Love For Hire

Four weeks later…

Kinsley sat in the exam room as the nurse carefully removed her cast. It had been nearly six weeks since she broke her arm. Once the cast was off, Kinsley began to scratch and sigh with relief. That had been driving her nuts for weeks. Kinsley thanked the nurse and decided to head home. She flagged down a taxi and headed back to her parents’ house. She had taken a job as a waitress. The wag was complete crap, and so were the hours, but her options were limited, so she took what she could get. Kinsley had only been on the job for two weeks, and it was hard to do with her cast on. Things would greatly improve now that she had full use of both her arms. Her parents were allowing her to live on their couch until she could save up enough money to get her own apartment.

As the taxi pulled up to the building, Kinsley noticed the expensive luxury car parked on the curb outside the apartment. Kinsley paid the driver and got out. As the taxi drove away, Kinsley watched the luxury car’s doors open and out stepped Octavius and Stephan. Stephan stood by the car while Octavius walked her way. “Afternoon, Miss. Wells,” Octavius greeted her with a polite nod of his head.

“Afternoon Octavius. Funny seeing you here. How have you been?”

“Well enough.”

“And how is the royal family?”

“Well enough.”

They both looked at one another. She was sure the tension was because they both wished to speak of Nicholas, but she refused to. “Well, it was fun catching up. We really must do it again,” she said, taking out her keys and heading for the main door of the building. She knew Octavius would follow her, but she wished he would not.

“Kinsley,” Octavius spoke informally, playing on their friendship. “It is Nicholas,” he said. “He needs you, Kinsley.”

“He told me to leave,” she reminded him.

“He was trying to spare you because he loves you. Kinsley, he has given up. He is dying. The final days are upon him. If you love him, you will not allow him to die alone. Come back to the palace. Spend time with him. Hold his hand. He is terrified, Nicholas tries to pretend like he is ready, but his pending death has him living in terror. Go to him. Comfort him. Help him find peace. You only have to stay until he passes. It will not be long. A week at the most. After which, the King and Queen will compensate you for your time.”

Kinsley turned to face him. “Why are the King and Queen not comforting their son?”

“Nicholas has locked himself in his private rooms. He never comes out, and he refuses to allow anyone but me to come in, and he only allows that so that I can keep his drugs and liquor stocked.”

“If he refuses to see anyone, what makes the King and Queen think he will even see me?”

convince him to see them, it is you. If he turns you

about the request. She decided to try.

Miss. Wells, the King has instructed me not to return without

walked her to the car. Stephen opened the rear door for her, and Kinsley got into the back. She would see Nicholas. He might have sent her away, but she still loved him. She would help him

***

Kinsley was met by Naya; the queen had come to the door to meet her. Naya hugged Kinsley as she came through the door. “Thank the merciful God, he found you. It is so

more pleasant circumstances,” Kinsley said. “How

the pain on Naya’s face. “He is failing fast. He does not have much time left. Please go to him. He really should not be alone at this point. I wish I could be at his side, but he will

allow my presence any more than he

try. Please do not let him

him to see me, but I make no

is that you try. Bless you,

show you to the room,” Octavius

smiled and left them both

door and took a moment to compose herself for what she might see upon entering. He had been a

the room was pitch black. Kinsley walked over to the windows and opened the curtains to allow some natural light to flood the room. Kinsley walked over to the

looking at him. Kinsley approached and took a seat on the mattress next to the man she loved. He looked terrible. He was extremely emaciated. He had withered away so quickly, the man

was topless, the blanket draped around his waist. Kinsley gently ran her fingertips over his chest, brushing over every defined rib. He must have just stopped eating altogether after she left. Octavius was right. Nicholas had given up. He had drugged himself and gone to bed, where he literally remained and simply waited to die. To say his days were numbered was an

to his face lovingly. “Oh, Nicholas, what you have become

his heavy eyelids. It looked like the act took all he had. He fixed her with his wavering gaze.

Nicholas, I am

“You should not be.”

not leaving you,” she said, taking his hand in hers. “And if you want me too, you will have to get up out of this bed and walk me to the front door of the palace yourself,” she said, knowing he did not have the strength

stubborn,” he breathed.