Chapter 10 Their Rendezvous Point

Juniper's emotions had been all over the place lately, and she wasn't sure if it was just her usual ups and downs or the crazy hormones that came with pregnancy.

But one thing was weird. . .

For some reason, she was genuinely glad to see Chloe kicking it off with Cedric, even though he claimed it was just a "relationship of convenience". Yet, she felt a weird twinge in her chest whenever Chloe talked about their good times together.

It was like her heart was saying, "Hey, remember when you two had a thing? Yeah, that was real."

She wasn't proud to admit it, but she felt a lingering attachment she couldn't shake off. But when Chloe left for a corporate retreat a few days ago, she felt a wave of relief wash over her-no more sappy stories, no more accidental run-ins with Cedric.

Or so she thought!

Juniper was shuffling to the grand kitchen in her extra-fluffy Sherpa slippers to get a fresh can of whipping cream-her latest craving for the week-when the chime of her ringtone emitted from her pocket.

She hesitated, seeing an unknown number on the screen, but curiosity got the better of her, and she answered the call.

She almost dropped her phone when Cedric's voice came through from the other end. "Hello, Juniper!"

Juniper gasped in shock, holding the phone to her chest as her eyes anxiously darted around like she'd committed a crime. Then, she dashed back to the safety of her bedroom, locking the door behind her. With a whispered urgency, she asked, "Cedric! How on earth did you get my number?"

She was certain she changed her contact details right after their break up to prevent him from contacting her.

"I'm the Crown Prince of Forêt-Bleue, I have the means to acquire whatever I want," he declared confidently.

She could almost picture the self-assured smile spreading across his face. "Okay, so why are you calling?"

"Just wanted to check up on you-Why are you whispering?"

"Oh!" She cleared her throat and proceeded to speak normally. "No reason! You just caught me off guard, that's all."

"Hmm, thrilled much?" He drawled enticingly.

Juniper struggled to resist the alluring timbre in his voice and what it did to her tummy and the sweet spot in between her legs. "Why exactly are you calling, Cedric?"

"Okay, fine, you got me," Cedric confessed unabashedly. "I'm calling because I want to see you. I want us to meet in person."

"Hell, no!"

"Ouch! Just like that? Not even a moment of hesitation? You sure do know how to hurt a guy's feelings, Juniper."

"I mean, why would you want us to meet in person?"

"Why else? To catch up on each other's lives. I want to know how you've been doing and I'm pretty sure you feel the same way too. We've never really had the chance to have a serious discussion."

Juniper knew more than anyone that

that was such a bad idea. It was bad enough they were even conversing over the phone, what if someone actually saw them together?

That would be a disaster!

Apart from that. . . what if he started harboring the notion that they would begin from where they stopped?

Now, that would lead to the end of the world.

Before she could voice out her protest, Cedric slotted in immediately, "Don't worry. We'll only be meeting as friends. Nothing more, nothing less." He paused. "Seriously, aren't you even the slightest bit curious to know how I've been? I'm your ex, yeah, but I was once your best friend, Juniper. Do you honestly not care if I'm totally fine now or I'm gonna die the next minute?"

Okay, she really was curious and worried as hell too. For some reason, she wanted to hear it from the horse's mouth that he was a hundred percent.

And coming to think of it, there was nothing wrong with meeting up as just friends. Just because he was the Prince and Chloe's boyfriend doesn't mean she had to erase the possibility of being friends again.

"Okay, fine. I'll see you," she agreed finally.

"Great. Let's meet at our rendezvous point."

* * * *

Their rendezvous point was a family bistro downtown owned by two old couple who made the best Bouillabaisse. Money seemed not to be a problem with the couple, probably why they didn't care much about the underpopulation of their bistro. Well, that lack of population was the reason they'd preferred there as their meeting place-that is, apart from the mouthwatering dishes.

Juniper chuckled inwardly as walked through the entrance. She remembered vividly the first time she'd brought Cedric to this place. He'd wrinkled his nose at the ambiance and made a fuss of dying of dysentery if he ate anything, but proceeded to ask for extra servings after having his first spoon.

As she sauntered towards the table, she waved at Cedric, who was laughing and chatting with the couple like old buddies. She couldn't help but notice how ridiculously at ease he looked in his cozy sweater and jeans-a laid-back vibe that she was sure only a select few got to witness. He blended in with the casual atmosphere so well that anyone who met him here would never guess he was royalty.

