which I’ve heard you earned.”
“Yes, Esme and I hit it off. She’s a wonderful girl; you should be very proud of her.” I wanted to ask her why she wasn’t, but I didn’t want to be disrespectful after her invitation.
“I think in time, Esme and I might have a better relationship-- say if someone like you were here to bridge that generation gap.”
“Are you inviting me to the coronation or into your family?”
“I suppose I’m doing a little of both, dear. If you’re interested , I can have my private plane pick you up tomorrow and put you up in the castle for an extended stay.”
I glanced up at Patrick who had been listening with his ear as close to the phone and my head as possible without touching. He nodded quickly, and his eyes widened.
“Is Enzo expecting me?” I wondered if he had put her up to it and she was only doing so begrudgingly.
“Well, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if he was. In honesty, dear, I’d like to present you as my peace offering for a happier future. His father asked me to try and support my son on his decisions as the King, and I’d like to start with this one.”
“Thank you. I’ll be ready.”
“I’ll send my assistant, Sabine for you. I’ll have her call you back shortly. Thank you, dear. I can’t wait to meet you in a formal capacity.”
“And you as well, thank you.” The phone went dead, and I stood there a moment not quite sure what to think.
“Do you need me to pinch you, honey?” Patrick grabbed my arm and started jumping up and down, but inside I couldn’t help but hope that it wasn’t too late to work things out with Enzo. His mother and Lucas had orchestrated the reunion, but what if he didn’t want it?
“Enzo is miserable, and she’d like me to come and make things better for him. She wants me to attend his crowning.” I sat down at the table and looked around at all of my things that were packed up. Luckily, I had already moved my clothes to Patrick and Edward’s house, but I was going to need some dresses to take on my trip. “I don’t have anything to wear!”
“Leave it to me. We’ll get this stuff unloaded at the storage unit and then Edward, and I are taking you shopping.” He jumped up, but I grabbed his arm to steady myself.
I let out a sigh and finally let myself be excited for what was to come.