Page 43 of His Beloved Princess
I smiled bitterly, knowing very well that it was my biggest mistake. I should've explained the thing between Rose and me before I started something with my princess. It wasn't important that I hadn’t slept with her for more than ten years. It was no use to claim we were only friends. There were no inappropriate feelingsinvolved in all of this, but I was petrified that Electra would never believe my words.
She was under the impression that I was lying to her; her diary only confirmed it. She was sure I was sleeping with Rose while I was with her. She called me a liar. It was completely my fault that it ended like this.
I knew Electra was jealous of my ex, so in order to protect her, I didn't tell her about this. I was being punished for disobeying my own rules. Peter was right; I was the biggest hypocrite. I should never have hidden something like this from her.
Fuck!
"I didn't think it was necessary," I answered, closing my eyes for a brief moment before reopening them again and staring at the ceiling. "And later, I noticed her insecurities and discomfort when it came to you. I just didn’t want to add to her plate."
"Well," Rosalind sighed, grimacing when I looked at her. "My behavior didn't help either."
"This is entirely my fault, Rose," I said, standing and turning my back on her because I didn't want her to see how devastated I was. Yet, she knew me too well not to notice that I was in pain. I heard her walking towards me. She stopped on my right side, glancing at the city in front of us with her arms crossed over her chest.
"You still don't know where she is?" she asked, raising her head because the company's helicopter had just taken off.
"No," I breathed, shaking my head.
"Parents, friends, ex-boyfriend?" Rose questioned, but I only continued to shake my head. We looked everywhere. She left the city.
"Grandparents?"
"My men found a lead to Electra's grandparents' house in the mountains and are checking it as we speak," I sighed, running a hand over my face.
"What takes Daniel so long?" Rose mumbled, referring to the head of my team. "He always knew what to do in a situation like this."
"Electra'sgrandmother is the daughter and the mother of military officers. She knows how to disappear. And I also cut off Daniel's every attempt to call the shots," I admitted, sitting on the couch and rubbing my tired eyes. "I wanted to be in charge."
"Bastian, you're an amazing businessman." She plopped down next to me, crossing her legs. "But let the former navy seal do his job. He'll find her."
"And then what?" I whispered, slowly turning to her and watching her frown. "What will I do with this mess?"
"I'm sure you know how to apologize and explain." She pointed her long, polished fingernail at the contract on the table, reminding me of my stupidity.
"I don't think the explanation and apology would be enough." I sucked my upper lip into my mouth, biting it. After a few seconds, I felt blood on my tongue, and I almost smiled. Physical pain always helped me concentrate.
"Diamonds?" Rose suggested, earning a snort from me. Electra wasn't a gold digger. Buying a clean slate wasn't an option.
"Rose, I exploded because she hid her encounter with Peter from me," I started, and she blinked a few times, confused. She didn't know about that part. "Also, I was hard on her every time she lied to me, while I have a full closet of secrets I didn't share with her."
"You're one of the most powerful and wealthiest people in the world," Rose reminded me firmly, rising and walking to the cabinet with alcohol. "Is she really that naive to think you're telling her everything?"
Rose poured two glasses of whiskey, handing me one before sitting back, giving me a curious look because I remained quiet. I didn't know what Electra expected from me regarding work or the company. But I was well aware that I made a mistake about our relationship. That much was clear.
"No matter the outcome, you must talk to her," Rose stated, sipping her drink. And she was right. Even when there was a huge possibility that Electra would send me to hell with all my bullshit, I had to at least try to explain everything.
I exhaled deeply, staring at the liquid in my glass. I felt the sudden urge to drink the whole bottle and, for a moment, forget about all of this. I was never afraid toface any challenge or consequences of my actions. This time, however, I was scared because my poor existence depended on it.
I didn't want to live without her. My stomach twisted with dread only from the mere thought of Electra terminating our agreement and leaving me. I didn't know what to do to prevent it from happening. She had every right to end things between us.
"I broke her trust, Rosalind," I whispered after a long silence. "I'm not sure I have the right to ask for another chance."
"Are you prepared to lose her?" she burst out, slamming the glass on the table and glaring at me like I'd just told her I was going on a trip to the moon.
"I'm not—" I started, but she instantly cut me off.
"Then be ready to crawl and beg, big boy!" she shouted, standing and putting her hands on her hips. "You fucked up. Now, you must show her that you care for her enough to forget about your ego and are willing to do anything to earn her forgiveness."
"I am willing to do anything," I stated, rising to my feet, mirroring her stance, and she smirked. She always knew how to push my buttons.
