DOUBLE AGENT

Chapter Three

{ song of the chapter;
Daydreamin' - Ariana Grande }

It's been about a week since I've officially met the Christophe Archibald. I've mostly been unpacking, running errands or sitting around, bored, waiting for something to happen. Luckily, something does happen when I hear scratching and rustling at my front door. I get up, and head to the door, curious. I get out my keys, unlock and then swing the door open, half expecting Archibald to be standing right in front of me, leaning against the wall, wearing that damn smirk of his. Instead, I come face to face with nothing. I look down the hall and there's no one there.

It's when I start to close the door when I realise that there's a folded piece of paper floating around on the floor. I tentatively pick it up, wondering what it is and who it's from. I look back down the hallway, just checking to see if the person who slid this under my door is still there. I'm about to go back inside when I see a mop of light brown hair quickly dart around the corner. My mouth tugs into a smirk, as I realise who it's from. Shaking my head, I open the piece of paper.

Starbucks
1889 Broadway
~ C.A.

Charming as usual. Also totally vague.

"I know you're there, Archibald!" I shout down the hall. His head reappears around the corner. He grins and starts walking casually down the hall. "Wait! You haven't told me what time!" He grins sheepishly again and starts running. For a second I contemplate whether to follow him and chase him down for answers, but then I remember that I'm lazy and can't be bothered to run.

"At least tell me where you're running off to, it's not nice to run away from a girl." I huff, crossing my arms.

"Starbucks." He yells, still running, disappearing down the stairs at the end of the hall, but not before giving me a smug smirk.

"Oh, for God's sake."

• • •

I'm walking near central park, trying to locate the Starbucks that Christophe has unwillingly dragged me to. Well, that was actually a lie. I came here willingly. I pull my jacket closer to my body, trying to get any warmer. It's cold today, which is unusual as it's July. I see the Starbucks logo shining like a beacon about a hundred meters away. I silently celebrate, glad to almost be near warmth again. Okay, I'm over-exaggerating. 

When I finally reach Starbucks, the smell of freshly baked pastries makes my stomach growl, and I realise how hungry I am. Before I can join the queue and order something, I hear someone calling my name.

"Hampton!" someone shouts, and I almost forget that Hampton is Olivia's last name. I whip my head around and see none other than Archibald, sprawled all over one of the couches. I start to head over to him and narrow my eyes as I see that he's taken up a whole area that's meant for six people.

"Archibald, you know you shouldn't put your feet up on the coffee table." I roll my eyes and he smirks at me.

"I'm Christophe Archibald, I can do whatever the hell I want." He shrugs, and I sigh, collapsing onto the plush leather cushions of the sofa.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I give him a confused and questioning look, playing along with the fact that Olivia Hampton has no idea of the power that the Archibalds have. He looks confused for a second, before realising I have no idea who he is. His eyes widen and he curses under his breath.

"Shit. I mean, nothing!" He shrugs and relaxes further back onto the sofa, as if he had never said anything in the first place.

"Mmhmm, sureee. I'll figure out what you're hiding." I tease, and he rolls his eyes.

"You won't find anything because I'm not hiding anything. Anyway, I went ahead and bought you a croissant." He says, changing the subject and gesturing towards the croissant on the table. I'm about to pick it up before I narrow my eyes.

"What's the catch...?" I say, eyeing Christophe suspiciously and poking the croissant.

"No catch! I swear!" He throws his hands up. "Can't I be nice for once?"

"No, you can't." I say, still eyeing the pastry.

"I swear to God, just eat it! I swear on my dog's life that I haven't poisoned it or anything!"

"Ugh... fine..." I say hesitantly, before biting into the croissant. "What's your dog's name? I didn't know you have a dog."

"I don't..." He devilishly grins, and I smack his arm as hard as I could. "OW! Okay, I deserved that."

  • • •  

For the past hour, we've been talking about ourselves. Narcisstic, right? Just kidding. We've been talking about ourselves like we were playing a never-ending game of 21 questions, talking about our age, family, hobbies etc. 

"Were you born in New York?" He asks, drinking his pumpkin spice latte. In my head I roll my eyes, could he be any more basic? They didn't even taste nice.

"No, I'm from London. Born and raised." I chuckle and he raises his eyebrows.

"You don't have a British accent." he points out and I silently curse. I hadn't thought about that. I take a sip of my hot chocolate, stalling, trying to figure out what to say.

"Well, we traveled a lot, I guess I have an accent from a bit of everywhere," I chuckle, trying to laugh it off. He seems to be convinced as he laughs along with me. "What about you?"

"What about me?" He teases, and I roll my eyes.

"You know 'what', were you born in New York?" I ask, already knowing the answer from many magazines. 

"Yep. Born and raised!" He puts on an overly enthusiastic voice, waving his arms around, trying to mock me.

"I do not sound like that!" I whine, and he fake pouts.

"I do not sound like that!"