Wrenley's POV
"So how was the museum," Hannah asks awkwardly. She's trying to bring me and Matteo into the conversation since we've both been pretty silent.
We're in the middle of having dinner out on a terrace that looks directly towards the setting sun. I will admit, it's a beautiful view filled with colors normally saved for artwork. This spot also provides a much better view of the magical looking forest on the outskirts of the castle. That lovely home of trees, and who knows what else, is definitely being put on my list of places to go.
Nevertheless, it doesn't fully squelch my sour mood from earlier today. It's not like I care what the prickly jerk thinks about me. The man has a stick lodged up his butt and knows nothing about my life or who I am.
It's just that being cheated on and realizing how little you mean to someone can take a hit on your self esteem. There were definitely times in our relationship where I was pretending to keep him happy. In fact, Chris seemed to enjoy me more when I was playing the part he had started to construct in our relationship. How much was he pretending when it came to actually liking or caring about me? His feelings clearly weren't large enough to not go out and find someone else.
I don't want the man back, but theres that inner worry about being lovable popping up. Goodness Matteo, why did you have to say such a Jack Donkey thing in the first place?
Feeling the eyes of that very donkey on me, I look over. He's staring at me, and his look is almost one of regret, he must feel a little bad. If so, he should really learn to not treat people like that. Especially someone who's so kind and easy to get a long with.
You know what, I'm not going to let this man's bad judgement get me all down. Maybe later I'll go and talk to him, be the adult with communication. For now, I do the only sensible thing in the situation. I stick my tongue out at Matteo, before quickly looking over towards Hannah. The fact that his eyes stay a bit too focused on that tongue do nothing to me, I won't allow for it to.
"It was pretty interesting, definitely some bad.. energy," I look over at that energy. ".. In the doll room, but otherwise a fun trip," I report to Hannah.
Hannah looks over at me, somewhat concerned as she speaks, "Wrenley, I do hope you kept a safe distance from everything. Especially those dolls, I've heard a few horror stories from our citizens."
We both have watched a lot of horror movies together over the years, so we always have a more imaginative sense of what could go wrong. I may have played on that imagination in the past but I do agree you should be careful when dealing with the undead.
"Don't worry, there was a really nice worker there. A man with truly excellent taste, Mar...," I begin, being a bit dramatic in my retelling.
"Tosser," Matteo interrupts as he coughs to hide it.
Phillip smiles and looks over to Matteo, "What was that mate?"
Matteo gets a fake innocent expression while saying, "Sorry just had coughing fit. Excuse my interruption."
A cough? That lie and fake expression couldn't fool a child. Poor Mark, he too has made it to Mateo's bad side. The guard really needs to get better at meeting new people.
I give Matteo a quick look and go on, "Mark was kind enough to warn me about staying away from them, so I didn't get too close. Matteo, on the other hand, was bursting with excitement as soon as we entered. He got very close and comfortable with his little mini me's. So close, we may have to keep him out of the castle for a few days. Even weeks if we want to be safe."
My inner child's pettiness is thriving with this man. I would say I might as well stick out my tongue and and sing taunting songs, but I've already done the first part of that.
Phillip has a small laugh, while Hannah gives me a well earned disapproving look. She then looks over towards Matteo, and asks, "So Matteo, did you have a good time?"
"It wasn't really my thing, but I guess the company wasn't terrible," he says while looking over at me. Hmm that sounds a lot different from me being a burden. I guess the man really does feel bad.
Hannah seems to find a lot of joy from that small response, "Really? That's great! We really do appreciate you going with her, she can usually find trouble in the weirdest of places. Do you remember the incident that happened about a year ago? When I got a call from you detailing me over that old man from the park. I believe you were about two seconds away from willingly getting in to his large white van."
"I did not almost get into his van, I don't trust vans. Also Bobby was not creepy, but kind and spiritual, harmless really," I reply. Honestly, the man felt like a spirit guide coming to talk to me for a little while, but others saw it as stranger danger. Fair term, but this frail old man was no danger. Just on what seemed like a few drugs. Our chat in the park has become a fond memory of mine.
