Vanessa's POV
It's been seven days since I last saw Richard, a week of freedom from his trouble and visitations and one part of me is really grateful for this.
But the other part of me is really worried, not like I care though but because of the last thing he said to me before leaving that day.
“Promise you'll visit me in the prison after I'm done with them” Those words kept on ringing in my head over and over again and getting it out is really difficult.
If only I have his mobile number or home address, I would have checked up on him to see if he hadn't done anything stupid. Maybe I should call his mom but I don't think that's a good idea. I need to stay on my own lane and respect myself.
“Scarlet, I need you in my office right away” My boss, Emily's voice brought my attention back to earth. I stood up, adjusted my skirt and checked myself properly before entering her office.
She hates seeing people untidy and dirty.
“You called for me, ma'am”
“Yes, I did. A friend of yours who happens to be a part of the royal household of the Arab Emirates which you're very familiar with, has requested for your presence. I can't deny it because it's an official request. So, send the rest of the work I gave to you earlier to the secretary, I'll give her the necessary instructions myself. You can take your leave, a car will be waiting for you outside” Her politeness towards me these days has been kind of different, if I tell you I understand what's going on, then I would be lying.
“Okay ma'am, but I have a question” I said and she smiled lightly at me.
Ok! That's weird. Emily... Smile
“Who's this person that requested for my presence?”
“His name is Michael O'Brien. He said he's a really good friend of yours” She replied.
Michael arrived in town a week ago, the Same day Richard disappeared. I was supposed to meet him at the airport but because of what happened between me and Richard, I couldn't go to the airport.
Even though we've been talking on phone, I never had the time to visit him but guess he really used his Royal power this time around.
“Thank you, ma, I'll take my leave now”
“Before you go...” I stopped in my track and turned toward her. “I want to ask you for a little request”
“Okay ma” I replied and she gestured me to sit.
“As you know, my status requires that of someone powerful but yours require that of someone like you, you know the way things are, status and all. In case you need to know, even if you had a child with Richard, he's still not the right guy for you, you're below his status and it'll be poisonous for the Prince and dangerous for you too. If you don't mind, can you make Richard mine?”
She requested and I got tongue tied.
How am I supposed to make him yours, like am I being a matchmaker right now? Do I even look like one?
“I can't guarantee anything,” I told her honestly.
“Just promise me you'll do this for me, Scarlett” She asked
“I'll try my best, but I can't promise a good outcome of this”
I walked out of the office building and I saw a black car right outside, still contemplating if I should enter the car or not, the driver's side open to reveal Michael.
“OMG, you look handsome as ever, tell me you've got like 32 girlfriends presently and 100 ex-girlfriends” I exclaimed.
He hugged me immediately I got to his side
“Is that a way to greet a friend of yours that has been out of town for three years?”
“I just couldn't stop myself from admiring this hotness of yours” I admitted
“Where did the old Vanessa go? The shy and ever innocent Vanessa” he joked.
“That Vanessa realized life is too short, therefore shoot your shot before it's too late”
“It's too late already, I have a fiancée now”
“Okay! I need to be normal now. Hey Michael, long time no see. How's everything?” I said the greeting properly this time.
“Get your head into the car and stop being naughty”
We entered the car and after he received a phone call, he turned to me, gave me a weird smile and said “I'm actually here on a mission to kidnap you”
“Stop with the joke and tell me why you're here” I said
“I'm serious, the Queen ordered me to kidnap you. When was the last time you saw Richard?” I looked at him weirdly before replying to his question.
“A week ago, why do you ask?”
“Did he mention anything to you?”
“He mentioned going back home and to be sincere, I'm really worried because he said I should visit him in prison after he's done with his family members”
“Guess you told him about what happened that night, right?” I nodded
“Well, he went back home and caused a whole lot of ruckus that they couldn't handle. The royal household is hot right now, Richard took over the throne that day in the absence of his father, removed his uncle and everyone involved in your case from the royal cabinet. He proceeds to sue them for the death of his daughter and the endangerment of the life of his baby mama and the other daughter. The maid who testified to the case was also imprisoned for testifying to something that was untrue. His nephews who got involved were banished from the royal household including my sister and the Queen was saved due to the fact that she knew nothing about the whole incident” he explained all in one breath and I couldn't believe what he had just said.
“I don't understand one thing here, are you telling me Richard didn't believe I pushed his mother that night?” He nodded before responding
“Yeah, he didn't believe any of it and the Queen also told Richard that she slipped that night due to the slip-on she had on and nobody told her about you being accused of pushing her. After she was discharged from the hospital, she asked about you and they told her the same story they told Richard. Vanessa ran away. Why? They couldn't get an answer for the Queen but they had one for Richard. Richard would have learned the truth all these years only if he never shuts the Queen up anytime, she wants to talk about you and the girls” I still can't believe any of these. I need to hear it all from Richard himself
“Where's Richard?” I asked
“He came back to town three days back and hadn't moved an inch from his house, he's not picking our phone calls and the worst part is our fear, we don't know if he's dead or alive because he can't get to forgive himself for everything that happened” My heart crushed at his last words.