Chapter 5

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My little sister and I were extremely close. Aubrey and I talked every day at nine at night my time and she would just be getting out of school.

It was so hard to tell her about this guy I'd be hanging out with but not giving her full details. I couldn't tell her that this guy was the prince because, at the end of the day, my sister had a big mouth.

Right now, this was something I wanted to keep between Archie and I. Whatever we had was still new and I just didn't want to cause any trouble.

"Amie, I can't wait for you to come home. I miss you so much." Aubrey spoke, "Plus isn't it so gloomy in London?"

"It is, but I'm having a pretty good time so far." I began, "You need to come to visit one day. London is so gorgeous and the food is good, mainly the bakeries."

"Maybe for spring break?" Aubrey suggested

I nodded, "Maybe, bring it up to Mom."

"Alright, Brie, it's getting late here." I yawned, "I'll text you when I wake up."

"I'm expecting to hear more about this Londoner in fuller detail next time." Aubrey went on, "Get some beauty rest, I'm sure that presentation wore you out today."

I let out a small laugh, "Trust me it did, nighty-night."

I ended the call and stretched out in my bed.

That presentation did wear me out, but hey, I kept the people entertained.

My phone began to buzz again and for a moment I thought it was my little sister calling again. But then I looked at the caller's ID.

"Hey." I put the phone to my ear, "You are aware of the time, right?"

"Yes, Alena, do you have work tomorrow?" Archie asked me

I sat up in bed, "I do not, why?"

"Just come outside. I know you hate surprises, but you'll love this one." Archie spoke quickly, "Don't question it, just come."

Oh my gosh.

He's crazy.

"Wait - Archie, do I need to dress up?" I jumped out of bed

"No, I'm in sweats actually. See you soon." he ended the call

I turned on the lamp and ran to the bathroom across the hall.

Late-night booty calls don't work for black girls. My hair was already in a bonnet but I refused to walk outside like this.

Especially with a member of the royal family.

Lucky for me, I just got a silk press. I brushed out my hair, threw on black sweatpants, and a Howard University sweatshirt that belonged to my Dad.

Sydney was already knocked out, she had a grandma sleep schedule on weekdays.

I slipped on furry moccasins before I went downstairs and got into the passenger seat of a Range Rover.

"You changed your hair." Archie pointed out

I nodded, "Just add water and it'll go back, but don't - I paid sixty pounds for her to straighten it."

"Archie, where the hell are you taking me?" I asked him as I looked at my phone, "It's 9:15 on a Wednesday night."

"I'll explain later." he said as he drove, "I haven't seen you since Monday, how is it going?"

I smirked, "That was literally two days ago."

"I am aware but what about your presentation? How did it go?" Archie wondered

So I told him all about my thirty slide presentation that I had forty-five minutes to give. I told him how well it went and how I basically saved Burberry's HR department.

I didn't even realize we ended up in front of the now-closed London Eye.

"See you got so enthralled in your story that I didn't have to listen to you question me for fifteen minutes." He smirked as he parked his car, "Well, come along."

I got out of the car and followed him, "Archie, isn't it closed?"

"I have connections." he pointed to John and an operator

"Nice to meet you, your highness." The operator spoke, "Enjoy."

Archie shook his hand, "Thank you Todd, you're a kind man."

He held out his hand as Todd opened the capsule. There was a comfy palette set up with a bunch of junk food and champagne.

"You're kidding, I have to be dreaming," I said as I took his hand. Archie helped me into the capsule, he got in, and then Todd closed it.

"I know how badly you wanted to do it." he began, "So I didn't want to share it with random strangers or anyone for that matter. John and I pulled some strings and here we are."

I looked around as we sat on the mountain of blankets and cushions, "I can't believe this. Archie! This is crazy."

He handed me a glass of champagne, "Have you met me? I am crazy."

"Anyway, I decided to come here tonight because I leave for a tour to South Africa for ten days. I figured I had to do something special before I'm gone for nearly two weeks." Archie informed me, "I was like 'Damn, I'm kinda gonna miss her'."

I took a sip of champagne, "Good thing you have my number and Snapchat."

"Amazing thing." he corrected me, "I meant to ask you this when you came to my party, but how'd you get your real first name?"

"You still haven't let it go, have you?" I asked him with a smile on my face

Archie opened a bag of chips (not french fries), "No, I think it's such a pretty name."

"Thanks." I beamed, "Well when my Mom was pregnant with me, she said her water broke as she watered her Amaryllis flowers. Then she got to the hospital and there was a bouquet of Amaryllises. She thought it was a sign that she should name me that so she did."

"My full name is Amaryllis Alena Thompson. If you wanna get that background check going." I joked

"I just never went by it because I felt like it was such a mouthful to say. Alena is simple and easy. My whole family calls me Amie, Lissy, sometimes Mary." I further explained to him

He looked me in the eyes, "Amie is cute. Does anyone call you Lainey? 'Cause you know Alena, Lainey."

"My best friend does sometimes. She lives in the states, her name is Peyton." I answered his question, "Do you want to call me Lainey?"

"I sometimes feel the urge to." Archie admitted, "It's pretty cute."

I took a chip from out of the bag, "Go for it."

"What's your full name?" I asked Archie

He let out a deep breath, "I have three middle names which are pretty typical for the royal family but it's so bloody long."

"Tell me." I pleaded

"Archibald Charles George Winston Clifford." he let out, "Clifford is technically my last name but it never really gets any use."

I nodded my head, "I wanna know the history of all your names."

"My mom picked Archibald because it means genuine and bold. I'd like to think I turned out like that. Everyone has just always called me Archie." he started, "Charles, typical royal family name, George, also typical but it was also my Mum's maiden name. Winston, my Dad's name. Clifford, been there."

"What was your Mom's full name?" I asked Archie, "If you don't mind, you don't have to answer."

He shook his head, "No, no, I love talking about her."

"Frances Amalie-Marie George." Archie answered my question

"That's a beautiful name. Was she royal?" I asked yet another question

He sat up, "A very affluent, aristocratic family from northern England. She wasn't an heir to the throne-like my father."

"Am I the first normal girl you've been with? If that's even the right term for us." I got out after a minute of silence, "By normal I mean by not being from the UK or having any time of pull here."

Archie nodded, "I mean I suppose. I've definitely done some sketchy things when I was younger and visiting America. But definitely the first that I've, you know, taken out."

"And I'm guessing you've never been with another prince before?" he smiled

"Definitely not." I smiled back at him. I scooted closer to him and he wrapped his arm around me. "Have I known you for twenty seconds or twenty years?"

"Two weeks give or take, but feels like twenty years at times." Archie answered as he squeezed me gently

Archie put down the empty champagne glass, "You never told me your parents' names."

"My Dad's name is Simon and my Mom's name is Athena. My Dad is a cardiothoracic surgeon, my Mom was Miss Universe many moons ago and did a few acting jobs here and there." I informed him

"Miss Universe? See you are destined for royalty!" Archie joked

I let out a light laugh, 'Ha, maybe."



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