Dominic’s interview was published and, as one would expect, it generated a lot of attention. In a matter of hours, quotes, larger or smaller parts of it and pictures of him were all over the internet. Most people were stunned to discover that the king of the Alps was actually a simple man, whereas a few others expressed their doubts over its truthfulness. To them, he sounded a little too good to be true. In their minds, the fact that a blueblood was an everyday, soft-spoken man was nothing more than a publicity trick. Common people were used to thinking of royalties as self-centered and egotistical and they simply could not make an exception about him.

Dominic could not care any less. For him, the interview was nothing more than a painful memory, something that he had to put behind. Knowing that reading it online would add to his misery, he didn’t even bother turning on his laptop. Unfortunately for him, his friend Jean did not share his view on the matter. Uncharacteristically for him, he was ecstatic about something. He called Dominic and requested to see him in his office, maintaining that they needed to plan his next move. The young king indulged him. Jean could be very stubborn; most likely, he would insist. It was the only way for Dominic to avoid an argument with him.

He found his friend with a broad smile on his face and a tablet in his hands. Jean was so distracted that he failed to hear his friend’s footsteps. He only looked up at Dominic, when he slammed the door behind him.

“Good morning,” He chirped. “Have a seat.”

“Thanks, but I’d rather stand,” Dominic spoke, his voice stiff. “Having fun reading that interview?”

“Oui. It’s very good,” Jean grinned, lowering his eyes to his tablet. ‘Polite, refined, gentle, sophisticated and very passionate about art, the king of the Alps is a very interesting man. He is not the playboy the media present him to be. On the contrary, he likes to keep a low profile and avoid the spotlight.’ Magnifique.”

“You said you wanted to talk to me,” Dominic murmured.

“His garage is full of high-end cars,” Jean continued. “Ferrari’s, Lamborghini’s, Porsche’s…”

“Jean!” Dominic’s stentorian voice rumbled like thunder. “If you don’t stop reading right now, I’m going to take that tablet and beat you to death with it!”

The skin on Jean’s face tingled with fear, eyes black with shock, as the device slipped from his grasp. Silence lengthened, as the two friends stared at each other. Dominic glanced down at the tablet, catching a glimpse of Rachel’s picture. It was upside down, but it was enough to make his heart sink. Tightening his mouth, he averted his gaze from it.

“Dominic, what is the matter with you?” Jean’s deep voice filled the air. “You never talk like that.”

“Losing the woman you love has that effect on you,” Dominic spoke in a much lower tone, slipping his hands into his pockets, as he moved around his friend’s desk. “Don’t ask me the same question Melanie did. It happened.”

“I won’t. She told me about Marianne or…” He faltered. “Rachel or whatever her name is. I’m sorry. The reason why I wanted to see you is that your interview has intrigued a lot of US media. I know you’re not interested in those, but there’s something else you might find appealing. Peter Perkins, an art gallery owner in Manhattan would like to host your paintings,”

“Thanks, but I’ll pass,” Dominic grumbled, looking out the window of his friend’s office. “My paintings are not for sale, anyway.”

“Dominic, please let me finish,” The pleading tone in Jean’s voice frustrated him even further. “His proposal goes beyond that. He wants you to review the work of a few upcoming painters. You know, separate the chaff from the wheat. There are hundreds of artists in New York. This procedure could take months. It would be a good chance for you to be with her again. What do you think?”

“The art part sounds promising,” Dominic admitted. “Who knows? Maybe I can spot someone really talented. The answer is still ‘no’ about the gallery. Being with her?” He sucked in a deep breath. “It’s not just up to me. You know that.”

“So, you’re in?” Jean asked, rising from his seat.

“Yeah,” Dominic said with a nod. “As long as he doesn’t insist on that art gallery thing.”

“That’s wonderful!” Jean cheered, patting him on the back, as a huge smile lit up his face. “I hear New York is beautiful in spring.”

“It’s really great,” Dominic agreed. “It’s still noisy as hell, but at least it’s a lot prettier. More colorful.”

“Dominic, please do you a favor and go find her, as soon as we get there,” Jean suggested. “I hate to see you like this.”

“Like what?” Dominic turned to him.

“Grumpy, ready to snap,” Jean explained, attempting a more serious tone. “I couldn’t recognize you earlier. Honestly, you scared me.”

“There’s nothing I want more than to be with her again,” Dominic confessed, intensifying his stare.

“Then do it,” Jean urged. “Melanie is a handful. Sometimes, she acts a little childish, she’s loud, a bit too touchy, but I couldn’t imagine my life without her. Now, I’m asking you –as a friend— please, go claim her.”

“Are you two in on this together?” Dominic inquired with a touch of annoyance in his voice.

“Why do you say that?”

“Because that’s exactly what she said to me,” he responded, raising his tone. “I’m not stupid, Jean. I’m just lost. Anyway, call my pilots. Tell them we’re leaving tonight. I’ll see you at the airport.”