The Prince's Leased Bride

The Promise Ring

Alice Smith had the craziest dream.

However, she first moved a bit from her uncomfortable position, something heavy lugged on her side. She held back a yawn, and opened an eye drowsily. She glanced through the windows, the rays of the sun shining through the tall windows. The neon lights were no longer raving all over the place, what was left in its wake was a pile of people littered across the building.

She bit back a grin… this was like university days all over again. A memory flashed through her mind, it was the freshmen’s party and she wanted to make a good impression. Alice ended up getting drunk over a spin the bottle game, kissing the dork beside her (who was Kevin) and nearly had a cat fight with Elizabeth over something stupid she did. She dropped a bowl of nachos on the girl. Ah that was a good party, just like last night.

Except this one was a hag do party, and it was for her now ex-boyfriend. She glanced down at the weight on her, it was Lizzie. Somehow, only her best friend seemed to have stuck with her throughout the years. It was a surprise; they were not exactly two peas in a pod. They were like a donkey and a goat caged together. But what was the important matter was… what was Lizzie still doing here?

Hadn’t she run off with the cute bartender?

Alice’s heart warmed up a bit, the girl made sure that she was alright. The woman ran her fingers through her hair, she wasn’t so sure if she would have done the same. “Ack.” Her fingers getting stuck into her hair, so she pulled but it only strained her scalp. “What’s with this.” She groaned and gently untangled her hand.

A silver band was laced in her finger and ornate with small gemstone that shined like a diamond. She blinked, when did she have this? Her brain racked nothing for answers and she furrowed her brows. A groan shuddered beneath her as she glanced down at her friend stretching, Alice moved away to give space for her friend.

“Ugh…” Elizabeth’s brown locks were frazzled, and Alice was sure it wasn’t from just sleeping.

“Good morning princess.” She greeted with a grin that would have made her friend snicker if she weren’t so sleepy.

“What time is it?” the brunette rubbed her eyes as Alice shrugged in reply.

“So what happened Liz?” Alice leaned over to her friend and hung her arms around the girl’s neck, “Did the bartender decide you weren’t his type?” she angled her head towards her friend’s visage.

Elizabeth’s lips pressed together tightly as a shudder ran through Alice’s spine, was she right? That would be the death of her.

“No, he didn’t say anything about whether he liked me or not.” Lizzie paused.

“Oh…” Alice slowly began to unlatch herself from her friend’s body.

“He showed me.” A triumphant grin formed on her best friend’s lips as a relieved sigh escaped hers as she stopped midway from moving.

“Making jokes like that doesn’t suit you Lizzie.” Alice’s hands now patted the girl’s head, “Leave them dirty jokes to me.”

“Somehow, the fact that sounds like the logical thing makes it even more distressing.” Lizzie tsked a bit and shook her head before she checked her watch. “I do hope you plan on going to work in a minute.”

Alice blinked and gulped a bit, “I’m that late?”

“If you somehow manage to make it past the traffic? Yes, otherwise count yourself a salary deduction.”

“Crap!” Alice bolted out from the cushion, the people somehow did lessened as she grabbed her suitcase. “I need a ride.”

“Here, borrow my car.” Lizzie fished her keys out of her pocket and tossed it to the girl.

“What about you?” Alice frowned at the thought of taking advantage of her friend’s kindness once more.

“I’m staying for the breakfast buffet.” A smile formed on the woman’s cherry tinged lips.

Alice’s stomach grumbled, “Do you think?”

“Allieee…” Her best friend’s shoulders sagged at her notion.

“Getting one’s breakfast in the morning is important!” the blonde woman argued with a childish pout.

“Alice.” Elizabeth’s voice was low, it was a few more seconds before she was called Ms Smith again. Alice blinked as she cleared her head.

“What’s the most important meal of the day?” The woman gave her friend a grin.

“Get out or I’ll get my keys back.” Lizzie placed a hand on her hip.

“Just a blueberry muffin!” Alice sniffed and hugged her suitcase.

*

“Mhmph…” Luggage at the passenger’s seat, Alice did her best to munch the bran muffin in her mouth as she maneuvered herself through the roads. Luckily her friend shoved that muffin at her mouth before she pushed her out of the dining area. It was an act of the goddess of mercy already; her friend must have been in a good mood from last night indeed.

Somehow, she would feel the tiniest twinge of jealousy if her friend paid attention to another person more than her, but somehow she felt much better. Except for the head-splitting headache she had at the moment. She needed to get to the firm’s infirmary or pick up something at a pharmacy.

As the traffic light turned red, she turned on the radio of the small but reliable green car of Lizzie. She might as well get the news on the latest foreign exchange or stock prices if she was to be late.

“Good day folks! We’ve got some breaking news this morning! The Royal family has announced that the Prince of Wales will be marrying his fiancée in a couple of months!”

Alice rolled her eyes, what was with people and their need to know the lives of other people? She continued munching on her muffin as the spotlight turned green and she drove into the next curb.

“The identity of this lucky Cinderella is yet to be known but rumours has it that the Prince of Wales has bestowed the girl the Queen’s former promise ring.”

Alice’s knuckles whitened against the dark steering wheel as she finally reached her destination.