Chapter 2 Getaway

Chapter 2: You Are Royalty

One month ago

Camilla

I was running from my apartment to school. I can believe I am in my last year at Landmark University with a perfect grade. I will be able to get any job I want in the financial industry. My father wasn't happy but gave in because I am his little princess. I don't mind playing the card if it gets me what I wanted. I got in my car and started driving and I didn't fail to notice the Lexus jeep driving behind me, one of my father's latest additions, my security. Since I don't live far from campus, it didn't take long to reach school. I quickly parked and walked to the building.

"Cutting a little close?" I heard Miranda's voice from behind, so I stopped and waited for her.

"I could say the same."

Miranda is my best friend, she is the only person who truly understands my life. Her father works for my dad.

"I see the details is black in play." I looked back and saw them following from a distance.

"Yes, I thought those days were long gone but you know my father, always trying to control everything.

I opened the door to the lecture hall and allowed her to walk in first. I looked at my bodyguard and signaled them to go ahead.

"I overheard my father telling my mother that thighs were getting hot. The last head of the Dooks Of Doom is making some kind of play. I fail to see how it has anything to do with me." She laughed.

"Don't be naive, friend. You are technically royalty." I shook my head.

"How about we get to class and you stop starting rumors."

"No rumors, it is the truth."

"Come on," I pushed her into the lecture hall and luckily for us, the professor hadn't arrived.

An hour later, I felt drained. My professor is the most boring and draining man I have ever encountered. As I put everything in my backpack, my phone buzzed. I brought it out and to look at the screen, it was a text message from my big brother.

'Dinner tonight, tell me you are coming. I can't handle father today. He is in one of his moods.'

I feel bad sometimes for my brother, Louis. While my father treats me like his princess, he treats him like shit. I had tried asking my father why he treats us differently since we were both his children but he said Louis needed to toughen up and who am I to question his motives.

'I will go with you if you tell him to take these bodyguards back.' I replied and got a response immediately.

'I will try but you know he won't listen to me.'

'Try hard or I am not coming for dinner.'

'Okay, I will try.'

I shook my head, my brother can be dramatic at times but then I got it, it can't be easy being the eldest and the heir to our father's empire. I put my remaining books and phone inside my backpack. Miranda was talking to one of the football players, it is kind of annoying since I am trying to make myself scarce. I signaled, telling her that I will see her later and she smiled.

It was crazy how I have been in this University for five years and never dated any of the guys on the sports team. Miranda on the other hand has dated enough for the both of us, maybe that is why I don't feel inclined to. They are too immature for me, she said I just don't like to have fun but I swear, she forgot who my father is sometimes. Beside I had a boyfriend that we have been dating for three months now, we met at a business seminar the University hosted. I haven't brought him to meet my father since he tends to scare any guy I bring home.

I am supposed to meet Tony at the library to study today. He always stares at me, it is kind of cute and he doesn't know who I am. No one in university expects my best friend Miranda. I used my mother's maiden name, I like to keep a low profile. When they learn who I am, they tend to change. From the corner of my eyes, I sighted my father's men still following me and then I stopped.

"Can you guys leave? This is my school and you don't blend here. I don't need to be followed around."

"I am sorry, Miss. Gilbert. It is our job to keep you safe."

"Keep me safe from what? It is not like I am going to get a paper cut and die?"

"I don't know what you would like us to say but we have orders." I rolled my eyes and started walking.

Three nights ago, my father started talking about how he thinks someone is following me and he is concerned for my safety but I think he was just being paranoid. I have been living on my own for three years now and nothing has happened to me. Why would something happen now? I entered the library and walked to the study hall. I smiled when the bodyguards realized that they couldn't come in if they weren't students. Maybe someone should have told them, I spotted Tony and walked up to him.

"Hey babe," he greeted me as I got closer.

"Hey," he gave me a sweet kiss on the lips and took my backpack.

"How was class?"

Still the same," I walked to a cubicle he had reserved for us.

"How was yours?"

"Fine,"

"Just fine?" I teased and he set everything down.

"Sorry, my geometry class is kicking my ass."

"I get it," I sat down and started taking my books out, we unpack in silence.

"I was thinking, you should come to my parent's beach house this weekend." He breaks the silence, I look up and I am not ready to spend three days with him yet, I barely make it through overnight class.

"I would love to but my big brother already made plans for us."

"It is just a weekend, Camilla. I am not asking you to marry me." He tries to be light with his words but his face is telling me something different.

"I didn't say you were, I just need to check with Louis."

I was a little annoyed since I don't like to be questioned, my mother used to say it is because I am like my father.

"I don't want to argue." He pulled me closer to him.

"Neither do I." I took a deep breath.

"Tell you what, why don't we make it overnight at the beach house?" He kissed the side of my head.

"Thanks, babe. I know you can use the getaway yourself.

He is right about that, maybe a day away from my family is exactly what I needed.