Randle's Princess (15 page)

Closely she kept an eye on her watch each day to make sure she was back safe and secure in her bedroom when Randle was expected to arrive back home, her door locked to keep him out should he even decide to try and approach her.  She was so angry at him now that even the thought of looking into those gorgeous blue eyes made her feel sick at her stomach.

Now as 5:30 approached she looked again out her window.  His car was already in the driveway.  He must have gotten home a few minutes early today and to her surprise there was another vehicle parked just behind him.  She hadn’t seen or heard them drive up so she had no idea who this could be.   Out of curiosity she made her way to the door and opened it but barely just enough for her to peek out.  She could clearly see Randle’s office door from her room but it was closed. 

Then she heard voices as they grew louder, approaching his door she knew.  She opened hers a little wider to get a better look at who was about to emerge and much to her shock it was Thomas who was now coming out and making his way to the front door. Then something must have caught his attention because he suddenly came to a stop and looked up the stairway straight at her and their eyes met.  She shut the door immediately and locked it back. 

Then she ran back to her window to look out so she could see him make his way to his car.  As he opened the driver side door he again looked up knowing full well where her bedroom was now and again their eyes connected.  This time she didn’t run, only watched and waited to see what his reaction would be.  He only smiled and climbed inside his vehicle and drove away. 

Lia pulled out the chair in front of the small writing desk just next to her window and sat still for a moment remembering this handsome man she had dinner with only once.  And now she was to become his bride…his wife...his lover.  Would it really be so bad? she found herself wondering.  He was very sweet to me the little time we did spend together.

Then it hit her hard.  He must’ve been here because he finished his job and wanted to speak with Randle about how to collect his prize.  Oh dear, is Randle planning my wedding for me now?  A hot rush filled her body and she almost swore she was sweating at the thought of it and just as suddenly she heard someone turning her door knob but she had it locked.

“Princess!  Let me in,” she then heard Randle calling from outside and she knew now it was true.

Slowly she rose and made her way to the door.  “Open it now I said!” he went on demanding from just outside.

She turned the bolt and he let himself in instantly upon hearing it click.  She stepped back to keep the door from hitting her. 

Randle looked into her sagging eyes and she could tell he too wasn’t exactly happy about this entire situation either.  “Princess,” he began in a softer tone.  “The wedding is taking place Saturday after next.  I would suggest you go into town soon and pick out your dress.”  He said it so straight forward it almost sounded as if he were in a hurry to get rid of her.

“I’m not marrying that man,” she then stated.

Randle took her in his arms and hugged her head to his chest.  “Look Princess, I know this is all overwhelming right now but trust me.  You will be in good hands with Thomas.”

“But how can you say that?” she asked as she gazed up at him.  “Randle he almost got me killed.”

“No he didn’t,” he then began to explain.   “Thomas didn’t owe that man money.  Charlie was an enemy to both of us.  He saw you and Thomas having dinner together and assumed you were involved.  He nabbed you with the intent to extort money from Thomas in exchange for your safe return.”

“So what now?  I have to marry him out of gratitude?  I don’t think so!”

“Princess you know better.  And I have known Thomas for many years.  He would never bring you harm…I promise.” 

As he spoke Lia could see the pain in his eyes and still couldn’t believe he was going to make her go through with this.  She couldn’t believe he was putting himself through it.  But then she tried to make herself understand the fact that if the powerful Randle Malcolm tried to back out on a deal once he gave his promise there could also be severe consequences to pay that could possibly bring an end to both of them. 

“I guess I have no choice then,” she nearly whispered. 

Randle stepped back and ran his hand down the side of her face as he stared lovingly back into her sad eyes.  “Good night Princess,” is all he said before he left her sight.

The next morning Lia dressed and grabbed her purse.  Any other bride to be would be happy and excited about shopping for her wedding day but not this one.  She slowly made her way down the stairs and could see Marc already standing next to the limo waiting outside to take her into town.  Randle had already left for his office so she would be going alone.

She crawled into the backseat of the car followed by Marc and James was already in the driver’s seat again.  She never spoke a word to either of them as they made their way to the bridal shop and she clearly knew now that they had already been informed of what was about to occur by the way they too stayed silent. 

As she made her way around the shop the sales lady followed her every step trying to assist her in selecting the perfect gown.  Lia was becoming annoyed at this all too happy and jolly woman.  This is not a happy wedding she so badly wanted to bolt out at her but refrained.  It wasn’t this woman’s fault she was being forced into an arranged marriage nor did she care to share the details of it. 

She went through what seemed like hundreds of dresses and tried on so many she had lost count.  The sales lady kept picking out the most beautiful and most elegant gowns she could find but Lia just wasn’t happy with any of them.  She really didn’t think there would be one made that she would be content with under these circumstances.

“Miss Lia if you would just give me some idea of what you are looking for maybe I could be of better help,” she finally insisted.  Lia could tell she too was becoming frustrated.