The elderly couple took turns sweeping Juniper into a warm, crushing hug, expressing how much they'd missed her as they quickly exchanged stories and caught up on each other's lives.

Once the couples left to bring their meal, Cedric narrowed his eyes at her in feigned annoyance. "What took you so long? I've been sitting here twiddling my thumbs for ages."

She mirrored his facial expression, responding with words drenched in sarcasm. "Oh, sorry, Your Highness, I forgot that my pregnancy doesn't entitle me to a few extra minutes to get my life together. I mean, it's not like I'm nesting or anything."

She rolled her eyes good-naturedly when he laughed heartily. Gingerly, she took the seat across from him, adding with a hint of mischief. "And shouldn't you be, I don't know, dealing with some Princely duties or something instead of slumming it with a person of poverty like me?"

"As a matter of fact," Cedric declared, deliberately adopting his regal intonation. "tending to the needs of the humble and downtrodden is, in fact, a sacred part of my royal responsibilities. So, do not trouble yourself, dear Juniper, for basking in the radiant glow of my princely presence."

Juniper let out a hearty laugh. He still hasn't lost his touch at playing the haughty prince role with such convincing flair.

Just then, the owners emerged from the inner room bearing their signature dish-Bouillabaisse served with Croûtons.

In no time, they were stuffing their faces with the sumptuous feast and their conversation flowed effortlessly as they filled in the gaps of each other's lives. Just when Juniper thought their meeting would conclude with no tension or awkwardness, Cedric presented the question she dreaded even before it left his mouth. "So I'm truly curious, why exactly did you break up with me?"

The words hung in the air, laden with a mix of genuine interest and unspoken emotions, making Juniper's heart race with a familiar anxiety. She knew he wanted to know the reason more than anything, but she couldn't tell him.

How was she supposed to tell him that she'd been an insensitive coward and left with his mother's money out of fright of being tormented?

But who wouldn't be?

Her Majesty had given her a clear ultimatum-take the money and leave my son, or stay and experience hell on earth.

How could she, a mere Juniper Laurent, go against the Queen of Forêt-Bleue? That was equivalent to a suicide mission.

And she knew because, she'd initially intended to fight for their love but every single day, the houndings of her creditors had multiplied. She couldn't even count how many times she'd gotten abducted and harassed. Hence, she'd fled for her life. Even though, it had hurt.

She knew Cedric would be devasted if she told him. It was best he never found out. Ignorance was bliss, right?

Juniper lowered her gaze from his piercing curious eyes. "Can we not talk about this?"

Silence prevailed for a moment, and then Cedric shrugged. "Okay, if that's what you want."

Instantly, Juniper's eyes flickered up.

That was a surprise. The Cedric she knew would press on until he got the answer he wanted.

Well, that was a relief and a good opportunity to escape before things got even more awkward.

Gradually, Juniper straightened from her seat. "Um, Cedric, I think it's about time I leave," she said with a smile. "It's getting late and I don't want The Clermonts wondering where I've been."

Cedric rose too, returning her smile. "I'd let my driver give you a ride back home, but that would be a terrible idea, right?"

"Of course."

"Let's do this again?"

Juniper hesitated, pondering that for a while. She knew it was unwise but she nodded, giving in to the temptation. "I'd like that."

When Juniper returned to the mansion and was about to head in, an infinitesimal movement from the corner of her eyes turned her attention toward the annex building.

Her first instinct was to shrug it off like the rational person she was striving to be, but the pull of curiosity, that would probably get her killed someday, was too strong to resist.

With a sigh, she yielded and stealthily made her way toward the annex building. As she got closer to the place, her ears perked up, detecting faint, muffled sounds. The nearer she got, the louder and more defined the sound grew until she couldn't deny the unmistakable signs of passionate lovemaking.

The urgent moans and sighs left little to the imagination. Anyone could tell what was going on without looking, the same way Juniper knew it was time to head back to the mansion, but the couple's voices sounded familiar.

AWFULLY FAMILIAR!

Without making a sound, Juniper darted to the annex building and peeked through the window.

Her jaw plunged like a lead weight as she saw the two people, she never expected, entwined in a heated intercourse. . .