One Night with the Prince (20 page)

Chapter twenty-five

Zachias

I looked over to my right to see Anna standing there smiling at me. I grinned back at her and took her hand up to my lips to kiss it. Though, she snatched it back playfully and smirked at me. I raised an eyebrow challengingly.

“Are we being difficult?” I asked with a smile in my voice. She crossed her arms and walked up closely to me before reaching up and taking my neck to bend my head down to kiss her softly.

“Only for you.” She said in a quiet voice her lips brushing against mine. My arms wrapped around her and I was going to lean back in when,

“Mommy!” I heard a squeal and we both looked down the large corridor to see little feet running down the hall. A little boy was running towards us. He had my hair and the closer he got, I could see he had eyes like Anna.

I squatted down as he ran into my arms. He looked to be around four years old, and he was covered in snot.

“What did you do this time Charlie?” I asked accusingly. Suddenly we see a middle aged woman stalking down the hallway looking pointedly at Charlie.

“This young man let the pigs loose from their pen!” She scowled at him. Charlie pouted.

“It’s not my fault! The piggies told me to let them free!” He defended, puffing out his chest. The lady was going to say something when Anna interrupted.

“Charlie, honey? Good job!” She high-fived him. The lady’s jaw dropped and then she shook her head exasperated.

“I should have known he’d be like his mother.” She turned and walked away. I shook my head at her and set our son down. Charlie stood by Anna petting her belly, which was now like a round ball.

“How’s little sister doing today mommy?” He asked and kissed her belly. Anna slowly bent down carefully and kissed Charlie’s nose.

“She’s doing great little man.”

I sat up with a start and I looked around to see I’m still in my study with a paper attached to my head. I grabbed it and set it back down on the desk. Sitting back, I thought about the dream. I didn’t want it to end. In that dream I knew Anna was mine and we had a beautiful little boy. He was naughty but cute and a baby girl on the way. A knock sounded at my door.

“Come in.” I called out. A maid came in looking distressed.

“Prince Zachias! Please come quick!” She said quickly. I stood up and followed her out fast. She led me towards the girls’ rooms, and I got increasingly worried something might have happened to Anna. But when I got there, even though I shouldn’t be there, I was shocked.

Danny, Missy and Demetrius were all howling with laughter while Anna stood very close to Lady Jasmine. Who looked anything but a lady. She was covered in glitter, and some sort of white substance, while her hair has taken a greener color and she was wrapped in a towel looking furious at Anna.

“What’s going on here?” I asked. They all looked at me and Lady Jasmine looked smugly at Anna for a moment before turning to me and bursting into tears. I probably would’ve believed her if I hadn’t seen that look she just gave to Anna a second ago.

“Oh! Prince Zachias! This wretched girl here did this to me! She needs to be punished at once!” She cried stepping closer to me. I wanted to roll my eyes at her theatrics but kept my clam face, and turned to Anna.

“Is this true Rose?” I asked her. She didn’t look the least bit sorry, and I wasn’t sure if I was more amused or irritated that I had to deal with Jasmine here.

“Yes I did it.” Anna confessed. Jasmine pointed a finger at her.

“See?! She needs to be dealt with!” She growled at her. By this time everyone has come to see what’s going on. That included my mother and father, and Anna’s mother. She took one look at the scene before her and knew Anna did it by the look on her face. I crossed my arms.

“And what do you suppose we do?” I asked, humoring her. I gave Anna a look letting her know I wasn’t serious. Jasmine crossed her arms and tilted her nose up at her.

“I would kick her out! She is a menace here and should not be tolerated!” She said loud enough for everyone to hear. I looked at her a little shocked even though I should have seen it coming. I went over to Anna and held her hand, turning back to Jasmine. She narrowed her eyes at our intertwined hands.

“I can’t do that Lady Jasmine.” I said calmly. She looked beyond furious as her hands shook. I could tell by the look in her eyes if she could get away with it she’d kill Anna right where she stood.

“The hell you can’t! She is a commoner! She is nothing but street trash! Why would you want her in your presence?!” She screeched. My blood was boiling at the things she said.

“I will not kick her out!” I yelled. My parents stayed out of this, just watching to see what would happen and how I was handling this. Jasmine shook with rage, losing all control.

“Why?!” She questioned furiously.

Without thinking I blurted out, “Because I love her!”

I heard some gasps but paid no mind to them except for Anna. I turned to her and saw her eyes wide as she stared at me. It was silent for a moment before she started to drag me away from everyone. Once we were out of hearing range she just looked at me.

“W-What?” She asked, confused. I sighed and bent my knees to get down to her level and looked straight into her eyes and held both of her hands.

