Royal Pain in the Ass, page 12
“Where is your mother, anyway?”
“Somewhere in the Atlantic,”
“Ah, a cruise?”
“No, idiot, I sprinkled her ashes in the ocean.” I snapped.
“Oh, I didn’t know,” Xavier mumbled.
Why was I snapping at him? He hadn’t known. It’s not like I went around telling people about it. “Don’t worry about it,” I grumbled as I turned away from him. It still was a raw wound. It hadn’t even been six months and I still missed her terribly. It wasn’t just not having her here physically. It was not telling her how my day was. Not being able to ask her how hers was. Not being able to tell her who I was talking to, who I missed. Her telling me I worry too much. Her telling me somehow everything worked out eventually. What I really missed the most was her singing . . .
“You’ve lost so much,” Xavier muttered.
Xavier brought me out of my thoughts. “Shit happens.” I pulled my knees up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them and curled myself into a ball.
“Juliet,” Xavier rubbed my back and I flinched at the touch.
“Can you just go?”
Xavier sighed but I felt the bed shift as he stood up. “I’m just down the hall if you need anything,”
I listened for the door and sighed when it clicked shut. I felt the tears and I didn’t fight this time. I missed her like crazy. I rummage through my stuff for my phone and went through the pictures. “Mom . . . I miss you . . .” I let the tears flow and was bawling before long. I felt so alone. No one else had ever really accepted me for who I am. Mom has taught me to embrace who I am and never be sorry for it. There was no reason to be. It was hard sometimes, but we are who we are for a reason. What I wouldn’t give to hear her voice again. I curled up in the bed again and pulled the covers around me. I was cold, but it wasn’t the kind of cold blankets could cure. I must have fallen asleep because I was woken up to a soft knocking.
I looked up as Xavier came in carrying a tray of food. My head was pounding and my eyes hurt, I wiped at them and the skin was raw. “I thought you might be hungry.” He offered with a small smile.
“Not really,” I shook my head.
“At least have some tea or something,” Xavier pressed as he fiddled with the small tea set.
“You English and your tea. What about coffee?”
Xavier pursed his lips and watched me.
“That was a joke,” I rolled my eyes.
At that he let out a relieved laugh. “Ah, well, would you like to try to eat something.”
I shrugged and looked at the trey. Tomato soup, a sandwich, water, tea, and a sugar cookie. “I’m really not hungry though,”
“At least eat the cookie. Those always seem to cheer you up. Gwen made sure I grabbed one before I left the kitchens.”
I smiled at that. “Gwen always has cookies.”
Xavier nodded. “That she does. She said she’d come up after her shift. I sincerely hope you two aren’t planning on sneaking out.”
“I don’t plan on it,” I shook my head. But there’s no telling with Gwen, I thought to myself.
“Are you feeling any better.”
“Sort of,” I was still sad, and I was sure I looked a mess. I hadn’t even looked at myself in the mirror today. I pulled myself out of bed and went over to one of the chairs and stretched. “Let me get a shower and I’ll eat something.” I offered as I disappeared into my bathroom.
I looked at myself in the mirror and gasped. I looked a mess, clowns have cleaner makeup. As if the mascara and eyeliner from last night wasn’t bad enough, my crying had made it streak across my face. My hair was a tangled nest of disaster. How had Xavier not told me I looked so awful.
I immediately started scrubbing at my face and pulling pins and such out of my hair and let it fall back down around my shoulders. Once I managed to get my hair down and the makeup off I looked almost human. I started the water and put it as hot as it would go and stepped in. I let the water scald my skin and it felt good. I reflected on everything.
Six months ago I was just trying to get my degree and live a life of meager proportions. I was a swing manager, about to get a promotion to first assistant, then maybe my own store. I had that audition with the Orlando Philharmonic orchestra I was going mad practicing for, studying for finals and helping Mom out with whatever I could.
