Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
NATE
N ate stared at the phone message in his hand, his eyebrows knitting. The odd request had left him stunned. He puckered his lips as he considered it.
“Would you like me to return the call to let him know you’d be interested in meeting?” his secretary asked.
Nate drummed his fingers on the chair’s arm as he bobbed his head up and down. “Yes.”
Melinda bobbed her head as she backed toward the door. “Right away.”
He stared at the note in his hand again. Prince Julian of Eldoria was interested in investing in a few of the projects he oversaw.
Ironically, he’d just looked at that country’s Crown Jewels with Ellie when they visited the museum. He wondered if he could use it as a talking point to open up their conversation before his mind turned to curiosity over the man’s interest. Was he an avid investor in this sort of thing? How had he come across the project?
Nate twisted to his computer, prepared to do a little research on the man and his country when his phone buzzed. “Mr. Kingsley?” Melinda asked.
“Yeah?”
“The prince would like to meet this afternoon. He suggested the Royal Garden at four-thirty. Should I confirm that?”
Nate glanced at his watch, noting the time. “Yeah, go ahead and confirm. I’ll leave now.”
“All right. I can call a car for you.”
Nate slid his jacket on. “No, thanks. I’ll make it if I leave now.”
“All right, Mr. Kingsley. I’ll let him know.”
Nate grabbed his briefcase and hurried from his office, waving at his secretary as she spoke into the phone. The impromptu meeting seemed rushed, but he supposed when royalty had time for a meeting, he’d better take it.
As he hit the sidewalk, setting a hard pace toward the cafe, he tugged his phone from his pocket. He wanted to text Ellie to tell her about the development, but his frenzied pace made typing difficult.
He returned his phone to his pocket. He’d have to let her know the good news later. Maybe they’d even have something to celebrate. If he landed this deal, he’d cement his place in the company.
The thought brought a grin to his face. He chuckled as he imagined telling her he’d met the man who one day may wear those Crown Jewels they’d perused at the museum. She’d probably lecture him on how he should have bowed or something because the man held a royal title.
He wondered if he should call her to ask as he rounded the corner and approached the restaurant. His footsteps slowed as he studied the greenery surrounding the patio cafe.
Ellie and her roommate, Caroline, hid behind them. Ellie held her phone, zooming the camera on a specific man in the eatery.
“Ellie?” he questioned.
She whipped around to face him, her eyes wide.
He closed the gap between them. “Ellie? What are you doing?”
“Nathan!” Her voice betrayed her surprise, an octave higher than normal. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m about to have a business meeting. Why are you hiding in the bushes?”
“Uh, I was… looking for my necklace and…”
He pinched his eyebrows together. “You’re necklace? It’s around your neck.”
She touched the chain, her eyes still wide. “Is it? Oh, lucky. Caroline, false alarm. There is no need to search. It’s around my neck.” She chuckled nervously.
“What a lucky break,” Caroline answered, seeming just as nervous.
“Ellie,” he said with a laugh, “what’s really going on?”
“I don’t want to say…you may judge me.”
“I’m not going to judge you. It’s fine. Why are you hiding in the hedges?”
She swallowed hard. “Well, I…have been hired by the newspaper…a freelance article covering a royal who happens to be in Sterling City. And I tracked him to this very cafe. I was trying to get a picture…for my article.”
“Prince Julian?” he asked.
The color drained from her face. “What?”
“Is it Prince Julian? Eh, from…Eldorado.”
“Eldoria,” she corrected.
He snapped his fingers, then pointed at her. “That’s it. Right. Good thing you were here, or I may have insulted him. Hey, I was going to call and ask since you’re from the UK…am I supposed to bow or something?”
“No, not when he is outside of his country, and you are in your own which does not recognize royal protocols.” She shook her head. “Wait, what do you mean you would have insulted him?”
“Well,” he said with a coy smile, “I actually scored a meeting with His Royal Highness. He’s interested in investing in a few of my projects.”
“He said what?”
Nate screwed up his face at her panicked words.
“I’m sorry. I’m just…nervous about this story.”
“Well, here’s the thing. I can get you your royal scoop. Hey, in fact, you could come with me. Meet him up close and personal. That’d be quite the scoop, right?”
“No, I can’t do that,” she said with a shake of her head.
“Why not? I’ll tell him you’re my girlfriend, and you are well-versed in royal protocols, so I brought you along.”
“Terrible idea. If I should print something private, he could become very angry and take it out on you. No, best you go on your own.”
“Oh, right. I hadn’t thought of that. And that’s very sweet that you did,” he said with a grin before he kissed her cheek. “No wonder I love you.”
She offered another nervous chuckle.
“Hey, maybe I could ask if he’d give you an interview. It would be great if he’s investing in the business.”
