1996

THE following day, which was a Saturday, Liz noticed Meghan was dressed quite up. "There's no lecture today Megh" she groaned; "are we going to a tea party?" How she wished to hear a no. But instead, she heard something more delighting.

"I'm going to visit my Wessex" Meghan smiled.

"Oh, I must go Megh. Please! Pleeease!" She pleaded eyes closed.

"Okay"Megh said.

"I'll have to act royal"Liz shook her head which made Meghan burst out laughing; "just be yourself Liz. I will be waiting for you in the car"

None of Liz's clothes matched as appropriate for meeting a Wessex. After much difficulty, she took Meghan's words into consideration and decided to "just be me".

"Their lodge is really big and beautiful" Liz remarked as they walked hand in hand to Greg's lodge. She really couldn't figure it out but noticing Meghan's move, she was sure Meghan had been here more than once.

Opening the door, Liz walked in. Grey couldn't believe his eyes when he beheld Liz. He thought to himself; what beauty is this?

Liz kept gazing at Greg. Oh--my--God. A Wessex! She felt she had seen an angel from heaven.

They kept on looking at each other that Meghan had to interrupt. "She's my twin Greg. Greg meet Liz, Liz meet Greg" Meghan succeeded in interrupting.

"Hi" she shook hands with him.

Oh! Her hands felt tender and soft. He literally shrinked by her touch. "Please do sit"

"with pleasure"she replied.

Meghan was really, really feeling left alone in the whole chit-chat. As Greg and Liz kept on talking. Now, she regretted bringing Liz along.

"You have paintings?!" Liz was surprised. If there was anything Liz loved in her boring royal life, it was the painting part of it. She found joy doing that.

"Steve take her" Greg ordered one of his guard to take her to his personal gallery. She joyfully followed Steve behind. She couldn't wait to see the paintings.

Meghan was more than grateful Liz was gone from their sight; "So..."

"wow" Liz entered a big hall. She hasn't seen anything like it. It was adorned with draperies, legendary paintings, gold tunic curtains and that smell. The one she loved about paintings. The scent of colors. She was lost in the sight of the room.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" Liz almost jumped out of her skin with the shock of hearing someone from behind. "Oh good gracious! It's you"

"Yes" Greg walked like a real angel from heaven towards her saying; "Come, let me show you some paintings"

Greg and Liz spent the whole time  in the hall painting stuffs. "Now you're different from your sister or royal girls in general" he picked a color.

"Oh, just shush and stay straight. I want to get a clear painting of you".

"You know, you can paint and talk"

Liz tilted her head to look at him well now. Dropping the paint, she sat straight; "Well, I do not like people seeing me as a Rhyndorust 'cos they worship me like a small god. I just... Wanna be free. But FREE is not something you buy in the market" she said.

"You know, once in my life I felt like I was a simple county boy that liked simple things. But I'd once again get reminded I'm a Wessex. But in my opinion I think I can get freedom if I want. By running away" Greg said and Liz laughed to that.

"Hilarious! You wouldn't do that. Would you?"she asked.

"Why don't I get us something to eat?"he offered.

"okay" she said.

"I'd be right back with treats" he left.

She's damn right beautiful, he concluded. And he'd never wanted any girl like he wanted her. He brought a tray. Oh dang it! He wants her and he's never wanted someone like this before, he confessed. How would I feel one inch away from her? Flesh to flesh? Her eyes...her hair...her laugh... He should better cut this short. It won't work. He concluded bringing the treats. But then, he saw her again laying face down on the rug, playing with the paint brush, giving an innocent sweet smile and all his sense of thinking shattered.

He took back what he had concluded, it had to work somehow. He set the tray of chocolates and candy with cup cakes and other treats down and she smiled sitting up.

"What?" He lifted a brow.

"You've got paint on your cheek"she said.

"What? Where?" He tried figuring it out, but it was clear his hands won't figure it out.

"Just hold on a sec." Leaning forward, she reached out to wipe it off from his face but he reached out to her and took her hands.