"Or what about the time you got put in a holding cell for a day? The reason being that you decided to venture on a random man's private property," Hannah asks. Matteo gives me a very questionable raise of his eyebrows. Sure Hannah, just give the guy more things to use against me.
"Hannah, I am still 99% sure I saw a UFO flying over the top of it. How do you not go and check that out because of some silly, little keep-out sign? And of course the authorities would come, they aren't just going to let people find out what's really going on. I wouldn't call what I did 'getting in trouble' but rather a great discovery," I brashly get my point across.
Matteo gets a hint of what couldn't possibly be a smile. Either way, the slightest raise of his lips look like a nice contrast from the usual frown.
"Or what about the time you were caught going 50 over the speed limit in front of a pol..." Hannah starts. Wow my best friend is really coming for me and she's smiling while she's doing it. The little psychopath.
I quickly cut her off, "Ok, ok, no more of this nonsense. I guess it was good of you to come today, Matteo. I could've protected myself, but its nice to have a back up." He might not be as tactically skilled as me and my multiple self defense classes, but it was nice of him to go. Even more so, when he had other things to worry about.
"Well now that, that's settled, Hannah and I were wondering if you two were busy tonight? If not, you're welcome to join us for a movie in the theater," Phillip offers.
Was I just asked to watch a movie at a theatre... in a castle? I believe that yes, indeed I was. This is what people talk about when they say to choose your friends wisely. It sure wasn't about choosing them for their treatment because Hannah's stunt earlier would quickly discount her.
"I'm sorry, I can't. I have some work to attend to after dinner," Matteo replies curtly.
I'm wondering if he truly has something or if he's trying to get out of it. Somehow, I don't see this man willingly watching a movie with me any time soon. Which is something that I probably won't be crying over. "Yes I'd love to, what movie are we watching," I question, forgetting about the man who won't be there.
"Oh, one we both think you'll really enjoy," Phillip says with an evil smile. I look over at Hannah who has the same creepy grin on her face. Definitely wouldn't call those looks very comforting.
"Ooookayy," I reply as I finish my dinner and get up to change. As I start to walk across the terrace, I hear a chair scrape. With a quick glance back, I see Matteo getting up as well. This makes my walk turn into a jog so I don't have to get stuck walking alone with him.
However, once I am inside and about to go up the stair case, I feel a warm tug on my hand. Turning around, I see Matteo standing right behind me.
"Did you need something," I ask with a little coldness. I don't feel like getting into another argument with him. If he's so clear about not liking me, why doesn't he just stay away?
"Umm," he coughs a couple times. "Yes, I wanted to apologize for blowing up at you earlier. I was worked up. It lead me to say some unkind and untrue things. I'm... sorry," he tells me sincerely. The apology is followed by awkward silence and some nervous body language coming the head guard.
I can tell that saying sorry was hard for him and it even seems like he means it. There have been very few of those type of sincere apologies in my life. It makes me appreciate the effort of his.
I think for a moment before I speak, "I didn't like the way you talked to me. You should know I'm quite done with men in my life making me feel small. That includes your little comments and blow ups that I don't deserve."
Nodding his head, his eyes seem to glint with anger that doesn't feel directed at me. Even if I've only had a couple interactions with him and his hostility, I can tell when I'm the main focus of it.
Wanting to truly bury the hatchet, I add on, "With that said, I can tell you're sorry. I'm also aware of how I get on your nerves, so I will try my best to keep out of your way. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go change into some pajamas fit for a royal movie theatre."
I then begin to walk away and feel him looking at me for a moment. Thankfully soon after, his footsteps sound off in another direction.
Overall, I'm pretty proud of myself for how I handled that. It's much better than laughing off my hurt feelings and keeping them to myself. It's also classier than the tongue and petty insults that I was using earlier tonight. Hopefully now the guard and I can stay out of each others way.
.....
Well I know why Hannah and Phillip had an evil smile on their face. The 'awesome' movie they had picked out happens to be about a surfer who's stranded in the ocean. To make it better, the surfer is surrounded by Great Whites the entire time. I'm quite sure this movie choice has a lot to do with my very real fear of sharks and the thought of open water. It's one adventure you will never find me going on.