“No, no. Don’t do that. I’ll be fine. My article is due soon, and I have all the information I need. I just…wanted a picture.”
“I see. All right. Well, I hope you got what you needed. I better head in there before I’m late. Wish me luck.”
“Good luck,” she said, her voice breathless.
“No bowing, right? Oh, and should I mention that I saw the crown he’ll wear?”
She shook her head. “No, because he’s not…I wouldn’t. Could be construed as tacky.”
“Oh, right, good point. I don’t know that much about royals. Good thing I have you.”
She pumped a fist in the air. “Good luck, darling.”
He flashed her his crossed fingers and a wink. She offered him a wave, a nervous smile on her features. Maybe he could learn something that would be interesting for her article and pass it along to her later.
He approached the hostess stand and asked for Prince Julian. The man led him to a table where the prince sipped tea, leisurely watching the people stroll past. He was the perfect picture of aristocratic nonchalance.
Nate chuckled to himself as he approached.
“Your Highness,” Nate said as he hovered at the table.
The prince raised his dark eyes to Nate. “Mr. Kingsley, how punctual. Please, be seated.”
“Thank you,” Nate said, sliding into a seat across from him. “I was surprised to get your call.”
“Were you?” The man’s eyebrows raised in surprise.
Nate grinned at him. “Well, yes. I hadn’t realized you took such an interest in biotech. I assume you are in town for the museum exhibit?”
The man sat back, his chin raised as he eyed Nate, his gaze seeming to size him up. “I am always looking for investment opportunities. The museum exhibit happens to be a happy coincidence. I was in town on…other business when the jewels happened to arrive.”
“I see. Other investment opportunities.”
The man’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Something like that. ”
“Well, I found the exhibit at the museum to be very interesting. Now, is that the Crown that the King actually wears?”
“He has several, but at formal events, often, yes.”
Nate smiled and nodded. “And I assume one day, you will, too?”
The man offered him a smile that bordered on a smirk. “Perhaps.”
“Well, what can I tell you about our projects to help you make a decision about investing in GenoTech?”
“Well, I am quite interested. I believe your assistant sent the prospectus for several projects that I am interested in, but from you…I’d love to know more about the family behind the business. You see, it’s quite important to me that I invest with the right sort of people. It really is crucial, don’t you think?”
Nate leaned back in his chair as he bobbed his head. “Absolutely. It’s all about shared connections.”
Julian offered him a cryptic smile. “Indeed. Genuine connections are rare treasures. As rare as finding a princess in a coffee shop. But I digress. What can you tell me about your family?”
“I understand. Well, you’ll be happy to know GenoTech, despite its size, is a family company. It was found by my dad over forty years ago. Both my brother and I are vice-presidents there. And my sister will likely join us when she’s old enough.”
Julian arched an eyebrow. “I see. And…how will it work when the empire is shared?”
“About the same way it works now. Though you’ll be pleased to know my father has no plans to step down in the near future. But when he does, my brother and I will step in. We work in different specialties, so we’ll likely oversee what we do best.”
Julian sipped his tea before he settled the cup in his saucer. “And I assume your children will follow in your footsteps as well.”
He grinned at the man, his mind flitting to Ellie. She’d make a wonderful mother. “If they’d like, yes. I’d certainly love to raise my children in the family business just like my dad did with me and my brother.”
“And have you found the right woman to form your family with? Oh, I hope I haven’t crossed a line.”
Nate chuckled, a surge of pride as he mentioned Ellie. “Not at all. In fact, I think I may have.”
“How lovely. And will you settle down with her soon?”
“With any luck.”
“Hmm,” the man said, flicking his eyebrows up. “What is her name?”
Nate’s eyebrows furrowed as he studied the man. “Ellie.”
“Ellie. Well, what a lovely name. I’m certain Ellie is an exceptional woman.”
“She is.” Nate cocked his head, knitting his eyebrows. Why was the prince so interested in his personal life? “Is there anything I can tell you about the actual projects?”
“Oh, I’m certain I’ll find everything I’m looking for in the prospectus. But if I don’t, would it be possible to set up a dinner?”
“Absolutely. Just call my office and Melinda will be happy to coordinate our schedules.”
“Oh, how lovely. And do you think the lovely Ellie would join us? I would love to meet her.”
“Actually, I’m certain she’d love to meet you.”
The man’s eyes went wide. “Really? And why do you say that?”
Nate leaned closer to the man. “Well, between us, my girlfriend is an editor. And she’s also working on an article for the local paper about you being in town. So, I’m certain she’d love to ask you a few questions. ”
“Oh-ho-ho, really? She’s writing an article for the local paper. How intriguing.” He rubbed his chin. “How very intriguing.”
