CHAPTER 16
Faith
I wake up in the morning and roll over only to find Alistair isn’t there.
That’s strange, I think to myself.
I stand up and stretch and go looking for him in the room. How big is this place? Unbelievable.
The shower and bathtub are even bigger than I remembered seeing last night in the moonlight. And there’s even a walk-in closet that’s bigger than my entire apartment.
I wonder where he is?
I hear some talk in the hall and start to wonder what part of the house I’m actually in.
I walk over to the door and the words become clearer.
“The help! You’re in love with the help? Have you lost your mind?”
“You’re the one who lost your mind a long time ago, dad. You in your high castle, literally. Your ivory tower. You have no idea what goes on outside these gates, nor do you want to. You live in your bubble having no idea what it’s like to love. You don’t even know anymore, do you? I’ve supported you through thick and thin and if you don’t want to stand behind me the one time I bring some big, life-changing, news your way then so be it. I wasn’t planning on living here anyways. I’d rather go be happy somewhere else. With her!”
“This will pass over and when it does we’ll find you a young woman worthy of what we have.”
I feel the first tear already falling down my cheek.
“Worthy? You’re the one who’s not worthy of her. I don’t want to introduce you to her anyways. Why would I? You’re just being a bitter old man about the whole thing.”
“I’m sure your mother is beside me on this one.”
“Oh, you think so? I sure don’t. Let’s go ask her right now. You’ll see.”
I hear footsteps down the hall. I wait until I don’t hear anything anymore.
Oh my god. What have I gotten myself into?
This is so much bigger than me and Alistair. This is about the entire country. I know I could stand beside him and be the partner he needs me to be, and he could do the same, but this is more. This is about putting on a pretty face and attending events.
Maybe his dad’s right. Maybe I’m not worthy of this. I wasn’t born into this type of life and I’m certainly not used to it.
Can we really just run away to somewhere like South Africa or Brazil? Last night it was pillow talk and I believed it, but my emotions were running high. Saying it and doing it are two separate things.
If he pulled such a move it would be an international scandal…because of me.
I quickly slide into my dress and carefully tiptoe out the door and down the hall. Luckily I don’t bump into anyone.
I quickly figure out where I am now thanks to the direction of the sunlight coming in through the window, and turn down another hallway once it’s clear.
It’s the hallway where my room is.
I dart inside and grab my things, fumbling with my phone to schedule an Uber pickup for right now.
I stick my head out the door looking both ways and see that the coast is clear, but there are voices!
I make a run for it, dashing down the hall and down the stairs before the voices get closer.
I reach the front door and the butler is there to quickly open it.
“Not staying for breakfast, ma’am?”
“I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused. You’ll never have to see me again,” I say.
“Not staying for breakfast, ma’am?” I mumble as I run down the long winding driveway. What a jerk!
I think he was mocking me, but I’m not even 100% sure. Maybe he was actually being polite.
Just goes to show what I know about this life. I can’t even make out the butler’s comments.
Wait!
Peaches and Cream.
I turn back around and run back around the side of the house for the kennel.
Luckily a couple minutes later I’ve found them in the kennel.
Their fur looks shiny and soft and they look like they’re in doggie wonderland back here with all these other dogs to play with.
I free them from the kennel and take off running for the front gate. Thankfully they chase after me, being that they are dogs and all. Imagine if I was a cat person.
Before I know it I’m at the gate.
“Going home early today. Feeling well?”
“Some days just aren’t your day,” I say trying to avoid getting into a long conversation.
“I know the feeling,” he says. “Hope you get to feeling better soon.”
He signs me out and I push through the security gate and out onto the street.
My Uber driver pulls up just in time. Finally, something good is happening.
“Dogs? Are you joking me,” he says.
“I’ll pay double.”
“Better make that triple.”
“Whatever you want. Just drive please.”
“You got that much cash on you?”
“Drive!” I yell.
He pulls away and I try and remember where I put in the destination field. I just remember clicking the map to the farthest point away from here.
I pull up the app and realize I’ve clicked on the train station.
Another stroke of luck.
Maybe it’s a sign. Everything is working now that I’m outside the palace walls.
Who was I to dare think I ever belonged in there anyways?
But I never cared about any of that. Only him. He’s all I ever wanted. I don’t care about his title or any of that stuff.
With the car in motion and my dogs miraculously being calm I have a moment to realize just what happened.
The tears come back instantly and raise my hand to wipe them away, feeling the ring against my cheek.
I totally forgot I have a ring on my finger worth more that most people’s lifetime salaries, or at least a good chunk of it.
I have to find a way to give it back.
“You pay extra if you get my car wet,” the driver says.
I do a sort of nervous and ironic laugh combined in one. I’m still crying but at least I can see the humor in it all.
I’ve got a multi-million dollar ring on my hand but barely enough cash to last me a week.
Somehow I’ve got to get the ring back, without going back myself.
I went from being on top of the world to being an absolute mess in under fifteen minutes.
And there’s no solution in sight.