Page 60 of Princessa
Chapter 32
Fucking media.
A little over five days had passed since our unforgettable trip to Andorra palace. And things between us were smoldering. Via FaceTime, I made contact with her parents, to officially ask for their daughter’s hand in marriage. It wasn’t ideal to introduce myself and ask for their approval over video chat, but given the circumstances, it’s what we had to work with. I asked them to clear their calendar for the Gala, and mentioned I’d have the royal jet pick them up.
Lauren was a gem and oh, so funny—although she blamed her potty mouth on hormones. I couldn’t wait to meet her in person. Incidentally, I’d already met her laidback husband, Jaxson, many years ago at a party in Spain.
Time had flown by as Arabella prepared for the perfume launch party, while I spent time chatting with Gaspard via phone, listening to him explain how he planned to ward off media who’d spotted me and Bella in Andorra. He was still a pain in my ass, but I gave the man credit when it came to squashing media junkies.
Henri’s party had been a blast, with a number of celebrities, magazines, and tabloids in attendance. Emma gave strict ‘no photo’ orders to all media attending the private shindig, because Arabella and I were trying to keep our status relatively unannounced.
Of course, the dicks at Royal Buzz, didn’t oblige. They captured a shot of me and Arabella at the party, while we were sitting snug at a booth. God, she looked so fucking hot, I couldn’t help but snag an intimate kiss.
I got wind of the report and the photo—thank you, Emma, who subscribed to their newsletter—five hours after its public release, and immediately called Gaspard.
“What, Prince Grayson? Are you calling me to yap about the lip-locking photo of you and your American beauty?” His tone was mocking. Annoying as all fuck.
I paced the living room floor of my suite. “Why did I have to find out about it by someone who isnotmy freakingroyalpublicist?”
“Why did I have to find out about your very public, very intimate kiss by someone who isnotYour Royal Freaking Highness?”
I hated when he patronized me. It was a private party and one kiss. Just one. And the bastards caught it. They must have been waiting, their clicky fingers ready for the moment. “Can you fix this?”
“I’m already on it, but it’s been out for hours and I didn’t know about it until right before you called. Look, Grayson.” His tone was lighter. “I know you would like to keep this thing with you and yourfiancéeunder wraps until the Gala. But Arabella is highly sought after, more than you realize. The paps love to dig into her squeaky-clean image and her family’s business, even more than they do yours. So, my advice is to lay low if it’s that important to you. No more parties and no more making out in public, until the Gala.”
I scrubbed my hand over my face. “Fine. I’m meeting with Finn and the head of resort security in about twenty minutes, just to make sure media—or anyone else—doesn’t somehow gain access to the resort. They should be knocking on my door any minute now.”
“Okay. But quite honestly, you and Arabella are probably better off here at the palace, Your Highness. Still, I understand you two will soon be well in the planning stages of the Gala that’s being held there, only God knows why.” I heard the eye roll through his tone.
After ending our call, I texted Arabella to check if she was okay since the photo’s release. I imagined her Insta account probably blowing up with comments on any one of the posts on her page.
Arabella:It’s all good, babe. I’ve been keeping myself occupied with work stuff and requests for interviews about Henri’s perfume. Emma is handling my Insta now. So far, things aren’t too bad. That #Graybella is trending though.
Her text included an emoji with its tongue sticking out.
Me:That’s the only thing about the article that made me smile. See you later at dinner with Finn and Camille?
They invited us to dinner, claiming they had big news to share. As long as Finn wasn’t announcing his retirement, I was up for anything.
Arabella:You bet. Can’t wait to hear their big news. Love you.
My heart leaped every time Bella said she loved me and there were days I sat back wondering how I got so lucky.
Me:Love you more.
When I set my phone down, I heard a knock and since I was expecting Finn and the head of resort security, I swung the door open, eager to invite them in for our meeting.
Only it wasn’t them.
“What thefuckare you doing here?”
