Chapter six

It's been almost a week and a half since I last saw or talked to River.

I was right about his departure from my office seeming so final.

It was also quite clear that he was doing everything in his power to make sure that we didn't cross paths at any given point.

A result of which he had delegated his issues with Sophia to his legal team, citing through a letter sent to my office that we had done enough for his press image. He also avoided any public addresses through the media and I was quite sure it was because I would be called in to plan everything.

He cancelled every press briefing too and made sure there were no photoshoots scheduled at any near date as well.

When a matter of media would arise, a letter was sent asking my department to look into it and write back if anything was amiss or needed special attention from him.

I also managed to miss him at every meal my mom and I had with the king and the queen. I'm pretty sure he inquired of my presence before attendance just to be sure.

I have been sure in the last few days that we'll continue this way until it becomes impossible to actually work out anything in person and while I believe it to be extremely convenient, I still feel like it's not exactly what I wanted.

I feel so stupid for thinking like this that I take a moment to break from my morning jog and hold onto my knees while panting hard enough to wake up a whole neighborhood if I were near any.

I straighten up and continue running towards my room but make a last minute detour to the gym to pick up my work out bag and a few other personal items I left there this morning.

"Ek-oop." I mumble when I bump into someone at the entrance of the gym. My eyes immediately snap to his face and I feel myself go still for a second as he watches me intensely. "Hi?" I try with a smile.

"Mmh." He hums before stepping away to let me in.

Feeling stupid for initiating a conversation with him after my last request, I hang my head bashfully and hurry into the gym, running straight to the spot I left my items to collect them and scurry out of here before I can embarrass myself even further.

"What's it?" River says harshly and I whip my head to him only to find him on his phone, one hand holding his water bottle as he slowly walks on the treadmill.

Feeling my throat go dry at the sight of him in tracksuit pants and a black short sleeved round neck tshirt, I look away and mentally slam my head against the floor several times.

Why. Does. He. Have. To. Be. So. Hot.?

Like can't he pick one perk? It's either hot or a prince, not both dude!

Packing up my stuff, I huff and stand up. There's no need to be affected when I hate the guy right? I'm just annoyed.

"We have a meeting at two." I'm about to ignore it on my way out until I see him looking at me from the corner of my eye.

No we don't. He made sure all the meetings with his communication's department were cancelled and instead opted to send emails and painfully plain professional letters.

"I'll inform the team. Do we ha-"

"Just you and me." He says without looking my way and my eyebrows furrow as I stare at his back in confusion.

"Is something wrong, Your Royal Highness?" The title comes out of my mouth so naturally I blame the etiquette tutor who drilled it into my skull.

"Wear something presentable, we're going out." His voice comes a moment after a tense silence and I nod before I remember his back is to me.

"Yes, of course." I reply and immediately dash out of the gym.

****

"Babe," Marcello says while hugging me when I approach the convoy that's supposed to accompany us for the afternoon.

"You'll never learn will you?" I chide quietly with a sigh and he laughs, making half of the heads to turn our way. "Don't call me that again."

"Almost forgot your man is here." He whispers before retreating a few steps back when River comes into view.

"Good afternoon," he greets distantly before his eyes cut to me and then to Marcello before walking to his car.

I'm about to take the one next to his when he stops and turns to me impatiently.

"You're riding with me." He says and nods to his aide to open his door.

I slide in after him and hang my head because this is just great.

I have been dreading this part of my day since five in the morning and now that it's here, let's just say being with River in the backseat of his royal car is not my idea of ideal.

I nervously twist my hands and wring them together as I try to ward off the anxiety that creeps up my spine when we silently start to move out of the courtyard.

"How have you been?" River finally asks and I feel myself go still.

It's not like I wasn't expecting him to talk to me, it's just that I didn't expect him to ask anything concerning my well being.

Or maybe it was just an ice-breaker.

"I'm fine and you?" I recite back blankly while still avoiding his face.

Believe me when I say that I only noticed he was wearing dress pants, a dark maroon shirt and a pair of black shoes when we got into his car. I haven't seen his facial expression because I've been subtly wringing my hands and bowing my head half of the time.

