Someone
asked me if that was Mia’s first time. Um, I really don’t know. I
shouldn’t think so, but I’m really no certain. Decide either way! It really
isn’t relevant to the plot anyway!
Chapter
5: Monday 6th April – The Plaza.
This
is the worst thing that has ever happened in the history of mankind.
No
exaggeration here!
Ok,
so I was just sitting in the dining room in the Plaza, eating my breakfast, as
you do when Lars jumps to his feet. The waiter has just handed him the daily
newspaper. He is reading it really quickly. I grabbed it off him and see the
headline.
QUEEN
AMELIA: TWO-TIMER?
Last
night it was confirmed that Her Majesty Queen Amelia of Genovia spent a night in
the apartment of her high-school sweetheart, Michael Moscovitz. A fairytale come
true? Unfortunately not as Queen Amelia is supposed to be courting Prince Rene,
who also lives in Genovia.
The
heartbroken Rene told our reporters last night that he is terribly hurt by Queen
Amelia’s actions.
“I
have been hoping for many years now that we would get married. But now I am
unsure of her feelings for me.”
When
our reporters went to interview Mr Moscovitz (Age 29.) he made no comment.
We
are sure that our readers are all thinking the same thing. Queen Amelia…
it’s make your mind up time.
I
CAN’T BELIEVE THIS!!!!!!
This
just could not be any worse!
I
called Michael and he’s coming over. Lars has gone to find Rene. He is so
dead! How could he do this to me? Lars has just come back. Gotta go.
The
Plaza – 12:30.
Rene
was acting totally innocent! He sort of looked at me and asked,
“Whatever’s
wrong?”
“THIS
is what’s wrong!” I said, shoving the newspaper in his face (Not very royal
I know, but I was very frustrated!). Rene examined it and said,
“What?”
“How
could you tell the press we were dating?”
“We
are-”
“NO!
We are SO not dating! And what I do in my private life has nothing to do with
you!” Then there was a knock at the door. Michael came in. He looked really
mad.
“Mia,
what is going on? There were a whole load of reporters outside my door this
morning asking me how I let about you use me.”
“Rene
thought it would be a good idea to do THIS!” I said, handing him the paper. He
read it really quickly, then looked up, all angry. He was glaring at Rene.
This
probably isn’t a good time to point it out but Michael is so HOT when he’s
angry!
“Who
did this? What the hell is this crap?”
“I
merely thought the public has a right to know-”
“Know
what? Everything about my personal life? Rene, you had no right to do this! Then
you are going to set up a press conference and tell them the truth. That you and
I are not dating and never have been.” I said. I sounded really bossy! It was
kinda cool.
Then
the phone rang. I picked it up and this voice started yelling in French. It took
me a minute to realise it was the Genovian Prime minister. I waited until he has
stopped shouting to say,
“I
think you should to talk to Rene. He did all this.”
“Your
Majesty, this is a nightmare! It is all over the national news! It is in Europe
too! Everyone knows about it!”
“What?
What am I going to do?”
“Get
Rene to set up a press conference. Then you must carry on with the ball. It is a
chance to redeem yourself. Who exactly is this Michael Moscovitz?”
“He’s
my boyfriend from high school. We’re dating again.”
“Your
Majesty! You understand what will happen if you continue to see this man?”
“I
know, I’m only supposed to marry royally. But I don’t care. I’m the Queen
and if I survive the next 24 hours without a mental breakdown it will be a
miracle. Also, will you send Vigo and Sebastiano over to arrange the ball? I
have quite enough to work with at the moment. Also, Michael and four of my
friends will be coming back to Genovia with me for a visit.”
“I
will send them. But about the visitors-”
“They’re
coming. And I would also appreciate it if you sent another bodyguard to keep the
press away from Michael. He has enough to do.”
“Very
well Your Majesty.”
“Thankyou.
I will sort this all out.”
Then
I hung up. Michael looked kind of confused since the whole conversation had been
in French. But Lars and Rene had heard. I was feeling very sure of myself so I
turned to Rene and said in English,
“Don’t
you have a press conference to organise?” He looked kind of peeved and left in
a sulk. I turned to Michael.
“The
ball is going ahead as planned. It’s a chance for me to try and redeem myself.
They’re sending another bodyguard for you, so you won’t have to worry about
the press.” Lars looked form Michael to me and said,
“I’ll
go and get some coffee.” He left and I looked at Michael.
“I
am SO sorry about all this.”
“It’s
ok.”
“No…
it’s not. It was a stupid mistake.”
“Mia,
I don’t care about all that. I don’t care about the damn press! All I care
about is that we can be together.”
“Michael…
dating me now is going to be very different from dating me in high-school. The
press are everywhere. You can’t escape from them. Everyone in the country is
watching your every move. I don’t think you’d want a life like that.”
