Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 42883 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42883 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 214(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
The truth is, I long for intimacy. Having a woman in my life who loves me for the real me, not just for my title, is all I’ve ever wanted, but finding that woman seems damn near impossible. I’ve been all around the world, and I still haven’t met a woman who wasn’t after the wealth of Chromia. It feels like love is out of my grasp – it’s something I’ll never be able to obtain.
At that moment, Miranda stumbles backward, spilling vodka on her dress. I swear, I didn’t push her, but the smile she was wearing quickly fades away. Fury forms in her eyes, and her forehead indents as she prepares to launch raging words at me. This isn’t going to be good. The petite blonde may look sweet, but she has the worst temper I’ve ever seen. She’s been in the tabloids as well, and they call her the hot-headed hothouse flower for a reason.
“Are you fucking serious?” she shrieks. Here it comes. Everyone around us stares as she puts on an award-winning performance. “My father owns half of the hotels in Chromia, and we’re one of the wealthiest families in the world. We’re not over until I say we’re over. You got that, pretty boy?”
I would sympathize with Miranda if she actually cared for me, but I know it’s all a ploy. This woman isn’t heartbroken; she’s just upset she’s not getting her way. When that happens, Miranda behaves like a child and even throws tantrums like one. She thinks she can control me like she does everyone else, but think again, sweetheart. This isn’t going to end well.
Instead, I merely turn away, showing off my strong profile. Then I brush past the blonde woman without another word. She turns around quickly, her face beet red.
“Don’t you walk away from me, Eric!” she screams, this time attracting the eyes of the party-goers below. “Come back here!”
I head toward the door without a break in my step as she throws her glass, missing me and hitting a wall. Security rushes past me to get to Miranda because who knows what will happen next? Once again, her temper has gotten the best of her.
Meanwhile, I jet down the stairs, ready to get out of Club Luxe as fast as humanly as possible. I don’t need my father lecturing me again about the negative image I’m bringing to the kingdom. I definitely don’t need any negative publicity either, but when I burst through the doors, it’s too late. I step into the blinding lights of the paparazzi’s cameras before the valet brings my car around front. Security forms a protective ring around me, and I sigh again. It gets tiring having to be escorted everywhere by men in suits. Just once, I’d like to go someplace where no one recognizes me.
But I know how to play this game. I avoid looking into any of the cameras, keeping a straight face as I patiently wait. Then, the attendant drives my car along the cobblestone pathway and comes to a stop in front of the entryway. He gets out of the car and hands me the keys.
“Here you are, Your Majesty,” he says in an obsequious tone.
“Thank you,” I reply before getting into my car and slamming the door shut behind me. I can hear the muffled sound of the paparazzi jockeying for shots as I start up the engine.
Then I speed off into the night down the illuminated streets of Chromia. I race through the narrow, cobblestoned streets as if I’m trying to escape something. Maybe I am. Maybe it’s the crown I’m running away from. Someday, it’ll be my duty to rule the people of this kingdom, but I’m not really sure that’s what I want. Everyone in the palace is preparing me to take over the throne after my father is gone, but it’s a weight I never asked to bear.
After all, being a member of the royal family has its perks, but it has its pitfalls as well. I’m expected to behave a certain way and to always uphold the kingdom’s image. When I was younger, those restraints caused me to rebel against the crown, mostly by indulging in fast cars and faster women. Now that I’m a man, those things no longer bring me happiness, but I know the “control” I seek is only an illusion. Once I’m king, things will be even worse. I’ll lose all control over my own life. Instead, I’ll be at the whim of the Chromian government.
I turn into the palace driveway and slowly pull up to the gate. A guard shines a flashlight around in my car, inspecting it for what, I’m not sure. A bomb? A particularly beautiful model-actress? On many nights, the guards have spotted some of the world’s most captivating women in the passenger seat of my car, but tonight, I’m alone.