Chapter XXIX: Caden

After sending Mathilda home, Mr. Bear immediately drove off the car to our mansion. It took only ten minutes and I could now clearly see the only standing building at the top of the hill.


“I'll go first, Mr. Bear…” He parked the car first while I get inside to look for my grandmother.


"Mamita?" My bag is still on my shoulder when I started calling for her.


There was no Mamita waiting for me when I entered. She’s not in the patio either, which she used to hangout last week. I went to the dining area, wondering just in case she was there but there’s no trace of my grandmother.


"Where is Mamita, Mr. Bear?" I asked our butler when I meet him heading to the kitchen.


"She was just here in the living area earlier when I picked you up." He touched his beard as if remembering something. "Have you looked in her room?"


Oh… I snapped a finger.


I haven't been there yet. It's because Mamita doesn't go up to her room right away when I'm not home yet, and it's still too early to go to bed.


I just thanked him then went straight to the second floor and immediately went to her room. I knocked few times but I got no answer from her.


"Grandma?" I called from outside her room, luckily it wasn’t locked.


I carefully opened the door. Half of my body was almost inside when someone violently pull me out of the room. I grunted in pain and in shocked, but I was even more taken a back when I saw Mamita in front.


"What are you doing there, Amaris?" I thought I am going to have a heart attack.



She is standing in front of me with creased eyebrows. Her face is getting darker while looking at me.


“You frightened me, Mamita. My heart almost came out of my chest,” I honestly said to her.


When my heartbeat returned to normal, I approached her for a kiss. I just ignored the strange expression she gave me earlier.


"What are you going to do inside?" Mamita is not even smiling at me that made me confused.


Just by looking at her, I know she is not pleased.


“Uh, I-I’m just looking for you, Mamita. You weren't in the living room when I arrived.” She just nodded before shutting the door behind me.


"Where have you been?" I ask once again.


“Library. I was a little bored so I read book while waiting for you…”


She then started to guide me towards my room, but stops midway and faces me.


“Whenever I am not at home, promise me you won’t enter my room without my permission! Do you get it?” Her eyes narrowed as her lips turned into thin line.


I was astounded by what she said. I didn’t expect that. She is restricting me to go her room? Why?


"Uh, why Mamita?" I asked in astonishment. I even thought I am talking to a different creature as of the moment.


I could still remember when I was a kid, I can freely go to her room any time and she has no problem with that. I always think that there’s something odd happening.


“My room is still messy. I haven't cleaned up yet and I don't want you to inhale the dust inside, sweetheart.” She’s back in her sweet voice.


I just nodded even I am not used to her actions these past few days.


“All right, rest first. We will just call you when dinner is ready.” She kissed me on the head first before turning her back on me.


I just watched her disappear from my sight as he entered her room.


I don't want to think ill, but I could feel Mamita was hiding something from me. I don’t want to know it either because I don’t want to be hurt by whatever I might find out.

***


The next day, Mr. Bear and I were the only one sharing food in the dining table, Mamita was nowhere to be found.


"Where did Mamita go?" I asked Mr. Bear who’s busy eating.


As usual, the food in the table is too much for the two of us.


“She did not mention where she was going. But she left the house early this morning, little doll.”


It's seven o'clock now and I was definitely still asleep when Mamita left.


“All right. Thank you…”


I finished my meal and just waited for Mr. Bear in the living area. My agenda first thing this morning is to talk to Sanya about the meeting yesterday that I wasn’t able to attend to.


"Be careful, little doll." He smiled at me and slightly messed up my hair.


We were already here in the university and there were still thirty minutes before class started.


“Bye-bye, Mr. Bear!” I waved at him as the car pulled away.


I was about to turn my back when a black sports car stopped in front of me. My breathing hitched when Caden came out of that luxury car.


My world seems to stop when he began walking. He looks majestic.


“What are you still doing here? It's almost time,” he greeted me to my surprise.


I didn’t expect him to stop in front of me and even start a conversation. I could smell his manly perfume that causes erratic beating of my heart.


“Uh, I was just waiting for Mr. Bear to leave before going inside," I replied.


I’m thankful I didn’t stutter while speaking. I can be deafened by the force of my chest pounding at these times.


