Chapter 14 - 18
Kelsey POV
Sarah and I emerge from the coffee shop.
Two glossy black GLE Mercedes Benz wait right out front. One guard stands in front of one of them with his hands clasped in front of him. Once he spots us, he activates his earpiece and informs whoever is on the same line.
"Wow, Avara travels fancy," she notes, making her start to them. "And heavy."
"You mean you travel fancy."
"I really like this outfit," she says in a nervous rush, like she’s trying to distract herself. "It’s giving, the duchess of Cambridge. You know her, right?"
"Princess Kate?" I ask, astounded. "What poor soul doesn’t?"
When we approach, the guard opens the back door. Sarah slides inside and I go in after. Frank gives her a silent greeting, a smile they trade through the rear-view mirror. The cars roll out as a convoy with her guards just behind us. And Sarah is shaking, her one knee bobbing up and down ceaselessly. I make it a point to stare at it until she gets the message and crosses her leg over the other to still herself. After half an hour, we arrive at the open venue, which has much more hype than what Avara disclosed.
When the car comes to a standstill, both of our doors are opened. We both exit, assailed by clamor, the throng of press behind the barricade. Sarah rounds the car and we make our way down to the first stop. The photo booth with a massive backdrop with the logo of an NGO. A non-profit that works independently from the government to promote change, broad-based, but today’s focus is on education and trying to raise funds for underdeveloped institutions of learning.
Sarah and I stand in front of the backdrop, poised for a series of photos.
"You’re doing great," I whisper with a smile. "Just keep smiling."
"Oh, there she is."