by Carlyn Cade
Her driver explained The Dorchester was a world-class hotel, and she shouldn’t miss dining in their Grill Room and Terrace Restaurants for they were considered to be two of the finest eating establishments in London.
When she arrived at the hotel, she was shown to her rooftop suite. Once inside, its majestic decor and opulent furnishings intimidated and awed her at the same time, and the only word that came to her mind was wow! She repeated that word over and over as she walked through her suite.
Better yet, soon she would have a handsome man to walk the streets of London with her. They would drink wine together in an outdoor café, and share everything from Big Ben to the Changing of the Guard. After all, Clay had promised her a tour of the city. But she might as well quit fantasizing right there. She could just see the newspapers’ headlines – London Affair Actress Having Real Life London Affair. She didn’t need or want that. If there was only some safe Shangri-la where she could be herself, some place where there was no paparazzi. Might as well wish for a genie in a lamp to appear and grant her three wishes as to ask for privacy from the prying paparazzi who were only interested in getting the most money they could from the rag magazines. In her line of work among all the fame, the riches and perks, privacy was the one thing that was not allowed.
But would she give it all up? “No, I wouldn’t,” she said out loud with no one to hear her except herself. “Well, I always have my disguises,” she added to the silent nobody in the room.
It suddenly came to her that she was totally unprepared for London. She spied the Make the Most of London guide on an end table, right next to the welcome gifts the hotel had provided – a huge basket of fruit, mini-boxes of Guylian chocolates, assorted nuts, and a bottle of champagne chilling in a shiny gold ice bucket. Fresh flowers, tucked everywhere, were in abundance. She picked up the book, thumbed through it and started reading to learn more about the city, until the phone rang. A man identifying himself as Mr. Obertelli, the hotel manager, wanted to know if her room was satisfactory or if she wanted anything. He also assured her they would do everything to guard her privacy while she was there. She hung up after insisting to Mr. Obertelli that everything was perfect.
Now all she needed was a phone call from Clay telling her what to expect next in this ultra-rich world she was not accustomed to. With all this royalty around her, she felt like a secret spy for the Queen of England waiting for Clay’s instructions for her next mission.
Her cell phone rang. She wondered if she should answer it in guarded whispers, “This is Agent 000. What’s my mission?” She was still giggling when she said hello.
“What’s so funny?” Clay asked.
“Nothing much. I was just basking in all the royal treatment I’ve been receiving and the royalty itself surrounding me in this hotel and my suite.”
“And that’s funny?” he asked quite seriously.
“I’m a little farm girl, you know. Now I feel like a secret agent who reports to the Queen.”
His tone changed, and she heard him laugh quietly.
She smiled. “Sorry, I’m just used to role playing. The airplane flight, a limo waiting at Heathrow, a fantastic hotel…it’s all pretty enchanting for me, and you arranged everything. So thanks to you, I can’t wait to see what happens next.”
“Role playing, right? Now that sounds fun. I think I may be doing that at the moment. You should see me. I just came out of a freezer. I’m bundled up in warm, heavy winter clothes, and I look like an ice fisherman in Alaska using my chain saw to slice through the ice. My chisels and blow torches are also at my side.”
“Can you send me a selfie of that?”
“You wouldn’t even recognize me. And speaking of the Queen, her security team has been at Harrods all morning checking out the whole area. It seems we may have a visitor tonight from the Royal Family.”
“Excuse me, but are you serious?”
“Maybe you should join her security people here, so you can practice your secret agent skills.”
“You’re kidding me, right?”
Clay laughed. “Yes, about your secret agent skills, but not about someone from the Royal Family coming to my ice show.”
“It never occurred to me that you knew the Royal Family personally, but now when I think about it, it makes perfect sense that you do.”
“Actually, Prince William is a good friend.”
“Were you a guest at his wedding?”
“With my parents, yes.”
“And no one took your photo when you attended?”
“We weren’t the attraction that day.”
Shayna was shocked. What was she doing here in London with a prince who was so attached to royalty? That answer was easy. He didn’t seem like a prince. He just seemed like Clay, a handsome guy, who she was immensely attracted to and wanted to get to know better.
“I was wondering,” he said, “if you would like to come to Harrods now for lunch. I can get away for a while. I thought you might like to do a little shopping this afternoon as long as you’ll be here anyway. There will be plenty of time to get back to the hotel and change for tonight.”
“I’d like that. I want to get a new dress. Suddenly, what I brought along doesn’t seem too appropriate for your ice show. I need something more formal.”
“I’ll send a limo for you in half an hour, if that’s okay? Just go to the lobby and tell the valet there’s a car waiting for you. He’ll take you to it. When you get to Harrods, call me, and I’ll find you.”
When they said their goodbyes, she rushed into the bathroom and made a quick makeup repair, deciding the casual outfit she had on was good enough for a lunch and shopping trip through Harrods. She pushed away her confusion over his royalty and would think about that another time, because all she wanted to do right now was see Clay again.
