I Choose You by Kemi Adejumo (classic novels for teens txt) 📗

Chapter Nine

Christian's pov

Today is the day that the selected girls are moving to the palace.  It's also a day that starts the decision of my future. I and my Parents along with the whole palace staff are standing at the palace doors to welcome the selected girls. The media is here and cameras are flashing and recording trying to get the best angle for the show. There is a parade going on, on the streets of Orlander to the palace gates.  There are crowds of people waving banners of their favourite selected girl . While the ones that are  home are watching live on  the Orlander TV channel. 

Everybody are all smiles and looks excited but.... I can't seem to find happiness.  My mind is clouded with Jess and our last conversation.  The paparazzi are calling my name trying to get a good picture of me but I can't seem to respond.  Sometimes I just flash a fake smile to cover up the circles under my eyes. 

 

I have not seen  Jess since last night after I grudgingly left her room. I know it was something i said but I can't point a finger at what part exactly. She looked very excited at first but her face fell when  I talked about Evelyn.  Does she not like Evelyn?  I would do anything for my bestfriend. Heck!! If Jess tells me that Evelyn is not the one for me, I will not even go after her. All she has to do is tell me not to,  I would do anything for her. 

 

After she ran out of my room,  I looked everywhere for her.  The whole gang searched and searched till late at night.  It was raining and I was scared about her health. She's is asthmatic and I would have never forgiven myself if she had another attack and I am not there.  I finally found her at our old playground.  Jess began to hate this place after she fell off the slide when we were ten. She never went there again . I found her shivering cold body under the slide. 

 

Terror. That was what I felt.  I quickly scooped her into my arms and ran to my room. I shouted at the maids to get me  a doctor immediately.  Molly wanted to change her but I didn't let her.  I changed her myself,  I fed her and stayed with her while the doctor checked her.  She opened her eyes thirty minutes later.  I have never seen such emptiness in Jess. Her eyes were emotionless.  My heart squeezed at the sight of her.  What is happening to my best friend?  That was  not my cheerful Jess? She wouldn't talk to anybody,  not even me.  I and the group left the room so that she could rest. 

 

 When I came back thirty minutes later,  she was gone.  Again!! I hate that game,  I really hate it.  I first ran to check her in her room at the servant quarters.  When I knocked,  her friend, I think her name is Andy answered the door but won't let me in.  She said Jess didn't want to talk to anyone and she didn't even budge when I asked her to tell Jess it was me.  I went back into my room and I didn't sleep for the remaining part of the night. 

"They are here " The screams of the paparazzi pulled me out of my thoughts as I watched two Vantare platinum plus buses pull over.  The door opened and the selected girls started coming out while waving at the crowd.  As they made their way to the palace doors,  they greeted my Mom,  Dad  and me.  My parents says "welcome" while I just flash the best fake smile that I could come up with whilst bowing slightly. 

It got to Mirabelle's turn to greet us and she gave me the most seductive smile ever.  That's Mirabelle for you.  I just can't believe that I used to go crazy for that smile but now, it just cringes me out.  I faked a smile as usual and went on to welcome the next girl.  

Evelyn was the last girl we welcomed.  The girl I don't know if I wanted to see or talk to yet. She looks so innocent as she gracefully courtsied and greeted us.  She looks the same,  mature now but the same. I tried my best to avoid her ocean blue eyes when she  gave me that beautiful genuine smile.  I was scared that all those past emotions will come running back. Yes,  i can't deny it,  there is still feelings there. 

 

"Alright girls,  welcome" Amelia the selection Co ordinator announced. "I am Amelia,  and i will be co ordinating you throughout the selection.  Lucky for you girls, her highness here is about to go eat lunch and said it will be nice of you girls to join her.  Do you girls  agree? " 

"Yes" they all chorused very excited.  That is not shocking,  i should be expecting more of all this.  I and my parents made our way to the dinning hall and the girls were led along.  My Dad took his seat at the head of the table,  my Mom took her seat at the other end opposite my Dad while I just sat at the first seat beside my Dad.  

 

I watched as one of the girls tried to seat beside me but Mirabelle pushed her enough that she would stagger but not fall.  She immediately took the seat and went back to her seductive mood.  I just looked away from her,  she is no longer worth my time.  I looked up to the seat opposite me and there was Evelyn.  Apparently she had been looking at me.  I quickly averted my eyes but I can still feel her stares.  

 

The Chefs came in and started dishing the food.  Unfortunately , Spaghetti and meatballs is for Lunch . I don't hate spaghetti,  infact I love it.  It has just reminded me again of  Jess , it is her favorite food.  I wonder if she ate today. I am really worried. Everybody are concentrated on their food but I just don't have an appetite.  Jess has clouded my mine and I want to see her right now.  I have to make an excuse to leave this place.  

 

"Uhm... Dad,  can I excuse myself?  I have not taken my allergy pills and I think I feel some scratches in my throat" I leant down to my Dad and whispered in his ears. 

"Sure Son,  just make sure you treat the allergy. " he answered.  I know he would allow.  If there is one thing my Dad won't compromise, it's my health.  I am his only child and technically the only heir to the throne of Orlander.  

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