Prince Ire was already in the car waiting. It was evening and their flight to Abuja was in the next one hour. He didn't pick much of his things because he was the kind of person who never liked carrying load about. He had his atm card already, so he was fine. While waiting in the car for Ara and Prince Adedamola who volunteered to drop them at the airport to arrive, Prince Ire's eyes caught something near Ara's bag. It was a paper neatly wrapped. He couldn't look away. The paper fell near Ara's bag which made it obvious for Prince Ire to see.
Prince Ire wasn't the kind of person who snoop around, but he was really curious to know what it could be. Assuming it was someone else, he would have looked away. He wouldn't have been so desperately interested to know what was in there. He picked it up and realized it was two papers wrapped together. He turned it around.
To prince Ire.
Then he turned the second paper around too.
To Mr. Ayoola
"You don't mean it! Girl... I'm missing you already." Prince Adedamola's voice echoed and immediately Prince Ire hid the two papers in his pocket resting his head on his right arm like he had done before his eyes caught what was in his pocket. The door at the other side of Prince Ire opened, and immediately his ears were filled with Ara's laughter. Now he was addicted to it after warning himself not to. He noticed Ara could laugh a lot. "Awwn... I will miss everyone too." Ara said and settled inside the car with another load, getting a quick glance from Prince Ire. Their eyes met and quickly, Ara bowed but got nothing in return as Prince Ire's eyes were instantly shut close with earpiece locked close to ears.
While his eyes was closed. Damn. He couldn't help thinking about what he saw the moment Ara entered the car. Ara was hot in the green gown that has just one hand exposing the rest of her shoulder and arm. The gown was too tight not to reveal Ara's curves. Ara does not have to switch her buttocks to one side or switch her legs to the other before you could spot her God given shape. It was the reason Prince Ire shut his eyes close. If he had not, he wouldn't be able to look away. Ara was not just beautiful on the face alone, her stature, her body  could murder any man in his thoughts if he's not a man of discipline.
"Ara, you are to take care of that...hmmm.. big man beside you." Prince Adedamola signaled to Ara through the front mirror getting Ara to laugh.
"I'm sure Prince Ire will do well even without me. But I will make sure I take care of him just like the King asked me too. That's why we ladies are here. To take care of you guys. You guys are babies in our hands. We know exactly how to take care of you." Ara replied freely, thinking Prince Ire was actually listening to music and was unable to hear her.
Prince Adedamola started his brother's Mercedes Benz laughing. "I wish Ire can hear you right now. You just called your boss a baby."
Ara laughed, stealing a glance at Prince Ire whose eyes were closed pretending to be lost in the world of music while he was actually lost attentively to the conversation going on. "Trust me," Ara said. "If your brother hears that, he would definitely look me in the eye and tell me welldone my good worker. You deserve an accolades for choosing to take care of your boss."
This time around, both Prince Adedamola and Ara laughed at the same time, but Prince Adedamola had a big grin on his face unable to hide the smile because he knew his brother was definitely listening to them and not sleeping or even listening to music. Apart from that being his brother's style, Prince Adedamola knew Prince Ire always tried to act like Ara doesn't exist, but he knew it was otherwise for his brother. Unable to hold his laughter, Prince Adedamola voiced out. "Seriously, Ara you are really naughty. You don't look like someone who talks at all."
Ara laughed. "I actually don't talk when I'm not free with someone. You don't really scare me so you make it easy for me to be free with you."
Prince Adedamola smiled. "That's good anyways. I'm glad I don't chop off people's head."
Ara laughed. "No one is chopping anyone's head in the palace. Even Prince Ire is nice a little. I've noticed that in him. I hope one day I will be free with him though."
"Hmm...." Prince Adedamola grinned, stealing a quick glance at Prince Ire who was still not opening his eyes, but listening to them. Prince Adedamola looked away replying Ara again. "Just remember to take care of yourself
"Thank you sir, I will." Ara replied. Suddenly, she remembered her letters. She couldn't remember if she left it inside or packed it together with her load. She started unpacking. When Prince Ire wasn't hearing their voices anymore, he slowly have his eyes opened. Prince Adedamola saw his brother's eyes opened and smiled to himself.
"Looking for something?"
