Page 3 of Learning to Love

I want to rant and shout more, but I know it's not Mr. Callaway's fault. He's doing his job, and I know he’ll try to help me as best he can.

"It's all right." My voice is downbeat. I have all the lesson plans for future sessions in my head, and I’ve been excited to teach the class a new position. "I better try and contact all my clients before they start showing up here."

"Please do. I suspect the level of security will be increased in the next few hours, so I don't want your clients arriving here and being interrogated. I'll make sure you're added to the list of approved visitors so we can try and work this out for you. I am sorry. I just need a few days."

"I understand. Thank you."

We're interrupted by the sound of Mr. Callaway's phone ringing. He indicates that he needs to answer it, and I nod at him before leaving the office.

I don't know who this VIP is, but he's a pain in the backside, and I haven't even met him yet. Two people, who are generally happy and carefree, are struggling to meet his demands and are looking at their wit's end already, and it's not even ten am.

When I get back out into the humid Florida air, I pull my phone out of my bag and get ready to send a message on the What's App group I’ve set up for the clients that usually attend the lesson this morning. I find contacting them is easier this way than phoning around everyone each time. I type out the message.

Lessons are canceled until further notice due to circumstances beyond my control.

I'll let you know more as soon as I get the information from Mr. Callaway.

I'm so sorry.

Namaste.

E xx

I'm about to hit send when, out of the corner of my eye, I notice a commotion coming from the direction of the most expensive villas. A group of men wearing black suits surrounds a man in expensive looking training gear. He has neatly combed chestnut hair and is wearing what appears to be designer sunglasses from D&G. He looks over at me momentarily, but I can't see his expression through his glasses. I obviously mean nothing to him, because he immediately returns his focus to the route he’s taking—a path that leads him directly to the studio where I'm supposed to be teaching in a short while.

I think I've just met the man who's been upsetting the staff at Serendipity. He doesn't pay any more attention to me even when I step a little nearer to him, hoping to talk to him about needing the studio. I'm pushed back by his entourage, and he's ushered into the studio. The door slams firmly shut in my face, letting me know that I'm nothing to him, whoever he is.

Dickhead!

Knowing heartbreak at a young age has given me a steely determination, though.

I'm not that easily defeated.

I will get my studio back.

Two

Dalton

"Has my father got over his mood yet, Hinchbootie?"

While doing bicep curls, I question the personal secretary who's been at my side pretty much every moment since I left Janastria.

"Your father won't get over his mood until you learn how to behave." Hinchbootie picks up his own much lighter weight and starts lifting.

"I'm sure what I did wasn't that bad?" I shrug.

"The entire country saw your penis," Hinchbootie deadpans at me.

"You’re being pedantic. Besides, it's a good looking dick."

"You're a future king. You need to behave with decorum." Hinchbootie sighs heavily.

"I can do that when Iamaking. For now, I just want to enjoy life."

"Your father does understand—he just wants you to do it in a better way." Hinchbootie places the weight down he's holding. "May I be frank with you, Your Highness?"

Even though I have my own personal secretary—who's remained behind to look after my father while Hinchbootie got the babysitting duties—I've always trusted the opinions of the man standing in front of me now. He's been as much of a constant in my life as my parents, probably more so.

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