Michael
stared at me and said,
“Mia,
I’ll do anything to stay with you. I care for you more than anything. I love
you.”
“Then
you’ll understand that I want you to stay away until this has settled down.
The ball is on the seventeenth. I’ll meet you there, ok? Until then just carry
on with your life. You have to think about this. If we did get back
together properly then we’d be separated by an ocean. I’d be in Genovia and
you’d be here in New York.”
Michael
was standing right in front of me now. As I finished speaking his bent down and
kissed me. A few minutes later, after all the kissing had stopped I was staring
into his eyes. His hands were around my neck, and kind of stroking my hair. I
said jokingly,
“Or
you could just kiss me, whatever works best for you.”
“I’ll
call you later. But I’ll see you at the ball.” And then he turned and left
the room.
I
hate Rene.
Love
Michael though. Really is very hot when angry.
Tuesday
7th April: The Plaza.
Ok,
you know when I said things couldn’t get worse. Well famous last words.
Things
have gotten a lot worse.
Lilly,
Boris and Michelle have to stay at the Plaza because they’ve been hit by the
press. The Conference won’t be until Friday. Then it’s six days to the ball.
And then I leave for Genovia two days after that.
The
Press are outside the hotel now. Rene is in his room, sulking. Michael is…
well, I don’t where Michael is. He’s probably at work.
Lilly
is mad because she can’t get to the studio to do her show. She called them and
they’ve got a reserve but she’s still mad. Michelle isn’t too cross about
missing school for the day. And Boris is a musician at clubs in the evening so
that’s ok. He can just cancel. He’s playing with Michelle right now.
And
Mom is here. She, Mr Gianini and Danae came over first thing this morning.
It’s nearly lunchtime now. Mom bursts into the room and starts shouting about
Rene. Mr G is still trying to calm her down. Lars is furious too. Danae was all
like,
“Did
you really sleep with Michael?” she was really quiet when she asked. I felt
myself go red and nodded. She smiled.
“That’s
so cute! What about René?”
“Rene
is a bastard.” Mom screeched. Danae grinned and I shrugged,
“I
haven’t spoken to him today. He’s still in his room.”
“No,
were you really dating him too?”
“No!
I can’t stand him!” I said loudly. There was a knock on the door. Lars
opened it and Rene, and Francois, were standing there. Rene stepped into the
room.
“I
see you have company.”
“Wow,
your powers of deduction are just amazing.” Lilly said sarcastically. Rene
chose to ignore the comment and looked at me.
“Amelia,
the press are asking for interviews. What should I say?”
“You’re
not saying anything! No one is saying anything until the conference. And you
will still not be saying anything! You have done enough damage. You’ve
completely ruined my image. You’ve ruined Genovia’s image! The Prime
Minister is furious with both of us!” I was standing up now, shouting at the
top of my voice. Rene was looking kind of shocked.
“You
have to get it into your head that NOTHING is ever going to happen between us!
You can stop coming to the Palace. You can stop contracting me. I want you to
stay away from me and my friends. Once the ball is over you are no longer
welcome in the palace of Genovia.”
Rene
was standing, staring at me. I looked pointedly at the door. And then he smiled.
HE
SMILED.
I
cannot believe this guy!
“Really
now Mia. Don’t you think that’s a bit extreme?”
“No
I do not. Now get out!” I said. Rene turned and stalked out. I glanced at Lars
as the door slammed shut.
“I’m
going to get rid of the press.”
“How?”
“The
old ‘Police’ routine. Never fails.”
I
turned to the others.
“I’ll
be back in a minute.”
“I’m
coming with you Mia. You’re my daughter, and I want to stay with you.”
“You’re
not going anywhere without me!” Lilly said.
In
the end we all trekked down the stairs. The cameras started going off but I held
up my hands and they quietened down.
“Good
afternoon,” I said. “I’m sure you have all been informed that I will be
holding a press conference on Friday, in the Plaza hall. I will answer any
questions and queries then. In the meantime, I will be placing legal action
against anyone who disturbs either my friends or my family, as I will consider
this harassment. And now I must ask you to leave, as I’m sure the wonderful
staff in the Plaza will not want you blocking up the front doors. If anyone is
still here in an hour’s time the police will be summoned. Thankyou.”
And
then we all went indoors. Danae fell over, because the flashing cameras had left
little blobs in front of her eyes. I helped her up and we made our way into the
hotel. Mom looked at me.
“Mia!
You’re so confident!”
“No,
I'm pissed off. Look, I’m really sorry about this, guys. This is all my
fault.”
“No,
it’s Rene’s fault. I think it’s great that you and Michael are
together.” Boris said.
