Chapter 1: Saw You at the New Year's Eve Party
Bonnie fumbled with her keys hurriedly as she heard her phone ringing in her apartment "Hey Midnight" she said to her cat rolling around in Christmas decorations. The worst part about the holidays is when it's over and you have to take down the pretty décor. She raced to answer her landline "Yellow!"
"Heyyy Bon!" the bubbly voice said.
"Hey Care! I just got in. I had to pick up some crayons, paint and toys" Bonnie said sitting down and kicking off her boots.
"You work so hard and that is why I am inviting to a New Year's Eve party at Downing Street. My boss said I could bring a plus one and Enzo hate politicians so I thought of you" Caroline said. Bonnie laughed as she got up from the couch to make a bowl of Cajun chicken pasta in the kitchen "Oooh a fancy party at the number 10 I have to dress my best...I will definitely be there."
Bonnie was a 25-year-old nursery school teacher for a private school in Chelsea. She lived a very quiet life. She worked and came home to her cat. She only had two friends; Caroline who was married to Enzo and lived in South Bank and Hayley a wine store owner who lived in Fulham. She saw her mother who was remarried to a Corporate and Commercial Barrister on weekends.
The city of London was filled with laughter and girls with their lovers and friends in pretty dresses. Bonnie stepped out of the car of the driver Caroline sent to her apartment. The man at the door smiled and let her in as he took her coat. Her golden yellow silk dress that hugged her curves was revealed. Her curls hung off her shoulders as she stepped into the area where everyone was socialising, she received a few looks but everyone was busy drinking and having small talks with each other. Her eyes searched for Caroline she saw the blonde wearing a gorgeous Olive-green dress. She waved at Bonnie to give her a second. She was busy talking to someone Bonnie couldn't recognised. Bonnie decided to walk over to the food and drinks area. The bartender poured her a Mai-Tai and she took a few sips. She began to sample the mini rum cake and a slice of tart.
"The dough for this chicken puff could be better" a voice said next her said. She turned to face him and she was frozen. She almost choked on her Mai-Tai "You...I mean...Mr. Prime Minister...I mean Sir Prime Minister..I.." she fumbled. He laughed "Titles are overrated. Klaus is fine" he said extending his hand "Bonnie" she fumbled as she shook his hand.
"Wait don't tell me...American with a slight English dialect which tells me you've been here probably 7 years and lived in South London" he said. Bonnie "Wow..that is quite the gift. The migrants must love you"
"It is not a big deal. What is it you do Miss Bonnie? I'm sure you don't work around here" he asked with a puzzle look.
"Uh I'm a Nursey school teacher in Chelsea and Caroline invited me as her plus one" Bonnie said nervously.
"Ahh Miss Forbes she's a life saver around here"
"Oh God...Bonnie...Hi...I told you to wait" Caroline said running across and gritting her teeth. "I'm sorry, sir" Caroline hooked her arm with Bonnie's arm.
"No trouble. Miss Bonnie is great company and she likes the tart"
Both girls laughed nervously.
"Well hope to see you around again" he said.
"Yeah, because it is normal for a teacher and a Prime Minister to bump into each other at the pub" Bonnie joked. Klaus laughed "Life is filled with coincidences. Have a good night, ladies" he said as he walked away. Caroline pinched her "Owww! What?"
"Are you trying to get me fired? I love this job" Caroline said. Bonnie squeezed her best friend's arm "I was being nice"
Caroline was the Prime Minister's personal secretary which comes at a conflict with Enzo and her since he hates the Prime Minister. Caroline and Bonnie snuck out a few bottles of wine and finger foods out of the building and took a cab back to Caroline's apartment. Enzo was busy in the kitchen humming and making Lasagna "Hey ladies I thought you were staying out late with the colonisers." Caroline slapped his shoulder "That is not nice Klaus is a really nice guy"
"Hey dude" Bonnie said sitting on the counter "Something smells so good"
"Yeah, some of my mates are out in the balcony having a drink. I felt like making Lasagna" Enzo said hugging Caroline.
"Bonnie met the Prime Minister" Caroline said excitingly. Enzo rolled his eyes "The coloniser actually spoke to you?"
"You're a mess and yeah...I don't know much about him I don't pay attention to politics. I'm pretty neutral when it comes to everything" Bonnie said. Enzo and Caroline were married for 2 years, he owned a venue downtown that frequently host Rock and Punk bands. The girls sat on the counter and devour the Lasagna and drank the wine straight from the bottle. They laughed about their time in university. When the clock struck 12 the girls hugged each other tight and yelled "Happy New Year"
"So what's the New Year day plans?" Caroline asked eating chocolates and sipping champagne.
