My Politically Arranged Marriage

Lena’s POVMy phone lit up in the holster on the treadmill. It was a message from Charles. I quickly pressed stop on the machine and hopped off, eager to get an update from him. Charles: I just got a notification. The package should be on your doorstep.No sooner had I read his message, was I running to beat Frederick to the front door. Frederick was our butler. While he was the best butler my family had ever hired, he came with one fatal flaw—he was nosy as all get out. Charles begged me to keep his secret until he was ready. I was sworn to secrecy, and I wasn’t about to let Frederick get the best of me. I reached the front door just in the nick of time. I swung open the door to find a small brown box sitting on the brick walkup. I swiped it, relieved that I had gotten to it in time.“Someone at the door, Lady Eleanor?” I heard Frederick ask, walking up behind me. “I’m afraid not,” I replied, covering the shipping label with my hand. “Just a package.”“Is that for Master

Lena’s POV“Hey Joe,” I greeted and waved, walking into Glenwood Express, the convenience store by Sydney’s house.I was on my way to her flat so I could spill the news about my blind engagement. Sydney was my best friend. We shared a few classes together at university and had been close ever since. Whenever I needed to unwind, I’d take a cab across town to Bridgeburn and visit with her. There were less paparazzi where she lived and I knew I’d be safe from tapped phones and bugged radios. I’d been to the convenience store by Syd’s place so many times, I became friends with all the workers. Joe waved back without looking and I smiled as I drifted over to the candy aisle. I browsed a few snack sections casually before settling on a big bag of potato crisps and a couple of candy bars. I carried my goodies over to the counter as Joe lazily stood from his stool in a corner behind the register. He cleared his throat and grunted while he scanned all the items. Joe was your typical mar

Media POV“This just in, Caledon Booker, son to Vice President Edward Booker, is reportedly in a new relationship with Eleanor Harris. Eleanor is the eldest daughter to Arthur Harris, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom,” Samantha Waters said to the camera at the Channel Five news station. “We’ll be right back with more details about the couple’s secret love life after the break.”“And we’re off,” Matt Withers, the news director, called from off screen. “We’ve got ninety seconds, people. Look alive.”A team of makeup and hair stylists came rushing to Samantha’s side to powder and primp her during the commercial break. They smoothed out her crimson red hair and reapplied her lipstick while Samantha tried her best not to move. She read through her notes of the breaking story while they blotted away at her face. “What a pig,” Samantha scowled, rolling her eyes as she read.“Let me guess, you slept with him,” Jake Mitchell, Samantha’s co-anchor chimed in, swiveling his chair tow

Cal’s POVI woke up to a naked Lena in my arms and a crook in my neck. I winced as I moved, realizing we were still on the couch. Then my mind flooded with regret. What had I done? I tried to slide my arm from under her body so I could sneak away. To my dismay, she awoke when I touched her. “Morning,” I said, trying to be nice. “Oh, god, my head,” she groaned, sitting up. She covered her breasts with one hand.“I know,” I nodded, rising from the couch. “I haven’t drank that much in a while.”“I don’t think I’ve ever drank that much,” Lena admitted, hardly making eye contact with me. It was clear she was feeling the same way I did. Her body language was stiff and reserved as she looked at me again. We needed to make this right. “Look, about last night—” I began, sliding a leg into my pants. “You don’t have to say anything,” Lena interjected, reaching for her blouse. “We were both drunk. It’s fine. It was a mistake, and won’t happen again.”I nodded. “Okay,” I answered.I

Media POV Jake and Samantha were already deep into the morning broadcast when the news came in. Jake covered his mouth as he read the message on his phone. “What are you gasping at?” Samantha asked. She pulled out a compact mirror from behind the anchor desk and applied a new coat of lipstick. “The memo that just came in,” Jake said, still somewhat surprised. “Apparently, Eleanor Harris and Caledon Booker are engaged.”“What? Let me see that,” Samantha demanded, snatching Jake’s phone from his hands. “Oh. My. God.”“Hey! Give me it back,” Jake exclaimed, grabbing his phone. After the first press event, Jake had a feeling ‘America’s sweethearts’ as the media had dubbed them, weren’t telling the entire story. But he didn’t think this was it. Just then, the sound of a door slamming echoed through the newsroom.“Sam, Jake, did you see the memo?” Matt asked almost instantly and earnestly.  “Just got it,” Jake replied, holding up his phone. “They’re engag