CHAPTER 17

"Kate?" Mrs. Reed knocked on her door. "Kate, can I come in?" Mrs. Reed opened the door, went inside and sat on her bed.

It has been two days since their confrontation in front of their condominium unit. There is only one place she wanted to be at, her home. It's the only place she felt safe of what was happening. For two days, her family didn't bother asking her the problem. Mr. and Mrs. Reed, together with Emily, left her to express her sorrow. They knew that she needed space. They understood the pain inside her heart. Until she was ready to talk and listen to them, they will let her be alone.

"What's wrong Kate?" Mrs. Reed asked. The crying over spilt milk has stopped. Kate was ready to talk and listen. She was still in great pain but the family knew that it was time to talk with her. It was time for them to say to her it's a crying shame for her not to face her problem.

Kate sat on her bed and said, "Ma, as if you're not watching the news." It's been non-stop news, either it's a banner story or a headline in every television station, radio station or newspaper. If not about his retirement, it's about the announcement of Monaco of Jeremy's rise to the throne. Kate felt that it'd be a cold day in hell if she goes out of the house. People knew who she is now. She was afraid that they would recognize her as attached to Jeremy.

"I am but what's wrong if Jeremy retired from the music and was announced as a hereditary prince of some state?" Mrs. Reed tapping the legs of Kate.

"Ma, he lied! That's the problem! He didn't tell everything to me."

"Are you really angry because he lied or because you are left out?"

"You know I hate people lying to me. He didn't trust me at all. He should have said it to me from the beginning." Her fist closed.

Mrs. Reed held her hands, "Maybe he had his reasons for not telling you. Did he explain it to you?"

Kate couldn't answer. Jeremy tried to explain but she blocked him. She didn't want to know whatever his reasons are. The point is that he lied to her. He did not trust her. "He still lied!" Kate reasoned.

"Kate, maybe he had reasons for doing so. Until you listened to him, you will never understand. I'm not taking his side but we all agreed that he's a nice guy. After meeting him here. I saw a great man in him. We saw a great man in him." Mrs. Reed explained.

"We?"

"Yeah. We…" Emily came in. She was eavesdropping to their conversation. "Don't get me wrong but I saw his sincerity towards you when he stayed here. I was jealous on you but at the same time happy that you found someone whom you really deserved. He's a great guy. If ever you reject such a great guy because he kept something from you for some time where he might have his reason for doing, then it will be your great loss."

"Besides, we can also feel that you love him. You won't be this angry if you're not in love with him. As we have told you before. We will not hinder any relationship that you will have but if it's affecting your studies, then it is a different case. However, with this one at hand, we believe that it's a matter of pride. It is a matter of would you be willing to forgive the fault of the person that you love dearly?" Mrs. Reed said.

Kate just looked at them.

"Forgiveness is also part of a relationship. Never forget that. There is no perfect relationship. Your dad and I also had our share of secrets before, but we moved on from them. Why? It is because we love each other. He made a mistake. But then, one cannot love and be wise." Mrs. Reed added.

"Your mom is right." Mr. Reed came in as well.

"Dad…" Kate complained.

"I'm a man. I know he has a reason for not telling you. I felt it the moment I saw his face in the news. He may have kept it a secret but it doesn't mean that he doesn't love you. His love for you may even be the reason why he kept it a secret. I believe he loves you to bits. His eyes are pure sincerity towards you."

"Ahhh…" Kate expressed while tears started to fall from her eyes.

What to do? Did she commit a mistake of not letting him explain? She opened her phone and tried to contact him but it was off. Is it already too little, too late to forgive him? It's been two days now. She hoped not. When they noticed that she realized what she wanted, Mr. Reed offered that he would drive her wherever she wanted to go.

They went to his place but he was not there. She then asked her father, Mr. Reed to drive her to the Monaco embassy. She wished she could find him there. He must be there. She started crying thinking about the possibility of not finding him there. It's the last place she knew he could possibly be. If he's not there then it's over. She doesn't know any other place where he could probably be.