♥♥
When Stacia stepped inside Harrods, her first impulse was she’d be content to shop there for days. She could make a serious dent in her upcoming $30 million salary very easily in this shopping mecca. She grinned as she thought of what Hal’s response would be to that! Anyhow, she guessed Harrods’s motto, “Omnia, omnibus, ubique,” which translated to “Everything for everyone, everywhere,” was certainly true.
“Stacia.”
Just one word, but she recognized the sexy voice she’d now know anywhere. She swung around to greet him.
“I found you,” he said and kissed her cheek. “Follow me.” He picked up her hand and led her across the sales floor to the elevator which was empty. They quickly ascended to the executive office floor where the doors spread open.
“I have an office here, so we can talk privately there.” He stopped by the desk of the woman stationed in front of his office. “This is Stacia Saunders, and Stacia, this is Elizabeth Harrison, my administrative assistant. We’re going to use my office for a short while, Elizabeth, so if anyone wants me, you can buzz me.”
“I’ve enjoyed watching your movies, Miss Saunders,” Elizabeth said. “I’m really looking forward to seeing London Affair.”
“Thanks,” Stacia replied, thinking how small the world was today with TV and social networks. It wasn’t that way back when the movie first aired.
“Has Sam been around?” Clay asked.
“No, sir. I haven’t seen him yet today.”
“Well, let me know if you do.” He turned toward Stacia and extended his arm toward the office. “Shall we go in?” He walked over to the door and opened it for her.
She was surprised when she entered the room. She didn’t know what his office should look like, but she didn’t expect it to be so large and exquisitely decorated. It was a true executive’s office any male would be comfortable with. “This is so luxurious,” Stacia said.
“My father, Sam and I share this together when we’re in London. My father and Sam are on the Board of Directors here at Harrods. Now, let’s see, where did we leave off in L.A?”
“I think we were still trying to get acquainted,” she said.
“You’re right,” he agreed. “So, what would you like for lunch, privacy or people?”
Stacia laughed. “That sounds familiar.”
“Hmm, someone once gave me that option. I can’t seem to remember who it was though.” His irresistible smile appeared. “Seriously, we can eat here, or there are several other great restaurants in the store and around the area.”
“Well, since we don’t have a lot of time because you have to get back to work, and I have to shop, why not a quick lunch right here?”
He went over to the big table that served as a desk, opened a drawer tucked under its top and pulled out a menu for the Caviar House Seafood Bar. “They have delicious smoked salmon from Russia. How does that sound? Here,” he said as he handed her the menu.
“I don’t need to look at it. I’m fine with the salmon.”
Clay picked up the phone and dialed the restaurant. After ordering the smoked salmon, he added shrimp cocktail and St. James Caviar to his order, and also wine.
“I want to discuss the plan for tonight. First, your ride will be at the front door whenever you’re finished shopping this afternoon. I’ll have a limo waiting outside your hotel at seven p.m. When you arrive back here, I’ll be waiting upstairs for you. Walk on the red carpet, and a lift will bring you to the fourth floor where the exhibit is. Then we’ll explore it together until I can leave with you. I thought then we could have a late dinner at Dorchester’s Grill Room. I try not to miss eating there when I come to London.”
“It sounds like the food must be excellent there. The limo driver on the way to the hotel recommended it too.”
“Are you okay with this itinerary? You can veto any part of it.”
She saluted him. “Yes, sir, I am fine with the plans, and I shall proceed to complete my mission forthwith.”
Clay started laughing. “Stacia, you not only bewitch me, you also have a sense of humor which I as a prince, according to you, do not have in your fairy tales.”
“You make up for all those princes by being charming and making everything so simple for me. I’ve never felt as pampered as what I feel when I’m with you. You’ve arranged everything on this trip, and it’s all been amazing and awesome. Thank you very much.”
“You’re very welcome.” Clay walked over to his desk and picked up a white envelope and handed it to her. “This affair tonight is by invitation only, so here’s yours. Just give it to the doorman when you arrive.”
A knock on the door announced their food had arrived, and Clay called out, “Come in.” Two servers arranged the food on the table and transformed lunch, as Stacia knew it, into a feast fit for a king…or a prince.
“This salmon is beyond delicious,” Stacia said a few minutes later, as she took another bite of fish.
“It’s a favorite of mine whenever I eat here.” He ate some of his salmon also and washed it down with wine, then asked, “How are preparations for London Affair coming? Did you get your contract signed? Do you get excited when you start a new movie?”
“Good. Yes, and yes, I do get excited each time we start filming. Usually though, with learning the lines, costume fittings and rehearsals, I don’t have much time for my emotions. I try to get into my character’s head and her heart, so by the time I have to be on set, I’m really whatever woman I’m playing.”
“I didn’t realize actors had to put so much into their work. I imagine that when the two lead actors have gotten, as you say, into their characters’ heads, that’s when chemistry on the screen explodes, and the audience gets carried away into their world.”
“It also helps when the actors have chemistry even before they begin filming,” she said. “In the case of London Affair, I won’t have a live actor to act with, so I’m going to have to be super-charged with chemistry toward an image on the screen. I’ll have to try to feel like Audra did about Mark Bennett who was her leading man in the film.”
