Mistaken identity

“Principal Atkins, I think there is a huge mistake here.” Allie declared, eyes darting from the man who bowed to her and to the school principal who was equally intrigued of the turn of events.

“Yeah..me too.” Principal Atkins shared the same sympathy.

Earlier that morning, he got a phone call from the British Embassy stating that there was to be a very important diplomatic visit to happen in his school and it was imperative that they acted with full cooperation. What came as a much larger surprise to the principal was that he was not talking to the secretary of the ambassador but the ambassador himself.

Before he could even lodge a question, the man on the other end of the line was quick to read between the lines and probably because he had done this so many times that he knew what it required to lessen the questions and get it over and done with.

“Heed our request and we will be more than glad to sponsor your annex expansion.”

“O-of course. Consider it done.”

It seems like the man did his homework for he knew the most recent financial issue that was raised a few days ago in the school board. After all, all that was asked of him was to receive the visitors and give them what they want. Surely, they will not demand anything that will put his neck on the line.

And they did not. When the visitors came in and when they were ushered to his office , the man who came with the full entourage of the British monarchy was standing in his office, shook his hand enthusiastically and had a very contaminating warm smile.

He expressed his purpose and handed him the check that the ambassador had promised. Principal Atkins stared at the amount written in disbelief and he had not anticipated for the check to come first before they state their need with John Hewitt High School. He did not accept it at first.

“Y-you did not come here to buy teenagers, right?” He was dying to ask him a better composed question, yet, his curiosity got the best of him. “Sorry, that did not come in right.”

“What? No. Is that what you think this is for?” The man looked amused. His companions however were not.

“Maybe. But I have to warn you that no matter how tempting your offer is, I am not running a brothel here----”

“I am looking for Allie McAllister," he cut him off, "she is a royal and deserves to be in her royal place in the Red Manor. That is all there is.” The man said, his friendly eyes continue to bedazzle the principal.

“A-Allie? Our school scholar? She’s a royal?Like a princess? ” Principal Atkins stuttered in complete disbelief. If it were not for the ambassador calling earlier and the crisp check in his hand, he’d think that the man was taking a piss, as the Brits say: tripping.

"Her father is the Duke of Red Manor."

"That's like next to a princess, right?"

“I do not have much time. Please get her here.”

He dispatched his secretary to fetch the girl though he was still very confused.

Principal Atkins was transported back to the present when one of the men in black nudged him out to give Allie and the visitor some privacy. Allie, however, did not take the seat that was intended for anyone who visits the office. The visitor’s back was turned to her as he was watching the school grounds slowly turn into life. It was lunch time now and a lot of students have caught the attention of the luxury cars and the black suited men on the grounds. They were soon surrounded by curious teens.

“Do you like it here, Allie?” The man asked the very clueless young lady.

“You know my name?”

“How is Barbara?” He continued asking some more.

“Sir, I do not mean disrespect but, for someone I have only seen today in my entire life, you seem to know too much.”

The man laughed and faced Allie. From that angle, Allie could see him clearly. The man is maybe a senior because of his graying hair, it was obviously not dyed because the roots looked a lighter shade of gray too. But his posture was great for a senior. His eyes were friendly and warm and he had a kind aura that annoyingly made Allie safe, as if she had some strange connection to this person. However, she certainly does not.

Her mother told her that they do not have a family in the state, it was only the two of them and whenever she asks about her father, Barbara was quick to cancel the topic. Allie knew that the man, based on his accent and way of dressing up that he is foreign. Americans don't do tweeds. Now that she had the opportunity to see the swarm of black cars on a closer perspective, she recognizes the flag. The British monarch along with another royal emblem she was not aware of.

“My apologies, my lady. I am Sir Douglas. Your father’s butler and friend.”

“My what!?

"Your father's - - -"

"I have a father?!" She sputtered in disbelief.

The old man told Allie the gist of what she had to know. That he came to New Jersey to find her and inform her of her origins. That she is a part of a very sophisticated and elite family under the British Monarchy. She was asking for more but the man insisted that the rest of her queries will be answered soon. Allie was really confused ,she is not a gullible person and she will be needing more than telltales. Though the man seemed nice, a lot of the things he told her were not makings sense at all. She had to talk to her mother and her exams were on hold. To her, the exams were far more important than the jokes that the man was trying to tell her.

“Can I talk to my mom first? How do I know that you are not just making things up?"

“Of course, my lady.” he bowed a little again.

“Please stop that.”

“But it is customary lady Ember.”

“Hang on, I think there is a mix up.” Allie’s eyes lit up. Thinking that she finally found where it does not add up. “See? My name is Allie, not Ember. I can help you look for her in this school.” She presented herself and her school ID.

Sir Douglas smiled to this offer.

“Barbara raised you well. Do you need a lift to your house? I prefer we talk to her as soon as possible.”

Allie rose to her feet. Determined to finish her exam and to forget the mistake that involves the monarchy. She wanted to help them find Ember, if she was ever a John Hewitt student. However, she was deeply intrigued how the man was so convinced that it was her they’d been looking for. Allie had to excuse herself to take the unfinished exam.

“Sir, I am very sorry but I am not Ember. And I am not going home without taking the exam that will determine my future next year. I wish you good luck in finding her.” Allie rose to her feet and turned to leave, she remembers something and circles back. “If you ever mention my mother again, in any of this--I swear to God, I will rip your neck off. She does not deserve any more stress than she already has, please consider this as a fair warning. Do not ever go near my mom." Her nostrils were flaring and her voice became a low growl even to her own ears. She was mad for including her mother in this mishap.

Instead of feeling fear, the man smiled sweetly and was not rattled at all.

Sir Douglas saw what he was dying to see. A confirmation. Allie’s eyes turned fiery red in rage.

“You are just like him, compassionate but rough. A true Red.”

Allie slammed the door and went to Miss Perry’s office. She cannot believe that she spoke that way to an older person. Her mother will flip when she learns how ill she behaved. All she knew was that she was consumed by a strong emotion and she was very protective of her handicapped mother and she would never doubt to do anything drastic for her

Principal Atkins was soon allowed to enter his office. The man was still in his office and he was still comfortably seated on the office lounge.

“Is everything okay?”

“I am delighted. Here’s the check.” Sir Douglas shoved the check on the table.

“Whoa, this is huge!” The man’s eyes went crazy big upon seeing the amount, but his face turned into a frown sooner. “At what expense?”

“I found what I have been looking for. Thank you for your time.”