To go back and read Part 1 of Candice’s story, click here.
To read Part 2 of Candice’s story, click here.
Arriving at Mai Branton’s office was a blur. Probably because Candice was first escorted through a gorgeous, sprawling villa to reach it. The whole place was stunning. Artwork, fountains, gardens, people, dozens of turns she couldn’t keep track of, and her brain was still spinning through every word spoken in the car with Prince Dalton. A part of her still could hardly comprehend that she had seen him in person, let alone speak with him.
Thankfully Felix was still with her, leading her through the maze of hallways. When he stopped in front of a random door that looked no different than any of the other ones they had passed, Candice had to rock back hard on her heels to avoid slamming into him.
“Are you sure it’s this one?” She blurted. “How do you know it’s this one?”
“Don’t worry, miss. This is the one.” He didn’t wait any longer, opening the door and heading in. Candice reluctantly followed after him, taking a deep breath as she went.
Mai did not smile as Candice entered, instead moving to pull several papers off the printer. “Ms Evans. I trust your ride was uneventful.”
Surprised, Candice glanced over at Felix. He smiled and shook his head slightly. Thankfully Ms Branton did not notice since she was focused on the papers she’d printed.
“Yes, thank you.”
“Alright.” Ms Branton motioned to the seat across the desk from her. “Please take a seat. I have an agreement for you to sign as well as your schedule for the next few days. I hope you understand that some training will be necessary to prepare you for your required appointments and events. Questions?”
“What does the agreement entail? And what is my boss thinking is happening?”
“Your boss will be told in the morning that you have been temporarily contracted to assist in the upcoming conference and are required to be attending training meetings and such. If we need you after the conference we will think of something else to tell him.”
It took over an hour for Ms Branton to cover all the details that were outlined in the agreement as well as her schedule for the next day. After everything was signed and all the questions were answered and all the ‘don’ts’ covered, Ms Branton escorted her to the suite where she would be staying for the duration of her visit.
As they walked, Candice shook her head. “I am so lost, I’ll never remember where to go.”
“I will make sure you receive a map with your schedule in the morning. And if you still get lost, ask any of the staff for help and they will be happy to assist.”
“Ms Branton, I have what may seem like an odd question.” She chuckled hesitantly. “Will I be seeing the prince before that first public engagement?”
Ms. Branton stopped walking. “Why?”
Candice faced her with a shrug, smiling easily even though she wanted to wilt a little under the suspicious glare she was being subject to. “I wouldn’t want to react oddly to meeting him for the first time with who knows how many people watching.”
“You have a point.” Ms Branton gave a sharp nod. “I will have to check his schedule. Your first appearance with the prince won’t be for another week so we should be able to find some time somewhere, even if it is for only a few minutes at a time.”
Opening the door to her room, Candice forced herself to not stumble to a stop. It wasn’t actually a room, it was a suite with a beautifully appointed sitting room and branched off into two rooms, one on either side. Ms Branton stopped just inside the door.
“Now Candice, you should have all the essentials you will need for the night in your room as well as some snacks. Dinner will be brought here tonight in about an hour. When they come, let them know any food preferences, dietary requirements, and such that you need. I will see you in my office tomorrow after you have your breakfast.”
“Thank you.” She stopped herself from bowing. “I’m unsure how to fill the gaps in etiquette. I know how I’m supposed to act in public…”
Ms Branton shook her head. “Do not worry. We will cover it all tomorrow.”
Candice nodded and wandered further into my huge room as she heard the door click shut behind Ms Branton. She didn’t get farther than a small side table that was not visible from the door, sitting beside the sofa. Not seen from the door, laying there on that table, was a phone. Candice hurried to pick it up and rush to the door, turning it over in her hands. As she made it to the door, it buzzed in her hand.
Luckily she glanced down at the screen before she opened her door because she discovered that the text, several texts, were for her.
Candice?
Candice stared down at the phone and opened another.
This is Dalton…the prince. I hope this phone is somewhere you can find it.
Apparently the prince was very swift on fulfilling promises. Her fingers fumbled and she unlocked the phone. As she hurried to open the messages she dropped the phone. Laughing to herself she picked it up and took a shaky breath, moving over to the sofa to sit. And breathe.
Another text came in before she began to type.
Dalton: I can only imagine what you will think when you find this phone with hundreds of texts from a random guy you just met. Ha.
Candice laughed. And finally sent her text.
Candice: You have amazing timing. I almost took the phone to Ms Branton thinking someone had left their phone. And you are not a random guy. Though I do appreciate the thought of acting like a beacon with all the texts to ensure that I noticed the phone.
Dalton: You found it!
Candice: You managed to get me a phone. I admit to being surprised at how fast you followed through.
Dalton: Let’s just say that I was motivated to be prompt. I’m curious about this whole pastry thing you so fetchingly whispered into my ear. You definitely had my attention.
Candice blushed, writing, deleting, and rewriting different responses before settling with: Fetchingly? I was going for convincing.