“And how do you feel about your image man?”
“I have no idea. When I saw the movie, the actor felt familiar somehow, but I don’t remember seeing him before. Then again, the whole film got me pretty emotional. The acting was so personal to me. I don’t know how to explain it, but maybe I’ll figure it out when we start acting together – if you can call responding to an image exciting.”
“Think about all the films through the years where stars, like Gene Kelly and Esther Williams, for instance, who danced and swam alone in scenes with animated characters. It sounds like what you have to do.”
“I agree, and it certainly seems like I’m in for a very interesting ride from beginning to end.”
Clay pushed his plate aside and rose to his feet. “And with that thought in mind, I need to leave and get my ice carvings back into my head, instead of thinking about the gorgeous, red-haired woman who seems to have moved in there recently. You, on the other hand, can stay in my office as long as you want, or we can share a lift to our separate floors.”
“That sounds good. I have a lot of shopping to do.” And she knew what she’d be shopping for. An evening gown and the works.
She asked Clay where the formal wear department was, and then headed down to the first floor and the International Designer Room while he rode to the fourth floor. Up or down, it didn’t matter. From all indications and with the vibes he’d been sending her, their chemistry stood a chance of exploding like TNT.
When Stacia entered the formal dress department, she asked to see a bright red, simple yet elegant, evening gown. What better way to represent the color of a chemistry fire when it exploded than to accent it with a red dress against her red hair? She hoped, however, that she wouldn’t look like a giant firecracker. She smiled to herself about that thought.
She tried on many gowns fitting her description, but none were exactly right. Finally, the woman brought in one last gown and held it up for Stacia’s inspection. She knew instantly without even trying it on that it was the perfect dress. It was as smooth as velvet as she slipped into it. She was happy to notice it blended well with her red hair. Once that choice was made, it didn’t take her long to complete her TNT design. A short time later, the proper accessories, including red, designer stilettos and matching clutch purse, were also decided on. Her evening wrap was chosen to complement her dress. Before she knew it, the time had come to leave for the hotel and get ready to emerge herself into the prince’s world once more.
CHAPTER SIX
Stacia stepped out of the prince’s limo and onto a red carpet leading up to Harrods. The department store after dark had its own exquisite ambience. The media, of course, had heard about tonight’s private party, because a male voice called out her name, and when she glanced his way, a flash went off. She struck an actress pose and smiled broadly. It was usually better to give them what they wanted. At least that way, with her choice of pose, she stood a chance of having a decent photo in the papers, videos and magazines covering the event. She blinked as about six flashes lit up the night as they went off simultaneously.
A white-gloved doorman welcomed her, and she entered the building, handing him her invitation. The red carpet wove a path to the elevators, and another white-gloved, uniformed man waited to guide her to the party. She waited briefly as six more people came into the elevator, and they were quickly ushered to the fourth floor. More plush red carpeting led them to the Georgian Restaurant. The area was dimly lit with red spotlights spaced about six feet apart on either side of the carpeting up to the entrance of the restaurant. Each of the spotlights was aimed upward and tilted so they met the one across from it, creating crossed beams of light down the hallway. All this red made Stacia wonder what affect her red dress and red hair had on everything. Maybe she shouldn’t have chosen red, maybe she looked like a…huge red blob. The idea made her smile, and she tossed her head slightly in a defiant manner as if to say here she was, and no matter what, she would still have a good time.
The restaurant had been transformed into an enchanted fairyland. Prince Clayton’s s
culptures dominated the room, yet allowed the diamonds to be the stars of the evening. It was Hollywood’s Extravaganza all over again, except on a smaller scale because of the size of the area.
The party spilled over into the Terrace Bar and the Trafalgar Bar at both ends of the restaurant, with each one amply supplying champagne, caviar and other appetizers. In case a guest missed these generous offerings, waitresses in short, feminine mini-tuxes served them individually, while waiters in full-dress tuxedos distributed glass flutes filled with champagne.
And Prince Clayton had outdone himself with his artistic talent once more. Various ice-sculptured cherubs, placed on eye-height transparent pedestals, modeled glittering diamond bracelets on their wrists and sparkling tiaras on their heads. Another pedestal displayed male-and-female-designed cherubs with the male placing a huge diamond ring onto his partner’s finger.
The piece de resistance, however, stood in the center of the room. It appeared to be over five feet tall, perfectly sculpted into a woman’s shape, and she was dressed in a long, red evening dress, similar in design to the one Stacia was wearing. A red spotlight sprayed the statue’s hair a shimmering red. Her throat caressed a large diamond necklace emitting an almost blinding glow. Security guards stood nearby, and whispers from the guests estimated the necklace’s value at over $8 million.
Stacia moved closer to the ice statue. She stared at its perfectly carved face, then she walked nearer. If she didn’t know better, she’d swear she was gazing into a mirror. Was her imagination playing tricks on her? If only the spotlight shining on the woman’s long, cascading hair hadn’t been red, she might think she was mistaken, but she’d seen her own reflection all her life, and this ice-sculptured face could sure be its twin.