"My friend Hayley she's having her engagement party in Knightsbridge at this indoor venue filled with flowers...really pretty...I can't wait" Bonnie said smiling.
"Oooh Knightsbridge...that's where all the posh and boujee men maybe for the new year you will finally find a suitor who's rich and worships you" Caroline teased. Bonnie made puking faces "Uh I don't have the patience for anyone. Its just Midnight and I. We enjoy our quiet life."
"Come on he moved on so should you. You're a great person Bon and anyone would be lucky to have you"
Bonnie shrugged.
New Year's Night Bonnie stepped into the hall filled with violet, emerald green flowers with a few white lilies in between. Bonnie wore lavender off the shoulder fishtail dress and her hair in a bun with a few curls hanging. She walked slowly into the venue in the middle of someone giving a speech about Hayley and her fiancée, she stood behind a couple of people and clapped when the speech was over. Everyone began to mingle with finger foods and champagne. Hayley squealed and ran over to Bonnie. The girls hugged each other tight "Happy New Year Bons" Hayley said.
"Happy freaking engagement. This place is amazing" Bonnie said looking around with a huge smile.
"I want you to meet some people" Hayley said grabbing Bonnie's hand and dragging her behind a glass door with a few people sitting on lounge chairs and drinking. Bonnie waved shyly when Hayley introduced her to her friends and pointed over at Elijah . Elijah was real estate agent and her soul mate. They met when he walked into her wine store looking for the perfect wine for his client. Bonnie eyes were busy fixated on him. The man next to Elijah. He saw her and smiled. "Shit" she muttered under breath. It was him Klaus...again.
Everyone was back onto the dance floor and Bonnie was drinking hanging around the hallway bored out her mind. She was watching Elijah and Hayley waltz from a distance.
"Well tomorrow I'll be having a meeting in the North. Am I going to run into you again? You won't happen to know any farmers?" Klaus said startling her. She laughed lightly "Never been to the North"
They stood around in silence for a while. She was awkward and nervous. He was the freaking Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. She didn't want to say anything crazy or embarrassing for Caroline's sake.
"Friends with Hayley?"
Bonnie nodded "Lived in the same neighbourhood at one point. She sources the best wines in Europe... Friends with Elijah?"
"No he's my older brother. We have our differences but we keep things civil. Hayley is lovely" he said sipping his drink.
"Uh wow... I'm the only child and I have cat...my mother remarried before we moved here and I don't know why I'm telling you this because you probably don't care" Bonnie laughed nervously. He smiled "No it's fine. I'm more of a dog person but my mother has 6 cats and a rabbit. I've also got a sister. She's somewhere annoying someone"
Bonnie laughed. He stared at her "So do you like engagement parties and all this wedding stuff?"
"I prefer Halloween parties and raves" Bonnie joked.
"Yeah I can see under all that.. you're actually a Sid Vicious and Ozzie Osborne fan" he teased. She laughed out loud. Hayley interrupted them with cake.
The following day after her first day back at The Daisies Nursery School and a stop at Tesco for some groceries Bonnie fumbled with her keys as she heard her landline ringing. She picked up Midnight and kissed her before letting her go. She answered the phone out of breath and no one answered "Hello?"
"So you live in Camden" the voice said. Bonnie frowned "Who's this?"
"Actually expected to run into you once again and can't help but to feel a bit disappointed" he said. Bonnie smiled "Caroline really shouldn't be giving my number to strange men"
He laughed "How was your day Miss Bonnie?" he said pacing his loft.
"Uh it was not completely a nightmare. A few screaming children here and there. How was the North?" she said kicking off her shoes.
"Not a complete nightmare. But I would love to take you sometime" he said. Bonnie was taken back and went silent. She laughed nervously while filling Midnight's bowl with food.
"What do you like to do on weekends, Bonnie?" He asked.
"Lay in my pajamas and watch bloody, gore horror movies while stuffing my face with cheese and something spicy" Bonnie said. He laughed "Sounds delightful but maybe you can have a change this weekend. I know this great restaurant in Chelsea maybe we can go. I do enjoy our talks"
"I actually seeing my mother and stepfather this weekend but thank you for the offer Prime Minister. I should go freshen up and rest. Bye" Bonnie said hurriedly hanging up the phone. Her heart was racing and she was confused.