#choicescreates

"Morning La Croix," said Baron as he entered Priya's studio with his bodyguards.

"What the hell Baron? Can't you knock or even let me know before you enter?" Said Priya a little frustrated by the sudden intrusion.

"Well it is an emergency but first, boys. Stay out and guard the door, no one is allowed to enter or leave," ordered the Baron as his bodyguards exited the building.

"So what is the business? Are you going to investigate me like Adrian?" Asked the designer.

"You see, I've been feeling really old and out of date lately and I'm thinking a change of outfit will be welcomed. I need something that makes me look younger and hotter," said the Baron with a sheepish smile.

Priya couldn't help bursting into laughter.

"La Croix!" Yelled Baron.

"Wait you were serious? Alright alright, try this," said Priya as she wiped off a tear and handed over baron an outfit.

"So what do you think of it?" Asked the designer.

"It's okay but it is still too close to my previous style. Also what is this smell? Did you steal that outfit from a dead body or what?" asked the crime lord.

"No comments. Okay then, next outfit, what do you think of this?" Said Priya as he handed him another outfit.

"Seriously La Croix? I said that I wanted to look young? Not like I was born 170 years ago?" Complained the Baron.

"Weren't you born about 170 years ago though?" Asked Priya and the Baron just glared at her with daggers in his eyes.

"Fine, fine. You said you wanted something more youthful? How about this?" Said Priya.

"Actually it ain't so bad. Besides the little breeze I can feel on my ass sometimes, I feel fresh and young, ready to date and maybe even fight an army of robots with my cousin," said the Baron excitedly.

"I think this one is making you too excited. Let's switch it. I got an idea for the perfect outfit," said Priya as he forced the Baron back into the dressing room.

"So what about this one? I honestly think that it's perfect," says Priya.

"I like it. I think it fits a diplomat such as me. I look young and suave, kinda like those Hollywood managers. But it still a suit," said Baron.

"But do you like it or not," asked Priya.

"I like it, but let's keep browsing," said Baron.

"Something youthful but not a suit hmmm, how about this?" Proposed Priya as he handed the crime lord another outfit.

"This one is a little more summery. What are your thoughts on it?" Asked Priya.

"It's nice but I don't like the patterns on it. They do nor represent me," said the Baron a little sad.

"Well sorry Baron but this ain't Noah Textiles, no one does patterns about skulls, blood and daggers here. Geez you sure are a picky person. I did not expect that," huffed Priya.

"Oh I think I saw a really good outfit!" Said the Baron as he quickly grabbed an outfit and jumped back into the changing room.

"Wow this quite comfortable," said the Baron as he adjusted his headgear.

"Damn it Baron, this is the cleaning lady's uniform. Look there are still her hair on the headgear. Ew," said Priya in disgust.

"That would explain the window cleaner smell. But I have a question? Why do your maids have such nice outfits?" Asked the Baron.

"I can't have them come into my house looking like they just crawled out of a dumpster Baron. My house has standards unlike yours," said Priya.

"Also, don't you only employ fuckboys with great bodies? Then what is an old lady outfit doing here?" Asked the crime lord.

"Why would I waste hot bodies on cleaning duty? I'd rather have them as stewards, chefs and masseurs. Wait, where are you?" said Priya.

"I think I found the perfect outfit," said the Baron from the changing room.

"Wow I look so hot, I could even kiss myself," said the Baron while posing in front of the mirror.

"Take. It. Off." said Priya.

"What? Why? I like it. I think I'll be taking this one," said the Baron.

"You look too hot. No one is allowed to look hotter than me. This outfit will now be mine and mine only," said Priya as she approached him like a predator and tried to the dress off.

"Hold on! I said it is now mine. Now fuck off La Croix!" Said Baron as he tugged back and soon they reach started tugging the dress and in the end... CRACK!

"Nooo! The dress is destroyed!" Both cried simultaneously.

"I will never forgive this treason La Croix," said Baron.

"At least no one will Look hot-wow...." said Priya as she looked at the Baron.

It was the first time that she saw him without any clothes...

"What? Wow?" Asked the Baron a little confused.

"Well wow because I did not expect this. I never thought that you looked like this without any clothes on. What happened to the big fat belly?" Asked Priya.

