Devin leaned forward. His eyes almost had money symbols in them. “A life-changing amount.”
“And how did you learn about this? Did someone just come off the street and tell you this valuable information.”
“We tried one of those DNA ancestry things you get in the mail. Devin was interested in his heritage. Once we found out who he was related to we looked them up,” my mom said.
“This kind of sounds like a scam. Are you sure you two aren't being scammed by some Nigerian Prince?”
“It's totally legit,” Devin said. “We talked to lawyers and everything.”
I sat back in my chair with my mouth open. “Wow.”
“Wow is right,” my mom added.
“So when do we go?” I asked.
“As soon as you can pack,” Devin said.
“Thanks for telling me at the last minute, guys.”
“It wasn't by choice,” my mom said. “We only found out everything was a go this morning. Our flight is at four in the morning tomorrow.”
I looked at the clock and it was already 10:00 PM. “That doesn't give me much time to sleep if I have to pack tonight. And I'm guessing we need to get to the airport early so what time are we leaving the house.”
“Probably around 1:30 AM to be on the safe side. The flight is long so you're going to sleep plenty on it.”
I nodded. I could easily stay up a few hours more and then pass out from exhaustion on the plane.
“Do I need to bring anything special?”
“You're going to need your passport and that should be it,” my mom replied.
“Oh shit! I don't even know where that is.” The one and only time I used it was for spring break when I took a trip down to Mexico.
“Don't worry, I have all our passports in a safety deposit box. Now both of you go upstairs and get ready.”
Chapter Two
I went upstairs and checked the weather for London on my phone. It was going to be a chilly thirty degrees. Living in the California sun all my life had made me very susceptible to the cold. I didn't even have that much cold weather clothing.
A knock at the door made me spin around. Devin stood there with his back against the door frame.
Devin and I were the same age and we had known each other for six years now. We were what you would call opposites. Hated each other's hobbies, liked different food. When I decided to go to college, Devin wanted to get a job straight away.
We never got along. The less time I was around Devin the better.
Now that our family was going to be rich, schooling didn't seem to matter much anymore.
“You better pack some warm clothes,” Devin said.
I opened my closet and pulled out a gray pea coat. “I know. I checked the weather. What are you doing in here?”
Devin put his hands up in defense. “Just wanted to make sure you're not screwed when we get there.” He walked over to my nightstand and picked up a snow globe of New York City.
“Well I'm good here.” I hoped he would go away. I didn't need to hear him gloat about being a prince now.
“You don't seem very appreciative,” he said.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Without this inheritance, you wouldn't be able to finish college.”
“That's it. I've had enough. Let's fight. Right here. Right now.”
Devin placed the snow globe down and laughed. “I didn't come in her for a fight. Just telling you like it is.”
“You haven't got the money yet, Devin. There's still a chance they'll see you're a snake and tell you you're not of Yorkshire blood.”
“I would be a little nicer to me.”
“Just get out,” I replied.
–
Four hours into the flight and I still wasn't able to fall asleep. My mom and Devin were both completely passed out next to me. Devin was even snoring.
My eyes felt like they were bleeding.
I had tried everything: drinking alcohol, putting noise-canceling headphones on, and even taking sleeping pills.
All they did was make me super drowsy.
Every time I closed my eyes, I'd feel like I was drifting away to dreamland and then the plane would lurch forward or a stewardess would come by with snacks.
I just couldn't catch a break.
Seven hours into the flight, I just gave up trying to sleep. I would try to stay away as long as possible. I wouldn't be used to the time difference anyways. We were going to land at midnight London time so I could sleep at the hotel.
Devin stirred awake next to me. “Have you been able to fall asleep?”
“Nah. I'll sleep when we get there.”
I assumed he was going to go right back to sleep but he sat up further and took the blanket off him. “Do you want to do something?”
I arched my eyebrow at him. He had never wanted to spend time with me before. “What do you have in mind?” I asked.
“I brought a deck of cards.”
“Know any good games?”
Devin bent down and burrowed into his backpack. “I know go fish,” he replied, producing a red deck of playing cards.
I flipped down my tray table and Devin began to shuffle the deck. “Do you know how to play?”
“Go fish? Doesn't everybody? “Just deal the cards so I can whoop your ass.”
Devin shrugged. “You never know.” He passed me a few cards.
