#chapter29

“The Ira and Rose Nichols exhibit takes us back to the second world war. A young man, Ira, had married the love of his life, Rose; the day before he was deployed to a war he willingly took part of to defend his loved ones. Throughout the absence of her husband, Rose took to art to fill the void while her heart stayed with Ira through his days in battle, fighting for her across the world, fighting each day to come back to her. The exhibit here showcases those pieces of art that the Nichols family has generously donated; we thank their grandchildren that are graciously with us today to join us on this special occasion. The history and love shown through Rose’s sketches, paintings and letters to Ira are a beautiful testament to the struggles of the families and loved ones left behind in the time of war. It is without further wait that I officially open the Ira and Rose Nichols Memorial Exhibit! Please enjoy and I will be happy to answer any questions for you inside the exhibit.”

The crowd applauded her enthusiastically. Turning her back she released a deep breath thanking that part of the day was over with. Now she would have to stand inside the exhibit ready for an onslaught of questions; knowing she would not be able to avoid them asking about Harry.

Her mind drifted to him, remembering the long conversation they had the previous night. An instant smile upturned the corner of her mouth the second he came to memory.

*Flashback to the previous night.

“You all comfy with Chance?” His deep voice caused her heart to skip a beat. Addy already missed him and it hadn’t even been more than a couple of hours since they said goodbye.

“Yes and your warm cozy sweater.” The soft fabric clung to her skin making her feel snug and relaxed breathing in his scent with each steady breath. His lighthearted laugh rang out through the phone, instantly bringing a sweet smile to her lips. Closing her eyes she wished with everything she had for him to be next to her. To feel his warm body tight against hers, his arms securing themselves around her protecting her from whatever may come.

Hearing the stroking of keys Addy raised her eyebrow. Why was Harry working this late at night?

“Are you working… at this hour?”

“Yeah sorry babe. I am a bit behind with some Sentebale things I was supposed to have done a few days ago.” Hearing him sigh he leaned back into his chair, the material squeaking underneath him. “And before you say anything. No I was not late because of you.” Realizing what the prince had said, he found it best to reassure Addy.

Yawning her mouth opened wide, her heavy eyelids begging her to go to sleep. “Harry… I think I should let you work. It’s been a long day and I have a very early morning tomorrow.” Groggily speaking she turned on her side, pulling the covers up around her body.

“Good luck tomorrow Addy. I know you will do great.”

“Goodnight Henry. I miss you…” Her sweet tired voice caused his heart to flutter imagining how adorably comfortable she would be looking right now if he was there.

“Night baby. Muah. Get some sleep.”

End Flashback*

Hearing his lighthearted laugh again made her worries instantly drift away. Even though it had felt like ages since she was in his presence, it had been a mere day, but she missed him terribly. Clinging on to the fact that at the end of all of this, they would be able to spend the evening together like they had planned.

An elbow nudged her back to reality looking to her left beside her to see Eva smirking. “Nice speech. I bet the press will go crazy with that one.” Barking a laugh at Addy’s expense, Eva tossed her head back. Groaning Addy shook her head desperately wanting to hide away in her office. Why did they have to be here?

Following in behind Michael she positioned herself inside the exhibit walking around slowly internally smiling proudly at the work she had accomplished.

“May I ask you a question?” A deep male voice caught her off guard. Turning around she smiled with a nod.

“Yes of course!” She held her smile.

“Was this exhibit inspired by your boyfriend Prince Harry?” The man held up a voice recorder in the space between them. Glancing down she focused on the red bleeping dot indicating that it would be recording her every word. She read the words etched on ‘property of the SUN.’

Taking a few moments to formulate her response she had to bury the anger budding inside. How dare they even think that? I am my own person! Harry has nothing to do with it! Addy wanted to scream out loud in front of all these people. To say that she was annoyed was an understatement, but she knew how it would be perceived if she was rude to the man.

“The exhibit is a dedication to Ira and Rose and their struggle in being apart from one another. It tells us their story through pictures and was inspired by the sacrifice on both of their parts. To say that it was inspired by anyone else but the people who knew them best is a disgrace to their name. Please be respectful of their sacrifice.” Being proud with how she handled the question she ended it with a smile looking right in the reporter’s eyes telling him that he was not going to get the story he wanted today. “Please enjoy. My colleague Eva will gladly answer any more of your questions.”