Finally she thought for a moment then answered her.  “Something plain and simple…not too fancy and nothing sparkly either.  And I really don’t care for a long train, just plain and simple,” she repeated.

The lady once again disappeared to the backroom and Lia returned to the dressing room to remove the gorgeous designer gown that she really did think was about the most beautiful thing she had ever laid eyes on but her heart just wasn’t accepting it.

“Here try this,” the lady then insisted as she reached her arm through the curtain of the dressing room and handed Lia another gown. 

Her eyes quickly scanned it and she thought this one may actually have potential.  She slipped it on then called for the lady to come in and help her zip it.  She walked back out into the viewing area and stepped back up on the small podium that was just in front of a huge mirror.  Slowly she turned in a circle and looked it over from top to bottom and finally announced this was the one. 

“And a fine choice too,” the lady agreed, Lia fully knowing she didn’t care, just wanted her to make up her mind already so she could move on to her next customer.

“And I guess I’ll need the veil to match,” Lia then added.  “And shoes too.”   She just couldn’t make herself get into the feel of being a bride.

“And what about your bouquet?” she then asked.

“Yea sure,” Lia muttered out.  “Why not?”

The lady just looked at her with a little concern as she reached under the counter and brought up a book full of pictures. 

“If you pick one out I will make sure it’s ready in time for the wedding,” she then informed her.  “We can deliver it to the house the day before.”

Lia flipped the pages finally picking one.  The lady finally rang up her purchase and Lia handed her the credit card.  The lady tore the receipt from the printer and placed it on the counter then reached for a pen.

“Are you feeling okay today Miss Lia?” she then asked surely because of Lia’s unhappy behavior all morning.

“I’m fine,” is all she stated.

“Well I bet Mr. Randle is beaming with joy,” she then implied.

Lia looked up at her.  Now she almost laughed but it hung in her throat and wouldn’t move any further. 

“I’m not marrying Randle,” she threw at her coldly.

The woman’s eyes widened with disbelief and her mouth fell open but she never uttered another word.  She simply pushed the receipt in Lia’s direction for her to sign so they could complete the transaction.

“Thank you for all your help,” Lia then told her feeling a little sorry for this woman.  Surely she felt like an idiot now for making such an assumption.

When they made it back to the house Marc helped Lia carry her packages up to her room and they threw them all on the bed.  To her surprise he finally spoke out about what was fixing to happen.

“I’m gonna miss you something awful Lia,” he admitted at last. 

Now she knew for sure he was informed.  Randle had probably told the entire staff by now not wanting them to be placed off guard when the wedding was so suddenly taking place.

“Thank you Marc.  I’m actually gonna miss you too.  And James and especially Betsy.  I don’t know what I’m gonna do without you guys.”  Her eyes began to water and she knew this time she wasn’t gonna be able to hold back the tears.

“I better get going,” Marc made the excuse to leave for his eyes too were turning red.

She ran to her bathroom for a tissue and blew her nose and wiped her face dry from the tears.  Then made her way back into the bedroom and put all her things away in the closet.

 Finally she decided to join Randle for dinner and face him at last.   Maybe if he could see just how miserable she was at the thought of marrying this man he would somehow find a way out of it but in the back of her mind she knew it was impossible.  The risk was just too great and as the big day grew closer the angrier she found herself getting at him.  Had he not chosen this deep dark and secret lifestyle of his, this wouldn’t be happening to her. And it wouldn’t be happening to him as well.   She so much thought about running again and leaving before the big day but she knew better.  She knew she couldn’t because too many of his business partners knew who she was now and she would only be risking her own life as well as Randle’s, especially after Vegas. 
She
was the one that pulled that trigger and fired the fatal shot that time, not Randle and as much as she didn’t want to think about it, she knew she was now branded.

As she descended the stairs she could see Randle seated at the table.  His head turned as he caught sight of her making her way down.  He actually produced a smile when she walked through the dining room doors and pulled back the chair and again sat next to him.

“Well it’s about time you come out,” he stated with a smile as if he were trying to put her in a better mood.

She didn’t speak at first, just sat silently while Betsy placed the dishes of food on the table before them then again left them alone in the room together. 

Randle reached over and grabbed the already chilling bottle of wine from the center of the table and began pouring it into her glass first then his own.

Finally after finding the strength to swallow her first bite of food she reached for the glass and took a quick drink.  The entire situation was uncomfortable for both of them now and neither of them could seem to find a suitable subject to speak of.  She could tell by glancing to Randle he was having the same problem.

Finally after a few more minutes of silence Randle dropped his fork to his plate and faced her. 

“Princes, please tell me you understand,” he blurted out as if pleading with her to forgive him for what he has done.  The guilt seemed to be taking over his conscience now as his blue eyes seemed glassy.

She swallowed another bite of food then took another sip of the wine trying to take her time before responding, wanting to find just the right words to explain it to him.  Finally her hazel eyes met with his.