"No we are not watching this," I dictate with my arms crossed. This is when having a height and attitude like Matteo's would really come in handy. I feel like automatically people would be forced to listen.
"Remember when you convinced us to watch that "family friendly" movie a couple of months ago. The one about a couple of friends who go to Sweden for a summer festival? We couldn't sleep for a week after that, it's your turn," Phillip explains, moving to sit down in the large theatre room.
Yah, family friendly was not the best words to describe that particular movie. Not unless you count disturbing rituals and gruesome murder to be in that genre. I'm pretty sure that Hannah and Phillip do not.
"Ok, so maybe that movie was pretty messed up, but do two wrongs make a right? Royalty is supposed to behave better than this," I try to argue. I can definitely talk a big game when it comes to horror, but add in the ocean, and that falls right away. It's an irrational fear that has no real reasoning behind it, but I think sometimes those fears are the ones that stick. This one definitely has.
"Come on, choose a seat and get some popcorn. You won't be getting out of this one," Hannah chirps as she takes the seat right next to Phillip.
The theatre is exactly like the newer movie theatre's you see nowadays. The ones where the seats are large comfortable recliners that come in pairs of two. The only difference is the space that is split between each pairing. Instead of a measly three feet, it's closer to ten, giving each set their privacy.
Of course, Hannah and Phillip are in one pair like a normal couple would choose. This leaves me and my delicious butter popcorn to sit by myself. All alone, while watching a movie that will make me want to crap my pants. And would you look at that...
The lights just went dim and the trailers are starting to play. Fun.
.....
Mateo's POV
"Fuck," the word comes flying out of my mouth. I swear I've walked towards the hallway of the theater room about a 100 times tonight. I said no to the movie so I could have some distance and start concentrating on my job. Why does this woman insist on distracting me even when she's not around.
After our conversation, all I can seem to think about are two things. One, I need to know the name of the arsehole who went and made that woman feel small. Hypocritical, I know. And two, is the fact that she apparently has decided to stay out of my way. It's exactly what I wanted, so why do I keep wandering towards the theater room like a lost fucking puppy.
"Sir are you alright," Samson, one of my men, asks as I walk back towards my route. He's a little younger than me and one of my most hardworking guards. His common sense and the fact that he doesn't blabber my ear off about things non-work related, got him his spot as second in command.
"Fine, Samson. Just a momentary distraction," I reply shortly. He's giving me a look like he doesn't quite believe me. Yah, well I don't really believe myself either right now, Samson.
"Did you need something," I snap as he continues to look at me without saying anything.
"Right sir, I just wanted to say that we finished checking the perimeter and it seems like everything is in check," he replies.
"That's great Samson," I respond as my attention is once again diverted towards the bloody hallway.
"You know sir, we have extra guards on duty due to the coronation and it seems to be a slower night," he relays as if I'm supposed to catch on to something. He goes on, "I'm sure if you wanted to retire for the night and go spend time with the Prince, Princess,... and Ms. Wrenley. That would be quite alright."
Is it that damn obvious?
"Why are you smiling when you say her name," I ask noticing the man's smirk.
He drops the smirk. "No reason sir, I've met Wren on the occasions I attended Phillip to the States. She's a lovely lady, wouldn't you agree," he asks. Wren?
"Sure, Samson," I pause for a moment, contemplating. It is a slow night, and I really should be keeping my energy for the busy days coming up.
"I have had a stressful day, so if you're sure you've got this, then I will finish up early. You know, to rest and possibly talk to the prince about security," I lie. Samson nods his head in agreement.
I start walking towards the hall, before I look back and say, "Oh and Samson, make sure we keep it professional with Miss Wrenley. We do represent the palace after all."
The smirk is back as he replies, "Of course Sir."
"Good, just making sure," I finish the conversation as I head to spend time with my best friend and his wife. If someone who is staying out of my way is also there, then I really can't do anything about that. Besides, maybe spending a little more time with her will show me exactly why she shouldn't be a distraction. Then I can follow through on the stupid avoiding idea that she suggested.