Ara looked up to see Prince Ire staring at her. "I'm..." She stammered. "I'm just unpacking to pack my things very well sir," she lied. She didn't want to tell Prince Ire she was looking for her letters to avoid any question or looks from him. Prince Ire closed his eyes back. He knew Ara was looking for the letters but since she couldn't tell her, he wouldn't release it. He wasn't even planning to release it until he was done reading them. He needed to know what was in there.
To avoid anymore question, when Ara couldn't find the letters, she accepted she must have left it in her room and stopped bothering herself. She would just have to call Sewa to help her deliver Ayoola's letter before leaving the palace.
They finally got to the airport and was dropped. Prince Adedamola bade them goodbye and personally told his elder brother, Prince Ire to take care of Ara and watch out for her because any of the rich men could show interest in Ara and she could be gone forever. Prince Adedamola knew how easily those men could snatch your girl with blank cheque. It has worked on many girls.
Sitting inside the plane for the very first time of her life, Ara could not contain her excitement. It was then she wished she had not switched her new IPhone she just bought with her sister, Omoh. The Lenovo camera was not really that clear the way she wanted. Now she wanted to snap, but she couldn't. The King booked first class tickets for them, getting them a special care while in the plane and separating them from the rest of economy class people. And because it was on the day of their departure, it was more expensive. If it had been Prince Ire, he would have booked economy tickets instead. He does not see any reason to pay for first class ticket. But if travelling out with the whole family, he wouldn't be able to escape that.
While Ara was taking a quick nap, Prince Ire took the opportunity to bring out those letters he hid in his pockets. His mind was there all through and he immediately brought it out as soon Ara dozed off to see what Ara had written on the paper.
Dear Prince Ire
           Good afternoon sir, I want you to know I'm not the kind of girl who talks rudely to people. I respect people a lot talkless of someone who I now work for. I'm really glad to be working in the palace because at the end, I would be able to continue my education and even travel overseas to learn French better. I'm really sorry for how I spoke to you that midnight. I'm really sorry Prince Ire. Also, I'm sorry for hitting you that day. I couldn't look back because I was in a hurry to collect a tip. We rarely get that, so when we see someone ready to just appreciate our service, we don't slack. Thanks for offering me a job at your place. I'm promising you that I will be a diligent worker. Thank you sir.
                                From Aramade
Prince Ire read it over again until he realized he had read it for more three times before putting it aside to read Ayoola's own. He turned his head to look at where Ara was, sleeping peacefully and comfortably without any noise disturbing. Her side hip in display for him to watch with free access. For two minutes, he held Ayoola's letter just staring down at Ara. At some point, he let himself listened to his heart. Truly he liked Ara, but he couldn't start what would not end up being.
The King had made them understand he wouldn't accept any lady below or out of their class. He never knew Ara had not even entered school until the King asked her. Prince Ire knew how having a good and quality education matters to the King. No matter how many times he thought about it, he always ended with the thoughts that it was obvious Ara never liked him. He knew his workers were scared of him and there was nothing he could do about Ara liking him. He doesn't even want that happening. That way, he would be on a safer side. While staring at Ara, it was then he noticed Ara never plaited her hair since she entered the palace. That would be the first thing she would be doing the moment they got to Abuja.
Prince Ire finally had time to open the letter written to Ayoola knowing anytime from now, Ara could wake up. Flight down to Abuja from Lagos takes about one hour, fifteen minutes. And it was just ten minutes for an hour to clock.
Dear Mr. Ayoola
           Good afternoon sir, I want to thank you once again for the help you render the day I washed. Thanks for cracking me up, the smiles, laughter and assistance. I really appreciate. It made the work very relaxing for me. I'm writing this letter to you because the moment you are done reading this, I would have landed in Abuja. I guess I wouldn't meet you in the palace by the time I'm back. Please take care. It was nice being friends with you.
                               From Aramade
Prince Ire just rolled his eyes. He wrapped the papers back and carefully put it back in Ara's bag where she didn't check. About ten minutes later, Ara woke up and realized they were about to land. It was her first time of coming to Abuja and she couldn't wait to see what Abuja looks like. That's if he would allow you to explore. Ara told herself and decided to take her mind off it,  waiting to experience what the two weeks was all about.