THE PRETENDER'S HEART

Isabella froze when angrily Rolando opened the door asking what she was doing with the documents she was holding. She slowly moved closer to the wall thinking he would raise his hands to hit her, but seeing that he stared at her with so much anger and hate, she muttered "I am sorry" slowly and tears filled her eyes.

Immediately the phone rang and looking in that direction, Rolando, her uncle rushed to take it. It was the police asking to see him and the daughter of Anthonio the King; without delay they hurried off as the caller had urgency in her voice.

Why are you disturbing the peace of this noble palace?! Rolando inquired, with a sad look, the police officers told him of the death of his brother Anthonio and his wife Cassia, who were involved in a ghastly car accident.

Pretending to be sad he fell on the floor to weep for their loss. Isabella who followed behind was speechless all through, tears rolling down her eyes continuously as she listened as the police broke the news.

Rollando has finally gotten what he wanted, she thought. Earlier that day he came to the palace with the farm documents alongside Anthonio's financial statement for the month. Isabella sneaked into the court where the documents were to take a look at them and know what her uncle Rolando was planning. However, she wasn't successful as he caught her and in anger, he snatched the documents.

Isabella stood motionless for a couple of minutes before asking if she could be taken to the sight of the scene. The police officers obliged her, but seeing how disfigured her parents were from the accident, she cried even more.

Rolando, who did not go with her to the scene of the accident, stayed back to gather Anthonio's documents so that Isabella wouldn't get them before him. Isabella returned later with the policemen as they wanted to be sure she was fine. supported by her maid, she sluggishly entered her room, when the door was locked, she cried out loud that any passerby could hear her.

Anthonio Savoy the King of the Kingdom of Sicily is a very powerful and influential Italian man who amassed so much wealth. His father the late King had him and his brother Rolando, and by getting married to Princess Casia Borgia from the Kingdom of Fiorenza he became very powerful as the two Kingdoms united in power and wealth.

Known for their love story, Anthonio and Cassia were so fond of each other and they were blessed with the beautiful Princess Isabella.

The royal palace and its nobles admired them but Rolando his brother envied him because of his wealth and power. He wanted everything Anthonio owned including his wife.

Preparing for the royal assembly in the Kingdom of Alverona, Anthonio asked Cassia to pack their gift for the King of Alverona who has been so good to them. "I am set," Cassia said with a smile, "and I will have the stewards take this downstairs", she added.

The palace driver was in the car waiting while Anthonio was instructing Rolando on what to do in their absence. Cassia sat majestically at the back of the Limousine sipping champagne and wondering what the journey would look like, "Knock, Knock" she heard on the window and looking out it was Isabella who brought her favourite Lasagna dish made with perfection and love.

After bidding them goodbye, Isabella went to the driver and said "guida sicuro" (drive safe). Waving until she could no longer see the car. Isabella went back to her chambers with so much joy and excitement as the 'ritrovo reale' (royal gathering) her parents were attending would bring news of her betrothed.

Words came from Anthonio of their safe arrival. Meanwhile, Rolando was plotting to take over the throne in his brother's absence. Since Rolando was his only brother, Anthonio did not hide anything from him. Rolando had information about Anthonio's wealth and other information. He had a series of meetings to get audits of the King's assets.

Isabella felt very uncomfortable with the unending meetings, so she went to speak to the sorcerer and a lot was revealed to her. She was told about the sudden death of her parents, Rolando's mission and how she will be banished. "How can I stop it from happening?" she asked, "it can not be changed," replied Mara the sorcerer.

"How can this be?" she inquired, in reply, Mara told her it was a curse placed to punish your grandfather for giving the Kingship to Anthonio, his second son instead of Rolando. He was to continue making sacrifices to prevent these calamities but he stopped. "This revelation is not known to anyone except your late grandfather," she added.

"Where is the Princess?" Rolando repeatedly asked walking down the hallway, on seeing her, he looked at her with resentment he instructed her to open the upper chambers (Anthonio's bedroom). Confused as everyone else, she muttered "Mother left with it." "I will get it!" Rolando snapped and left.

After the news of her parent's death.

"Out of my way!" she said moving out of the palace with her car the next morning. She went to the hidden cottage located in Orivieto, where she and her parents hide when they want some alone time. Even Rolando did not know of this hidden house.

Entering the house sent a nostalgic feeling of sweetness and homeliness down her gut as she slumped into the sofa to shield herself from falling. She slowly slipped in and out of a troubled sleep as she cried all night.

"I will call the knights and stewards for a brief meeting," she said to herself as she stood up from the sofa energized.

"Oh it is getting late," she muttered quickly packing her bag, Isabella walked to the car and zoomed off almost in the manner she left the palace.

She slipped into her room quietly only to find the huge-looking creature in the dark far ahead staring at her. "Who are you?!" she asked and immediately the shadow of the person disappeared. Not minding what she just saw and trying to repress all the happenings, she slammed into her bed to sleep.

"Not the Princess, she is too innocent for the act, " the stewards gossiped close to her room door.

Hearing this, Isabella slipped out of bed, wondering what they were speaking of.