"Nah, it is just the additional multiple layers I made them add to the suit. I easily get cold and I had to add them. Unfortunately like you said it gives me that good fat old belly, said Baron with a smile.

"I see," said Priya a little disinterested.

"Since you don't seem to believe me, why don't you try my suit. You'll see how much comfortable it is and I won't take no as an answer," said Baron as he pulled Priya in the changing room and gave her his usual clothes.

"I must say, it is quite comfortable and it does not look bad at all. Sure it gives a little bit of belly put I feel really good in it and surprisingly it does not stink," said Priya with a smile when *click*

Priya whipped her face towards Baron and sees him grinning behind his phone.

"You better not post this on Vampire Diaries!" Yelled Priya when her phone rang.

'Vampire Diaries : You have been tagged in a photo by the Baron. Click to see it,'

"I hope you choke Baron. I really hope you do," said Priya as she gritted her teeth when her phone rang again.

'Vampire Diaries: Kamilah Sayeed just commented on your photo. Click to see it,'

"Some people really have too much time on their hands. I hope you will show as much enthusiasm as tomorrow's meeting Priya," said Kamilah.

"Oh my god.... I want to kill you Baron," said Priya as she prepared herself to jump on the Baron but the latter was leaving the studio.

"Bye Priya. I think I've found THE outfit. You may take the suit I don't need you anymore. I hope to see you well again tomorrow at the meeting," he said as he left with his bodyguards.

The next day in the Raines conference room.

"I saw your picture on Vampire Diaries last night. You sure looked hot even in that old geezer's suit," whispered Lester to Priya.

"You are the one to talk. Look at yourself oh and are those bald spots there and there?" Replied Priya.

"But seriously though. You rock any outfits Priya, maybe I should start bringing you at my rallies, we might get even more people," said Adam.

"No thanks Adam, I'm not in the mood," said Priya.

"Well I hope you are in the same mood as yesterday because members of your clan have started making quite a ruckus," complained Kamilah.

"Uh Kamilah? Shouldn't we wait for the Baron to come first?" Asked Adrian.

Just then from the speaker, Amy's voice started ringing.

"Sir, The Baron ... is here?" It said.

"Good we may start now," said Adrian.

The door opened and Baron's voice could be heard, "Good morning everyone."

Instantly Vega spit out the water he was drinking and then joined Lester in his mad laughter.

"I'm so done. No wonder no one takes us seriously. This council is a clown city. Amy call a taxi, I'm leaving," said Kamilah as she walked out of the door, clearly annoyed.

Priya just sat there, clutching her face in embarassment. She was expecting something bad, but this not that horrible.

"My, Kamilah seems like an awful mood. You must have really messed up Priya. By the way thank you for the makeover, I never felt that comfortable, hot and young at the same time. Also Adrian, you might want to close your mouth. Your drool has drilling onto what I assume are important papers," said the Baron as he took his seat.

"Guuuuuhhh???" Said Adrian still shocked and confused.

Liam exited the ballroom, fists clenched, searching for the nearest exit.  He was fuming after his interaction with Madeleine, her underhanded insults and reminders that Emma had chosen his best friend over him.  She was a petty, arrogant woman, he knew that ...  and she would always hold a grudge that he had cast their engagement aside at the first opportunity he had.  As if he could have ever actually gone through with that sham of a marriage with a heartless woman anyway.  

His eyes surveyed down one end of the hallway and then to the other, where he noticed a set of ornate double doors leading outside somewhere.  Somewhere, anywhere ... he just needed some air.  He walked briskly toward the exit and pushed one heavy door open, immediately met by a harsh gust of frigid air as he escaped.

He felt the sting of cold against his cheeks as he observed his surroundings.  He had exited onto the terrace which opened up to the gardens.  The once-lush and green landscape were now cast in shadows across the stark white snow.  Given his current state of mind, Liam welcomed the desolate loneliness.  

He meandered aimlessly across the promenade, no trace of life except for the footsteps he left behind him.  He could hear the faint sound of music echoing from the ballroom through the stone of the estate, reminding him where he was supposed to be.  As Liam rounded a corner of the building, he stumbled upon another set of footprints in the snow leading from the nearest exit into the darkness.   His first instinct was alarm, but he soon released a sigh of relief as he followed the delicate prints to the lithe figure leaning against the railing.  She stood in solitude, gleaming under the moonlight, the faint crimson hue cast by the light across her hair making her unmistakable.  Olivia.  

