“I’ll think about it. For now I need to focus on my lands and the people there. Once I know more, I’ll look into donating to worthy causes.” I held my hand out to him. “Thank you for inviting me, Jeremy. It was nice to see the zoo. I enjoyed the aviary and especially the baby elephant.”
“It was nice to meet you as well, Samantha.” He looked disappointed, but I wasn’t about to offer any money. I could barely understand the amount I had, and I still didn’t know what my responsibilities would be when I got to see my actual home.
Once we were in the car, I melted into the seat and frowned at Chadwick. “Please tell me we don’t really have anything else to do today?”#p#分页标题#e#
“Well… there are two more stops.” He cringed when I sat up straighter.
“God, Chadwick, you’re killing me. I’m already exhausted.”
“From avoiding Mr. Flirty?”
“Yes! And from everything else.” I closed my eyes. “I’m not cut out for this life. Eventually I’m going to snap and say what I’m really thinking.”
“Ah, don’t focus on all the bad. Think about it! You’re going to have a baby elephant named after you!”
I laughed. “Yeah. She was adorable.”
“A cute little thing is what he said.”
“Shut it, Chad.”
“I hate it when you call me that.” He frowned at me.
“Good.”
Already Stepping into the Shoes of Her Royal Family
—Lilarian Daily Gazette
The next two days were full of similar events. People eager to meet me and then turn around and ask for money. I even spoke with Dr. Beilefeld, which had been the most important thing to happen since my arrival. He seemed genuinely interested in my father’s case.
Even with the little breaks Chadwick had planned into my schedule, it was exhausting and I was on the verge of a temper tantrum when my phone rang. When I checked my screen I sighed in relief. It was my dad and I quickly answered.
“Hey! How are you?”
“Good. You’re on the news every day. Looks like they’re keeping you busy.” His voice went a long way toward calming my frayed nerves.
Chadwick stood up from his seat at my desk and pointed to his watch before exiting the room.
“Something like that.”
“Well, the doctor said I could leave after my next scan as long as everything comes back okay. I only have one more week of chemo.”
“That’s great! I can’t wait to see you.” I smiled. “Has Patricia given you an answer about coming?”
“Yep. She said I couldn’t shake her just by moving to another country.” He laughed. “She’s boxing up stuff right now. Won’t let me help. Stubborn woman.”
“I heard that!” Patricia’s voice squeaked through the tiny speaker on my phone.
“Tell her I’m hiring movers! She doesn’t need to do that.”
“She knows. It’s like she’s got a compulsion.”
“Well, keep her from doing any lifting.”
“Right. Like that woman has ever listened to me.” I could hear Patricia laugh in the background. He was right.
“Okay. Well, how are you feeling? What did the doctor say?”
“I have another scan after the chemo is finished.” He never hesitated talking about it all. He was very no-nonsense. “But we’re hopeful that it will have helped.”
“Let me know as soon as you have the results. I wish I could be there with you.”
“Nah. It’s fine!” Dad laughed. “I’m a big boy, Sam. You don’t need to hold my hand.”
“I know.” My voice cracked. “I need you to hold mine.”
“You okay?” Dad’s voice softened. “You sound tired.”
“I am. It’s just really different here. I feel like everyone wants something from me.” Even my new friends. Chadwick wanted me to find my groove, Cathy wanted me to be her best friend, and Alex… I hadn’t seen Alex in days.
“You take care of yourself. You can’t help anyone else if you don’t start with you.”#p#分页标题#e#
“You’re right.” I sighed. “I miss home.”
“It’ll get better.”
“I know.” Chadwick knocked on my door and I sighed. “I have to go, the warden says my time’s up.”
He laughed. “Love you, baby. Call me when you have some time.”
“I will. Love you too.” I hung up the phone and took a deep breath. Time to go play tea party.
I grabbed the jacket for my dress and went out into the hall. “I’m ready.”