She quickly packed her curly brown hair with a clip, though not neatly, as she hurried downstairs to understand what was happening.

Pushing away the stewards who came to wait on her, Isabella saw everyone staring at her.

Wondering why there was so much chaos and noise in the palace, Isabella stood motionless until Simeon, her trusted steward, came to hold her hands, saying, "My Princess, Rolando announced to us that you have a hand in the death of your parents."

With eyes filled with tears, she said "Thank you, Simeon". Walking towards the courtyard she remembered everything the sorcerer said and she cried out loud.

Rolando, some of his knights and noblemen marched to the courtyard to speak to Isabella. "You are a disgrace to this palace and humanity, how could you have done such a thing to my brother and his wife?" Rolando spitted.

Rolando instructed the stewards to gather Isabella's belongings. Isabella protested saying "I do not know what you are talking about!" She cried as the knights pushed her out of the palace with her belongings leaving her with no inheritance except the little cottage in the next Kingdom which no one knew of.

It was a dark day for them in the palace as Rolando assumed the throne. He instructed them to start planning for the burial ceremony of his brother, the late King and his wife.

...

"l don't want to be served in that manner" Christiano snapped, "now give me the car keys," he said stretching out his hand. Looking confused, Matteo gave Christiano the car key, stepping out of the way.

"Oh Lord," Christiano sighed, stepped onto the porch and zoomed off.

Christiano Giovanni from the Kingdom of Aurendale is the only heir to the throne, he had everything he wanted growing up, but he was a child who loved sharing his life with other people while keeping it simple.

Pulling over at the garage he walked into the vacation house located off the Kingdom of Tirenhall, about two kilometers from his Kingdom in the small town - Orivieto. This is a place of comfort and peace from the day-to-day service of stewards and maids.

"Who will I get married to?" he thought to himself as his father was getting impatient about the topic.

Christiano who is a very humble young energetic man decided to marry for love. So instead of living in the palace, he went to the vacation house to stay, which always prompted worship and extra service from the stewards whenever he was back home to the palace.

Mapping out his plan Christiano decided to visit eateries regularly, wine bars, and sports places. He started jogging around his neighborhood daily as no one knew him or his status. All in the effort to find his one true love.

The lady should look innocent, young, beautiful and fun to be with, he wrote on his notepad; while thinking about her hair color, her eyes and skin tone, he chuckled.

The thought of looking for a wife for true love made him wonder if he had done anything more difficult in his business, education or other achievements. "To me, all my achievements are pieces of cake compared to looking for the one," he chuckled and smiled while sipping his coffee at a café.

Immediately, his cell phone rang, taking his eyes to the phone he saw Carlo's call and remembered their appointment. "Oh am late" he muttered, immediately he went to the car and zoomed off to meet with Carlos at the wine bar.

Carlos Santos is Christiano's best friend from childhood. He had Christiano's back always and was present in all his public and private dealings.

Carlos practically worked for Christiano, not in a boss-and-employee way but in a friend-working-for-friend way. They had each other's back and their friendship is twenty years and counting.

"Sorry I'm late Carlos," said Christiano as he sat down to order wine for two. "I was thinking about the project I spoke about over the phone," Christiano said lifting his eyes with so much joy and enthusiasm.

Wondering what this project might be, Carlos said patting Christiano on the back, "I know you too well Christiano. Once you think you get it, let it out already"

Christiano'

"Carlos, do you remember how Alberto married only to find out his wife came in for the money?"

"Also how Acento our other classmate married the lady from New York only to notice she cared more about his firm?"

"Carlos Santos, I Christiano Giovanni," he said standing up with his right hand on his chest, "wants to marry the woman of my dreams." "I am marrying for love and this is the project I spoke about." Both of them laughed out loud, shaking their hands.

"Christiano, I have never seen you like this. With so much emotion and assurance", Carlos said sipping his wine. He added, "We will surely achieve this goal".

"So what is the plan?" Carlos asked

"Here", Christiano said pointing at the notepad, "Read this" he said quickly.

Carlos collected the notepad from him to read what he had written, and with amazement he said affirmatively "We can surely find her but I hope you have fun with this process?'' "Oh yes!"

Christiano said.

"First, I need to change my wardrobe to tone down my dress to fit this small town. How do we get a store to shop Carlos?" Christiano inquired.

"I know of some places down the street", Carlos said. "Let's get going when you are done", Christiano said, leaving a ten-dollar note under his wine glass.

Hardly had he finished talking, Christiano raised his head to see a beautiful-looking charming damsel who also came to cool off. Sitting down with her shiny-looking lap slightly exposed, she ordered a glass of wine. Christiano froze at the sight of this lady.

Carlos watched as his friend moved from being in control to almost losing hold of himself. Tapping Christiano, Carlos managed to tell him "Shall we?"

While sitting in the car Carlos inquired "Who is that lady?"

"In all our years of friendship, I have never seen you like this," Carlos said smiling while he drove to the store. Christiano said softly "People evolve" and they both laughed out loud.

They took their time selecting clothes that could help Christiano blend in as his search for true love began.

