Chapter 3

• Nina's POV
• When Albert casually said he will send me the address that hunk didn't tell me he was directing me to a royal palace of all places on earth!I thought I was going to some cooperate office building or a skyscraper with glass window company but now here I am in the highly guarded beautiful rich,serene and quiet province solely meant for the palace and establishment related to the Royal Palace of Monica .The security here is a whole world of describing, right from the entrance to the province I was checked at every joint. The drive was long but smooth because there was less cars , how I wish my Car had an open hood so that I could enjoy the breath of fresh air coming from the evergreen trees, plants and flowers by the road sides.
• The palace was like ten old country mansion merged together that had been extended over the centuries. It now had four sides or wings as the map guide calls it ,around a central quadrangle and over five hundred rooms just in the main palace. It must take a small army of servants to upkeep such a large abode and I have a feeling most of the rooms were never really used except on grand occasions like the coronation of a King or Queen, naming or christening ceremony, wedding or finally the death of royalty.These gathers the most crowd. The monarch King dwelled in only one corner on one floor and rarely stepped foot in the rest of his dwelling, the Monoca Royals are one of the most quiet royals, they hardly make it to the tabloids except it's necessary to. But this palace was a status symbol, it set her above the peasants and that is where she needed to be, separate, apart, superior, untouchable.
• After the never ending strict security inspection by the Palace soldiers and some bad boys looking huge men in black suit and I have a deep feeling 6 guns can be found on one. I was directed towards the left wing of the Palace,it was another world on its own.How many years did it they take to build these things! This other side was also like a palace away from a palace.
• From the outside, the palace was very elegant.The driveway which had beautiful blooming flowers by the side and neat green carpet grass spread to only God knows the end. circled past the entrance that is flanked by a pillar and there were different carriage with horses of different colours but mostly white coloured beside an open display garage displaying nothing but the most expensive limited edition of cars.The garage spread to an end I could not see too.Palace soldiers were all around in their unique uniforms, didn't believe that human beings lived here,talk about gods perhaps. Finally reached the big entrance of this Palace finally. Took a deep breathe and powdered my face before picking my bag and folder and head for the door ,walked so uncertain to the door where I rung the bell and I could hear someone running towards it already.
• I ran hands over my clothes, over the well ironed women dark shade of maroon Aramni suit which compliments my red hair which is in a very shiny sleek bun hoping it wasn't a bad choice to visit the palace , thank God I had my red buttons heels and most expensive Christian door work bag. That should count for something, a lady can never go wrong with an original luxury bag.
• "Hello Miss. welcome to Marcias mansion."
• An elderly maid with the kind of uniforms in the movies bowed down to me.I flushed feeling embarrassed,that was a first.
• "Thank you, here for his royal highness Carlos. He is expecting me..." She cuts in
• "Of course Miss., you must be Nina Harlad the fashion designer.May I walk you to his royal highness's fashion studio.."
• Wait he has a studio,I looked around the gold and greek god sculptures around the hallway and I couldn't believe the work of artistry and creativity done on it especially the art pieces and it was surrounded by Iarge leaded glass windows which provided endless views and the beautiful glow of the sunset.
• It also had a central grand spiral stairway which | believed lead to the other rooms. I wanted to look around the house to satisfy my curiositųy but I had to focus on what had brought me there.The maid led me to his fashion studio and trust me it was everything I have ever dreamt of.
• The North west lights, marble sparkling floor, white walls, fabrics and accessories lying on the table, mannequins waiting to be used.There was a young lady working on some sketch designs using the most expensive fashion design machines which only top fashion industries can afford.Wow it Was a dream come true,
• "Love what you see?" An almost amiliar voice asked behind my back.
• I could feel my palms getting sweaty, my knees shaking by the thought of working with Prince Carlos.
• "I.....V...e..... " I stammered turning around to face him.
• "You must be Nina, I have had alot of good things about you."
• He was busy talking and l was busy ogling at him...His body was warm and toned, his rugged features were alluring, he had skin people of poetic bent called cafe or lait, dark brown eyes, hair dyed amber and very perfect height.
• "If you done looking at me can I look at your designs and portofolio?" He said with an easy smile
• l embarrassingly looked down rubbing my hands before bowing down properly
• "Good Moring , your royal Highness.It will be a pleasure to show you some of my works"
• "Nina, finally nice to meet you,this Alia my designer and Alia this is Nina the young celebrity fashion designer I have been talking about.Carlos casually introduced us as we shook our hands.Talk about royal humility!
• That was when I noticed the black suit guys around,body guards.He collected my files and scroll through some pages , silently nodding in what looks like an approval.
• "Nina, there are some sketches Alia is Working on. I would love your view on them?"
• "Can I give you a hug?" I said it out loud
• "Excuse me?"
• "I mean I have wanted to meet you all my life..Like who doesn't love your music. You are like a god, nobody can never beat your voice, your dancing skills and sty..." I suddenly covered my mouth with my hand when I realised I had talked too much...
• "I am sorry, I talk too just sometimes .." I said blushing from embarrassment
• But Prince Carlos didn't seem angry, he just looked at me with eyes speaking admiration...
• "Come here, let me give you a hug.." He smiled enfolding me in his arms... His cologne and firms arms were enough reason for me to go limp in his arms.
• "I bet now you are fine..." I smiled nodding like a fool after being released from his royal Highness arms.One of the body guard had a disgusted look on his face but who cares.
• "I think the sketches are fine but look plain. Don't worry I will help you work on that.."I stated in a serious tone ready for real business
• "Okay." Alia said with no objection. Today we will focus on perfecting the sketches and you showing me the sample of tabrics you wanna use..." I kept rumbling ideas already habit of mine when I am talking about something I am passionate about.
• "I am glad to have you work for me..I loved what you did on Degi Sodo on his latest single, he looked amazing. I want something better than that."
• "Don't worry your highness I got this"
• He smiled and placed his hand gently on my shoulder,"| will go and continue working on my new song and leave you guys to do your thing"
• "Girl, is there anything to eat here? l am starving after that long ride.
• "Yeah, there is a fridge in the dressing room stocked with some deserts or you can order food from the main palace.
• "Let's grab something and talk more about each other." I suggested already had enough view for the day.
• "What about perfecting the sketches?"Alia asked
• "Can do that with my eyes closed, don't worry" I bragged.
• "Okay." She shrugged and we headed to the dressing room.The lights, two mirrors and the fridge was enough to convince me to work for him forever.. We spent like an hour talking about Prince Carlos likes, his first albums, his songs that we didn't realise there was a third party standing there till he coughed and we both turned.
• "I thought your hair was amber. When did you dye it back to black?" I wasn't even scared that he found us gossiping instead of working but I couldn't understand how he dyed his hair so fast and I am a very curious person.
• "And did you lose weight? You had on as pair of skinny jeans and a Gothic vest, why would you change to a pair of plain trousers and a T-shirt you look plain your royal highness ..."
• "Hey I am Lucas, the twin to your Boss,nice to meet you.
• I slapped myself in the brain, fool how could not remember they were twins... They looked So much alike apart from Mason's hair was black, he was slimmer and he had poor sense of fashion... " Your royal highness Oooh, nice to meet you.." I smiled bowing , trying to ease the weird tension.
• "You must be the celebrity designer Nina it's a privilege to have you in our house your highness." He bowed down too with a mock smile.
• "Trust me working with the Royal family is achievement."
• "I just love the creativity inyour designs.. You should visit my art studio when you'd are done here,you may get inspiration.
• "I will , We highness" We walked out of the dressing room and guess who was infront of us.