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I should have done more at the wedding. I should have gone with her when she left, stayed by her side.
But did she even want that? It’s not like she asked me to.
“Arg!” I curse under my breath, missing the ball and barely catching myself before stumbling.
Enrique watches me warily, his brown eyes narrowing as he tries to gauge my state of mind. He knows I’m not playing like myself today, but he doesn’t know why.
“Hey, take it easy, man,” he says, tossing the ball back to me. “You’re getting too aggressive. What’s going on with you?”
“Nothing,” I snap, gripping my racket tightly until my knuckles turn white. But I can’t fool Enrique. We’ve known each other too long, and he’s seen me through countless highs and lows.
“Is this about Lily?” he asks cautiously, and hearing her name spoken aloud ignites a fire within me.
My next swing is wild and uncontrolled, a primal release of pent-up anger and frustration. The force of my swing snaps the racket in half, sending splinters flying in every direction.
I curse again, throwing the broken pieces onto the ground. My heart races, and my chest heaves with each heavy breath. Enrique watches me with a mixture of concern and annoyance.
“Look, Felix.” He steps closer and places a hand on my shoulder. “I get that you’re pissed off and worried about Lily. But this isn’t helping anyone, especially not her.”
He’s right, of course. Breaking rackets and losing my temper won’t change what happened or make things better for Lily. But what can I do? She’s always been there for me, supporting me through the toughest times in my life, and now, when she needs me the most, I feel utterly powerless.
I’m no good at talking about feelings. In the past, I’ve always fixed things and cheered people up by showing them a good time. In my experience, there’s little an impromptu trip to Mykonos can’t fix.
Except I have the feeling things are different this time. Lily might have been burned too badly.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” My words are sincere, but the frustration still lingers.
“Maybe you should try to do something for Lily,” Enrique suggests gently. “Take her on a trip or something, just to get her mind off things.”
The idea sends a shiver down my spine. One-on-one trips with women always end in romance, and even though Lily is stunning, kind-hearted, and clever, I can’t imagine going there with her. She’s too important to me; I don’t want to jeopardize our friendship.
“I appreciate your suggestion, but taking a trip with Lily? I don’t think that’s the right approach.” I shake my head. “We need to find another way to cheer her up without crossing any lines.”
Enrique nods in understanding, and we begin brainstorming other ideas. Our conversation is interrupted by a servant approaching us. “Your Highness, your parents request your presence on the east patio for tea.”
“Thank you.” I have to suppress a groan.
Conversations with my parents have never been my favorite pastime, especially when they summon me out of the blue. Still, I know better than to keep them waiting.
I turn to Enrique, who gives me a sympathetic pat on the back. “Wish me luck,” I mutter before heading toward the palace.
As I walk through the lavish halls, my thoughts drift back to Lily. The image of her pale face at the wedding several days ago haunts me, making it difficult to focus on anything else. If only there were an easy solution to help her move on from this mess.
When I reach the patio, I see my parents sitting at a beautifully set table, sipping tea and chatting quietly. They both look up and smile as I approach.
“Felix, dear. Come join us.” My mother gestures at the chair next to her.
“Of course, Mother.” I take a seat and accept the cup of tea offered to me.
The sun shines brightly overhead, casting a warm glow on the patio and the lush gardens surrounding us. But despite the beauty of the day, I can’t shake the feeling of unease that settles in my stomach.
This invitation to tea isn’t random. Everything my father and mother do is calculated, and I have a good idea of why they’ve asked to speak to me today.
My parents have always allowed me my freedom, but recently, I’ve begun to notice their disapproving glances and hushed conversations when they think I’m not listening. My playboy lifestyle has never been an issue before, but it seems that now, at thirty, they expect something more from me.
“Did you enjoy your game of tennis, Felix?” My father takes a sip of his tea.
I nod, trying to keep my tone light. “Yes, Father. It’s always a pleasure to play with Enrique.”
