Chapter 2
Antonio rolled his eyes as his parents, King Jose and Queen Antonia, instructed him on the same subject once again. “No voy a casarme con cualquier mujer!”
The king and queen insisted that the law of Aruba could not be broken. Antonio turned and left the court. His parents could think he should get married before he turned twenty-six. The law could even demand it if it wished, but Antonio would let nothing and no one rule him. He was shaking his head as he made his way back to his chambers.
Antonio called one of his servants and commanded them to say nothing and begin packing his wardrobe for a trip to the United States. “I want to do a little early birthday celebrating,” Antonio smiled to himself. Once he had disappeared into the United States, his parents would never be able to find him. His English was much more developed than theirs, and he would do well.
“Can you get that ready any faster?” Antonio asked. “I’m leaving tonight.”
His servant knew better than to question him, and he didn’t say anything as he tried to prepare Antonio’s belongings as quickly as possible. Antonio selected a flight that would be overnight and land in Chicago. “Chicago sounds like a good city,” Antonio said, shaking his head as he thought back on his parents. “The law states that you must be married by the age of twenty-six or forfeit your right to become King. Any perpetrators are subject to death,” Antonio mocked. “Yeah, right. What kind of parents would threaten and even look forward to their own son’s death? Obviously, they don’t really care about me. Besides, I’d like to do a little exploring. I can go under a false name. I’ll be Antwan to all who meet me.” Antonio smiled at the name.
When his servant finally finished packing, Antonio gave him strict instructions to go to the fruit and vegetable fair and buy certain foods. Antonio slipped away while his servant was out. The chore should keep his servant occupied for at least an hour. By that time. Antonio would be boarding the plane.
“I should be riding on my own plane,” Antonio shook his head. “But, I shall have fun soon enough. Right now, I just need to get out of Aruba’s intelligence reach. It’ll be more difficult to find me if I take a commercial flight under a different name.” Antonio had a few extra credit cards that were linked to a secret account with only a few thousand dollars.
Antonio entered the airport and found it fun blending into the crowd of people. He wore his hat down low. The airport was not large, and it was likely that some people would recognize him. Even if they did, they wouldn’t know anything other than that he was going to Venezuela. He would catch a plane from there to Chicago.
The woman who took his ticket certainly recognized him, besides the fact that she had a ticket with his name on it. As a look of surprise passed over her features, he made a shushing motion. She nodded solemnly and broke eye contact. Antonio could feel her eyes on him as he left her behind. He hoped she wouldn’t say anything. While his ID said Antwan, his face might still say Prince of Aruba. It would always be easy to recognize him, but he had needed to leave as soon as possible. His birthday was in exactly one week.
Once Antonio was in Venezuela and he caught the plane he would be on all night, he felt a little freer to come out from hiding. Not as many people would recognize him. While he was the prince of Aruba, not many people kept up on the small island or would recognize him on sight.
“Hello,” he said to his pretty little seat mate in first class.
She turned and scanned him up and down. “Hello,” her voice was cool and elegant.
Antonio was instantly intrigued. “I am Antwan, and you?”
“Barbara,” she answered, eyes making contact with his.
“What is your purpose for traveling to Chicago?”
“I’m going home,” she replied. “It’s been a long trip, and I’m tired. So if you don’t mind, I’m going to sleep now.” She turned her face away from him.
“Perhaps if Chicago is your home, you could show me around. I have never been before, and I am interested in seeing the sights.”
The girl rolled over to face him, leaning her seat back and appearing quite drowsy. “What do you want to see in Chicago?”
Antonio shrugged. “The truth is that I have only visited Washington D.C. and New York before. I wanted to visit another big city, so I can get to know more about the beautiful country.”
“Where are you from?”
“Uh-“ Antonio stalled. “Venezuela.”
“Really? You don’t have the same accent as most Venezuelans have.”
How dare the prig insult his accent? “Excuse you? I can’t help that many Venezuelans have the schooling of backwards civilians.”
“Insulting your fellow countrymen? There’s something fishy about you.”
Antonio tried to decide if she meant that he smelled like a fish or looked like one. Either way, Barbara was not the type of girl he was looking to meet in the United States. Antonio settled into his seat and began reading the magazine he had picked up in the airport. This was going to be the most exciting trip of his life. He had enough money to do whatever he wanted, see whoever he wanted, and have fun however he wanted.
Barbara surprised him by getting his attention near the end of the flight. “I feel like we have met before,” she said, her tone quite different from how it was before. She was still aloof, but she was also curious.
Antonio shrugged nonchalantly as though her accusation didn’t bother him in the least. “I think I would remember meeting you.”
“Maybe you just look like a movie star or something,” Barbara said, giving an off-handed smile.
“How about we figure out what movie star I look like as you show me around town?” Antonio asked, a teasing tone in his voice.
Barbara laughed. “You are desperate for a tour guide, aren’t you? You know, I’m pretty sure there are touring agencies in Chicago if you are that interested.”
“I doubt it would be as much fun as touring with you would be,” Antonio said, giving a look he knew made hearts beat. “Where are you staying tonight?”
“Oh, no,” Barbara shook her head. “You take me for the wrong kind of girl if you think I would sleep with a man I just met on an airplane.”
“I never assumed that,” Antonio said, backpedaling. “I was wondering where I could meet up with you so you could show me around. I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you.”
“Of course,” Barbara said, a smile still dancing across her features. “Find your way to the Navy Pier about ten tomorrow morning. If you can do that, then I’ll see about showing you around the city.”
Antonio smiled. “You are most gracious. I shall see if I can do that.”
******
Antonio never made it to his meeting with Barbara. He was still too hung over at ten the next morning to even realize what day it was let alone that he had an appointment with a blonde beauty. His next few nights were filled with the full “American” experience, and when security from the island of Aruba showed up on day three, Antonio was more than a little disappointed.
He yelled at them and commanded they go back and report that he was well but not give away his location. “I cannot go back. I will not, and you cannot force me,” Antonio insisted. “I am having too much fun here.”
“We have been sent to keep you safe,” one member of his security detail explained. “We will do our job.”
Antonio rolled his eyes. “Do whatever you want, but I am not going back, and I am not going to get married.”
The man shook his head. “You may be the prince, but we take our orders from King Jose.”
“I am done with this!” Antonio said, leaving his penthouse suite. He wouldn’t let anyone else rule him. He was going to have fun his way.