67. Celebration and Impersonation
67
CELEbrATION AND IMPERSONATION
WYATT
H alf a year after Theo and I left Neandia, I returned for anything public or scheduled. I’d be in residence here a few days at a time—rarely did Theo come along when I passed through. Initially, I wanted to stay out of the spotlight and perpetually in the shadows like a more reliable, less agoraphobic Howard Hughes. However, two grand openings were scheduled back-to-back in April. These were important, visible things. And the company needed me.
I considered faking sick or doing anything to avoid a run-in with Odette. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to see her. The inverse was true. I was dying to see her. Anytime I saw her face on a tabloid, I lit up like a fucking Christmas tree. I still thought about her laugh and how she hid under the covers from the morning sun. I still looked fondly at the sound of her singing in the shower and the way Theo would climb into her lap, and she’d give him this playful, tired sigh to elicit a giggle.
My worry was out of respect for her. The only response I heard from Odette in about six months was the Christmas present she sent to Theo. This was after we sent her a Christmas card with a drawing from Theo. I hadn’t expected her to return the favour, but after days of him whining, Mom broke down and let him draw something to throw in the card.
Theo took the breakup hardest. It made me angry with myself for letting Odette in. And had I never laid into her about the press that one time, I’d probably still have her in my corner. That she sent Theo a gift made me realise how much she still cared. Someone who didn’t care wouldn’t have responded with such kindness.
So, I attended the first of two celebrations to dedicate the new bus and train station. They added a new terminal instead of keeping the ornate original 1890s version untouched. Neandia overhauled it all with new technology—our technology—producing a shining example of new meets old.
I hoped to see Odette, but she was absent. Instead, Rick and Alexandra flagged me down.
“Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness,” I said, slightly bowing as if I didn’t know them.
“How are you, Wyatt?” Rick asked as if we were old buddies meeting.
“I am fine,” I answered. “Just here for a little bit.”
“And is Theo here?” Alexandra asked
“He is back Stateside with his grandmother. We’ve had a lot going on.”
“I am sorry to hear about all you’ve been through,” Alexandra said. “Dreadful how that must have been.”
The case had gone worldwide. Sentencing finished just before Christmas. My tears gained national acclaim. The media hounded us on all fronts—jumping our back fence and harassing us on the street—for months. So, unfortunately, what happened with Odette felt minor. I felt ridiculous in retrospect.
“Thanks. It hasn’t been easy, but we’ve managed.”
Barely. Theo hated his new school. He let me know daily . American kindergarten did not suit the boy. Nothing about it made sense. It turned out Mom was right. He was as Neandian as ever, and being unable to speak French at school led to meltdowns that I couldn’t believe. I didn’t understand it and had little compassion left for his outbursts.
“Is Odette here?” I asked .
Alexandra and Rick exchanged a knowing look like any married couple.
“She is in France today,” Alexandra said. “She is representing me at a meeting. I wanted to be here for the big day.”
“I told her she couldn’t leave me,” Rick joked. “So, Odette generously volunteered to go in Lex’s stead.”
“And she’s well?” I asked.
“She’s fine. Incredibly busy,” Rick said. “She could do without working so much, but she’s fine.”
Alexandra stared at Rick as if to say, “Stop talking,” and he backed down.
“Well, good, I’m glad she’s alright,” I said. “I hope?—”
“Life is complicated,” Rick said. “We appreciate all you have done to help with this project.”
The tone was odd. Then, I realised I was holding up the line that formed behind me. They weren’t at liberty for any more personal conversation. I moved along, unsure whether hearing that Odette was fine improved my state of mind. With my thoughts still racing, I found Stephen.
“How was that?” He judged me.
“It was fine,” I answered. “They’re well. Thanked me for my help.”
“And The Princess?” Stephen raised one eyebrow and stared down at me.
“She’s fine. Why must you just… bring up Odette?”
“Because you are still hung up on her,” Stephen said. “And I know I shouldn’t bring it up because it is not professional, but you ran off so fast?—”
“She broke it off with me.”
“If you had grovelled, she probably would have accepted it. You shouted at her, and she shut down.”
“Couples argue.”
“She’s twenty-four years old, Wyatt.”
“She’s twenty-three.”
“She turned twenty-four. All of us here knew about it because Her Majesty threw a party. She looked miserable to attend—attend without you, I suspect. ”
A pained look crossed my face. I was unable to hide. Then, a question crossed my mind.
“Stephen, how did you know what happened?”
“I heard you shouting at her—the entire office did. And then I heard your breakdown after it. And I never brought it up because I knew it would embarrass you, but… sir, she was good for you.”
“Well, I did care about her. I do. I wish her well, but I don’t think she’s mature enough to handle anything long-term.”
I lied to myself because I didn’t believe that. We were both a bit broken and afraid to love anyone, but she did what she did with remarkable maturity. She put Theo above everyone else. Meanwhile, I selfishly pulled him to a country he didn’t feel was his own and put him in situations he detested. He was wilting. We’d been so happy here. I felt lonelier than ever, even in a room of more than a thousand.