Chapter 5 : The Hate They Gave, The Love You Bring

Caroline and Bonnie giggled as they jogged side by side in the park. Bonnie stopped to breathe and drink water.

"So spending time with Klaus huh? Hanging out at your place. Staying over night" Caroline teased. Bonnie rolled her eyes "We just talked and had tea"

Caroline laughed "Yeah okay but you can't fool me. It's all over your face"

Bonnie laughed "Okay whatever. He's amazing. You were right"

Caroline invited Bonnie to the Women Affairs gathering and seminar in Mayfair. An event held every year host and founded by women in politics and women of the upper-class English society. They usually eat, drink and share how they could improve the lives of women within England. The Queen was set to talk about mental health amongst women.

"Mayfair? How Posh...I'll think about it" Bonnie said smiling.

The following evening Bonnie stepped into The Rue. The Rue is a venue in Mayfair that often host lavish parties and events of the Upper-class. Bonnie's lavender mesh long sleeve midi dress hugged her body as she walked in looking around. The room was filled with music, food, drinks and women talking to each other. Her eyes searched for Caroline who startled her from behind. She laughed and hugged the blonde tightly. Caroline got them wine and cupcakes while she introduced Bonnie to some of the women that worked at Downing Street. Bonnie nervously shook hands and smiled. Caroline fit in easily but for Bonnie she felt out of place. Her mind wandered as she stared at the balloons. She didn't realise Lexi Branson the Director of Policy was asking her a question.

"Bonnie?" She called staring at her.

"Uh yes sorry" Bonnie said.

"What would you do to improve the quality living of women in your community?" She asked smiling.

"I really don't think I have the power or anyone has the power to change anything in my community...atleast it's not a one person job. Everyone likes to blame the government for everything but I think as citizens or members of a community we all have a part to play...a duty. I hate the fact criminals are coddled. I know women that went to jail or even shot by the police because they were coddling criminals. I don't know if that's a mental thing or a part of the culture. I can't put myself in danger for a drugdealer. What can I say? Tell the police to drive these neighbourhoods everyday and night...no one is going to tell you if there's a gang next door. People don't trust the police" Bonnie explained. Lexi stared at her and smiled "Well maybe we can stop choosing bad men"

Bonnie laughed "That's not easy...not everyone shows you their true colours from day one. Maybe some of us are choosing bad men ..I don't think there's a remedy for that. We can talk about it ...have dozens of mental health classes...give money to save black women...there are men taking money from them...killing women for money. We can't fix that overnight"

Lexi nodded. While Bonnie was giving her views across the room Camille and Davina were sampling the food and sipping champagne. Davina glanced over to Bonnie smiling and nodding looking attentively at each of them.

"Someone is getting popular over there" Davina said. Camille glanced up "Nice to see her here"

After Camille gave her speech thanking all the women, the sponsors and about mental health she mingled with some of the women, shook their hands and smiled. She had bring conversations and a little laugh. She saw Bonnie lingering and looking at her phone. She curiously made her way over to the wine and cheese table where Bonnie was standing. She ate a few samples while glancing at Bonnie who was smiling at her phone.

"I hope its much entertaining than this party" Camille said startling her. Bonnie shoved her phone in her purse, her eyes were wide open and she stared at the blonde smiling at her "Your highness!" she blurted frantically.

"Camille please...it's a girl's night. And you must be the infamous Bonnie Bennett..gorgeous" she said offering her a cream puff. Bonnie took the cream puff and ate it, she chuckled nervously " I hope you heard only good things"

"Any close company of the Prime Minister is a friend of the Monarch...it's nice he found someone...no one really likes a single PM..at least in history" she said. Bonnie swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded.

"I'm sorry ..that was probably too...much"

Bonnie tucked her curl behind her hair "Just...New to me..."

"Oh..its fine...you'll be fine. We'll be in touch. I need to be on my way" She said looking over Bonnie's shoulder at her Davina. Bonnie nodded but she was puzzled.

The next day Bonnie was excited for a new teaching day, Valentine's Day was in the air. Every flowershop she passed had bouquets and flowers getting ready for the big day. Bonnie wore her pink satin shirt and black pants. In today's lesson with the children, she was cutting hearts and they were going to colour it so she can stick it on the walls. Her mum made heart shaped cookies which she shared to the class during a quick break. She noticed one of her students was missing which was odd. She made her way to the Head's office with concerns "Miss Taylor...uh Zaria isn't in school today? Did her mum left a message? Is she sick?"

"Close the door and take a seat Miss Bennett?" She said taking off her glasses. Bonnie frowned and sat infront of her "Oh God is she okay?"

"Zaria is fine. Her mother took her out of your class as per request and I placed her with Nora"

"Why?"

"Zaria's father...apparently was a member of your...the Prime Minister party and during the election he was replaced due to a disagreement" she explained.

"Uh what does that have to do with me?"

Miss Taylor stared at her and sighed

"And I quote.."She said lifting up a piece of paper "I don't want the Prime Minister's whore teaching my child"

Bonnie gasped.

"You are a lovely young lady, I love how dedicated you are and I'm happy you aren't like you were a year ago. Your personal life is none of my business but I can not allow that kind of behaviour in my school. It's better this way. Nora is just as excellent"

Bonnie nodded and got up from the seat. Before she went back to her classroom she saw another teacher Sofya giving her a harsh look before walking back into her classroom. She exhaled.

When she got home she kicked off her shoes and sat on the living room floor, she yanked her phone out to call Klaus.

"I fucking hate you. Your job is interfering with my job"

"Well Hello to you too love...I guess you're also having a bad day. What did I do now?" He chuckled lightly.

