On shaky feet and a scattered mind, I slide into the car and let the chauffer drive off without another word. My phone buzzes in my hand, most likely a text from Rose asking me about my whereabouts and what just happened. Taking in a deep breath, I clear out my throat before sending the questioning woman a brief text that I'm fine and I'll talk to her properly later.

It might seem silly and potentially overdramatic to most, but I can't seem to shake off the terrified feeling that works its way through my gut. I feel almost nauseous.

The dark night sky and barely illuminated road outside almost suffocates me. As if everything around me is caving in on itself. Not wanting to get lost for air, I put the window closest to me down with the press of my button and relish in the cold air as it hits me straight in the face. My hair flies crazily in the wind and creates a mess all around me, but I take it all in with a shaky sigh.

So immersed in the feeling of the cool breeze against my face, I barely notice the car coming to a slow stop. Glancing around, the first thing that blares in my mind is that we're not even on the proper road yet, but rather on the dirt track that leads up to it. The other cause for concern was the lack of sound from the chauffer, but instead, the headlights of a black car parked on the side of the road and in front of us. This is not good in any way.

I go to speak up. My hand latched with a death grip on my phone as I eye the situation wearily. Just as I open my mouth to ask what's wrong and why on earth we're parked on the side of the road, the door closest to me opens up and a figure stands in front of me.

"Why are you sitting around? Hurry up and get into the other car."

Huh?

My mind is blank in every sense of the word.

Blinking a few times, my eyes dart from the dark figure in front of me and over to the nonchalant chauffer sitting in the driver's seat. Peering closer at the man before me, I lurch back a second and then quickly scramble out of the car as fast as I can.

"Mr. Sinclair. Thaddeus. What are you doing here?" I splutter out as I make my way to the jet black car with the tinted windows. Sliding into the open passenger door after a brief moment of hesitation, I watch as Thaddeus slides into the driver's side without another word, after which he easily drives off.

"Someone informed me not a minute after you left that my father contacted you."

I'm sure the man is waiting for me to say something back, but I remain silent, lips sealed as I act oblivious to it.

"Why didn't you tell me you got a call from the Palace?"

"It was too late, I guess. They wanted me there as soon as possible and I just didn't think. I rushed over there."

Thaddeus remains silent, grip tightening on the steering wheel as I gnaw on my lower lip.

I feel as if I've just gone para-gliding or done some other sort of extreme sport with the adrenaline rush that's coursing through me. I'd much rather have this than the crippling sense of fear that awaits it afterwards.

I'm scared shitless of the Royal Family and I am not going to pretend that I'm simply not.

"What did they say?"

"What would they say? King Theodore practically chewed me out for the hospital 'stunt' and told me that I have to inform him of every step I take before I do it when it comes to you and your public image." My words nearly get lost in the night air, the windows kept down and allowing me to breathe freely and unrestrainedly.

"Were you scared?" He asks, and it takes me a second to realise he did actually say that and I'm not imagining things.

"I thought I'd be thrown into the dungeons." I wholeheartedly admit.

Thaddeus lets out a loud laugh and I'm unable to help the small smile that crosses my face. "I'm serious. I was really scared, and I kept thinking about what you said. I wasn't convinced they wouldn't do that."

Glancing out the window, I keep the small pout on my lips as he continues to laugh at my expense. The highway is empty at this time of night and it nearly takes me by surprise at how late it's gotten. I can feel an oncoming yawn, but I suppress it, along with the hunger pangs coming from my stomach.

The last time I ate was lunch, and that was several hours ago.

I hardly know where we're going at this point, but I don't question the man as his boisterous laugh mellows down to a few short, soft chuckles.

"Are you hungry?" It's as if Thaddeus just read my mind. I think about it for a few seconds, glancing at the man and wondering if I should tell him the truth or not. Thaddeus turns to me, eyes continuously flickering off of the road and to where I contemplate. It's not until he raises his eyebrow at me that I yield and nod my head.

"Yeah. I didn't really get any time to have dinner." Thaddeus rolls his eyes at my subtle jab, knowing very well that the reason I didn't have time to eat was because he had me cooped up in his office for the better half of the evening.

"Drive through all right for you?" I nod at him as he then switches lanes and heads down to a road I am very familiar with. The giant sign of the fast-food chain nearly causing me to dance in my seat.

I don't of course. I'm too classy for that.

"I never thought I'd be going to a drive-through restaurant with the King to be. Isn't this too 'peasant folk' for you?" He clearly knows I'm joking as Thaddeus scoffs at my remarks.

"You have an overactive imagination, now hush and order something for the both of us." Clearing my throat, I peruse the menu before shrugging my shoulders and deciding to get what I usually order for myself. Once I speak it into the voice box, I glance at Thaddeus, who nods in approval.

