Beastly Business

Written by A. Sylvur for Candace

Word Count: 2352

The clouds were so close, she could almost touch them, but as the jet flew through it, it no longer had that fluffy cottony look. That puzzled Niki, who loved to fly. But as she, for the hundredth time, pondered the clouds, she felt her jet lose altitude. Quickly, she turned away from the window and half got out of her seat to grab a nearby phone. The sound of an animal’s hurt bark made her realize she dropped her dog.

She inhaled and the phone was forgotten as she bent down to pick up her treasured companion. “Oh, mommy is so sorry. My poor little angel.” Niki picked up her dog and cuddled him as the copilot approached.

“Miss Diamond,” he replied and pretended not to hear the baby talk to the pet. “I regret to inform you that we are being forced to land.”

Niki’s eyes widened in outrage. “What do you mean? Forced to land? Why? Are we in trouble?”

“No. It appears that we needed special higher permission to fly over this particular air space. But no worries, we will handle everything.” He hesitated to add, “Although, there may be a small delay.”

“See that you do.” Though the words were meant for the copilot, she spoke in a baby tone to her miniature mountain feist with an unusual snobbish upturned nose. “Wait, did you say delay?”

The copilot winced then nodded. “Yes.”

“I can’t be delayed. I have a schedule to keep.”

The copilot took a deep breath. “I understand. And I promise you we are doing everything in our power to speed up the process.”

Confused, she nodded slowly. “Thank you.”

As he turned to leave, he paused. “You should buckle in. Would you like for me to put Shard in his carry on?”

“No, thank you. I’ll hold him.” She set Shard in the seat next to her. “Mommy will keep you safe this time. I promise.” Niki buckled herself in first then put the little dog in her lap. Constantly she rubbed on him and wondered how this would affect her carefully made plans. With a shiver, she forced herself to relax, because there was no reason to worry about something she couldn’t change. Her fans would just have to be understanding. Both dog and owner watched the ground get closer and closer until the jet landed.

Shard whimpered when the jet doors opened. The first time Niki’s eyes caught sight of the magnificent palace, she was stunned, but quickly recovered.

To her dog, she ordered, “Stay here. I’ll find out where we are.” She took her sunglasses, purse, and scarf in a small effort to hide her identity.

“There is no need to get out, Miss Diamond,” the captain offered. She pointed to herself and her copilot. “We will handle everything and we’ll be on our way soon.”

“I’ll go with you just to make sure.” Her eyes were on the beautiful palace.

The copilot wanted to argue, but closed his mouth. “Let’s get a move on. Ladies, after you.”

Miss Diamond took the lead and frowned when she noticed there were large guard dogs with the group. Just as she was about to offer both of her wrists to handcuffs that were no where in sight, a tall handsomely aged man approached her and took her hand to kiss it.

“Welcome. We are delighted.” He looked behind her. “Is Miss Diamond with you?”

“Somewhere,” Niki lied. “Can you tell me why you forced us to land?”

The man smiled. “Of course I can. Over dinner. I’m hungry. You?”

Niki turned to her pilots and mouthed ‘dinner.’ “I’m sorry, but we can’t stay that long.”

A little familiar protective bark stopped her speech and she turned around to see her beautiful little Shard descend the stairs at a run. Before her dog could reach her, the larger dogs chased him.

Niki removed her high heel shoes and ran after her baby. “Don’t you hurt him you beasts!” Turning her head around to the man, she shouted, “I’ll sue!”

“Where’s Stamar?! Tell him the dogs are loose!” The aging man demanded. “Quickly!”

Every servant reached for a cell phone and made a quick call before chasing after the animals.

The copilot and pilot watched as the older man eventually joined the chase.

“Should we help her?” He asked the pilot.

“I’m sure she’ll be fine.” The pilot smiled. “The way I see it . . . we deserve this break.”

As much as the copilot wanted a break, he couldn’t help but wonder if his employer would be alright both physically and emotionally.