Moving on through to the back of the exhibit she took a moment to calm herself, but before she could a little girl came running up beside her tugging on her skirt to gain Addy’s attention.

“Avery!” Her mother scolded her harshly. “Be nice and talk to the nice lady.”

“Hello there Avery.” Addy smiled warmly, crouching down to be on the child’s level.

“Mommy told me that if I painted every day I could have my paintings in a museum like this one!” The blonde haired child proudly beamed up at Addy.

“You’re mother is right! You have to work hard and have fun and one day you will be!” Noticing a piece of paper the girl was holding Addy she angled her head coming up with an idea.

“Is that one of your paintings Avery?” The little girl nodded proudly, holding it up to show Adalyn a painting of splashed together colors in every which way.

“Wow! You are very talented!” Addy took the painting in her hands pretending to analyze it more carefully. “You know what Avery? Do you think I could have this painting? I have the perfect spot for it!”

“Where?! Yes you can!” Avery bounced up and down excitedly. “Mommy mommy! I am going to have my painting in the museum!” She pulled hard on her mother’s hand jumping around her in a state of pure joy.

“Follow me Miss Avery.” Addy held out her hand feeling tiny fingers grasp it tightly. The little girl was a body full of joy bringing the widest smile to Addy’s face. This was the part of her job she had enjoyed the most, seeing someone get as excited for art as she did.

Hearing the clicks of a camera Addy snapped her head up seeing hungry camera men. Dropping Avery’s hand she told her mother to meet her around the corner. They would not leave her alone, even in her place of work. Addy was more irritated than ever seeing them invading her like that for the third time today. Wasn’t there a bigger story then her out there? Her life was not that exciting, she could assure them of that.

“Hey Billy.” Walking up to the security guard she knew this would make matters worse, but for the time being she did not care. “I need those men with cameras out. They are not part of the media that are covering this officially. Please escort them out of the building and off the property.”

“I would love to Addy.” Billy responded in his deep husky voice. The man was literally terrifying, but the kindest, most gentle teddy bear of a guy. “If I may ask…” Addy’s eyes begged him not to ask him about Harry.

“Do you need an escort out to your vehicle today?”

Sighing she wanted to with every inch of her being to take him up on his offer, but what would that look like? It would be just as bad as Harry escorting her out. Shaking her head she nodded her reply.

“That is very kind of you Billy. I am alright today, thank you.” Recomposing herself she smiled warmly.

“Well the offer still stands whenever you need. Had I seen them this morning I would have helped you get inside.” He bore a concerned look for Addy. He had caught the tail end of her coming inside the building, nearly having to push her way through the crowd of paparazzi camping outside the museum.

“I appreciate that Billy!” Patting his shoulder Addy made her way around the corner where Avery and her mother were patiently waiting for her.

“Ready? Let’s go!” Addy began to lead them away into another part of the museum. Curiosity over came her, causing the need to glance back over her shoulder wanting to see them being escorted out. Sighing with relief she could now focus on her job.

“Is this an ok spot Avery?” Addy stopped in front of a spare ball lined with random pieces of art from the community. A new project they were piloting as part of a community relations agenda.

“Right here where everyone can see it?” The stagnant gleaming smile on Avery’s lips brought Addy to mirror her smile in return.

“Yes. Where everyone can see it!” Taking the painting from the little girl, Adalyn hung it pride. Writing Avery’s name beside it she glanced down to the arm attempting to hug her waist that was just out of her reach.

“Thank you thank you thank you!!” Avery squeezed her waist as hard as she could causing Addy to take a step back nearly stumbling in her heels.

“Do you want a picture with your mother Avery so you can show all of your classmates?” Her mother dug out her phone handing it to Addy while mouthing a silent ‘thank you.’ Looking through the camera display she couldn’t help but giggle at Avery’s wide smile with her thumb sticking up proudly in the air. Her mother standing beside her beaming happily with shining eyes.

“There you go!” Handing the phone back to Avery’s mother she wrapped her arms around Adalyn unexpectingly. Hugging her tightly the woman whispered in her ear.