"Kate, relax! Don't cry! If you're really for each other then no barrier could separate both of you. I know everything would be fine. It's not like forever and a day that you couldn't fix things." Mr. Reed tried to calm her.

When they reached the gate of the Embassy, a guard approached them, "Good morning Ma'am, Sir! Any appointment schedule?" The guard asked.

"Sir, is Jeremy there?" Kate asked.

"Ma'am, do you have an appointment?"

"None but is he there? I really need to talk to him." Kate stepped out of the car to get close to the guardhouse.

"I'm sorry Ma'am. I could not let you in if you don't have any appointment."

"Please. I just have to say something to him." Kate begged.

"I'm really sorry, Ma'am."

A car with the Monaco flags arrived and is about to enter but their car was blocking the way. Mr. Reed then parked the car along the street to give way. When the flagged car was about to enter, the driver lowered the window glass and said, "Ma'am."

Kate looked at the driver and she immediately recognized him as their driver during the university night. "Ah… you're…" Kate mumbled trying to recall his name.

He stepped out of the car, approached them and said, "Jacob... your driver during your university night. Are you looking for His Highness?"

Kate showed a puzzled face. She almost forgot that Jeremy was a prince now. She said, "Yeah… is he there?"

The driver talked to the guard and pointed at the appointment book and the necklace that Kate was wearing. Then, the guard apologized and allowed her to enter. The driver offered her ride to the façade of the embassy. In her excitement, she forgot to inform her dad, she stepped in the car and in a few minutes, they were already at the lobby of the embassy.

She stayed in a corner chair as instructed by the driver. The driver also explained to her the importance of the necklace that she was wearing. It was an important treasure of the Grimaldi family passed on to younger generation, which Jeremy would give to the woman whom he would share his life with. He also informed her that someone would talk to her in a few minutes regarding the prince before he left her.

She was uneasy since it would not be Jeremy at once who would talk to her. But she remained hopeful that she would be able to see him again. She was just holding on the necklace that Jeremy gave her. She thought that maybe Jeremy was currently in a meeting or session.

After few minutes, Mr. Spes came out and greeted, "Ms. Reed."

"Mr. Spes!" In her excitement she asked immediately, "Is Jeremy around?"

"I'm sorry Ms. Reed but he left yesterday for Monaco." Mr. Spes explained.

Kate's sadness was painted all over her face. Nothing matters now to her. It's the end of the story. Her wish was not granted. All she wanted was to see him even just for a second but it didn't happen. He wasn't around anymore.

"But… he left something for you." Mr. Spes added.

Mr. Spes gave her the letter that Jeremy wrote before he left for Monaco. It contained all that he wanted to say to her that he wasn't able to. It also included his emotions about things especially toward her. It may capture everything, it may be short but everything in that letter is true, true emotions, true situations and purely true Jeremy.

Upon receiving the letter, she didn't open it immediately. Her thoughts were still on Jeremy's absence. She was still saddened by the fact that he was already gone. It was not what she has expected. She thought that Jeremy would be at the embassy, explaining the reasons why he kept everything as secrets and asking for forgiveness. She thought they would be able to reconcile. She was ready to go done the rabbit hole but it's too late now. He was gone. She won't be able to see him again.

Mr. Spes gave her his number in case she wanted to ask something. It was instructed by Jeremy to assist her in anyway Spes can but never offer something unless she asked since Jeremy thought might be offensive on her part. She went out of the embassy disappointed.

"So… what happened?" Mr. Reed asked as they traveled back to their house. Kate remained silent. She just stared at the letter without opening it. She didn't even talk with her dad. She didn't want to talk. She still can't believe that it ended quickly. When they finally reached their house, she started to cry and run to her room. Mrs. Reed wanted to talk to her but Mr. Reed stopped her and asked her to give Kate some space.