I looked at them close to my chest. “Have any 3's?”
“Go fish,” Devin replied with a grin.
I drew a card and put it in my hand. “So what's this Yorkshire family like?” I asked.
“I have no idea,” Devin said. “My father didn't know much about his family so I never really learned anything. I'm pretty much in the same boat as you are”
“Well one of us is about to become filthy rich.”
“Correction. We all are about to become filthy rich. Have any Jacks?” he asked.
“Go fish.”
Chapter Three
I couldn't believe how reasonable Devin was being. The plane ride might've been the most we had talked to each other without fighting.
There was still the quip here or there but nothing significant. Maybe we were both finally acting like adults.
By the time we jumped into a cab, I was too exhausted to look at the sights as we entered London. My eyes could barely stay open and whenever I closed them, my mind wouldn't shut off.
I was stuck in a zombie state.
“We're here, Britton,” a voice said.
My eyes shot open and my head was resting against the glass window of the taxi. A little bit of drool had collected at the corner of my lips.
I wiped my mouth and exited the cab. I had fallen asleep but it didn't feel like I got any rest. “How long was I out for?” I asked.
“Only a couple minutes,” my mom replied, getting our bags out of the trunk.
“I'll get Britton's,” Devin said, taking my suitcase from my mom. I wanted to thank him but I could barely think straight.
The rest of the way to our room was one big blur. Devin helped me into the room and in slow motion, I face-planted right onto the bed. There was no use taking my clothes off and getting under the covers. There was no way I was going to do anything else tonight.
Sweet sleep finally rescued me.
–
“Britton, it's time to get up.”
I woke up in flash, my face plastered to the white pillow. Sunlight shone through the curtains and the London Eye dominated the view.
I turned my head and my neck cracked. I realized that I was under the covers and I was wearing an old t-shirt. It wasn't my t-shirt. It was one of Devin's.
Confusion set in.
I looked up to see Devin standing above me. “What happened?” I asked.
“You passed out last night,” he replied. Devin got up and began working a tie around his neck.
“What are you doing in my room?”
“You mean our room.
”
I sat up in bed and looked over the room. There was only one bed. “You slept here last night.”
Devin looked at my reflection in the mirror. “You don't need to get your panties all tied up. I slept on the couch. I was the perfect gentleman.”
My blood pressure began to settle. “I'm sorry. It's just that the flight was rough and I was so exhausted. Why are we in the same room anyways?”
“We couldn't get three hotel rooms at the last minute.”
That made perfect sense. I rubbed my eyes. “I'm still so tired.”
“You better get dressed or you won't be ready in time. We have the big meeting in an hour.”
I slipped out of the covers and realized I didn't have any pants on and I remembered the t-shirt. “You changed my clothes?”
“That would be your mom. I was perfectly fine with leaving you in the state you were in.”
I stumbled into the bathroom and hissed at the sight of me. Giant bags hung below my eyes. My makeup was all over the place. My hair was a mass of tangles. There was no time for a shower. I splashed water on my face and got to work. It would take a miracle to get myself ready in time for this royal meeting.
With fifteen minutes to spare, I finally left the bathroom and found a black dress with silver flower designs all over. A note was pinned on it.
Couldn't let you go to meeting with what you packed in your suitcase. Meet us in the lobby when you're ready.
-Devin
I crumpled up the note in my fist. Devin could be such a bastard sometimes. But he was right. I didn't bring anything that could be considered formal. There wasn't even time to think about that.
Yet Devin had already figured it all out.
I looked over the black dress and smiled. I quickly slipped it on and zipped it up in the back. I spun around in front of the mirror and was amazed at how good I looked. This was one expensive dress. The material was so luxurious. And the amount of cleavage it showed off was generous.
I hurried downstairs and found Devin and my mom near the bottom. My mom was wearing a white gown that made her look twenty years younger.
I'd never seen Devin so dressed up before. I started to see him a different light than before. Something stirred inside me that I didn't know how to address.
“You look beautiful,” Devin said, his eyes trying to avoid my heaving breasts.
“We all look like we're playing the part now. Shall we get this over with.”
A black stretch limo was waiting outside for us.
Chapter Four
We arrived at the estate and stopped before a large ornate gate. The two sides separated and moved inwards to let us in. The driver went down a small road through the most beautiful gardens and fountains.
“Is all this yours?” I asked Devin.
