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When I don’t get an answer, I dial a second time. Then a third.
“Hello?” Finally, he picks up.
“I know you’re dealing with a lot right now, Father, but something’s happened.”
“Something else?” He sounds tired. “Okay, what’s wrong?”
I explain as succinctly as possible. I’m bracing for his anger at the fact that after just marrying someone as wonderful as Vivienne, I’m already in a situation that encourages the playboy reputation.
Instead, he’s calm and concerned despite his current crisis. “Don’t worry. It’s going to be okay. I know the editors of all the papers who were present this evening. I’ll do my best to make sure those pictures never see the light of day.”
I breathe a massive sigh of relief. “Thank you, Your Highness. And how about you? Are you doing okay?”
“Honestly? No. But I’m ready for the truth to come out. I’ve lived long enough to know that we’ll make it through by sticking together.”
Wow.I had never pegged my father as the philosophical type, but it suits him. “You’re right. We’ll be okay. More than okay. We’ll be great. Let me know if there’s anything you need. I love you.”
“I love you, too, my dear son.”
My next call is to Vivienne. I’ve been thinking of her the last few days since I’ve been here. I miss her. And, unfortunately, she needs to know about the photos on the red carpet, just in case they leak.
When I hear her bleary, “Hello?” I melt. But she sounds too miserable for me to bother her with bad news. It sounds like whatever she has is getting worse.
At first, her feeling under the weather was just a cover to keep her away from the minefield of my family. But now it seems like it was the best thing to do if she’s really sick.
“I just wanted to hear your voice.”
“How was the party?”
“Terrible. But I think it’ll be okay. We’ll talk about it soon. I miss you. Get some rest.”
“I will. Thanks for calling, Caesar.”
“Goodnight.”
26
VIVIENNE
The banging on my bedroom door does nothing to help my splitting headache.
“Vivi? I need to talk to you. Now.” It’s my mother, and she sounds frantic.
What is it now?
I went to bed late last night, hoping beyond hope that Caesar would call. But when he did, it was over almost as soon as it started, and I was tired from worrying about him.
He sounded a little winded but otherwise normal. I tried to detect the sound of a lustful encounter in his voice, then hated myself for being suspicious.
“Vivienne?”
Why do I feel so awful? I didn’t drink last night. I ate some chicken soup and went to bed.Ugh. The thought of that soup is making my stomach roil.
I notice the doorknob turning, and I sit up, finally facing my mother.
“What are you doing? I am a grown, married…”
“Maybe not for long.” My mother thrusts her phone in my face. A video is playing on her screen, but my vision is still blurred.