“She is a very intriguing woman. I’m certain you’ll like her.”
“Oh, I’m certain we’ll be like old friends very quickly.” Julian let the words hang in the air before he rose and buttoned his jacket. “Well, I should be on my way. But I will be in touch after I read the prospectus.”
Nate rose and thrust his hand out. “Feel free to reach out any time. And here is my card with my contact information. Reach out anytime.”
The man studied it as he accepted it before he raised it in the air. “I will. Thank you so much. Good day.”
“Thanks for your time. Bye,” Nate said with a nod before the man strode away.
He sucked in a breath as he retrieved his briefcase. The meeting hadn’t gone as expected. He wondered if all of the royals were strange. Perhaps with the money and power they held, they were used to this.
Corporate meetings were often about power and leverage, but he assumed these people invested less for strategic moves and more for interest. He shifted his gaze to hedges rimming the patio, wondering if Ellie still hovered behind them.
He didn’t spot her. He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and sent her a text. Hey, are you still hiding in the bushes?
He waited a few moments, staring down at his phone but no response came. Just as he started to slide the device into his pocket, it chimed. He toggled it on quickly, a smile spreading across his face as he spotted the message from Ellie. I am not. How did the meeting go?
With a check of his watch, he decided to call it a day. As he strode from the patio to the sidewalk, he sent her another message. Weird.
His phone rang several minutes later as he strode back toward his office building. He swiped to accept Ellie’s call. “Hey, Ellie.”
“What do you mean weird? What happened?”
He laughed at her inquiry. “You’re not even going to say hello? You must really be looking for a scoop on this guy.”
“No, I just…I’m sorry, darling. Hello. Now, what was weird about the meeting?”
He laughed again. “I’ll tell you, but you can’t use any of it in your article.”
“Of course not. I’m just interested for your sake.”
“That’s sweet.” He sucked in a breath as he pulled his thoughts together. “Well, he has the prospectus. Most people ask questions about that, but he was more interested in my family. In you.”
“Me?” Her voice had an incredulous tone. “What about me?”
“He wanted to know how the family business would continue. Would I settle down soon…I told him I’d met a lovely woman. He asked a few things. Just polite conversation. But he did mention wanting to meet you.”
Silence filled the airwaves between them.
“Ellie? You still there?”
“I am, yes. Well, I do hope he invests, but even if he doesn’t, perhaps that’s for the best.”
“What do you mean?” he asked as he stepped into the garage and crossed to his car.
“Well, you know, you said the meeting was weird. Royals are…awkward, perhaps. Maybe high maintenance. Perhaps, it’s better to work with those used to your industry.”
He slid into his car. “I see your point. Hey, I’m about to head home. Text you when I get there? ”
“I’m looking forward to it. Safe travels, darling.”
“Love you, Ellie. Talk soon.”
“Love you, too.”
He ended the call and tossed the phone into his cupholder before he fired his engine and pulled from the space. He made the drive home, his mind unwinding after the day.
After he arrived at the house, he eased his car to a stop outside the front door, grabbed his briefcase, and pushed into the house.
A slow clap met him as he stepped inside.
His eyes adjusted to the dimmer light, finding Stephen stalking toward him. “Well, well, well,” his younger brother said, “look at you landing a royal.”
Nate’s jaw clenched as he slid his eyes closed. “What are you babbling about, Stephen?”
“Your big meeting with the Prince. It’s the talk of the office.”
Nate narrowed his eyes at his brother.
“Yeah, Melinda let the cat out of the bag. Everyone knows. What a man like that would be doing meeting with you is beyond me.”
Nate snorted a laugh as he shook his head. “Give it up, Stephen. He’s interested in investing in some of my projects.”
“Really? I wonder how interested he’d be once he knows what a screw-up you are?” Stephen tapped his chin in a mock display of thought.
“Would you really shoot GenoTech in the foot for a personal grudge?”
“I don’t need to do anything, Nate. Your own past speaks for itself. But if something hypothetically were to shine a light on some of the…less flattering aspects of your history, it could be enlightening for your royal friend.”
Nate dropped his briefcase on the floor before he closed the distance between him and his brother, his chest puffed as he raised his chin. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Oh, I just might. I’d love to have him invest in my projects, and this is the perfect way to do it.”
“You’re playing with fire, Stephen.”
Stephen came nose to nose with him, his lips pulled back into a snarl. “And you’re going to be the one who gets burned, Nate. You’re going to lose everything.”
Stephen spun on a heel, disappearing into the living room. Nate stared after him, his shaking fingers curling into fists. If his brother ruined this deal or anything else in his life, he’d do far worse to him. This wasn’t just a battle between brothers. This was a war.