“Don’t tell me you have a crush on her, Alexander.”

“That obvious?”

“Ugh!” She shook her head in disgust. “Every male that has taken this job has fallen in love with her beautiful figure, long lashes, which I’m sure are as fake as her lips, and her come hither smile. Makes me sick.”

Alex smiled. “You’re jealous, Renee. But with good cause. She’s hot.” He touched her shoulder in a friendly gesture. “And I’m gonna help her.”

As he walked away, she announced, “If she knows you like her, she’ll let you go. Bye-bye job.”

He turned to face her and ran backwards. “Thanks for the warning!” He faced forward again then ran faster to search for his employer, the famous singer and painter, Miss Diamond.

Niki took a moment to catch her breath. Her darling companion was no where in sight. She wanted to cry, but knew she had to keep going and prayed her little dog, Shard would be alright. Either way, she would sue. As she leaned against a wall, it gave way and she fell back with a screech into a hallway.

“Are you alright?” A female voice with a Spanish accent asked.

About to say no, Miss Diamond looked up before she spoke. “Where am I?”

The maid helped her up. “Are you looking for Miss Diamond too?”

“Miss Diamond is here?” She pretended to be shocked.

Excited, the maid nodded. “Yes. The Prince forced her jet to land. Isn’t it romantic?”

“Oh.” Niki laughed, but couldn’t wait to get her hands on the prince’s throat. A moment later her sanity returned, instead she scratched the part about his throat and planned to hit him with a lawsuit. To the maid, she said, “That wasn’t Miss Diamond’s jet. It was mine.” She laughed again. “Seems your prince got the two jets mixed up. I’m the decoy.”

Dejected, the maid pulled off her wig. “That’s disappointing.”

“You wear a wig?”

“I wanted to be an actress, but this is the only job I could get, so I try to put my desire to act into my job. I was hoping to impress Miss Diamond. I heard she’s dating a producer and I wanted a chance.”

With a sly grin, Niki made a decision. “I want to hire you.”

“To do what?”

She slid her arm around the maid’s shoulders. “We look to be about the same size. I want you to act like an American and switch clothes with me. Oh, and I want the wig too.”

After some consideration, the maid asked, “Do I get to keep the clothes?”

“Sure, consider it part of the payment, but not the purse.”

“Deal.”

They shook on it then exchanged clothes.

Though the clothes were a loose fit, Niki felt she accomplished something. Now she didn’t have to hide as she looked for her dog. The deep tinted glasses made sight seeing difficult.

“That purse doesn’t go with your outfit.” The maid pointed out.

Not one to surrender, Miss Diamond stuffed it under her skirt, in back.

“Your backside looks angular.”

Exasperated, she groaned. “I’m not here to find a man, but thank you for your advice.” She started walking down the hallway then stopped. “Which way is the palace?”

“The other way. You’ll need to take two lefts, one right, and then the door will lead you into the hallway with a staircase on the other end. The staircase leads to the Prince’s private rooms. The other direction from the staircase leads you to the kitchen and from there you can find your way out.”

“Thank you,” she said as she rushed away.

After all the turns and stops, Miss Diamond was about to head to the kitchen until she heard her little Shard yelp for help.

“Mommy’s coming!” She took the circular stairs two at a time till she got to the end. There was her Shard, who jumped into a man’s arms as large dogs gave chase. The man growled a command and the large dogs sat.

He was so commanding that she found herself wanting to sit with the dogs. To say the least, he was not her type. A shiver of bitterness rushed through her. He was too much of a manly man who loved the sound of his own voice, and all the control in a relationship. But he did have a really sweet backside.

Her hand flew to her neck, not quite making it to her mouth in time to cover the shock when he turned around. Ugh! Figured he was handsome too. Shard wagged his tale and barked with excitement when he saw her.

“Are you new here?” He asked.

For some strange reason, she pretended not to understand. “No Inglés.”

“¿Es usted nueva aquí?”