"I will see you tomorrow" Carlos said waving goodbye as Christiano dropped him off.

...

"Oh my head" she softly said as she dragged herself off the bed in the small cottage. She had cried all day two days earlier with no food. Isabella walked to the kitchen to make coffee so she could feel better.

Having no friends left as everyone despised her, she was left to lick her wounds alone. "I will fight back and I will get back on my feet," she thought as she sipped her coffee.

She had learnt in school that daily exercise helps with one's mood, so she decided to jog the next morning just to leave the house.

"I would not take that path if I were you," a masculine voice said behind her. Looking back it was Heberto, her high school classmate, her eyes widened and she immediately went to hug him.

After exchanging pleasantries, Heberto invited her to the gym so they could catch up later that day and she obliged.

"Goodbye," she said, smiling at him as he jogged towards the hill. Feeling relieved that the universe sent her friend to comfort her, Isabella walked back home so she wouldn't go missing.

She went to meet Mara the sorcerer to know the recent happenings in the palace since everyone despised her for something she knew nothing about.

Looking at her with sorrow in her eyes and holding Isabella's hands Mara the Sorcerer said "Your betrothed heard about your parents and on arrival, Rolando told him you caused their death, so he broke the engagement"

Falling to the ground, Isabella cried bitterly. She looked forward to his visit. "Ah! Why me?" She said with tears rolling down uncontrollably from her eyes. She walked back to her small cottage, the only place where she had shelter.

"But Dad I told you I was working on it, please let me do it my way" Christiano said holding the phone. As the door opened, it was Carlos who came to show him their monthly account audits for the year.

Waving at him to come in, Christiano said "Goodbye Dad, love you," and he hung up.

"It looks really good Carlos and we are hitting the numbers," Christiano said smiling.

Handing Carlos a cup of coffee, Carlos said "Thank you" and immediately added, "I know of a gym around here, run by some random guy called Heberto and it looks good. We should check it out. " Smiling sheepishly Christiano replied "Ahha! My friend is on my side," agreeing with Carlos.

Christiano and Carlos went to the gym thirty minutes later after coffee. As they walked in they assessed the gym. To the immediate left of the entrance was the reception desk with a young-looking lady in her late teens. She smiled at them as they walked in and they both responded with a nod.

Opposite the reception desk was the retail section where workout gear, supplements, water bottles and protein shakes were sold with the price tags neatly on them.

Seeing a waiting lounge, Carlos and Christiano sat there to observe what was happening but shortly after the receptionist walked up to them saying "Welcome to Balance Fitness, how may we be of service gentlemen?" "Thank you, " said Carlos. "Please can we see your packages?"

"Of course" she said handing them the pricelist.

They both looked through the pricelist and service booklet handed to them. Immediately Carlos interrupted. "See" he said reducing his tone and looking towards the right entrance door.

It was two beautiful skinny ladies smiling and walking down the hallway.

Chritiano's eyes stood for a minute to examine them, looking uninterested, he returned his attention to the booklet.

"What? Don't you like them?" Carlos inquired. "No I don't" he retorted without looking up. They decided to choose the Silver package since it was very flexible. Carlos gave the lady his credit card and collecting the receipt they both left.

"We'll keep looking," Carlos said smiling at Christiano. Christiano got a business call that would take him to the palace that day and they both drove down. After sitting with the investors from the oil company from the Far East, they were urged to stay the night but Christiano insisted on going back to his small vacation house.

"Take care," Carlos said as Christiano dropped him off and drove down to the wine bar to ease stress instead of going home.

Walking into the bar, Christiano saw a beautiful light-skinned lady nicely sitting and sipping her wine.

On a closer look, she had a signature beauty mark on her chin which added a lot of uniqueness and charm compared to all the women he had seen.

The skin of her neck was smooth and glowing showcasing her elegance. Coming closer Christiano perceived a faint scent of jasmine and rose flower finely mixed. This made him stare. The bar attendant asked, "Prosecco, Barolo or Chianti which wine would you have?" "Chianti" Christiano replied without easing his eyes from the lady and wondering what she was doing here at this time without company.

Again he was distracted by the sound of the wine pouring into the glass cup. Once the bar attendant handed him his drink, he made his move.

"Hello," he said walking closer and smiling a glass of wine in his hand, the lady responded "Hi". "Who is this man?" She thought as she carefully assessed him. He had a well-defined facial feature and, a strong jawline graced with prominent cheekbones. With an olive skin tone, his eyes looked so expressive, almond-shaped, bathed with thick dark lashes. The natural curly waves of his hair added to his romantic charm.

Though looking simply dressed, he possessed well-defined lips that complimented his strong features alongside his athletic build which enchanted her the more.

"I do not have anything to lose," she thought. So Isabella asked "Are you new around here?" "Yes," he replied. "I am as well," she said softly.

Out of curiosity, Christiano asked, "What is a beautiful damsel doing here all by herself?" Knowing that she was tipsy, Isabella tried hard to comport herself and she wouldn't discuss her ordeals with anyone, at least not a stranger.

Staring hard at him with a seductive look in her eyes she said "I am trying to get fresh air.."