17 The Final Negotiation

Jeannie Boon and Prince Christopher sat facing each other over the long dinner table after the Press Conference. It had now been leaked that she was also the lost Princess of the Isle of Argent and Jeannie had turned off her phone due to frustration from the continuous ringing! The tabloids were going to make her go crazy! She had finally forwarded all the calls to James who was at present trying to get over his own shock. His normal boss had suddenly become a princess and a Prince's fiance, all in one night. What a scandal!

Christopher watched as her pink lips delicately closed around a shrimp and he found himself fantasizing like a teenager. The woman really looked all too innocent and delicate but she was a shark on the negotiation table. The pre nuptial that he had offered to her along with the bridal gifts had all been thrown in his face until she had the man draft a new agreement to suit her conditions. His lawyer had been shaking in his shoes out of fear.

However, her conditions had taken even him by surprise. When she had insisted on a new agreement, the cynic inside him had disdained. No matter how much she tried to sound high and mighty, since she had agreed to the wedding, she would take as much as she could, Like a blood sucking mosquito.

But in the end, the woman had refused all properties that would be in her name and the cash that she had offered, had been reduced to almost a percentage of what was originally offered. In fact, he almost felt insulted by the final agreement. But the woman had refused to budge! They finally had a contract of five years and were soon going to be husband and wife.

What he did like was that she had forgotten an important clause in the contract. A clause that he had ignored out of necessity at first. And later to please himself. Miss Jeannie Boon was under the firm impression that their marriage was going to be a platonic one. In fact, despite the few times they had kissed, quite passionately, she still believed that they could resist the magnetism they held for each other.

He would, quite happily and pleasurably dispel the lady's misbelief on their wedding night. He wondered what it would be like to taste her. Would she be a noisy lover or a silent one. Thinking back to the afternoon incident where she had even made him blush in front of the press, he could vote for the former rather than the latter. Hmm, he would have to get rid of his security guards on the wedding night..

Just then the head butler from the palace was announced. Jeannie raised her eyebrows at the formal announcement and looked at the Prince in question.

"The Queen prefers the old ways."

"Ah." With a nod, Jeannie then paid no mind to the person coming in and concentrated on her food. Well, at least the Prince's kitchen had tasty food. She would soon be as fat as a whale if she had to continue to stay here. Jeannie could hardly believe that this place that she had believed to be a hotel was actually the Prince's residence! Why was it made like a hotel, she had no idea but the food was good enough... to keep her questions at bay.

Since she had been enjoying her meal, she failed to realize that the 'butler' man had actually walked up to her with an ornate tray in her hand and was not bowing to her. At a perfect ninety degree. She looked around in panic and held her hands in front of her as if warding off evil. "Mister Cadbury.."

Prince Christopher almost laughed out loud at the haughty butler's reaction to the woman's 'Richie Rich' reference. But the poor butler was askance and said apologetically," Mademoiselle. Butler Joe at your service. Please accept this gift from the Queen."

Saying so, he extended tray forward for her to accept. She wanted to refuse. She really did. But she saw Christopher shake his head from the corner and he even made a slashing of the neck sign to tell her that she could not refuse a gift from the Queen. With a thin grimace that could be passed off for a smile, Jeannie picked up the heavy box and said," Please thank the Queen for me."

The butler was incredibly pleased by the young lady's respect and immediately took his leave. Jeannie proceeded to place the box on the table and then ignore it in favor of the food on her plate.

Once again, Christopher could not help but be curious about her. Any other person would have been dying of curiosity to know what the Queen had gifted them but Jeannie Boon seemed to be more interested in what the stuffing in her 'bao' was than the gift.

Pushing back his chair, he casually walked over and stood, leaning against the table as he picked up the box. "Jeannie, honey, don't you really want to know what is inside?"

"If you call me honey, I swear I will turn over that jar of pickles on your head, Prince."

"Hmm, you are right. Honey does not suit a sassy one like you. I'll call you babe."

A glare was directed his way.

"No? Then, sweetheart? Nah. That doesn't go either. Mm, How about amour. It sounds quite French and delicate, doesn't it."

Jeannie pushed back her chair and stood up toe to toe with the prince before slowly enunciating, " My name is Jeannie. And that is the only thing you will call me, Prince."

Grinning at this, Christopher pulled Jeannie into his arms as she made to leave. As her hands came up to his chest to cushion her fall, he smiled devilishly and said," Well, my name is Christopher, Jeannie. And that is what you will call me."

Jeannie would not give him the satisfaction of struggling to get away from him, knowing he would probably enjoy it more.

With a nod, she said," Christopher. Please let me go."

Satisfied, Christopher nodded at her obedience but did not take off his arms.

Huffing, Jeannie ordered again," Christopher! Let go of me."

"I will.. but first.. let me.." And then he could only kiss her after listening to how sweet his name sounded in her soft voice.