Heartthrob of Aclea

Chapter 16 - I Went To Rehab With Mum's Assistant

I woke up with a start. The banging sound echoing throughout the entire chamber was a sign of impatience. It didn't clue any familiar person, because they would personally shake me up after not answering the third knock.

'Prince Aaron, your session starts on eight. You can't be late.' An American accent soaked in her soft voice.

'Give me ten!' I shouted from afar.

After exactly ten minutes - I am a punctual lad, give me a round of applause, please - I applied sunscreen after moisturiser. I loved it when my skin was soft and shiny and not in the risk of having skin cancer. Straightening my jacket, another knock greeted me.

'Your Highness...'

'I'm up.'

Closing the door of my chamber, I was left open-mouthed when I saw her. That lady...

That lady from last night...

Why on earth she was here? Did she try to push me into the pool again?

'YOU!' Our voices resonated in unison.

'Are you stalking me? I know I'm the hottest prince in this era but that doesn't mean you have a ticket to invade my privacy!' Much to my curiosity, I backed up a little, praying quietly so that she wouldn't harm me.

She was wearing a striped blazer with a black pencil skirt. Her shiny hair was like a waterfall of pitch-black flowing smoothly over her back and it came to a halt in a single line just above of her hip. Her crimson lenses were striking as ever, clueing the element of surprise. Her burgundy lips remained open, getting entirely starstruck.

There was something about her that I found myself being hugged by chills. Her eyes were scary enough but that didn't bother me as much as her aura - dangerous, daring, and would bring doom to patriarchy.

Or maybe I was just overthinking.

'You are Prince Aaron Freaking Armitage?!' The crimson eyed finally opened her mouth.

'In the flesh. And who are you?'

'Your mother's new assistant, Annabelle Wilson. Well... er... fancy meeting you here.' She did a weird face, probably wanted to punch herself because of yesterday's incident. And bloody hell, I didn't expect her to be HER.

'Do you mean Annabelle, the haunted Raggedy Ann doll?' I teased.

'Speak something like that again and I won't think twice to haunt you for the rest of your life.' Primping her hair, she spoke as if my forehead was drawn with a big, invincible bull eye that was ready to get fired. Her vibes radiated no fear.

Now, I knew why Mum didn't want her to leave. She had the guts like no other ladies had.

'Anywho, I'm sorry for scolding you and bumping into you last night.' The menacing aura disappeared soon as she curled a small smile.

'You are too pretty to wear careless on your face.' I tried to get on her nerves. I just adored lasses who could fire back.

'Playing sarcasm cards, aren't you?' Annoyed, her brows arched slightly higher.

'Too bad, my ego is writing cheques that my body could cash.' I primped my well-shaved sideburn, mocking her. Though, she ignored me and walked out to the foyer where Elliot, Ethan and Jay were waiting for me.

The journey to rehab was filled with silence despite the ambience of road traffic and some engines shattering the morning. It was unusual to be accompanied by Mum's assistant.

Mum's assistant. Sheesh.

Annabelle's eyes didn't roam anywhere except her phone. There was a pile of paperwork beside her, which I assumed, a complete tentative for Brian's coronation. She scratched her neck a few times before heaving a loud sigh.

'What a burden, eh?' I broke the silence.

'It's none of your business.' She then engaged in my eyes.

'You are quite daring, Miss Wilson. If I were you, I wouldn't directly look into the eyes.' I neared my face to her.

'Apologies, Your Highness. This is my first time working with The Royals. I might get a little awkward to practice some courtesies. And... I might not be able to do that while you jerkface are in the same room as I am.' She closed the distance between us, leaving only one inch to separate our noses. She was really... something else.

'I know you are in an uncomfortable situation that you enjoyed irritating me this much. It is okay, Your Highness. I'm here for you.' She patted my shoulder softly before leaning back to continue checking the paperwork. I smirked in disapproval; I didn't need anyone's consolation just to cure my addiction.

'Aaron. Call me Aaron... or handsome... or something like that.' I winked. I realised that I would see her more often so ditching my title would ease our communication. She put down the paperwork and greeted me with a sincere smile she had ever worn. She looked so mesmerising.

'Omitting formalities. I like it, Aaron. Just call me Belle.'

'But I prefer Anna. Like Anna Olsen, Anna in Frozen, Anna Faris...'

'Andddddd you are back to being annoying.' She slapped my thigh hard. I grunted a little.

We arrived at rehab twenty minutes later. I was effing nervous and sad. Being high was one of the incredible things that I had discovered when I was a teen but sadly, I had to let it go. This was for the sake of my life.

When I entered the building, I was ushered to a room for registration and some prescriptions. The doctors said my health should be monitored for at least a week for a complete detox. I underwent an intake evaluation from an addiction counsellor. They asked for my medical records, urine screening, and blood testing. It was late afternoon when the process finally ended and at that moment, I had never been more drained.

Soon as I fastened my seatbelt, Annabelle took a seat beside me. She tried to resist putting me in comfort. The medicine I took earlier seemed to kick in. My face had grown pale. My stomach was making a loud growl but I didn't have any appetite. My eyes were heavy that my head banged back and forth, trying so hard to keep my body upright. A soft palm landed on my cheek, pushing my head gently towards her shoulder.

'You can fight this. I know you can.' I couldn't blink so I just snuggled in. Her arm crept across my back and her palm halted slowly on my triceps.

I couldn't remember how long did I pass out on Annabelle's shoulder but at last, I was in peace.