“Thank you for making my daughter smile today. She has been having a hard time with my husbands and I divorce recently. This meant the world to her Adalyn. Harry is lucky to have such a wonderful woman by his side. You are a keeper in my books.” Breaking away from the hug, the woman squeezed her arm with a silent endearing smile.

“It’s my pleasure…” were the only words Addy was able to force out. She was in shock after hearing Harry’s name, not entirely expecting to hear those words coming out of her mouth.

Sitting in her office chair Addy leaned her head back closing her eyes. It had been an overwhelming busy day with the exhibit opening and this was the first time she was able to sit down all day. Hearing heels stepping into her office she opened one eye knowing exactly who was leaning against her door frame.

“So Prince Harry huh?” Eva popped her hip out to the side with a wink. “You got the better one out of the two in my opinion…” Taking a seat opposite of Adalyn she continued her teasing.

“I really don’t want to talk about it here Eva.” Groaning Addy swayed back and forth in her chair noticing a delivery of flowers were on her desk.

Catching Addy’s gaze Eva looked down to it reaching for it before Addy could even speak. “Ooooh I bet it’s from Harry!” Eva stood up waving the package in the air. “I bet he was the one sending you flowers all the time right?” Her stomach flipped suddenly remembering Harry mentioning he never sent her flowers at work.

“Let me see that please!” Reaching out her hand Addy needed to see who it was from. She wanted to get to the bottom of who ever were sending her these flowers, especially since Harry had claimed it was not him.

“Eva please…” Growing tired of her teasing, Addy’s voice became growly.

“Alright alright.” Tossing them gently in her hands Eva flashed a quick smile. “We need to go for drinks so you can tell me all about your new boy toy!” Eva spoke while slowly closing the door shut giving Addy some well needed privacy.

Tearing apart the wrapping Addy was hit with a sweet fragrance seeing pink tulips gathered together in a beautiful bouquet. Her heart was secretly wishing that they were from Harry. Searching for the note Addy saw a white piece of paper tied onto the stems of the flowers. Breaking it off she quietly read the note.

“He took you from me. A prince who will never love you like I do. We will meet again this I promise you. In this world or the next.”

Dropping the note from her trembling hands her chest began to tighten trapping the air inside, not allowing her to breath. Her mind immediately was screaming out inside pulling all of the oxygen to its source while it ran wild with thoughts.

He took you from me….

In this world or the next…

It was obvious that Harry was not the sender in regards to this mans letter to her. The room was starting to spin, her mind felt dizzy from the lack of oxygen desperately trying to remind herself to breathe. A sense of dread was crushing her chest as her heart pounded into a wild state of hyper-vigilance.

Not able to move her body Addy sat there in her office quietly attempting to calm herself down. Finally able to breathe innately she focused her mind on another matter. Her restless mind was flashing through the pictures of any one she thought that could or would have sent her all of these flowers.

Realizing that this was an obsession made her more committed to finding out who he was. This was not merely a kind gesture… it had been a dedication that had gone on for months and months near the time that Harry had left. The anxiety within her raged on crashing through her mind again jumbling the thoughts in her brain. Why would someone be obsessed with her? Shaking her head as each memory popped into her mind. Scanning through them mentally she stopped.

Her mind whispered his name… finally making everything fall into perfect sense. She had found the missing puzzle piece her mind was trying to solve. Growing stiff her body was preparing itself for an unknown attack.

Deep down she wished it not to be true, but she knew.

Addy had seen him numerous times thinking her mind was playing tricks on her. That he was a mere pigment of her imagination. Across the street from the bakery she had seen him. Outside her building she had seen him walking away. Her mind kept flashing through all the times she felt like someone was watching her. Cringing inside she dared not to speak his name scared that it would make it all come true.

It was Jake who had been sending her these flowers….

‘He took you from me. A prince who will never love you like I do.’

Her mind flashed back to the day he had showed up on her doorstep asking her to marry him again. Addy had underestimated him, not giving him a second thought in the matter.

Jake had been stalking her.

He wouldn’t do anything right? He was harmless.  She thought repeatedly until she believed it. It was his way of dealing with their break up, a harmless attempt to get her back in his life.