The Prince and Me

Chapter 7

The alarm that woke me up seemed louder than ever the next morning.

I reach out from under my blankets and slammed the alarm off, sitting up.

I stand up and hurry to the bathroom, taking my shirt off and starting a shower. I wash up and use the new green tea shampoo and body wash I bought the other day before getting out smelling like an herb goddess.

After drying off and blow-drying my hair to a wavy set, I walk back to my room and dig through my closet. I find a simple yellow sundress and decide that it's perfect for the event and slip it on.

Looking in the mirror, I quickly grab my fitted jean jacket, rolling the sleeves up to my elbows and putting on my white sandals. This outfit was one that Bri had helped me picked out at a thrift store on our trip to London a few months back and I haven't had the chance to wear it until now.

I check the time and see that it's 7:23 A.M. I do a little shake at how I'm running a bit behind and quickly put on a few brushes of mascara and some blush colored lipstick before grabbing my phone, purse, and keys and leaving the apartment.

After I locked the door, I walk down the stairs and to my old beat-up Volkswagen.

I get in and quickly jam the key in the ignition, only for the car not to turn over.

I groan and press the gas, twisting the key more and hitting the steering wheel. "C'mon, start! Please!" I cry out.

Sighing, I sit back and run a hand through my hair. I bite my lip as I pull out my phone and dial Mrs. Gina's number.

"Hey, sweetie! Are you on your way?" She asks.

I let out a nervous chuckle and shake my head, cradling my phone between my ear and shoulder. "Uh, about that. My car won't start. I may need a jump but I'll definitely be there soon, okay? I just maybe a bit late." I explain.

Mrs. Gina laughs on the other end. "I've told you time after time to just get rid of that old thing and I'll let you use my motorbike. I know you've ridden them before, I know your mother."

I laugh and try the ignition again, giving a cry of joy when it turns over.

"I know. And I actually may take you up on that. I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Rightyo, see ya soon."

I hang up the phone and place it in the passenger seat to the left and buckle up before pulling out of the parking lot carefully and making my way to the bookstore.

Getting there in record time, I pull up to find a large crowd of people around the front door blocked off.

I drive around back and park, then get out and rush inside, nearly toppling into Henry who's carrying a large box.

"Bloody hell, Rhett. You show up late and almost run me down? Genius." Henry jokes, smiling at me.

Henry Sheffield was a tallboy. He just turned 20 and went to Cambridge with me, majoring in Engineering and Accounting. His brown hair highlighted with white that he can actually pull off was combed to perfection, as always and he was wearing fitted khakis with a white shirt and the Cambridge Honor School blazer.

He was a cutie and a great friend. I've come to rely on him and we see each other as siblings.

I laugh and punch his arm. "Hey, it's only-" I glance down at my phone and check the time. "8:01."

Henry grins and adjusts his grip on the box. "Late."

I smile and watch him set the box down on the table nearby. "Do you know where Gina is?" I ask.

Henry nods and points up. "She's upstairs talking to the guests."

The book store was actually quite big, half an acre of antique bookshelves filled top to bottom with all kinds of books. Last year we set up a lounge area upstairs with a few TVs and stereos. We've got a lot more business and I don't think I've seen Mrs. Gina happier.

As I make my way to the spiral staircase headed to the lounge area, I notice three large, black SUV's parked out front. My brows furrow more when I see a few suited men standing outside of the door.

I quickly make my way up the stairs, putting my phone and keys in my purse as I go. "Mrs. Gina, I'm so sorry. I got here as fast as I could. Uhm, did you know that there are large SUV's outside and a very large crowd of people? What exactly is this charity event-" I stop myself as I get to the top of the stairs, looking up to see Mrs. Gina standing there with a smile on her face and four men in suits sitting along with the chairs and couches.

"Rhett! I'm so glad you're here. Let me introduce you to the man responsible for holding the charity event, Prince William Alexander II and his brother Andrew Alexander." Mrs. Gina says.

My eyes immediately snap to William as he stands, his grey fitted suit clinging perfectly to every nook and cranny of his godly sculpted body.

I swallow hard as his eyes meet mine and I give a slight curtsey, bowing my head. "It's a pleasure, your majesty."

William smirks and reaches his hand out for me to shake and I do, avoiding his stare. "Please, call me William," he says. "My brother Andrew and I started an organization a few years back that distributes books of all kinds to orphanages all throughout England. However, since our schedules conflict and we're quite busy throughout the year, we only have time to visit three or four times a year. We've chosen Mrs. Gina's book store as the perfect place to collect and prepare our packages for the children."

I nod, looking over to Prince Andrew and giving a polite nod before looking back up at William. "What can I do to help?" I ask.

Prince William smiles, his eyes shining as he looks back at Mrs. Gina. "Well, I'm sure we can think of something."

Mrs. Gina just laughs and I raise my brows, wanting nothing more than to punch his royal ass in the head.