The Spanish accent fell naturally off his lips and she realized she didn’t speak any other language except English. “No español?”

“Welche Sprache sprechen Sie?”

Frustrated, she clenched her fists and wanted to knock out his perfect teeth. “English . . . please.”

“I thought so. Now, tell me your name or I’ll call security.”

She observed the way he stroked her dog. “I’m a maid.” Now, she wished she’d asked the maid for a name.

“Really? And who told you how to get here other than the elevator on the other end?”

“Why don’t you just call your security and get it over with?” She crossed her arms.

He laughed. “American, I see. Welcome to my home, Miss Diamond.”

“Me?” She tried to play it off and several denials came to mind, but she didn’t believe he’d fall for any of them.

“I won’t believe any lie you speak,” he confirmed. “I happen to be a fan of yours. I’ve studied your face, your voice and your habits. So the disguise didn’t work.” He winked and grinned.

For a brief moment she looked down at the floor and wondered if she needed to call security. “I won’t lie to you. You’re scaring me.”

“Good. You should be. Because I may never let you leave.”

That comment knocked the chip from her shoulder. “I don’t know who you are, but I can’t stand men who try to push women around. I promise you that I will leave. Just after I get my dog back.”

“Oh, yes. Shard.” He rubbed the animal in his arm. “Why would you name your dog Shard?”

She glanced at the rings on her fingers. “Baguette was too feminine and I’m not fond of that style on rings. Who are you and tell me what you said to me in those other languages?”

“I’m Prince Stamar. In Spanish I asked you if you were new here. And in German I asked you what language you spoke . . . Miss Diamond, may we start over?”

“Over as in good-bye? Sounds great to me.”

The Prince pressed his lips together. “Forgive me. I was misinformed. In my ignorance I was trying to impress you. May I escort you and Shard to your jet?”

She nodded as she followed him. Shard made a fuss until she held him. “Oh baby. I missed you.” Niki gently squeezed him in a hug.

“Shard is one lucky dog.” Stamar commented on a sigh.

“So, what were you saying about being misinformed?”

He put his hands behind his back. “I was told by your pilot that you like your men forceful.”

“Really?” Someone was about to get fired.

“How long has she been with you?”

Niki offered him a smile. “Too long . . . So you’re not a forceful man? For some odd reason I don’t believe you.”

“Because of my title?” He shook his head. “I’m forceful with the dogs I train, but not with humans, until I learned falsely that you like that in a man. Because I would be any type of man you want me to be. Please go out with me?”

“Answer honestly . . . what type of man are you?”

Before he could answer a group of people ran toward them.

Miss Diamond immediately recognized her copilot. “Alexander! Thank GOD I found you!”

Alex stopped before her, both shocked at her appearance and surprised she knew his name. “Miss Diamond? Were you mugged?”

As she pulled off the wig she answered, “No, I paid the maid for her clothes and wig.”

“I’m happy to know you are in good health.”

“Thank you.” She started to walk and everyone followed. “Oh. You’re now Captain and Renee is fired.”

The Prince gently tugged on her arm and she stopped. “Will you give me another chance?”

“Only if there are no more delays. I’m already behind schedule. You’ve cost me nearly an entire day.”

Stamar cleared his throat. “Please don’t take this wrong, Miss Diamond, but my jet is faster. I can have you back on schedule in not time at all.”

“Show off.” Deliberately she paused, but already knew what she planned to do. “I can’t disappoint my fans, so lead the way, your Highness.”

His face glowed like a little boy in a candy store until she couldn’t stand the grin. She held up a finger. “But . . . I want complete control. You take orders and don’t give them. No stipulations, no ultimatums, also, no if ands or buts. Do I make myself clear?”

Alex and Stamar both answered in submissive tones. “Yes, Miss Diamond.”

Satisfied, Niki grinned as the surge of power made her skin tingle. “Excellent. You may call me, Niki. Now let’s get me to my concert and make my fans ecstatic.”