“It used to be my family's. But not anymore. Another family bought the property a long time ago. The Yorkshires haven't had a heir for a long time so some assets were broken up.
“But the money left over by his descendants is still intact,” my mom chimed in.
The limousine stopped before a grand palace with green shrubbery at the base and hundreds of windows with intricate lacing.
“So we can't live here is what you're saying?” I asked, stepping out of the limo in awe.
“Only in your dreams,” Devin replied.
The palace was a maze of corridors and rooms. A butler showed us into a large waiting room with paintings the size of some houses. The furniture all looked hundreds of years old and none of us wanted to risk ruining it.
A man with small glasses and gray hair entered. “You must be Devin,” he said, outstretching his hand.
Devin shook his hand. “Yes, sir.”
“My name is Peppercorn. My family bought this estate less than hundred years ago and inherited the trust fund with it. If a heir wasn't found within one hundred years, the money would pass on to us. Imagine my surprise when my lawyer notified me of you. He explained that you didn't even know of your heritage until a couple days ago.”
“That would be correct,” Devin replied.
“Please, everyone have a seat. I'll have my lawyers look over Devin's identification to make sure everything is correct. Then we can sign some papers and wire the money over to an account of your choice.”
Devin handed Peppercorn a folder of papers and the old man left us alone.
I sat down on the posh chair closest to me. “This place is incredible,” I said.
My mom was about to reply when a butler entered the room and set down a tray of tea and cookies. “Enjoy,” he said.
My mom jumped at the tea and I fought for the cookies. I hadn't eaten anything since the meal on the flight.
I sat back in the chair and enjoyed the plain sugar cookies. They were surprisingly good and the tray was empty in minutes.
Peppercorn returned. “Everything checks out.” He set down a piece of paper on a desk that looked like it was used for signings of declarations or treaties. “If you would please write down your account number and then sign here.”
My mom handed Devin a slip of paper that had the account number on it. Devin took the pen, wrote down the numbers and then signed his name.
“There we have it,” Peppercorn said. “You are now Prince Yorkshire. Congratulations.”
“Thank you very much.”
“My lawyer will have the money transferred immediately. You can verify it by phone. My driver will take you all back to your hotel.”
We sat in silence in the limo as we drove through the streets of London. I still didn't know how much money we were worth now, but judging by Devin's blank face, it was more than anyone could ever spend in a thousand lifetimes.
We returned to the hotel and stood in the lobby. “What do we do now?” I asked.
My mom looked like she was about to cry. This really was a life-changing day. “Our flight is not until tomorrow morning so we have the night to celebrate. I say we go out to the most expensive dinner ever. Load up on so much food that we need to be rolled back to our rooms.”
My stomach definitely agreed with that.
“And we're already dressed,” Devin added.
“I need to go back to my room and freshen up first,” my mom said. “Can we meet back here in an hour.”
“I desperately need to take a shower,” I said. “Can we make it two hours?”
“Well it's only 2:00 PM London time so that should be fine. Better eat a snack from the minibar to hold yourself over. Money is no object anymore so go crazy.”
“That sounds like a divine idea,” I said, already imagining the types of candy and booze I could consume.
Devin and I returned back to the room. “How does it feel to be a real-life prince now?” I asked.
“Feels like a million bucks,” Devin replied, laughing. He turned back to serious. “Thank you for coming with me.”
I brushed it off. “That was nothing. I would've come even if you weren't receiving a fortune. I'll be there if you ever need me.”
“That's what I like about you,” he said.
An awkward moment passed between us. I didn't know what else to say.
“I'm going to go take a shower now.” And I escaped into the bathroom.
Chapter Five
I shut the door and looked at myself in the mirror. My cheeks were red as blood from being so flushed. My heart was racing. What was going on with me?
I turned on the shower and let the steam fill the room. The mirror fogged up and I undressed. I slipped under the hot water and let it relax my muscles.
My life was about the change in so many ways. Would I ever have to work again? Should I even finish college?
There were a lot of questions that needed to be answered. But first I wanted to enjoy myself. I was in a foreign country with all the money in the world. Time to live it up.
The shower door opened and Devin jumped in. He was completely naked.
My heart flew out of my throat. “What are you doing
in here!”
I didn't even need to ask the question. I knew why he was here. And I wanted it just as much as he did.
Fake Bride Page 39
