Putting things back in order in Mama's room after I messed them up so that no one, not even Mother, will be able to find out what I discovered as if nothing happened. Mama, Allerick, and Blythe (who just got home from school) are all in the cab. Blythe and Allerick jumped out of the cab and ran to me, with Allerick embracing me with his gleeful arms.
"Ateeeeeee you're here!" Allerick couldn't keep the smile off his face. "Are you staying here tonight?"
I knelt a little so I could reach him. "I won't be around for long; I'm leaving right away. Gemma's here because I wanted to make sure that you were doing okay. So, how's school going? Did I miss anything?"
"Well, you missed Blythe's play, but she said it was alright because it wasn't that important," Allerick explained. "But it's a shame because you missed out on seeing how talented Blythe is."
Allerick started telling his stories, and he wouldn't quit telling until he finished. Allerick was a big talker, which he inherited from our father. It does not bother me at all; on the contrary, I enjoy it very much when Allerick keeps talking.
"Are you sure you're not going to stay here now?" Mama inquired.
I was looking down at the ground when I gave a little shake of my head. I can't even bear to make eye contact with my mother anymore, not because of what I discovered but because my heart is heavy with guilt. Mama tried to warn me, but I refused to listen, and as a result, all the things that caused her pain came back.
I sensed that Mama was going to try to cling to me. Instantaneously, my body began to move on its own. "I- 'm leaving now," I stuttered.
I really shouldn't act like that. My actions will cause Mama to become worried.
As soon as I got into the taxi, I immediately called Mishelley, only to find out that she was already out somewhere having a good time with Abel. The music was so loud that it was the only thing I could hear; neither of us could understand the other, so she just sent me the address.
When I was just about to walk straight into the pub, one of the bouncers suddenly blocked my path. "There will be no public access to this event; only invitees are permitted to enter."
"I have a friend inside, though. I just want to have a quick conversation with her,"
"No," he said, shaking his head.
There are already a lot of people waiting outside, and if I push to go in now, I'll just make myself embarrassed. "All right," I said and called Mishelley, but she was no longer returning my calls. His phone appears to be on silent. They appear to be having so much fun that they have forgotten I am there.
"Hey, you!" the bouncer yelled. In order to make sure he was referring to me, I pointed at myself.
I went back to the entrance.
"The boss gave the word that you're welcome to come in."
Boss? I don't know who his boss is. What matters is that I can get in. After being shown in by a single bouncer, I did nothing more than follow him around. It wasn't until I realized that we weren't going to the place where Mishelley was that I started to get curious about what was going on.
They only have one room on the second floor, so he showed me in and told me to wait there for his boss. I see no reason to wait for his boss. I am only here because of Mishelley. I cast my eyes around the vast, empty space. With its transparent construction, the clubbers below can be observed having fun.
"I didn't imagine running into you in such a place." It was a voice coming from behind me.
His voice sounds familiar; I think I've heard him somewhere. It was through this glass that I was able to see the man's reflection. That's when I realized who he is, the man I saw at the music festival.
The man in the seat opposite me had his legs crossed and his hands spread out on the back of the coach. "I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw your face on the security cameras. Who would have thought that a sweet young lady like you would venture to a place like this?
"I didn't come here to party; my friend just so happened to be in this place."
"Fortunately for me, I no longer have to pretend to be a student just to talk to you," he said as he rose from his seat. "Do you drink alcohol?"
"No," I replied.
"I know, I just want to make sure what they're telling me is right," he said, indicating something to the man in a suit.
The man who is dressed in a suit holds an envelope in his hand and then hands it to his boss, who then hands the envelope to me. "I've planned everything, including our first meeting. I waited for the prince to leave before I came to see you because I was afraid that if he was around, we wouldn't be able to have a conversation, and I didn't want to miss out on that opportunity.
"Cut to the chase, it's not making any sense to me," Neither one of his sentences made any sense to me.
"What is inside the envelope will clarify everything that I have discussed with you."
I ripped the envelope open. There are documents as well as photographs. A woman dressed like a maid and a picture of Prince Augustus when he was young. The thought of Prince Augustus' mother was the first thing that popped into my head after looking at the photo. "Could it be..."
I didn't get the chance to finish what I was going to say since he responded quickly. "Yes, the woman in the photograph was his mother, not just the photograph. The paper also contains additional information about his mother, including where she currently resides."
"How did you find out... Who are you, mister?" I wondered out loud. My mind is rife with questions, and I can't help but wonder who he is and why he is doing this.
He came clean, saying, "I'm nobody."
No, he is not stranger and total nobody. He wouldn't help the prince if he was just a nobody. I need to figure out who you are.
He said this with an air of suspense, "It's time for the prince to know the truth."
Someone unexpected came into the middle of our conversation. "Gemma, what are you doing in this place?"
"Shouldn't I be the one asking?" I replied, confused as to why Emmet is here, why does he seems to know this man I’m talking.
"In that case, remember the ointment cream I gave you—the one I claimed to have gotten from my older brother. Well, he was the one who gave it to me," Emmet went on to explain.
"Is he the brother you were talking about?"
"Yeah," he said, nodding. "Well, not biologically speaking."
"Emmet, I begged you to leave, but you're still here."
Emmet, who was under the influence of alcohol at the time, said, "I'm still having fun at the party."
"Emmet, you're heavily intoxicated. Please head home!"
"I've had a few drinks, but I'm not drunk." Emmet suddenly grabbed my arm. "Gemma, come on! It's no fun to be the only one at the party."
After he started to pull me, his older brother reached out and touched me to stop him. He then motioned for one of his men to take Emmet out of the room and said, "Gemma is leaving now." The man put his hand on Emmet's shoulder.
"Sorry about that. I forgot what you find attractive is off limits for me to touch," Emmet said sarcastically as the man pulled him out of the room. "Gemma, I'll catch up with you at school in the morning." Emmet waved his hand in the air.
When Emmet left, I was led out, and I didn't even get to chat with Mishelley; they wouldn't let me back in. "Wait a minute, I haven't spoken to my friend yet."
My phone abruptly began to ring.
Unknown number:
Leave here, Gemma. Stop trying to get in. It is not appropriate for you to be here. Just think about what's inside the envelope for now. Also, please keep your phone available; I'll be sure to get in touch with you in case there is any fresh data regarding his mother.
Who is he to tell me what to do? But he’s right, like what he told me, I need to pay attention to this information. Now all I have to do is wait for the prince to return home. I won't be staying in the palace for very long, and before that happens, we must make haste in our search for his mother.