Brief Encounters

Timeline 1 (Part 3)

William's Point of View

From my spot in the jeepney, I found my gaze drifting back to Jeanna. Coming to the Philippines, Harry and I had only wanted a break—a real break from all the obligations and endless public appearances. We'd planned for some sun, maybe a little adventure, and at most, a few carefree nights at local bars. Romance wasn't exactly on the itinerary. But now, sitting across from Jeanna, I could feel that plan unraveling.

Her laugh was infectious, her wit sharp, and her smile...well, it had a way of lighting up her whole face. She had this sparkle in her eye—a mix of curiosity and mischief that made her seem refreshingly real, no pretense. As the jeepney jolted down the rocky path, I found myself wondering: could she be the kind of person I'd want by my side for the long haul? The thought caught me off guard. I shook my head, laughing at myself. Was I really thinking about the future right now?

Harry noticed and shot me a grin, eyebrows raised. "What's with that look, Will? You're not as subtle as you think," he teased, leaning over with a conspiratorial glint in his eye.

I rolled my eyes but couldn't hold back a smirk. "Not everything's a joke, you know."

"Oh, this isn't," he said, clearly delighted. "You've got that look, my friend—the one you get when you're more interested than you'd like to admit. Tell you what, I'll make sure to get her number for you. No need to thank me."

I shot him a glare, half-amused, half-mortified, as the jeepney finally pulled into the terminal. Our cars were parked nearby, and with a few more moments of freedom left, Harry wasn't about to let this go.

He turned to Jeanna and Paul, that familiar glint of trouble in his eye. "Before we vanish back into royal duties, how about you give us your numbers? You know, in case we need tour guides next time we're here," he said, grinning like he'd thought of the most brilliant excuse.

Jeanna handled it like a pro. She flashed us a bright smile. "Of course," she said, pulling out her phone without missing a beat. Paul, equally amused, joined in, taking Harry's number like he was the star of the moment.

"Oh, and if you ever find yourselves in London and fancy a drink—on flat ground, I promise—you know who to call," Harry added, nudging me with an exaggerated wink.

I shook my head, but I couldn't hide the smile tugging at my lips. "Alright, let's get going," I said, giving him a friendly shove toward the car.

As we piled into the vehicles, Harry didn't miss a beat. He shot me a teasing look, kicking back with an obnoxiously exaggerated wink. "What's that grin about, Will? Already dreaming of your next holiday?"

I rolled my eyes, hoping he'd drop it. But maybe, just maybe, he wasn't entirely wrong.

"Oh, shut up," I muttered, but inside, that smile lingered all the way back.