Husband With Benefits-Chapter 805: Shocked

Lily was in awe. Of her own decision and the speed with which Princess Dora worked.. Just two days ago, she had been approached by Her Highness to become a housekeeper at one of her royal residences, and now, she was almost already en route to the place. She glanced down at the itinerary and sighed. The rich really did live a different life. Even as a housekeeper, she was being flown out by a chartered airplane, with a helicopter ride waiting to take her to the estate. The butterflies in her stomach stirred at the thought of this new beginning.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Meredith’s familiar voice, "I can’t believe I’m losing my roommate and best friend just like that."

Lily turned and pulled her into a hug, squeezing her tightly. "Mer! You’re definitely losing a roommate, but not your best friend! No way. We’ll keep in touch—phone calls, video chats, everything. You’re stuck with me. I am definitely not resigning from the best friend position."

Meredith let out a small laugh, but there was an edge to it. "Yes, yes, I know. But I still wish you hadn’t met that man."

Lily froze, pulling back slightly to look at her friend with a frown. "Where did that come from?"

Meredith crossed her arms, her expression a mixture of exasperation and worry. "Oh, please. As if I haven’t noticed. You’re leaving Petrovia, but don’t pretend it’s just for the job. You’ve been running from him ever since... and don’t even get me started on the way you’ve been glued to every news report about him. Do you think I haven’t noticed how the TV remote mysteriously stops working every time his face shows up? Also, if you hadn’t met him,you would not have been introduced to Princess Dora, right?"

Lily’s cheeks flushed, her stomach knotting at the mention of him. She quickly looked away, feigning indifference. "It’s not like that, Mer."

"Really?" Meredith raised an eyebrow, not buying it. "Then what is it like? Because from where I’m standing, it looks an awful lot like you’re trying to get as far away from him as possible. And if I had known this would be the consequence of advising you to not date him, I would have definitely been the first person to push you into his arms."

Lily laughed at this and shook her head at Meredith," I’m just... ready for a change. This job, it’s an amazing opportunity. How could I say no? Even if you had pushed me into his arms, as you so nicely put it, I would run at this chance, okay?"

Meredith nodded and sighed," Uh huh! I’ll give you the benefit of doubt. But, here is the thing... I want you to actively start dating, okay? Once you are there, just go out with a few people, that way he won’t be stuck in your head."

"Okay okay! Once I get there, I will turn into a party girl! Alright? Anyway, I won’t have any company to watch allt hos eboring documentaries..."

Meredith giggled and and quickly hugged Lily back," Okay okay! Don’t turn into a hardcore party girl. I’ll miss you, Lily!"

"I’ll miss you too!"

Once inside the luxurious aircraft, Lily could not help but sigh. She leaned back into her plush seat, staring out of the airplane window as clouds drifted by. Her mind wandered back to the meeting yesterday, when everything had suddenly become real.

"Lily! I take it you’ve come to a decision? So, what is it to be?"

"I think I am going to take up this opportunity. Thank you, Your Highness."

"Excellent decision. Just call me Dora, okay? This ’Your highness’ thing kinda gets to me! Especially now that we are going to have such a close relationship." Dora grinned and quickly rummaged through the papers on her desk, before pulling out a folder and handing it to her.

"When is the earliest you can leave? Do you need to give a notice period to your current place of work? Also, have a look at these contract papers and the non disclosure agreement."

"I can leave immediately. I’ve already spoken to my current boss and they were very understanding... I think they were more shocked than I was when I got the offer."

Dora smiled brightly. "Great! Then you get your bags packed and I’ll let you know as soon as the airplanes are ready... give me enough time to prepare everything for your arrival. You’ll love the estate. It’s a little... well, let’s just say, remote. But I’m sure you’ll appreciate the quiet once you’re settled in."

"Now, a bit of a heads-up. The estate is up in the mountains, and it gets pretty isolated in the winter. You’ll be snowed in for a while once you arrive. We’ve stocked the guest house with all the supplies you’ll need—food, fuel, books, you name it. But human company might be scarce for the first couple of months. And so will your work load, so you can acquaint yourself. Once the roads start clearing out, you will need to start getting the estate ready. That means hiring the local staff etc to do the work so that once the roads are fully functional, the place is ready. Now, take a look at the papers and see if you are agreeable."

Lily quickly skimmed through the terms. Standard stuff—keep the estate’s details and the royal family’s personal matters private. No leaking of photos or stories to the press. And there was a hefty fine for the breach of contract. Well, she was not going to do that so she shrugged and signed her name.

Dora slid the papers back into the folder, looking pleased. "Welcome aboard the family, Lily." Dora extended her hand to shake and Lily paused, looking at her in confusion. Family?

Dora smiled and caught her hand," Yep. We are all a big family..."

Lily sighed and then closed her eyes. Time to sleep and wake upto a new beginning.