Chapter 26 #2
Without a glance back at me, she stomps off in the direction of the customer.
I count backward from five, then use the spare napkins to mop up the mess.
I usually like being treated like a normal person, but when someone like her is purposefully rude, it makes me tempted to pull rank and call her out on it.
Nobody should be treated like the dirt under someone’s feet.
Securing the lid on the cup, I take it back over to the condiments counter, find a straw, and toss my rubbish into the bin.
As I turn to leave, I find my path blocked by the man in the football jersey from earlier.
“Excuse me,” I say, stepping to the right. Instead of moving, he whips out his mobile and snaps my photo.
“I knew you looked familiar! You’re the Ice Princess!”
The blood in my veins goes cold. My face hardens like a stone gargoyle. I need to get out of here as quickly as possible. “Excuse me,” I repeat, lowering my chin.
The man continues snapping photos of me. “Aww, come on, Alice, give me a few good shots. I need some cash for tickets to next week’s Manchester-West Hamm match.”
I move to the left and take a few steps toward the door, reminding myself to stay calm and keep breathing.
More people have crowded around us, however.
I’m surrounded on all sides by people recording me and taking photos.
It’s one of my worst nightmares come true. I’m completely vulnerable and exposed.
I can do this. I just can’t let them see how nervous I am. I have to become the confident princess I was in in Japan. They’ll respect me if I sound authoritative, but polite.
I clear my throat. “Please, I know you may be curious, but I’m here on a private matter. I’d appreciate it if you’d please let me leave and go about my day.” Two of the women sheepishly apologize, clearing a space. Muttering a thank you, I make my move.
“Alice,” the football-jersey-clad man whines, “come on. I’m a taxpayer.
You owe us for the millions of pounds your family costs us.
” I freeze as he reaches into my back pocket and steals my mobile phone.
“I bet this fetches a hefty price with the right paper.” He waves the device above my head. “I got what I needed. Now you can go.”
I gasp.
“Oy, Joe, mate, come on,” someone says. “You’ve crossed the line. Photos are one thing, but give the princess back her mobile.”
“Yeah,” another voice chimes in. “You’re stealing.”
“Bugger off,” he shouts. “You’re just jealous you didn’t think of it first.”
“Come on, Joe. I’m not messing around.”
“Neither am I!”
The man’s friends attempt to grab him and wrestle my phone from his hand.
He swings his arm, trying to block them.
Things begin to escalate quickly. The next thing I know, the trio of men is engaged in an all-out brawl.
Tables and chairs are flipped. The men roll on the floor and shout at one another. There’s screaming and some shouting.
My throat closes and my pulse quickens. I’m backing away as quickly as I can when suddenly an arm wraps itself around me and physically carries me outside. I start screaming and kicking, but the person holds firm.
“Ma’am! Alice! It’s Angela.” I hear my bodyguard choke out.
She only sets me down when we’re standing right next the Range Rover. “Angela.” I hug her tightly. A few tears escape my eyes. “I’ve never been happier to see you.”
“Are you all right? Have you been harmed in any way?”
“No, I’m fine,” I sputter. “I’m so sorry.” My chest heaves up and down. I’m still trying to catch my breath.
“Thank goodness. Let’s get you in the car. The sooner we’re out of here, the better. Bruce has been laying eggs; he’s been so worried about you.”
“Bruce?”
“Yes. I needed a person with experience to help me out. I knew I could trust him.”
She opens the back door, but my feet are glued in place. That’s when I suddenly remember. “Ange, they stole my mobile! There are some sensitive numbers in there. What if—”
“Shh, don’t worry. We’ll activate the kill switch and get you a new device. Your safety comes first.” Her voice remains calm and reassuring.
“Princess!” Bruce exclaims from inside the car. “Please don’t ever scare me like that again. When Angela called me and told me you’d gone AWOL, I just about had a heart attack.”
It’s that last comment from the man I’ve come to see as almost a second father that breaks down my emotional walls and sends down an endless stream of tears.
The next few hours are a painful blur. I lie on my bed with the lights turned off in self-imposed exile. I’ve always erred on the side that nothing bad could happen to me. I’m just Alice. But the harsh reality is that I am a target. Today’s experience was minor compared to what could’ve happened.
I can still hear Bruce’s words echoing around in my head.
“The threats out there are very real, Princess. I won’t sugarcoat it.
Every day, there’s at least one to two letters or calls the office receives threatening to do you or someone in your family harm.
I can’t stress how important it is that you take your security seriously. ”
I grab my pillow and clutch it tighter to my chest. I’ve acted foolishly, and once again disappointed the people in my life who are the most important to me.
I haven’t behaved like an adult. I’ve acted like a spoiled child.
Today was an eye-opening experience for me. I’ve never been angrier with myself.