Page 15 of The Prince

“I’m serious about letting her talk. She’s important and sees things you don’t. She could be the difference we need.”

“I’d love to let her talk. I’d love her to help in any way. She left too soon for us to really know how she should be involved.” And Daniel was used to working alone. He should have consulted with her more. And he doubted her. He cringed inside to admit it, but he wondered what she could possibly know that would help when she spent most of her time modelling.

Thad turned on the television on the far wall. Images of Melodia flashed across the screen. She was stunning. They had found images of her on various runways, in magazines. They highlighted her work as a model. And then the newscaster said, “The Valdez family has been accused of using and exploiting the celebrity status of international model, Melodia Harper who makes appearances, smiles and then sits quietly in the background. The public doesn’t need manipulation. We want an educated discussion about what a resort could mean for our island.”

Daniel groaned. “Does she really just smile, wave, and sit in the background?”

Thad nodded. “That’s the impression I’ve been getting. I think we need to up her presence, let her do most of the talking for a while.”

“OK, I’d be happy to do that. Let her charm the ministers, work her magic on the public.”

Chapter 10

The Valdez plane landed on the runway and then pulled into the private royal hanger at the Torren airport. Melodia could get used to this. Commercial airlines were a million times more inconvenient. The staff on the airplane was gracious and kind. They helped her exit the plane and directed her to the exit. The Valdez royal crest decorated the side of the town car that came to pick her up. When the door opened to an empty back seat, she didn’t hide her disappointment. “Where is the family?”

“I believe they are waiting for you, Miss Harper. Back at the palace.”

She climbed in. As they drove down the shoreline of Torren, the destruction still present from the last tropical storm surprised her. She lived on the opposite side of the island which hadn’t been hit as hard. But here, many shops were still boarded up, the place looked rundown, and no one was out. She could see why people were concerned. The effort to save the park would have to be powerful, moving, important. An idea began to build. She pulled out her phone and did some research.

When the car pulled into the palace courtyard, it was Thad who greeted her out of the car. “Can you come with me?”

“Sure.” She turned to gather her things.

“Oh don’t worry, they will take your bags to your rooms for you.”

They walked quickly toward the opposite side of the palace.

Thad smiled at her. “We are glad you are here. We need your voice. The public trusts you, but needs to know you are more than our signature celebrity.”

A lump grew in her throat. “Did Daniel say this?” She could have kicked herself for asking, but suddenly his opinion of her mattered more than anything else.

“He did.” Thad watched her with a peculiar intensity.

Her face heated and her smile grew and there was nothing she could do about it.

Thad shook his head. “Wow.”

She laughed, embarrassed. “What?”

“My brother has no idea how lucky he is.”

“Oh, I don’t think he would agree with you.”

Thad shrugged. “Then he’s an idiot. But I’ll tell you this. No one has gotten under his skin in the way you have.”

Melodia considered his words and decided that could be good or bad, but she was going with good. Everything seemed better now that they wanted her to actually say things.

“I’ve called for a press conference in one hour.”

“What!”

“Can you be ready?”

“Well, sure, but wow, you guys don’t wait around.”

“We only have you for forty eight hours.”

She was thrilled to feel needed. Felt a strange new exhilaration that they were counting on her, and not to smile and look pretty. She shifted her shoulder bag, happy that she had her laptop with her. “Can I sit and look over my notes?”

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