King of Noria: Citylights, #2

By Arielle Alia

Silas Lardner Romanov is the deputy mayor of Noria City. He is also known as Noria's prince and will soon inherit the position of mayor from his father.

 

The Romanov family is famous for being good and dependable rulers. It is also a well-known fact that every Romanov only marries for love.

Silas Lardner has already found his one true love, Trudy.

 

But his relationship with Trudy became threatened when he finds himself as the protector and savior of Cellisten who has the habit of dragging him into all kinds of dangers!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arielle Alia
• Release date: Jan 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393264538

Book preview

PROLOGUE

FIVE YEARS AGO

Cellisten was ecstatic when the March Bros. hired her after graduation. The March Bros. was a well-known PR agency based in Noria City. Working for the company meant that she didn't have to travel to the Mainland to find a job. She was after all a true-blue Norian, and she preferred to stay in her beloved island.

Part of Cellisten's job as a junior associate was to do research for their clients. She often did a good job, showed initiative, and gave good suggestions when it came to promoting their clients. Occasionally, she would be asked to help out in a campaign or project that would involve direct contact with people.

But the latest assignment given to her brought mixed emotions of sadness and anxiety. She had to talk to the families of those who lost their lives from the collapse of the Landmark Tower.

The tower was supposed to be an achievement in engineering, and would become the tallest building in Noria. But twenty crews, three engineers and one geologist were trapped in the basement and lost their lives. A photographer, his assistant and a guard were also among the victims.

The collapse of the tower would tarnish the business and political image of the city. To prevent this, the investors of the tower and the city government hired the services of March Bros. The best spin-doctors in the agency were quickly put to work. It was decided that the collapse would be blamed on a freak accident, and the architect who designed the tower would be doing a press conference to explain what had happened. And no one among the owners of the tower or the city government must be blamed for any sort of negligence.

March Bros. also put up another team that would handle the bereaved families of the victims. This team was tasked to offer sympathy and compensation, but above all else must convince the families not to file lawsuits to the developers and the city government, which would be partly blamed since they allowed the construction of the tower. Cellisten was assigned to this team. She was sent to meet and talk to the family of Warren Diaz.

Warren Diaz at age twenty-six was the youngest of the three engineers who died in the collapse. His family lived in the Mainland, and Cellisten had to leave the island to see them and offer her condolences. Their immediate boss, Art Sales, briefed all those assigned to Cellisten's team, and instructed them to show sincerity and sympathize with the victim's family. He ordered the use of thoughtful and comforting words to soothe the families’ pain and loss.

We and the whole city of Noria sympathize with your lost, said Cellisten after she had informed Warren's family of the tragic accident. Only a few days had gone by since the accident. The accident was already in the news, but the names of the victims had yet to be divulged to the public. Their names would only be released after all the victims' family had been properly informed.

This is not true! cried Mrs. Diaz. Her husband, Mr. Diaz, held her in his arms as he tried to contain his emotions and remain strong for his family.

Ravine, Warren's younger sister, stood in a corner of the house. Her hands clutched in anger as she tried to stop her tears from falling.

No one wanted this accident to happen. Every precaution was made to ensure the safety of the crew during the construction of the tower. But it seemed despite all of these, something unpredictable caused the collapse... Cellisten stopped talking and took a deep breath before she began to recite the words she was taught to memorize by her company. The developers, Janssen Magnus Inc. as well as the city of Noria offer their condolences and apologies. They are also willing to pay for all the expenses for Warren's funeral. She took out from her shoulder bag the check made for the Diaz family. I know this isn't enough, but this money could still help out your family. She offered the check to Warren's parents.

The moment the parents accepted the check, she would then convince them not to file any lawsuit. Her job was to ensure that the Diaz Family signed the agreement. The agreement would prevent them from blaming or filing a case against Janssen Magnus Inc. and Noria City.

Ravine suddenly snatched the check from Cellisten's hand and tore it to pieces.

You are a liar, Ms. Sunico! she accused Cellisten vehemently.

You are mistaken, Ravine... Cellisten explained in a soft voice to calm the teenager.

Ravine suddenly lunged at her! Cellisten thought she would be slapped or pulled by the hair. To her shock and surprise, Ravine's two forefingers began stabbing several parts of her body! Her body became numb. She had also lost her strength and soon found herself collapsing on the sofa.

Ravine! Stop this! said Mr. Diaz.

She is a liar, Daddy! And if we really want to know what happened to my brother, Warren, then this is the only way! insisted Ravine.

Cellisten looked at Ravine. She didn't know what was happening.

You seemed new at this job, Miss Sunico, Ravine began. You are not very good at lying.

I-I am not lying! she insisted.

Despite your words, your eyes were saying something else when you said the word ‘accident’. And don't you dare lie to me again! In case you haven't yet understood what had just happened to you, let me explain. I have just paralyzed you from your neck down by using a pressure point technique. Using this technique, I can also make you feel excruciating pain. But I am not going to do that to you unless you start telling the truth! threatened the teenager.

I am just doing my job. And... And in my job, the truth is not important. We just have to fulfill and satisfy our clients' request.

Ravine suddenly pressed a part of Cellisten's shoulder. Cellisten screamed with pain!

Is my brother's death an accident? Tell me the truth or I will make you feel pain again!

I-I don't know! cried Cellisten. She was on the verge of tears.

What do you know about that accident, Ms. Sunico?

The only thing I know was that two days before the accident happened... Cellisten took a deep breath. She was going to lose her job if she continued talking. But her life was more important than a job. And based on how Ravine was looking at her, and the way her parents just stood by and watched, she would die from pain, and no one would help her.

What happened two days before the accident? asked Ravine.