"A student was removed from my class because her snobby dad who's a lovely friend of yours...hates you" Bonnie screamed walking to the kitchen for a drink. Klaus laughed "A bit too much...amuse me...who's this bloke?"

"Never got the dad's name but her mum is always involved in school activities. Her name is Parisa Henderson. Tall. Dark hair. Flashy outfits. She's sweet. Sucks"

"Ahhh... that's Nickerson's former political aide and mistress. He's an asshole. He was suppose to be apart of my cabinet but it didn't work out and now he's mad. I'm sorry" He whispered. Bonnie smiled.

"Our day shouldn't suck like this we should be naked in bed drinking wine" he said laughing.

"You're a disgusting perv and I can't stand you" Bonnie said pouting.

On Valentine's Day Bonnie woke up to her room filled with pink and red roses, she was startled when she heard Something by The Beatles started to play in between one of the bouquet of roses. She picked up the white card next to her and smiled at Klaus note. He was making dinner tonight at his place. She looked around and wondered how he did all of this while she was sleeping. She was happy to start her day like this and she wasn't going to let Zaria being removed from her class bother her nor the dirty looks from Sofya. She couldn't wait for the day to end to see him and taste his cooking.

When she arrived at Klaus 6 bedroom mansion on Bishop Avenue, it was like walking into a dreamland. Bonnie twirled around the house she was obsessed with the paintings and spiral staircase. They played music and cooked in kitchen Bonnie sat on the counter and sipped wine while watching him. He gave her little taste of his special sauce that he was making for the grilled pork chops. She smiled and nodded.

"So you live in this huge place by yourself ?" She asked.

"Well my mum comes over alot , my sister and niece...my chef and housekeeper...often come here too...never completely lonely for too long" he smiled.

"Cool. But don't you get scared of like a psycho burglar or an assassin?"

"Security 24/7 plus the windows are bullet proof. We are safe Bonnie ..Let's eat" he said squeezing her face and kissing her nose. After dinner they talked and watched movies, he watched her fall asleep and he held her in his arms and whispered "Happy Valentine's Day, love"

A few days later Bonnie was in her kitchen playing Jazz instrumentals and grabbing her desert book from the back of her cupboard. Klaus had her thinking about making chocolate and sweet treats again. She decided she wanted to make him a batch of chocolates. Halfway through she heard a knock at the door, she hurriedly answered the door to a man standing in a suit and staring at her "Miss Bonnie Bennett, the Queen is requesting your company for tea"

Bonnie stared at him "Um..." She cleared her throat "Now?"

"She doesn't like to wait"

Bonnie stared out the window at the back seat of the bullet proof tinted car, her eyes gazed at the enormous compound of Buckingham Palace and at the flag that soar from the roof. He stopped and man opened the door as she stepped out. She smiled as he led her inside the Palace. She looked around at the paintings and decor. She noticed painting for the members of the Monarch through out the years and big new one of Camille. "Beautiful isn't it?" Camille said descending from the staircase "I had to do some renovation. I hated the old boring stuff my grandmother had"

"Sorry I'm a bit undress for tea. You caught me in the middle of something and your...person...showed up..kinda scary looking" Bonnie said nervously. Camille laughed "Don't worry. He's actually nice. Walk with me"

Bonnie smiled and walked side by side with her.

"775 rooms. That include state rooms, bedrooms, staff quarters, offices and bathrooms. I do plan on changing some of the rooms. I haven't even seen some of the rooms. But for now the tea room is ours" she said walking into a room filled with flowers, a beautiful set table with pretty tea sets and tiny pastries. They sat infront of each other, she watched her poured a cup of tea. She tried a mini strawberry tart and sipped her honey raspberry tea.

"American right? My mother was American. She was from Connecticut. People thought she was dumb girl but she was smart especially in history and geography. She taught me everything about America. She even did some of the cultures with me. She made me smores . Taught me about football. She was amazing" Camille explained. Bonnie smiled "Originally from Virginia, lived in Louisiana for a bit before moving here. You mother sounds incredible what happened?"

"She committed suicide when I was 17. This world was too much for her. My father and her weren't as happy as they portrayed to be. She wanted out. She drank and cried alot" she said taking a small bite out of her Mandarin cheesecake. There was a brief awkward silence.

"I don't mean to be rude but why did you invite me. We barely know each other. I love the pastries but why am I here?" Bonnie asked.

"Any...company of the Prime Minister is a friend of the Monarch. I thought we could be friends and maybe give you some tips on your image" she said smiling.

"My image?" Bonnie asked.

"Being on the arm of the Prime Minister comes with alot of conversation. Everyone will want to know about you. Some people will hate you, some will love you. The media will comment on everything that you do. They will want to dig up your past, your friends and your family and what you wear"

Bonnie frowned "What's wrong with what I wear? I have great taste"

"I'm sure. I'm surprised that...the secretary...your friend Caroline hasn't introduced you to the stylist. If you are at public events with the Prime Minister, you have to be presentable"

Bonnie laughed "Okay thank you for your tips and concerns. Not sure if you're trying to scare me or if Caroline didn't tell me anything so I won't be overwhelmed"

Camille squeezed her hand "I'm sorry. I understand. One step at a time. I've been there"

"I should go. I really want to get something done. The tea was lovely" Bonnie said getting up. The driver drove her back to her Camden apartment. When she left Camille finished her tea and pastries. Josh one of the aides to the Monarch came into the room and shut the door "So that was Bonnie Bennett?"

" GO away" she said. He sat infront of her and poured himself a cup.

"What is she like?"

"Mannerly...and not a gold digging bitch like Aurora. I can't even hate her. She's sweet. I ...hope she doesn't get her heartbroken in this game" Camille said biting the bottom of her lip.