Now Mom was gone, everything I’d ever known was in a country I couldn’t return to until the king decided I could, and I was here learning to be something I wasn’t. I immersed myself into the water and started washing all the product out of my hair.
I was angry. Angry at a lot. Angry at the fact that she was gone. Angry that my father hadn’t been there for her or me. Angry that all of a sudden I had to pretend to be something I’m not. Angry that Millie had chosen Ethan for Angelica and she was going to get hurt. Angry that I couldn’t do anything to help her. Angry that I didn’t have an outlet here. Angry at the whole situation. I looked around the bathroom. I saw a crystal soap dish. I got out of the tub, picked it up and threw it against a wall and it shattered. I looked around and started throwing everything breakable. A porcelain soap dispenser, a jar of bath beads, a candle holder, anything I could get my hands on. I just started throwing and breaking everything.
Xavier burst in. “What is going on in . . . oh my,” Xavier started, his eyes lingered on me. “Ju-Juliet,” he stammered then looked away. It was about then I realized I was naked.
“GET OUT!” I screamed as I ran for a towel. Running naked on a slippery marble for floor while you are wet and the floor is covered in fragments of glass and porcelain is a bad idea. I slipped and managed to slice myself up. I curled myself into a ball and watched the crimson rivulets start.
“Here,” Xavier draped a towel over me. His boots crunching on the glass. I felt the tears coming again. “Come here,” Xavier picked me up.
“Your clothes,”
“Don’t matter,” Xavier assured me as he carried me effortlessly over the shards.
“But,”
“How badly are you hurt?”
I sighed and felt myself relax in him arms. He placed me on my bed and went to retrieve another towel. He started dabbing at my legs and I winced. Xavier pulled the towel off and looked closer.
“You have shards of glass in your legs. I imagine in other places as well. I’ll be right back.”
I looked at my legs. They were little more than a shredded mess. I started inspecting the rest of me and realized my legs had taken the brunt of the damage. I got up and went to grab clothes quickly. I pulled on a pair of underpants and a bra when Xavier burst back in as I was fighting with a shirt. He quickly turned away.
“Juliet,”
I wrapped the towel around myself, but in my haste, I managed to scrape against my legs. “Ow,” I muttered and I let myself sink to the floor.
“Let me look.” Xavier had gone to fetch tweezers and was now gingerly pulling out shards. “Those seem to be all the ones I can get to.” Xavier sighed. “How about the rest of you? Are there any others I missed?”
I shook my head. “I, I don’t think so.” I suddenly realized just how close he was to me.
Staring at the concern in his chocolaty brown eyes made something feel tight in my stomach.
“What in the world were you doing?”
I shrugged. “I’m not really sure.”
“Why would you start smashing things?”
“I was just frustrated.”
“So you smashed everything?”
“I haven’t had an outlet since I got here. I have no idea what I’m doing here, and it’s just been one thing after another since I’ve arrived. I guess I just vented.”
“That’s you’re version of venting?”
I shrugged. “Not my usual, but a way. I have to say, I do feel a little better.”
Xavier sighed then pulled me into a hug. “You are something else. Go get dressed,” Xavier left without another word and I stared at the closed door.
I wasn’t sure what I was feeling, but I wasn’t sure I cared. I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not, but I pushed it to the back of my mind. I’d worry about it later. I pulled out a pair of loose jeans and a concert tee and threw myself on my bed. I wasn’t alone for long because Gwen snuck in.
“Hello gorgeous,”
“Hey Gwen,”
“I hear you’re under house arrest again.”
“Something like that,”
Gwen gave me a devilish smirk. “Well, that’s perfect.”
“Why?”
“The penguins are playing again tonight and Harper really wants to see you.”
“I don’t know.”
“Come on, it will be fun.” I glanced at the door.
“What about Xavier?”
“What about him?”
“He’ll know if I sneak out.”
“So we’ll be sneakier.”
I sighed. “You’re not going to let me say no, are you?”
“No, you’re going to come have fun.”
