Suprise Meetings (TEC)

"Where exactly are we going?" Ella asked as they crossed the busy intersection. Her hair was swishing behind them.

"Just a little place I like to go, when I have a day off," Adam replied as he looked back at the Nightshade Princess with a smile.

"Which is the equivilant of never," Ella sarcastically replied with a smirk. She knew that Adam seldomly had any time off. He only had four days off in a month, and that was every other weekend. Unless of course there was a holiday such as St. Valeria Day, Christmas, or Thanksgiving. But other than that, her bodyguard stayed with her for all of the hours that she was awake.

Adam chortled at her comment. But otherwise didn't argue with her, as he knew it was true. He just held her hand as he led them off the busy street to a more quiet one, that wasn't too far from the main fairway. They walked along the street, until Adam stopped just in front of a cute little cafe. Ella smiled as she caught sight of the name, Rosewood.

She wondered if the cafe belonged to someone in Adam's family. She knew very little about her bodyguard. As Adam kept his life very private, Ella didn't blame him. He was constantly in the public spotlight with her. "Come on," Adam said as he pulled the door open and allowed her to head inside first.

Ella stepped inside and stopped to wai for Adam. She looked around at the interior, it was lovely it had a classic feel to it. The walls were a soft mint color with black hardwood floors. The tables were black iron wrought, and had matching chairs with mint and turquoise cushions.

The princess giggled as she couldn't picture Adam coming here at all. She looked back at him with a wide grin.

"What's so funny?" he asked as he looked at her. He had a soft smirk as if he was trying to figure out what she was thinking.

"I just can't see you ever being in a place like this. This feels more like a place where my mom and I would enjoy our tea," Ella replied as she followed Adam. He led them to a little table in the back, he pulled the seat out for her.

She thanked him as she slid into the seat. Adam sat down directly across from her. Before they could continue their conversation, a young female, who looked to be Ella's age approached the table.

"Adam," she happily greeted, as she pulled the man up from his seat to give the newcomer a hug. "It's wonderful to see you. And with a friend." The female said as she looked down at Ella.

Ella smiled at the young woman but didn't contradict her statement. She wasn't sure if she was recognized. She glanced at Adam, and wondered if he would be able to explain.

"Zoey," Adam let out an embarrassed groan. "It's not what you think."

Ella watched as Zoey laughed before she pulled away from Adam. "Sure it isn't. I'm sorry, I'm Zoey Rosewood," she said as she held her hand out for Ella.

Ella grasped the young woman's hand and gave it a firm shake. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Ella, Adam never mentioned that he had a sister," the princess replied as she frowned at her bodyguard.

Zoey laughed at the comment, "Oh, I'm not his sister. Adam here is an only child. I'm his cousin, but I may as well be his sister," Zoey replied as she giggled.

"I'm sorry, the resemblance is uncanny," Ella said as her cheeks tinged a rosey color. She was going to have to pesture Adam to know more about his personal life now.

"Oh, don't be. I've gotten that comment so much over that last few years. It's always hard to believe that people believe that we're siblings. So, how do you know my cousin?" Zoey asked curiously as she looked at the princess.

Ella's widened and she silently panicked, before she could answer, Adam replied. "I work with Ella at the palace."

Zoey's eyes widened with excitement. "Oh, so you're one of Princess Eleanor's decoys, then?" she asked but it was more retorical.

Ella glanced at Adam, and wondered if she should go with this assumption or correct the woman. Adam gave a subtle nod, one that let Ella know she should just go with it, for now.

"Yup, I'm her primary decoy," Ella replied with a fake smile. She felt terrible because her primary decoy was Athena. But had been given some time off, recently, since there were no scheduled trips for Ella to leave the kingdom. Athena, was one of Ella's closest friends, but she was from Havaria, one of the neighboring kingdoms of Nightshade. Athena returned to her home for three months of year, and she was currently back in Havaria.

"That's so cool," Zoey excitedly commented. "So, you both work for the Princess. What's she like? Adam won't say anthing."

Ella looked shocked at that statement, she would have thought that Adam would have mentioned a number of things to his family about her. As she knew that she could be brat, she certainly had been when she had been first assigned a bodyguard.

"Zoey, I've already told you. I  can't share anything about the Royal family. I signed a confidentiality agreement upon receiving the job. And Ella can't either," Adam interrupted before the Princess could say anything.

Zoey deflated slightly as if she had hoped to hear some juicy gossip about Ella, that she could tell others. Ella frowned sadly as the young woman. 'Sorry' she mouthed as Adam nudged Ella back into her seat.

"Come on Zoey, just bring me two of the usuals," Adam told his cousin as he looked at her with disappointment in his face.

"Sure, I'll be back in a bit," Zoey said as she walked off.

"What's the usual?" Ella asked as she looked at her bodyguard.

Adam lifted his gaze from the table to meet Ella's honey gold eyes, "You'll see," he answered with a soft smirk.

Ella huffed and crossed her arms but didn't comment otherwise.

-xxx-
So, this is the third part of Escape for the Day. I'm thinking that I might have another part up on Monday. But I'm not entirely sure.
-Alexandra