Maid For You 4

Chapter 28

"Shut up," Lydia said from the other end of the phone. "I mean, are you serious? Coleman showed up to Nikoto!"

"He did," I told Lydia. "I was seriously so surprised. I did not expect him to come."

"Cassie, you realize he loves you, don't you?"

I rolled my eyes. "Loves me?"

"You know what I mean. This man has got it bad for you."

"I don't even know what he's got," I said. "But he says he wants to be friends with me."

"And you believed that?" Lydia asked. "Come on. I think he's angling for more than just that."

"I don't know," I mused, thinking on it. "Honestly, I don't think he's in a place right now where's he's really ready for a relationship. I think that really might just be what he's looking for."

"I don't buy it," Lydia countered. "I mean, maybe that's what he thinks he wants, but not what he really wants, you know?"

"I couldn't tell you," I sighed. "But I think this really is a good direction thing. I think he and I will make good friends."

"You're just as delusional as he is."

"I am not."

"I'm sorry, Cass. But you know me. I have a very strong belief that guys and girls can't be friends."

I was very familiar with this belief of Lydia's—she said that it was one of her cornerstone beliefs and that she'd defend it until her dying breath.

"Lydia," I sighed.

"But I'm right, aren't I? I mean, look at you and Nikolas now! He probably loves you, too."

"Oh boy, here we go."

"Come on, no guy friend is that nice. He's obviously has got the hots for you. And why shouldn't he? You're a total babe!"

"Thanks," I chuckled. "You are, too."

"I mean, I haven't won the hearts of two princes, but—"

"I have not won the hearts of two princes. I have won the friendship of two princes. And you are beautiful, Lydia. You'd better not freaking forget it, either!"

My conversation with Lydia was interrupted by my door being flung open, and none-other than Charlie walked right on in and shut the door behind him.

"Uh...hey, I gotta go," I told Lydia. We exchanged quick goodbyes, and I jumped off my bed and marched up to him. "Charlie what are you—"

"Cassie!" He exclaimed. "I was with Prince Coleman in his room, of course, and Prince Nikolas just came in!"

"Prince Nikolas?" I asked, my eyes widening. "What did he say?"

"I don't know, they just kicked me out," he told me, his eyes big and gleaming with excitement. "Prince Nikolas is in there right now!"

Suddenly I wished I had the power of super hearing. "Is he really?" I asked.

"Yes." Charlie grinned wickedly. "And I left the door open a crack."

I'm shameless, I know, but about 20 seconds later, Charlie and I were standing against the wall next to Prince Coleman's room, the pair of us silent as the grave, as we strained to hear what was being said. Fortunately, I got the prime real estate of being right next the door, while Charlie stood next to me on my right.

"Let me be very clear, Prince Coleman," I heard Nikolas say, and was relieved that they were speaking in English. Otherwise, our entire covert ops mission would be for naught. "I am not amused by the game you are playing in the slightest, nor am I ignorant as to the reason why you have shown up so unexpectedly."

"Look, if you've got a problem with me being here, then I suggest you take your complaints to your mother," Coleman answered nonchalantly. "But again, I do appreciate you storming over here in all this state just to greet me, how kind."

"Your behavior towards Cassie is becoming increasingly deplorable, Coleman, and I will not stand for it," Nikolas said coldly, and I sucked in my breath at having heard my name.

"Cassie?" Coleman repeated. "Why, what's she got to do with anything?"

You idiot, I thought, resisting the urge to smack my forehead.

"Don't sport with my intelligence," Nikolas snapped. "You just can't make up your mind with her, can you? No, you merely lash out and act like a jealous teenage boy, but refuse to extend any sort of genuine effort to be with her. Your selfishness and immaturity are disgusting. Let Cassie be, since you are so keen on this narrative that she means nothing to you. Stop following her around and prohibiting her from opportunities just so that she will be forever sidelined until you decide you decide otherwise."

"Oh not this speech again," Coleman drawled, and even I could hear his exaggerated yawn. "I mean, goodness, Nikky, doesn't your neck hurt from looking down on people all the time? Don't you get tired of constantly doling out your self-righteous speeches?"

"Until you change your mannerisms, then no, I'm not inclined to tire of correcting your behavior."

"Have you ever just, I mean, just once, considered that you're not always right? I know, I know, crazy concept for the great Prince Nikolas Andrei Nikotovich, but I mean, has the thought at least crossed your mind?"

"This conversation isn't about me, Coleman," Nikolas started. "It's about—"

"Oh yes, my bad. So sorry, your highness. It's not about you, it's about you insulting me. Oh, how dare I go off your little script. But unfortunately, Nikolas, I'm not Alejandro or whoever else is your victim of the day. Don't expect me to run into a corner and cry because you spoke a little sharply. I hate to break it to you, but I'm not scared of you."

"Good for you," Nikolas snarled. "I couldn't care less about your opinion of me, because it honestly means nothing to me. I understand, likewise, that you don't care much about my opinion of you either. We're agreed on that matter, but if you have some semblance of conscience, you'll care at least a little bit for Cassie!"

"You don't even know what you're going about," Coleman scoffed.

"I am not stupid, Coleman," Nikolas said, regaining his normal cold control. "You were jealous that Cassie was spending time here with me, and so you flew all the way over here just to stir up trouble. Am I wrong?"

"Maybe I just wanted to see you," Coleman crooned.

Classic Coleman, I thought, rolling my eyes. Evading questions.

Nikolas didn't respond, and there was a heavy silence.

"What?" Coleman asked. "Are you waiting for me to share my deepest darkest secrets? Do you think that cold glare of yours will prompt me to tell you all about my feelings? To confess my crimes against humanity? Well keep on lookin', Nikky. It's a pretty view, I know."

Nikolas sighed. "It's impossible to even try to reason with you."

I heard Nikolas's footsteps headed toward the door, and my heart jumped out of my chest and I wondered where I could run off to, when Coleman's voice sounded again.

"You know, you're pretty condemning of my behavior towards Cassie, but you're no better than me. In fact, you're worse."

"Excuse me?" Nikolas said, and I imagined him turning back to Coleman.

"You heard me," Coleman said. "You barge in here with this big speech about how I'm treating Cassie, but, oh, how does the saying go? You like the Bible, don't you? You're too busy looking at the mote in my eye that you can't even see the beam in your own."

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