Love For Hire

Octavius rushed Kinsley down to the foyer. “I do not understand what did I do wrong?” She asked as he talked to someone on his earpiece.

“I will have one of my men drive you home,” Octavius said, not answering her question.

“His scars,” she pried, “he has scars. Are they suicide scars?” She asked. As they reached the door and a tall brunette in a suit was waiting beside the door.

“Take her home,” Octavius ordered the man.

“He is royalty,” Kinsley said, refusing to be ignored. “Why would a Prince want to kill himself?” Octavius ignored her question and walked away. She then looked at the man she had been left with. “Do you know?”

His indifferent stern expression never changed. “Follow me,” he said, opening the door and leading her out to the car. She had a feeling she was not going to get an answer.

Great, her first night on the job, and she got thrown out. It was probably safe to say she was as good as fired… and be homeless.

***

Octavius knocked on the door, and when he did not hear Nicholas bid him enter, he got worried. Though Nicholas was his boss, he was also Octavius’ best friend. He had been concerned for his friend for a long time. For years now, Nicholas had been depressed, and each year he became more and more withdrawn and self-destructive. In the last three years, he had tried to end his life five times, the last attempt just mere months ago.

Octavius tried the doorknob but found it locked. That was a bad sign. He reached into his pocket and took out the ring of keys he carried. He found the key to the door and let himself in. He rushed in and did not see Nicholas, he rushed over to the washroom door and looked inside to see Nicholas standing in front of the mirror, his hands on the counter, and his shoulders slumped.

“If you are not happy with the girl, I can have another here in two hours.”

Nicholas scoffed at the idea. “No. I just want to be alone.”

“You should not be alone right now.”

“You think I am going to kill myself?”

“The thought has crossed my mind,” Nicholas would not look at him, which concerned Octavius. “Why do not I get a bottle of bourbon, and we finish it off together.”

“No. Just leave me alone.”

“Your Majesty, your father charged me with the responsibility of keeping you alive.”

“Why? I have nothing to live for. Why not let me end it on my terms?”

“The King…”

“The King…” He snarled. “Screw my father.”

“Nicholas, you are my best friend, and I am not going to let

“Why the hell not? You know as well as I

“There is always hope.”

no hope. I have accepted my fate. I think it is about

“Nicholas…”

night. “Look, I promise not off myself

“Nicholas…”

the counter and hurled it at Octavius, who dodged the projectile. He sighed and left Nicholas as requested. He

***

with her landlord, but he

left becomes mine, and I

nowhere else

not my

attention. She knew this man. This was the man from the mansion last night. What was his

in the eyes. “Miss. Wells,” he greeted her with a polite bow of his head. How did he know

“Yes,” she acknowledged him.

trust you

“Octavius, right?”

if you had

was

do apologize for that. His Majesty can

Majesty?” Her

I have a few moments of your time?” Octavius asked her, completely ignoring her landlord

out into the street. Thanks to your moody boss, I

the man beside him. “You

Prissy,” the little man

is Miss. Wells’

“$850.”

his wallet. He then took a wad of bills from the wallet and handed it to her landlord.

counted the cash in his hand with a smile. “That

my rent?” She asked, surprised.

it compensation for last night,” he said. “Now, if I

in. “I guess,” Octavius went into the apartment, and she closed the door. He stood in the middle of the suite looked around like the place was a slum. She supposed, compared to what he was used to, it was.

asked the driver that took you home last night,” that

do for you,

not it customary to offer