Rosangela: The Runaway Princess (Book #2)

Xavier’s Point of View:

I noticed that Angela went very quiet since we left the throne room the previous night. She didn’t speak a word to me all the way back to my bedroom last night, and she hadn’t yet said anything to me either since then.

I had the sense that she was worried about something, but I did not know what’s troubling her mind.

A slight feeling of suspicion crept over me. Did Angela’s strange behaviour probably have anything to do with what happened to Mariana? Could Angela be Mariana’s attacker?

I shoved the thought to the back of my mind. No, no, no, I couldn’t conceive that Angela would wish to harm Mariana. Though Mariana was always very belligerent towards Angela, but I was sure Angela bore Mariana no malice. I knew beneath her feisty exterior, Angela was soft-hearted and always willing to help other people, so she would never intentionally hurt anyone, including Mariana.

“Instead of guessing what’s wrong with Angela, I’d better ask her myself,” I thought.

Finally, I went over to Angela who sitting by the window. There was a distant look in her eyes, so her mind was obviously on something else.

“Angela?” When she felt a tap on her shoulder, Angela turned round to face me.

“What?” she asked lazily.

I plonked myself down beside her and posed a question, “What’s with you, Angela? You’re not looking yourself today.”

She arched her eyebrows. “How so?”

I explained, “You’re usually so noisy, but now, you’re suddenly very quiet. Is anything up?”

“Nothing, I’m fine,” she said.

Angela wasn’t a very good liar, thus, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that she was lying to me now. Nevertheless, I couldn’t afford to get angry with her. I’d better try and persuade her into telling me the truth.

“If there isn’t anything wrong with you, why haven’t you said a word all day?” I inquired.

“I’m just not in the mood to talk to you, okay?” she retorted.

I gave a sharp intake of breath. It appeared that she was too stubborn to admit that there’s something wrong with her.

“You’re a bad liar! I can tell something is up by the look on your face,” I stated.

She gulped nervously before saying, “There’s really nothing wrong with me, Xavier.”

“Do you really expect me to believe that?” I sneered, and it automatically silenced her.

“What is it that’s troubling you, Angela? You can tell me, you know,” I asked solicitously.

“I said I’m fine, Xavier. Can you stop pestering me with your silly questions?” Her voice rose angrily.

My patience finally gave out and I couldn’t help but snap furiously at her, “Do you think I’m stupid? I know when a girl says she is fine it means that everything is wrong. Now tell me! What’s up with you?”

She raised her hands in surrender. “Fine. I’ll tell you.”

I flashed her a triumphant smile which succeeded in making her snort with annoyance.

“Go ahead, tell me now!” I prompted.

Angela hesitated for a moment before she admitted reluctantly, “Actually, I was just thinking about Mariana. I’m so worried about her.”

I put my arms around her shoulders. “I know exactly how you feel. I’m worried about Mariana too.”

“Is she going to get better?” she enquired apprehensively.

“I don’t know, we’ll just have to wait and see,” I replied honestly.

Angela bowed her head. I caught a regretful look on her face. Her guilty expression fueled my suspicions. Yet it’s hard to believe that Angela was at fault for hurting Mariana. I meant, would it be possible for a human like Angela to cause an elder vampire like Mariana any harm?

There was an awkward silence between me and Angela until I broke it, “Get ready! We’re going to attend a meeting in 10 minutes.”

She gasped, “I can’t believe it! How can you hold a meeting after all that has happened to Mariana yesterday?”

“Because of the incident, we had to postpone the meeting yesterday, so we must continue it today,” I elaborated.

“Oh,” was her only comment.

“What are you waiting for? Come on, get ready now!” I snarled.

“OK, I just want to change clothes first,” she said.

Angela was casually dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, so I understood if she felt that she needed to change into a formal attire for the meeting because she probably didn’t want to stand out like a sore thumb. But it would be a complete waste of time, thus, I stated firmly, “There’s no need to change clothes— come as you are!”

“But didn’t you say that I had to get ready?” she countered.

I went scarlet with embarrassment as her words hit home. Hopefully, Angela didn’t notice it.

“I mean you needn’t dress up. Just put your coat on and we’re really to go!” I made an excuse.

“No, no, no, I need to be decently dressed to go for a meeting,” she insisted.

I huffed. “Fine. But make it quick!”

“Don’t worry! I’ll get changed before you can say Jack Robinson,” she said drily.

My eyes rolled at her dry sense of humour.

After Angela disappeared into the walk-in closet to change, I sauntered towards my desk, picked up my jacket that I draped over the back of the chair, and lastly donned the jacket.

My outfit consisted of a white cotton dress shirt with a black bow tie, a pair of black trousers, and matching shoes, so I didn’t need to change clothes for the meeting. I just needed to wear a jacket to complete my ensemble.

I stated at the walk-in closet door. It had only been a few minutes since Angela went into that room to get changed, but it felt like hours for me, and I was getting impatient. Therefore, I moved sharply across the room to the walk-in closet and banged on the door angrily. “Hurry up, Angela! We’re going to be late.”

“Hang on a minute! I just need to brush my hair,” she shouted from the other side of the door.

“Come out now, Angela, or I’ll bust the door down!” I threatened.

“Yes, yes, I’m coming,” she yelled.

The walk-in closet door was finally flung open and Angela flounced out of the room, crashing the door shut behind her.

“Why can’t you just be patient and wait till I’m finished dressing up?” she complained.

Instead of giving her a response, I looked at Angela from head to toe. Her hair was scraped back from her face in a ponytail. Her face looked paler because she wore no make-up. She had changed into a navy shirt and white skirt and slipped a pair of blue flat shoes on.

“Not too bad,” I commented on Angela’s appearance.

Her lips were set in a pout of annoyance. I tried my hardest not to laugh because she looked so funny at the moment.

“Come along! We’re late already.” Without waiting for her response, I strode out of the room.

“Wait for me!” Angela shouted as she hurried after me.

At long last, I headed to the meeting room with Angela shambled along behind me.