I sighed. “I’m in so much trouble, Gwen.”
“So what’s a little more then?” Gwen smirked. “Now, let’s start planning this.”
Gwen said let’s plan, but it was really she already had it all planned out and I was just supposed to go along with it. “Have you eaten? I made Xavier take you a cookie. Did he give it to you? If not, I have more.” Gwen pulled out a pouch full of cookies. “So, you are confined to your room. I’ll have Xavier take you dinner, then you tell him you want to go to bed early, and not long after that, I’ll come get you.”
“And what if Xavier figures you out?”
“He won’t he not that smart.”
“Gwen, he already asked before you even came in here if we were sneaking out.”
“That tricky bastard.”
“Gwen, what have you already told him.”
“Nothing important.”
“What did you tell him?”
“That it was his job to make you feel better.”
I sighed. “Gwen, go get me Xavier,”
“What are you up to?”
“Just go get him.”
“Don’t spoil my plans,” Gwen warned.
“I promise,”
“Alright,” Gwen grudgingly got up and went to go get Xavier.
I was staring at the ceiling when he came in. “Gwen said you needed me?”
“Yeah,”
“What’s up?”
“I wanted to give you a little heads up.”
“What’s that?”
“I’m going out tonight.”
“You’re what?” Xavier asked, raising an eyebrow.
“You heard me.”
“And what makes you think I’ll allow this?”
“It’s your fault I got hurt.”
“Oh? Please tell me how this is so?”
“If you hadn’t come barging into my bathroom while I was stark naked, I wouldn’t have run for the towel and slid across a glass encrusted floor.” I shrugged.
“So, despite the fact that you smashed everything in the bathroom, you’re going to say it’s my fault because I ‘barged in’ on you?” Xavier asked making air quote.
“Yeah, you’re getting it. Yay! I’ll tell Gwen to bring you a cookie.”
“That is such backwards logic.”
“But it’s logic.”
I saw a look cross over his face. I couldn’t place it, was that, no can’t be. Was Xavier feeling guilty? Now I felt bad.
Xavier pinched the bridge of his nose. “Very well, I will just have to accompany you.”
“No,”
“No?”
“That’s what I said.”
“And what makes you think I’d let you go unaccompanied?”
“I’d be accompanied, just not by you.”
“Then who?”
“Gwen,”
“I knew it,” Xavier growled. “You two need a chaperone.”
“I can handle myself.”
“I disagree.”
“Look Xavier, I didn’t have to tell you. I could have just run off. I’d like you to keep that in mind.”
“Juliet,”
“No, don’t Juliet me. I’m not a child. I just need some time. I can vent tonight.”
Xavier raised an eyebrow. “Like you did earlier?”
“In a healthier way. I made a couple friends here and I can blow off some steam with them. I’m going, and you can be on my side and help me or not.”
Xavier sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I cannot believe I’m agreeing to this. What do you ask of me?”
“Can you cover for me?”
Xavier pinched his nose and sighed. “You realize I could lose my job over this,”
I hadn’t thought of that. I shrugged. “I didn’t, but I didn’t want to lie to you.” Xavier started massaging his temples. “If I get caught, you can play stupid. Act like you didn’t know.”
Xavier gave me a look that clearly said ‘shut up that’s a stupid idea.’ “I have no intention of lying to your father if you are found out.” Xavier let out a growl and he took a deep breath. “If you were to do this, there would be a few ground rules we need to cover.” I nodded feeling the smile spread across my face. I had just sealed a victory. “First and foremost, you are to go out disguised.” I felt myself nodding without thinking. That was obvious. “Second, there will be a curfew. I want you home no later than two. And thirdly, I want you to take this.” Xavier handed me a phone. “This already has my phone number programmed into it. It will comfort me to know I have some means to get a hold of you if necessary.”
“Thanks Xavier!” I jumped up and hugged him. His arms went around my waist and held me up.