"Let's go." I was startled when he took my arm to guide me inside.


I looked at him in disbelief! Is it really happening?!


Oh my gosh! I am hyperventilating right now.


The warmth of his hands is as almost tracing my whole body even he is only holding my hand.


"Good morning to you.” I know it was late but I still greeted him as we walked in the quiet hallway of the university.


I was distracted by his perfectly sculpted face that I forgot to greet him.


"Good morning to you, as well." He walked fast so I almost doubled every single step he took. It was as if he was chasing something because of his haste.


“I'm sorry if I didn't attend the meeting yesterday. I still have something to take care of." I broke the silence when he didn't speak again.


I still want to talk to him. If only we could talk all day…


“That’s alright. We postponed it.” I watched him busy pressing the elevator button.


It opened instantly and he let me get inside first.


"Good morning, King…" a soft and tiny voice greeted him.



Caden just nodded at the little creature. Willow’s smile brightened as she saw me.


“Hi, gorgeous! Long time no see!” She almost screamed in excitement but eventually covered her mouth when she realizes that we are with the King of Elites.


I waved and greeted her back as well. I also haven't seen Willow for a long time, because Mathilda likes to use stairs when she's with me.


I turned my attention back to Caden and we were both surprised to see that he was also looking at me as well. He was taken a back for a second before he lowered his head and averted his gaze.


A flush crept up in my face, there’s a sudden awkwardness in this four corner place.


"Uhm, why did you postpone the meeting?” I could still feel my face in heat, thankfully his attention wasn’t on mine.


“I have to rearrange it since we are not complete yesterday. Can you come now?”


As in now?


He turned to me and I just found myself nodding in response.


“Uh, yes. I have nothing to do.” Geez! Where did I get that? We have a class this morning, but I had the guts to tell that to him!


Our conversation interrupted when the elevator stopped. I almost stumbled from my feet, fortunately Caden was too quick to hold my waist carefully.


"T-thank you very much." I still want to stay inside his warm arms but I also need to let go. I walked away from him and shyly bowed.


"Let's go…"


He was already out of the elevator and I immediately followed.


"Thank you, Willow." Before heading out, I bid my goodbye to the pixie fairy who brought us here. She smiled at me in return before the door finally closed.


"What are we doing here?" I followed his footsteps. Fortunately, his every step was a bit slow unlike earlier.



We are on the 20th floor of the building. I am a month studying here in Laurent but I haven’t had a tour yet. I am just familiar with the arena, the headmaster’s office and our room.


"The Elites' room is here, and we will have a meeting there," Caden replied.


I looked around and it was a bit different from the other floors. There is only one room in the whole floor which is located at the far end.


“Thank you,” I said smiling at him.


He looked at me in surprise. "Why saying thank you?"


I was silenced for a moment. "B-because you took me here with you."


That’s all I can say because that’s the safest answer. I don't want to tell him that I'm grateful because he makes my heart happy? He would get shocked for sure. I didn’t want to ruin our first harmonious conversation.


His eyes flashed. "No problem." He cleared his throat before continuing to walk.


I couldn’t help but smile as I watched his well-defined back. He is wearing a white plain shirt and black jeans. He matches it with a white sneaker and a black cap. His outfit was simple but it made him hotter even more. In his right hand he was holding a black jacket. I just stopped when he stopped in front of a door. He entered a passcode and it immediately got opened.


"All right, you go first Caden…" I said when he was about to make way so I can enter the room.


He stopped midway and looked at me with amusement in his eyes. He bit his lower lip to suppress his lips from curving up.


"Caden, hmm?" I heard him whispered.


It was too late to notice the mistake I’ve made! I covered my mouth and frantically bowed my head.


Oh my god! You're embarrassing, Amaris!


“I’m sorry, that should be King! Oh my gosh! I didn't mean to call you without honorary…”


I tried my best not to hurt myself from embarrassment. Why do I have to embarrass myself in front of him? I was so carried away by our conversation that I didn’t even notice what I was calling him.


I'm just calling him with that name if I am talking with Mathilda or with myself. I forgot that he was right in front of me.


“That’s fine with me. Caden it is…” he said and I felt my knees wobble when he smiled before turning his back at me.