Brief Encounters

Timeline (Part 5)

I pulled out the slip of paper with Jeanna's number, the one Harry had thrown at me in the library, her name scrawled in his typical haphazard handwriting. I couldn't believe I was hesitating over a text. Me—Prince William—feeling nervous over sending a simple message.

Finally, I just typed it. Hi, Jeanna. It's William. I've been thinking about our chance meeting back in the Philippines. Wondering if you're around London? Maybe lunch tomorrow?

One quick send, and it was done. I leaned back, staring up at the sky as if the stars would somehow provide an answer. A few seconds passed, then my phone buzzed.

Lunch sounds good. Just let me know where.

A small smile crept up, and I quickly replied, How about The Ivy? Great atmosphere, a bit tucked away. Let me know if it works for you.

Sure, she replied. Simple, casual, yet I couldn't shake the strange thrill running through me.

Setting the phone aside, I found myself back at my laptop, typing her name into the search bar. Jeanna de Waal. It was ridiculous, I knew, but I wanted to know more about the woman who could laugh with ease on a bumpy ride through the mountains of the Philippines, who somehow seemed unaffected by titles and expectations.

Her social media accounts popped up first—mostly snapshots from backstage, show posters, photos with cast members. She didn't share much, but what she did show was enough to get a sense of her humor and warmth. The kind of person who was just... real.

I dove down the rabbit hole, finding a video of her and her co-star Roe Hartrampf in an interview, laughing and joking around. They had an undeniable chemistry, the kind that made fans wonder if there was something more between them. In one clip, Roe held up a stack of index cards, grinning mischievously as he prepared to quiz her.

"Favorite snack?" he asked.

"Pretzels," she replied instantly. "But only the salty ones. Otherwise, what's the point?"

They bantered back and forth, moving through a dozen rapid-fire questions, each answer giving me a glimpse of her unfiltered self. She laughed easily, unafraid to poke fun at herself. When Roe asked about her "weirdest fan encounter," she giggled, recounting how a fan once handed her a rock for "good luck."

And then, there it was—the last question.

"Celebrity crush?" Roe teased, leaning in.

Jeanna laughed, a bit embarrassed, covering her face with her hands. "Alright, alright. Henry Cavill," she finally admitted, peeking through her fingers. "But, you know, I'm an actor, so maybe one day..."

Roe just smirked, glancing at the camera. "Watch out, Cavill. She's coming for you."

I chuckled, realizing I'd forgotten to breathe, then shook myself back to the present. I needed to focus on tomorrow, on our lunch, on just... getting to know her. I dialed Patrick, my assistant.

"Patrick," I said as he picked up, "I need tickets for Jeanna de Waal's show tomorrow."

There was a pause, then he replied, with a hint of amusement. "Tickets? Am I arranging a royal proclamation of love next?"

"Just get the tickets," I replied, grinning despite myself. "And book a table at The Ivy for lunch."

"Anything else? A serenade, perhaps?"

"Just lunch," I said, trying to keep it casual, though my heart was racing.

We hung up, and I leaned back, relieved yet strangely restless. I couldn't stop myself from looking up her co-star, Roe. He seemed well-liked and undeniably charming, a fellow actor who shared plenty of on-stage and off-stage memories with Jeanna. I watched one more video—a behind-the-scenes clip where they were laughing so hard they could barely speak. Jeanna rested her hand on his shoulder, her eyes crinkling with laughter. "Every night on stage with you is a favorite," Roe had said, grinning, and for a second, her smile softened in a way that caught my attention.

I couldn't help the pang of jealousy that crept up. They had an easy familiarity, a chemistry that was hard to miss. But then, she'd agreed to lunch with me, hadn't she?

I sighed, closing my laptop. Focus on tomorrow, I reminded myself. Whatever I was feeling, whatever this growing curiosity was, I planned to make the most of it.