Once we get our food, we park in the little area and start snacking, all while I try my hardest to make sure I don't attack the food in front of me like a raging animal. Thaddeus and I eat in a comfortable silence and he finishes up sooner than I do. He clearly doesn't think twice as he drives off after depositing the trash in the compartment.

Someone's going to have fun cleaning that out tomorrow.

My eyes widen in disbelief as I lower my drink from my mouth. "Did you just steal my fry?"

"I paid for it."

Of course, that's all he'd say.

"I apologise, my Prince." My tone and choice of title sticks to him, the man grinning but brushing them off as if it's not such a big deal.

I sometimes still can't believe I'm in the presence of the Prince, a direct line to the throne. Although clearly just being a member of the Royal Family isn't impressive in the slightest, considering the King is a total prick.

I direct him to my house when needed, speaking up so the man can take the appropriate right or left turn.

We're not too far from where I live, as a sudden question comes to mind. I don't dare say anything, however, as I steal brief glances here and there, admiring the view. I'm not one to turn a blind eye, but I'm not someone who ogles at every pretty person on the street. Unfortunately, I can't help myself this time as I take in his windswept hair, the black strands flying around and settling down to frame his face, dark blue button up blending in with the surrounding darkness while his tan skin peeks out due to the first few buttons undone. His fancy wristwatch gleams in the moonlight and passing streetlights as his hand lays casually against the steering wheel, other hand laying against the armrest with both his sleeves pushed out to go with the rest of his messy yet formal attire.

"What?" His question nearly makes me jump as I turn to him properly, eyebrow raised.

"Ask me whatever you want to." He comments easily while reaching out for my drink. I try to bat his hands away jokingly, but he returns the action with his own poke as he sips away at my drink.

Now my drink has his cooties. Not that I mind.

"How does it feel to be a Prince? Isn't it even a bit endearing in a sense that you automatically have thousand of fans and have shot up to an important position within a passing night?"

"Now who said I wasn't in an important position before all of this?" This time I'm the one rolling my eyes.

"You weren't. I've done my research. I do on all of my clients." I input at the end, not wanting him to get the wrong idea.

I don't think it really works, as Thaddeus sends me a haughty smirk. Oh, what I wouldn't do to wipe that smug grin off of his good-looking face.

I can tell he's contemplating what I've asked him, his head tilting to the side before he finally shrugs.

"It's unnerving more than anything. It might not seem like it, but it's too much, in a sense. Not only the title and the so called 'fame' but more so the overall effect. I know there's a whole structure which monitors your every move and guides you through it all, but how the hell do these people expect me to run a damn country? The people are gullible. I don't mean it as an insult, but a majority feeds off of everything my father tells them as if he's some sort of saint. You have firsthand experience that he doesn't. I don't want to be responsible for so many lives. It kind of freaks me out."

"It is true that the royals are trained since the day they open their eyes to be fit for the throne, but I'm sure it's nothing you can't learn. I don't want to give you false hope and a bunch of nonsense about how you'll do it with no problem and if you don't want to or can't then you can simply back out, but we both know its impossible to do that. What I will say, though, is that there will be moments where you screw up, but you'll learn from the mistakes. You'll have a whole team at your disposal and many supporters to back you up. It'll be gradual, but I know you'll get through it." Thaddeus nods his head, the mood turning a bit somber before he smiles for the tenth time this night.

He sure is smiley today, isn't he?

"You'll be there telling me how to look good to the public, right?"

"As long as you don't fire me or I don't quit after another of your temper tantrums." He scowls at my words, huffing petulantly.

"We're here." Turning away from him, I get taken aback for a second as I realise we've already reached. Either he drives really fast or I didn't even notice how much time had gone by.

"Oh. Thanks for dropping me off and the food." My eyes pointedly dart to my drink he's sipping away at.

"No problem."

A moment or two passes by and I begin to fall awkward. Instead of saying anything else my hand reaching out to unlock the door so I can step out of the car but then I pause momentarily.

My brain isn't able to process what happens next. Nor am I able to say who initiated what since the next thing I know, Thaddeus' lips land on mine as our lips lock. My mind is frozen but my body acts on instinct as we kiss each other. The taste of sprite invades my senses as I'm sure mine does the same to his. I feel his arm snake to my waist to pull me closer while I rest my hands on his chest and kiss him back just as eagerly.

As soon as it starts, the moment has ended and we're both pushing away. My mouth is dropped open and eyes wide while Thaddeus looks alarmed at the sudden altercation with his own eyes wide and brows raised in shock.

"I'll get going now. Goodnight Mr. Sinclair."

I don't think twice about making a run from inside the car as I hop out and make a direct beeline for my building. Only one thing runs through my mind but I don't stop until I'm back in my apartment and safely behind a closed door, far away from him.

What on Earth just happened and why did I let it?

——————

AN: Hi lovelies! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Let me know if it was a bit too soon or not.

Please remember to:

Vote
Comment
&
Share