"Could have been better," he replies in a low tone before a hand covers both of my own making me go extremely still. I think I even forget to breath for a moment. "Don't get nervous," he says while running his thumb over my hand.

Without a word, I stare at his hand atop mine for a moment before nodding and looking out the window as I patiently wait for him to let go of my hand which he never does.

"Have you eaten?" He asks gently after a minute and I nod, still not finding it appropriate to use my words. "You look really good." He compliments my outfit which in turn makes my cheeks turn a little bit pink as I nod with a small thank you.

I managed to rummage through my closet to find a tight white cotton bra free tank and a pair of dark blue ripped jeans and a pair of black lace heels.

"I'm sorry." His soft voice makes me turn to him. "For avoiding you. I'm trying to do what you asked but it's really hard."

I remain completely silent and will myself to say nothing. I did feel very weird when he stopped pushing me to talk to him so don't I want the same thing?

"I'm really crappy at keeping my promises to you," he laughs quietly making me smile. "Has your favorite color changed?"

"No." I reply quietly. "But I'm beginning to like a little bit of everything when put in the right place."

"I remember making a bet on it," River laughs making his guard turn slightly from his seat to throw a wary glance at us in the backseat.

I would understand anyone who gets surprised when he laughs because he is not very forthcoming with his joys in front of many people. There was a time I considered myself very lucky and special for being able to make him laugh.

"Looks like it worked out for you." I say with a small distant smile before trying to pull my hand away.

"Don't do that," he cautions while flexing his hand which in turn causes his grip on mine to tighten. "I understand that going back to what we had is out of the question," he starts slowly, "but I'm not off the table for a new friendship. Let's start over."

His words cause a stream of thoughts to flow over me as flashes of my devastated state come crashing in my mind.

"Just friends." I surprise myself by saying.

"Just friends." He confirms with a small smile.

****

"It looks very elegant." I say once we make it out of kitchen back to the living room.

"Why, thank you." River bows which makes me laugh a little.

"We should see the rooms before we leave." He says leading the way up the stairs.

When River told me we were going to see his apartment, I was unsure of what my presence would gain him.

For one, my opinion didn't have to matter because his decision was final and two, I was sure he could have gotten way more professional input from someone that wasn't me but for some reason, he seemed content with my opinion.

"What do you think?" He asks and pushes open the door to what I assume to be the master bedroom.

"Wow, it's huge!" I say while trying to reign in my excitement. I need to keep reminding myself that I'm not the one buying this place for myself. "Will you change the curtains when you move in?" I ask as I try to divert the conversation from my accidental gush.

River turns to me for a second before nodding and eyeing the curtains, "what color do you think would look nice?"

"Dark blue ones could look nice. The white one seem too transparent and I remember you dont like too much light in your room." I say walking around and checking the rest of the room.

While in the walk in closet, I tap my foot on the rug and a cloud of dust swirl in the air.

To think they were selling this place to the crowned prince. They could have dusted the place a little.

"I think the rugs are a little out of fashion as well, you could look for something more up to date. The rest of the house looks good but the decorations and some of the appliances need some work." I tell him.

Well isn't it a good thing I learned almost a bit of everything in college?

"I just thought I'd change the curtains and hire someone to trim the yard but you have more insight," he says with a quiet laugh as we walk out of the room.

"I have a surprise for you." He says while leading me to a room opposite the master bedroom.

When the door opens, I almost melt from the cuteness of the room. The bed and the little bedside table are draped in plastic covers making me assume that the paint is fresh.

"It's very... aesthetic." I say with a small.laugh and walk in further while River stays by the door.

"Well, I thought that when I move out from the castle my friend would like to visit me at my place and maybe stay over? So I thought why not have her room painted in all the colours she likes?"

Ideally, maybe being obsessed with blush and a bit of royal blue while I was younger was a good thing in hindsight. Imagine if I'd walked into a room painted in lime green or crimson?

It might not have been bad considering the quality of paint used but I don't think I'd love myself that much.

And then his words hit me!

"You expected me to come visit?"