I’m dancing with the prince when the text message comes in, but I don’t realize it till he’s bent over my hand and helped me into my seat at the table in the corner. “Back in a bit,” he says, his brain clearly already on his next task as the world’s most famous Best Man.
Still, as he saunters toward the head table, one hand in his pocket, I suppress a very unprofessional head shake; he does cut quite a figure in his tux. Let’s be honest, this is the sweetest gig I’ve ever landed, playing the public face of Prince Charming’s shy fiancee–to whom, I must admit, I do bear a striking resemblance, though not so much it would hold up if the paparazzi outside ever got a closeup of the girl herself.
Charming and the groom put their heads together, no doubt rehashing some male rite of passage known only to college roommates. The bride flashes me a grin, and it’s at that moment that the cell phone in my clutch, the special phone given me at the start of this gig, rattles the ice in my glass, announcing a missed call. I shouldn’t check it–the stored texts would be fodder for every gossip rag on both sides of the Atlantic–but nobody has this number except…
I glance around the table at my companions, but they are more or less ignoring me as they have all night. Under orders from His Highness, no doubt. He hasn’t decided for sure that he trusts me, yet. I slide the phone just far enough out to read the text message:
U have to come home RIGHT NOW. ***EMERGENCY.***
Kurt would never use this number unless it was really important. I keep my game face on, but inwardly, I wince. Charming will not like this, not one little bit.
He’s looking at me. I fasten the clutch and stand, enjoying even now the swish of silk around my legs. A worried look crosses Charming’s face. He excuses himself and meets me halfway. “What’s going on?” he says.
“I’m sorry, but I have to go.”
I have to give him credit; his face remains serene. “What are you talking about?” He smiles through his teeth. “You’re on the job.” Liberating the clutch and laying it on the table, he draws me back onto the dance floor.
“I got a text. Kurt says it’s an emergency.”
“Kurt?” His control slips, but only for a moment. Oh, come on. Not jealousy–not from the world’s most eligible bachelor. “You can’t leave. The limos aren’t here.”
“Yes, well, I think I can survive in a cab.”
“You might, but those blood-suckers outside…”
I hadn’t thought about the paparazzi, who doubtless have every exit from the building covered, all of them desperate to be the one who snags The Shot of Prince Charming’s elusive fiancee.
I look at the clock. Five minutes to midnight. I give him my wickedest smile. “I have a plan,” I say.
*
And that’s the word count…so I’ll just have to leave you hanging. 🙂
Kathleen M. Basi 
leave us hanging? Will there be more?
Sooner or later, I expect there to be. 🙂 This was fun, actually. I have all these ideas for sketching out a novel now.
It took me a second to realize the prince was the best man and not the groom, but I really got caught up in this. It feels fun, and I feel like you could develop it more!
Very nice character development! I can tell you had fun writing this. Of course, I want to read more.
That’s just mean! Hehe, I didn’t think of just leaving a piece hanging when I hit the word count, maybe I should try that more often! 😉
I don’t think we’re supposed to, but this ended up being impossible to do within the word count, and I have an ear infection, so I couldn’t draw enough brain power to figure out how to make it fit. 🙂
I love how you open with “dancing with a prince” which makes the reader think of old fairy tales and “the text message” in the same sentence, making us think of modern times.
A little concrit:
The word “till” is not a synonym for “until,” although many people use it colloquially in speech. I sent an entire novel to a Beta reader with “till” all the way through before I figured that out lol!
Eep! You left us hanging! It truly is hard to get a story finished in just 500 words.
That was fun, a great take on Cinderella. I can’t wait to see what her plan is
You and me both. 😉
This was really entertaining. I was picturing Kate and Wills at a wedding! 🙂 I thought the exchange between them – where he keeps his composure – was done extremely well. I could picture the whole thing. I want more!
Excellent job of setting a stage. I am on tenterhooks in my anticipation!
You are really good at this!
Wow, great job of introducing the story while leaving so many questions that I want answered! I hope you continue this story.
NOT FAIR! This was both a fun and captivating read. I loved the details about Prince Charming and his “elusive fiancee”. You made me wonder if she’s, as they say, “in the business” or perhaps there’s something else going on.
I loved the cell phone rattling the ice cubes in the glass and how Charming “sauntering with one hand in his pocket.” That says so much with so few words.
I was also fascinated by the WHY of Charming needing to have someone play the role of his fiancee…hmmm…what’s with that.
Bottom line, I enjoyed this writing very much:~)
ooh, I was trying to avoid the “in the business” thing…oh, well!
This has such a fun vibe to it! What were the four elements you drew from the prompt?
Actress, wedding reception, family emergency, and midnight.
Hmm, delicious. I love the premise. This has so much potential to go so many different ways. (shouldn’t till be ’til for until?) Great setup! Always leave them wanting more!
Two of you commented on that–clearly I still have English to learn. Thanks!
Wow! Great job! I loved the colorful words and descriptiveness. I am salivating to read more!