“I love you Anna.” I spoke softly. Her lips parted as she looked at me. My heart was quickening as doubt began to seep in. Did she feel the same way? I’m such an idiot! I should have waited longer!

“Listen Anna, I can wait-” She cut me off by kissing me urgently. My thoughts whirled as her lips made my thoughts turned into chaos. She gripped me closely and I held her to me, almost crushing her. She pulled away but only to put her forehead on mine.

“I love you too.” She said gently. My heart took off and I’ve never been happier. I picked her up and spun her around, laughing the whole time. She was giggling and holding me tight. When I set her back down we turned to everyone.

My parents were grinning along with Anna’s mom and friends. Demetrius was also smiling big time, but Lady Jasmine was scowling with such hatred that I was surprised flames weren’t on us right now.

“This is ridiculous! She is not fit to be at your side!” She yelled gripping her towel close. I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose.

“Father, I think it’s time for Lady Jasmine to be escorted out.” I suggested.

He nodded and Jasmine’s jaw dropped. She let out a frustrated screech and stomped her foot.

“This is insane!” She yelled. A guard then escorted her to her room so she could get dressed and then pack up and leave. I looked over at my father and he was rubbing his chin, which meant that he was thinking.

“You truly love her son?” He asked. I nodded instantly, not doubting my answer. Anna’s mom was tearing up but she stayed silent.

“Well, the competition is still in play. However, I think I can bend the rules. No one else has to stay the night with you, but you still need to spend time with them out of courtesy and fairness.” He concluded nodding his head as to enforce how he liked that solution. I thought it over and liked it as well.

Some girls looked mad but others were smiling softly at Anna and I. Anna’s mom walked up to us and looked at Anna for a moment before pulling her into her arms and hugging her tightly. When she let go she looked at me.

“You hurt her, I’ll kick your face in.” She warned. I nodded, and she pulled me into a surprising hug. She was short like Anna so it felt like I was hugging a small child rather than a grown woman. She pulled back and wiped away a stray tear.

“My stuff is packed. We need to go guys.” Sarah said to Danny and Missy. Anna’s shoulder sagged as she went out to hug each of them.

“I’m going to miss you guys so much.”

Anna started to cry and I made a move to comfort her but my mother shook her head no. I understood. She needed this time for goodbyes. Demetrius looked longingly at Missy and she got the picture as she let go of Anna and made her way to him, hugging him tightly.

Caidius looked over at Danny and he mirrored Missy’s actions. Sarah went and hugged my mother as they built a strong friendship these last few days. Anna was holding it together but still letting a few tears escape.

“Give Mr. Anderson hell for me.” She joked. Her friends laughed. In these last few days they had become friends of mine as well, so I said my goodbyes too and I left with Anna, Demetrius, and Caidius and walked them out. With one final wave they all piled into the limo and they drove off. Anna had her back to me so I stood behind her and wrapped my arms around her setting my chin on her head.

“I’m sorry they had to go.” I said quietly. She sighed and placed her hands on top of mine.

“I know. It was nice to see them though. I’ll see them again in a little over a month.” She reasoned. My chest tightened a little at the thought of her leaving here.

“You know I’m coming with you, along with Demetrius and Caidius right?” I spoke. She laughed and turned around to face me.

“Yes, I know.” She laced her fingers on my neck and stood on her tiptoes so she could kiss me. But she still wasn’t reaching me so I bent down and helped her. She smiled against me and I couldn’t help but mimic her. She made me feel happy, like no one else could.

“Okay, okay! Our significant other is gone, so tone down the lovey dovey stuff or I might get sick!” Demetrius gagged.

Caidius laughed and went back inside, and Demetrius followed shortly after.

“Say it again.” She asked. I pretended to not know what she was talking about and put a finger on my chin pretending to think.

“Hmmm, I’m not sure if I know what you’re referring to. Can you give me a hint?” I teased. She narrowed her eyes at me but I could see she was fighting a smile. She leaned back up and kissed the corner of my mouth.

“How about now?” She asked. I shook my head and she kissed the other corner.

“Now?” I grinned and said no. She got so close that her lips were brushing against mine as she spoke.

“Well it better be now if you ever want me closer than this.” I chuckled and kissed her hard. Too hard. Okay, not as romantic as the movies! We both broke away laughing as I rubbed my now hurting lips and teeth. She kissed my cheek with a giggle while I rolled my eyes.

“I love you Anna Williams.” I said with a dopey smile. She griined up at me with her eyes slightly closed. She hugged my side, and started walking back inside.

“I love you too. It’s so surreal right now.” She murmured when we walked into the lounging area. I sat down and set her in my lap.

“How so?” I asked. She thought about it for a moment.

“Me, coming here. Falling in love with you.” She answered. I pulled her against me as she laid her head down on my shoulder. I kissed the top of her head.