“You owe me,” he chuckled into my hair and set me down. “You are going to be the death of me, I’m sure.” He sighed. “Stay in your room for now, I will come and let you know when it is safe to leave. I’ll assure Millie that you are going to bed early because you feel terrible for what you’ve done.”
I laughed. “I love how that backwards old bat can really think I’m like that. How can she not realize what kind of guy Ethan is?”
“Your father will want to speak with you tonight. You have to wait until after that before you go anywhere. Do I make myself clear?” I nodded, the smile wilting. I really had to talk to Angelica. I had to make her see, or at least apologize. But if I apologize I look guilty when it isn’t me who’s done anything wrong. “I know you’re worried. It will all work out.”
“I don’t know what I’m going to do about it, so I’m going to try not to worry about it just yet.”
Xavier offered me a small smile. “It will work out.”
I nodded and wrapped my arms around myself. Ethan reminded me of someone not so pleasant, someone who could still make my blood run cold. The thought that something like what happened to me could happen to Angelica made my blood boil and my stomach turn. I shuddered at the unwelcomed memories.
“Juliet?” Xavier gave me a concerned look.
“Huh? What?”
“You zoned out there for a moment. Are you alright?”
“Of course?” I nodded immediately changing my stance. I uncrossed my arms and held them at my sides and placed my feet shoulder width apart and stood as confidently as I could. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Is there something you aren’t telling me?”
“I’ve told you everything you need to know.” I assured him.
Gwen chose this moment to sneak back in. “What did you tell him?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.
“He knows what we’re doing tonight.” I replied in a flat tone.
“Why would you tell him?”
“Because it’s his job.” I rolled my eyes. “Besides, he can help us out, in ways we can’t achieve.”
“Mhmm,” Gwen looked skeptical. She didn’t trust Xavier somehow. I didn’t understand their mistrust. Although, the feelings were kind of mutual.
“Gwen, there are some ground rules,” Xavier began.
“Here we go?” Gwen threw her hands in the air and gave me an incredulous look. “See what you started?”
“Gwen, just listen to him,”
“Juliet,” Gwen whined. “He is going to ruin all of our fun!”
“Gwen, stop it. He’s actually helping us.”
“Fine, what ridiculous rules are you forcing poor Juliet to live by?” Gwen pouted.
“The rules are simple,” Xavier growled. “You are to remain inconspicuous. If you are found out, it will mean much more than danger for Juliet, it will also mean you are also at risk, not to mention my job,” he murmured the last under his breath. “Second, Juliet is to answer my phone calls. If I call, it’s important. End of story. Third, I want you guys back my two a.m.”
“Two a.m.? Are you serious? That’s so early!” Gwen whined.
“I could stop you from going altogether,” Xavier warned.
“I told you not to tell him,” Gwen whined as she dramatically fell onto my bed, a hand over her eyes. “I warned you. He’ll ruin all of our fun!”
“Gwen,” I chuckled. “You’re ridiculous. He’s helping us out here,”
“If you say so,” she breathed, continuing the dramatics. “What else are you imposing on poor Juliet, cruel dictator?”
“That’s about it, but you need to be less of a drama queen.” Xavier gave me a look that clearly said Gwen was trying his patience. “Gwen, I believe you disguised her properly last time?”
“Yup,”
“Make sure no one knows who she is.”
Gwen nodded. “Of course. I’m not stupid you know.”
Xavier sighed. “Very well, I have much to do. Oh, and Gwen, she cannot leave until after I’ve given the all clear.” Xavier warned.
Gwen rolled her eyes. “Whatever you say.”
“If you’ll excuse me,” Xavier sighed. “Some of us have work to do.”
Chapter XVI
I was killing time before Xavier gave the all clear when Millie barged into my room knocking as she opened the door. I raised an eyebrow but kept my mouth shut. What could she possibly want? Millie looked around like she expected to see someone else here.
“Can I help you?” I asked, not moving from my spot on the bed where I was lounging, my hands behind my head.