Our agency was contacted by Janssen Magnus Inc. and a statement that would be given to the press regarding the loss of lives and the company's sincere apology and condolence to the bereaved was asked to be written.

It was never an accident! blurted the parents of Warren.

Someone had already planned the deaths of my brother and his co-workers! hissed Ravine.

CHAPTER 1

PRESENT DAY

Laser stopped midway from signing a document when the door of his office opened, and Solange Dorian walked in! He immediately ordered his staff inside his office to give him and the supermodel some privacy. After closing the door, he angrily snapped at Solange.

What are you doing here? he said in annoyance.

Solange smiled. Laser noticed she was wearing green contact lenses.

Is it wrong for a beautiful woman to visit the most eligible bachelor of Noria? Wouldn't my visit help your image, Deputy Mayor? It's been two years since you last had a love life, she teased. You are the heir to the throne of King Alexander Romanov, and as the crowned prince and the future owner of all of these, she waved her perfectly manicured hand to encompass his office, you should present the image of a family man. You are already thirty-three years old, right? About time you settle down, she advised before sitting on one corner of his office table.

Stop this nonsense, Samson! he scolded the model.

Solange pursed her lips in displeasure.

God! I thought when our father disowned me, I would never again hear that name. I am now Solange Dorian, dear brother. I am no longer Samson Romanov. That person is already dead. You can't help but admire our father for making everyone believe I drowned four years ago. No one suspected I was driven out of Noria. But that's all in the past. I am now Solange Dorian, a woman not just in mind and heart but also in body! she said proudly.

Laser's jaws tightened. Samson was his younger brother who grew up spoiled and got everything he wanted because their parents loved him so much. When Samson turned fifteen, he demanded to be sent to Paris to continue his studies. Their parents couldn't say no to his demands. Unknown to all of them, Samson didn't just study in Paris, he also began living there as a woman, and changed his name to Solange Dorian. He also started modeling. After saving enough money, he secretly went to Thailand, and had an operation that transformed him into a woman.

Their mother almost had a heart attack when Samson came back to Noria as a woman! Their father couldn't accept this and disowned Samson. Whatever love their father had for Samson turned to hate and disdain. Alexander Romanov drove his youngest son out of Noria. He also made everyone believe that Samson had died of an accident in Paris.

What are you doing here, Solange? Didn't you swear that you no longer need us? That the only thing important to you is to live your life as a woman?

Solange smiled.

Yes. I haven't changed my stand. But despite father making the world think I am dead, I still consider you, guys, family. I still care about the Romanov family, she said with mocked sincerity. I admit that it was wrong of me to hide what I did in Paris and how I changed myself into a woman. I should have prepared our family first. So, this time, I want to prepare our family for what is about to happen.

Laser looked at his sibling with suspicion.

What are you planning to do, Solange? he asked carefully.

To be true to myself!

Meaning?

You must have heard about the upcoming Noria World Fashion Show that will be held here in the island. But then of course, you must have. As deputy mayor, it is part of your duties to make sure that such a global event would remain safe and peaceful. You must have started preparing for the security of all the participants and tourists that would come to this island. By the way, I will be heading that most prestigious fashion show.

Laser sighed. The mayor was always invited in such an event. And his father would certainly walk out of the event the moment Solange began walking down the catwalk. Their father had never forgiven his brother and probably never would. To their father, what Samson did was a betrayal and brought shame to their family. All the men of the Romanov Family were real men. And for Samson to become a woman was something their father could never accept.

I will schedule Dad's meeting with the President of the Mainland during the fashion show so you and he don't cross paths. He will be off this island by the time you start walking the runway.

Are you going to become the representative of the city then?

He nodded.

You are more tolerant than our father, Laser. I think you will become a much better mayor than he is now. He is a total hypocrite and a homophobic!

Everyone has his own beliefs and ways. You of all people should know and understand that.

But if their beliefs hurt other people, shouldn't they be told to change their mind or learn to tolerate those who believe differently? If they refuse to change, then they must be challenged and taught a lesson, insisted Solange.

Is there another reason why you are here? Laser said in annoyance.

I also want to invite you to my wedding.

Again? How many times are you getting engaged? I have read such news every year and every time, you have a new boyfriend.

Solange giggled.

This time, it's for real. The others were just flings and well, created by my publicist so that the public keeps on talking about me.

As long as that wedding wouldn't be held here in Noria, I might be able to come.

Are you afraid that Daddy will not allow you to give me away on my wedding? she teased.

No. You should be the one to worry. Because if you will insist that the wedding be held here, our father will do everything he can to stop that. He might even pay off your boyfriend to leave you. He is the mayor here. And stopping a wedding would be quite easy for him.

Solange sighed.

He is no longer fit to be mayor of this city. Aside from him being so narrow minded, his beliefs are too rigid and old-fashioned. He shouldn't always follow tradition.

Noria was founded based on tradition, he reminded his sibling. And being mayor is a lifetime job and commitment. Our family was the founder of this city, Solange. That is why the position of the mayor is always inherited. The only way to depose a sitting mayor is if the City Council would remove him from office. That had only happened twice in the history of Noria. Our father may be strict and his values are traditional but he is also popular with the masses. And the City Council can never remove a popular mayor. And since our father became mayor of the city, he has done a lot-

Solange raised a hand to stop him from further talking.

Enough with the political speech, Laser. You have convinced me that you are the number one supporter of our father. But that's not a surprise. You are after all the crowned prince and the heir apparent. The moment he retires, the Council choosing you as the new mayor would just be a formality.

Solange stood up and faced him.

"But I can't wait for you to become the king of Noria, Laser. After the Noria World Fashion Show, I will hold