Five

Lacey didn't know why but her legs wouldn't stop moving. She was running and Prince Calvin was yelling her name. Her left heel slid off. She bent to pick it and again she locked eyes with him. She abandoned the shoe and jumped into the cab. "Drive! Drive! Drive!" She yelled at the driver. Once the car was in motion, Lacey released a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"Is everything okay?" The middle aged man asked. "I'm fine for now". She replied still panting. "Was that the prince who was chasing after you?"

"Yeah" she paused, "do you know about the laws of this kingdom?"

"A few. Why did you ask? I certainly hope I am not an accomplice to a crime?"

"Trust me, that would have been better. I thought the royals only performed ceremonial duties?"

"That's the lie they tell foreign countries. The prime minister is just for show. They have absolute powers". "Shit" she swore. Her phone was ringing none stop. She was scared of checking who the caller was. The royals probably had access to everything. She could see the driver's scrunched up face from the mirror so she inspected the device.

"Where are you?!" Merinda whisper yelled. Her accent was thicker when she was angry or worried. And she was both at the moment. "I have no idea", she massaged her forehead, "I just...I need to hide". "We'll discuss this later but for now, drive to the Petite Chambre Hotel", Merinda looked around to make sure that she wasn't being watched. She saw a guard looking around and when he spotted her, he started coming closer. 

"Hello?" Lacey was worried as Merinda stopped talking. "Dear, just give them the name Fanny Dot and you'll get a room. My number won't be accessible till tomorrow". Merinda quickly smashed her phone on the floor. "Oops" she shrugged at the guard who frowned. Lacey frowned. She remember telling the stranger who was the prince that she worked for Merinda. She never meant to put her in trouble. 

Lacey rushed into the hotel and gave them the fake name. Merinda had booked a suite for her. She thanked her internally. She stared at the city from the window. It was beautiful but her mind was racing that she couldn't appreciate it. 

Christine was furious. She could smell that the girl would be trouble. She already disgraced their family by running. "Dearest, there are many fishes in the lake", she said softly, "if one escapes, you catch another". "No mother!" He halted her, "if the fish escapes, you get a stronger net". 

He continued giving out orders to the guards. He wanted Lacey at all costs. The girl was an experiment that he needed to study. He wanted to know why she was so different. It had a lot to do with what she said about his family killing her parents. He picked up his phone and called the prime minister. 

"Good evening, your highness", Darrel Fort said he picked, "we promise that we would have the girl back by morning". "I appreciate the effort, Fort", he stroked his chin, "but I need Intel. I want you to do a scan through all the medical records for the Mevens".

"Your highness", Darrel was shocked at his request. It seemed almost impossible, "are you also expecting the records by morning?"

"No. It'll take a while. I'm certain...just dig up every thing you can. She mentioned that she stayed in Manchester in her earlier years. That limits your search to London and Manchester".

"Of course, your highness. We would commence immediately". "Thank you". He hung up and continued thinking. 

* * * * * * * * * * *

Lacey woke up to the ringing of her phone. "You better have a good story to tell me", Merinda's angry voice echoed in the room, "for goodness sake, you're a fugitive". "I'm really sorry Merinda. For everything I'm costing you". Lacey cringed in guilt. She was honestly sorry. In her head, she assumed that the prince would pick another person. She hated him so much. She knew he remembered what she said about killing her parents and he still chose her. That was evil.

"The question is why, Lacey? Every girl would kill to be in your place".

Lacey sighed here goes nothing she thought. "My parents and I were in an accident five years ago", she sighed, "it was my birthday. We moved here to spend my granny's last moments with her. She has cancer. My mom ducked me before the truck crashed into us. That tiny stitch on my leg was from the accident".

"Oh dear! Why did you keep this from me?"

"I hate talking about it and you gave me the best job of my life on my birthday. It didn't seem right to sulk".

"What does this have to do with the prince?"

"They would have survived but the doctor said there was a royal edict regarding night treatments".

"The payment before service law. My gosh!"

"Yeah. I had no idea and it was too late. They were gone. I can't forgive that". Lacey blinked a few times to prevent the tears from falling. "Just stay there", Merinda wiped her own tears, "I'll be there in twenty minutes. If you have any issues, just send a text". Lacey nodded even though she knew Merinda couldn't see her.

Lacey sighed heavily as her phone rang again. "Lacey, where are you? Are you safe?" Sydney asked in a 'mom' voice. "How have the tables turned?" Lacey chuckled sadily, "I'm safe for now". "Trust me, you're not", Syd replied, "you're all over the news. There's a reward for you. The flat just got checked and I overheard them saying someone called from a hotel. Please tell me you're not in a hotel".

"I am". A reward? What am I? A lost pet? Her anger grew. "Get back to the flat. They wouldn't think to check. Use the stairs, wear a disguise, make sure you rick of alcohol and latch on to any male stranger you see. The workers would assume you had a one night stand".

"That's brilliant but what about my dress".

"Merinda got you a suite right? Change into the pajamas and put your original dressing in a traveling bag. That should be in the closet". "Thank you, Syd". Lacey smiled. "You will thank me with the story of how this happened". Was the last thing she said. Lacey exhaled heavily. "Let's get to work, Lacey". She said to herself.