Olivia turned at the sound of his feet crunching in the snow, a look of annoyance spread across her face until she recognized her intruder.  She released her hands from clutching the snowy banister, still wearing nothing but her red sequined gown in the wintry night.

“Shouldn’t the Duchess be inside hosting her own ball?”  Liam asked facetiously.

“Yes, she should ... as well as the King should know better than to play hooky from a royal event.”  She quipped back, arching an eyebrow in his direction.

“Well played.”  Liam chuckled as he settled in next to her, resting his forearms on top of the snowy railing.  “I wonder if I’ll ever get used to hearing that.  The King ...” his voice dropped off as his mind wandered.  “I hear the King and I think of my Father, you know.”

“I know.”  Olivia placed one hand on top of his forearm, continuing to look out across the vast night sky.  They stood there in silence for several minutes, enjoying the comfortable companionship as they stared out at the horizon.  Finally Olivia looked down to Liam beside her, squeezing her hand against his arm.  “How are you doing, Liam?  Really?”

“Hmmph.”  Liam looked down at his hands, carefully tracing once thumb across the other.  “You know, the only other person to ask me that recently is Emma.  And I don’t feel like I can really talk with her ...”

“Because of Drake.”  She finished for him, looking back up to the sky as she raised her hand to his shoulder.  “I get it.”  She didn’t go any further.  Because how do you tell the person grieving beside you that everything they’re feeling, you feel too ... for them?

Liam inhaled deeply, then released a long breath of white mist into the night air.  “Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for Drake ... and for Emma.  I just- “

”Your heart breaks a little every time you see them together?”  Olivia offered solemnly.  

Liam looked up at her face, moonbeams bouncing off her porcelain skin as she stared into the night sky.  “Yeah ... something along those lines.”  His voice faded and he looked back up at the stars.  “But what about you ... are you seriously entertaining marriage prospects like your aunt says?”  He quirked his head to look back over at her, an expression of curiousity spread across his face.

“I know it’s my duty as a Nevrakis to marry and continue the lineage.  For Lythikos and for Cordonia.”  She sighed deeply.  “I’ve just never thought myself the marrying type.  Not the fairytale marriage, at least.  A marriage of the state is far less exciting.”  She shivered as the wind swirled around them, goosebumps forming across her arms.

“Here, you’re cold.”  Liam started removing his jacket, but she pressed a hand against his chest to stop him.

“Please ... I’m a Nevrakis.  A little cold won’t kill me.”  A faint smile spread across her lips.

Liam paused for a moment at her interruption, then proceeded with disrobing and wrapped his navy military jacket around her shoulders. “I know you’re strong, Liv.  But it’s okay to let people in, too.”  He rubbed his hands over his jacket along her upper arms, his blue eyes boring into hers.  “You know, I've seen a change in you lately.  A glimpse of the carefree girl I knew when we were children, before ...” Liam paused and looked down, unwilling to finish his sentence.  “Anyway, I like this version of you ... and I hope to see more of her from now on.”  Olivia opened her mouth, searching for a snarky response ... but was rendered speechless.  She stared back at him, wishing that she could just remain frozen in this moment forever.  

She was snapped out of her entranced state as a strong wind gust pushed against her, unexpectedly knocking her off balance.  “Ahem ... I really should get back.”  

“Alright.”   Liam said, eyes gaze never leaving hers.  She removed his jacket carefully and placed it in his hands.  As she turned to leave, he gripped her by the elbow and pulled her back to face him.  “Olivia, I know you’re a strong, independent woman and have never needed anyone’s shoulder to cry upon ...”  he peered intently into her deep emerald eyes, willing her to listen.  “But I hope you know I’m always here.  That I want to be here.”  

Olivia’s breath hitched at the intensity of his statement, seemingly friendly yet wrought with underlying emotion.  Her heart pounded in her chest as she stared back at him.  “I ... I appreciate that Liam.”  She steadied her breathing as she pulled her arm away, her flesh still tingling from the contact.  “If you’ll please excuse me.”  She turned in a hurry, hiding her flushed cheeks as she scurried back inside to the ballroom.