“If
we’re still together by the end of this it will be a miracle. I don’t think
he’ll want to carry on seeing a girl who has made him look bad in the eyes of
the press.” I said, sadly. Michael and I had been so close to having the
perfect relationship.
“Mia,
I know my brother. He is not going to give you up that easily. He’s
nuts about you! A little bad press isn’t going to put him off. Believe me.”
Lilly linked her arm through mine “You’re not getting rid of him that
easily!”
“God
I hope not. I don’t want to have to give him up again.”
Wednesday:
The Plaza STILL: 10 PM.
I
got woken up at 8:30 this morning. It’s a good job the Plaza isn’t busy this
week. I had to book three more rooms for Lilly and Co, plus my family and now
Vigo and Sebastiano. Vigo and Sebastiano arrived very early and banged on the
door. I opened it all bleary eyed and they were standing there.
“Sebastiano!
Vigo! Thank god you’re here! I’m in the biggest crisis, you would not
believe!”
“We
already heard.” Vigo said, kissing my cheek.
“It’s
terr, isn’t it?” Sebastiano said, kissing the other cheek. I said,
“Make
yourselves comfy. I’ll just go and get dressed.”
When
I was dressed I came out to find them spreading paper all over the table. Plans
for the ball. And Sebastiano was sketching a rough draft or two for dress
designs.
And
we just sat and talked, for like, three hours. When it reached midday the others
all knocked and came in. They all looked kind of surprised to see Vigo and
Sebastiano. I was really busy at that precise moment but I looked up and smiled.
“Come
on in! I’ll be done in just a second.” As I finished the thing I was doing
there was a knock on the door. Lars opened it and this guy who works in the
plaza staggered in. He was carrying a huge bouquet of roses. He put them on a
table and bowed.
“Would
you like anything?”
“No.
Thankyou.” I said, staring at the flowers. He bowed again and left. I opened
the card and it read
To
my Mia,
To
be at your side for a moment more
To
feel your heart beating beside mine
To
look into your eyes and see
The
love that I feel for you
Reflected
back at me.
I’ll
see you at the Ball.
All
my love
Michael.
I
went around wearing this goofy grin for the rest of the day. Lilly seized the
card and read it.
“
I didn’t know my brother was so romantic!” Everyone cooed over the card and
flowers. Then we all started talking about the ball. Danae is really excited
about it. Sebastiano has promised to design her a dress.
“It
will be the most beaut dress you have ever seen!” He said. Tina had arrived by
this time and soon Sebastiano had promised all the women a dress. He’s got his
work cut out for him! Even Lilly wants one!
Maybe
this ball won’t be such a disaster!
I
miss Michael.
He
ran this afternoon. Everyone was watching me really closely so I took the phone
into my bedroom and shut the door.
“Did
you get the flowers?”
“Yes.
Thankyou so much! They’re beautiful! And so was the poem.”
“It’s
nothing. I really miss you.”
“I
miss you more.” I insisted. He laughed and said,
“Let’s
not start that, or we’ll be here all day!” I smiled.
“Yeah,
like that time when you were at college and I called you?”
“Exactly.
Two hours of ‘No, I miss you more!’”
“Mom
was not happy with the phone bill when it came through!”
“Never
mind. How are things going?”
“They’re
fine. We’re organizing the ball right now.”
“I
saw you on the news, telling the press where to go yesterday. Well done!”
“Thanks!”
I bent down as I was talking and looked through the keyhole to the next room.
They had gotten hold of the other phone and put it on speaker. They were
listening to our conversation right now! I smiled.
When
we were in high school our parents and siblings were always trying to listen in
on our private phone calls so we’d come up with this system. If one of us knew
we’d say a certain phase and we’d trick the people listening. So that was
what I did.
“By
the way Michael, I still think that Captain Picard (sp?) was a more effective
leader!”
“What?
Oh!” He had obviously gotten the message because his next sentence was,
“That
was pretty random. So how are things with your mom and Mr G?”
“A
bit tense. They and Danae are still horning in on my private stuff. Did you see
Lilly on the news?”
“Her
hair was sticking up all over the place!”
“Yeah,
I know! And Lars, my supposedly faithful bodyguard was supposed to be looking
threatening, not as if he had a stomach-ache!”
“They
all looked pretty weird, didn’t they?”
“Yeah.”
And
then came the moment of triumph. This was a trick we’d learnt for getting rid
of people listening in. I turned the phone away as Michael fired a foghorn into
the speaker. Then I opened the door saying,
“I’ll
speak to you later Michael.”
“Ok.
Love you.”
“Love
you too. Bye.”
“Bye.”
They
were all rubbing their ears and talking crossly. And put my hands on my hips and
looked superior.
“Don’t
you know it’s rude to listen in on people’s conversations?”
“My
brother is dead! He just deafened me!” Lilly screeched. I grinned.