Liam stood there under the moonlight holding his jacket in his hands, the feeling of blood pumping through his veins as he regarded Olivia walking away.  As the door shut behind her, he turned his face once again to the sky and lingered to enjoy one more brief moment of seclusion.  The air was still as the first snowflakes fell, the quiet natural melody mixing with the sounds of the orchestra inside.  He looked up to the stars one final time, a sense of renewal and hope spread throughout his body.  Just as Olivia had changed, so had he ... and perhaps at last their stars were finally aligning.

END

~~~~~~~~~~

               _Uh? Maxwell? Were you talking to me?                

               _Actually, I thought you were listening to us, but it seems the sky is more interesting – Maxwell punched his arm playfully.

               _What, thinking about your last days as a single man? – Drake smirked.

               _Yeah…something like that. It happened too fast, Leo broke up with Madeleine, he abdicated, and now I’m, like, in his place, you know? And there’s also a real chance of becoming the King before I expected.

               _I remember when you told us you didn’t even expected to be the King – Drake laughed – Leo’s kids would come before you in the line of succession.

               _I understand you. A few days ago you were just the third in this line, and now you have to find a fiancée, and who knows how hard this could be…no to mention the new responsibilities as a King you must start thinking…

               _Maxwell, you’re definitely not helping – Drake frowned.

               _He’s right, Drake – Liam sighed – I don’t want to marry because of my duties as King, but for love. And now this will be impossible.

               _Who knows? – Maxwell grinned – maybe you could find love with one of the candidates.

               _Maxwell, the candidates are ladies that we already know. Olivia, Madeleine, Hana, Kiara, Penelope…

               _And the one I will sponsor, Drake!

               _What? Are you going to sponsor someone? – Liam startled – who?

               _I still don’t know yet. I was thinking of finding an American girl and taking her to Cordonia, and then the Beaumont house would sponsor her.

               _And does Bertrand know about it?

               _Of course, Drake! We had this idea yesterday, after we met to set up this bachelor party. If we succeed, it would be the salvation for us and our money issues.

               _Bertrand mentioned it, how are you handling things? – Liam asked.

               _We’re doing the best we can. Better, I’m doing the best I can – Maxwell flinched, remembering the real reasons for their money issues, and the fights with Bertrand because of it, but he couldn’t tell him the destiny of their money – and that means finding our candidate.

               _But would you hope to find a noblewoman in just one night, in New York streets?

               _You never know, Liam, but even if she’s not a noble, we can teach everything to her! How to waltz dance, how to act in the royalty events, how to dress properly, and also the history of Cordonia. I know I can discover a perfect aspiring lady. And Bertrand’s counting on me on this mission – Maxwell saluted, making Liam laugh and Drake roll his eyes.

               _Okay, Henry Higgins, and where will find this girl? In a club? Or a bar? – Drake disdained – and knowing you, I won’t be surprise if you come back to Cordonia with a hostess, or a waitress.

               _It’s not impossible! Maybe the right girl for Liam’s where we least expect it – Maxwell moved his hands as if he were a personification of a magician. Liam shook his head negatively, smiling, but he knew Maxwell was right. Maybe the woman he always looked for wasn’t one of the nobles he had known since childhood, why not?

               _Okay, you convinced me. I’ll definitely pay attention to your candidate, I’m really curious now.

               _I’ll not disappoint you, Liam – Maxwell winked and finger gunned, making his friends laugh out.

               _Honestly, I don’t care about this competition, it’s a total madness to me. This sneak off came at the right moment – Drake sighed – we’ll be stuck on that “royal tour”, God knows how much time and I’m already about to threw up.

               _Oh, come on, Drake – Liam laughed – we’ll be together, it won’t be so bad!

               _Yeah, you have us, your best friends, to put you down on Earth, in case of all these fancy stuff go to your head – Maxwell passed his arms around their shoulders.

               _Sometimes I wonder why I’m your friend, Maxwell – Drake rolled his eyes, grinning.

               _Because you absolutely loooove my jokes, although you don’t admit it – Maxwell messed Drake’s hair, laughing.

               _And we can’t be an unbeatable trio with only two people, right? – Liam smiled – anyway, I’d rather worry about the competition later, when we go back to Cordonia. Now I want to focus on having fun with my best friends, and finally getting to know New York.

               _Yeaaaah! That’s the spirit! – Maxwell tightened his arms around them.

               _Sure, sure – Drake smiled – I just hope you choose a place that has a good whiskey.