Chapter 56

' This place is so luxurious…what's the name of this place?" She asked me.
'Quebec." I replied, and she nodded.
'Huuuhh…it's so nice here." She said, and the waiter soon arrived with our food, that was when I realized that the customers around were staring at us.
'Isn't he the Prince Waylon of Sol kingdom?" I heard them whisper among themselves. Ah! How could I have been so dumb not to wear a cap?
'Gianna…" I called, and she looked up at me with her mouth full.
'By the count of three, let's ran through that door okay." I said to her.
'I will explain everything later okay."
'Oh no need, I get it, see your picture is there(points to the wall with a picture of mine dressed in Royalty) they recognized you, didn't they?"
'Then…one…two…three!" By my count, I left the bill on the table and rushed out of the restaurant.
Immediately we rushed out, I saw the media rushing into the restaurant.
'I guess someone called them." Gianna said as she chewed on some meat.
'You brought this along?" I asked her, and she dipped both hands into her pockets and brought out three chicken wings and drumsticks.
'Wow, you are too much." I said and took a drumstick from her.
' Yeah I know." She said licking her lips.
We laughed and chewed on the meat and headed for the hotel.
Nico was waiting for us under one of the trees in the park but stood up and headed inside when he saw us coming.
' Go ahead, I'm going to have some little conversation withian. I'll call you when I'm done okay." I said to Gianna who nodded.
'Bye for now, make sure not to get into any trouble." I said to her.
' I promise I won't get into any trouble, but I might find some trouble!" She said to me with a smile and I blew kisses at her.
'MWAH" She blew kisses at me and went ahead. I saw one of the workers walk to her and I think she went to show her room.
'Wait up!!' I said toian who halted and turned to me as he watched me walk towards him.
' I guess you are already having fun." He said to me when we entered his flat and he hanged his coat
on the hanger.
' Yeah I am." I said to him and he nodded as he took a seat.
'ian-ah...I want to ask you a question and I want you to be totally honest with me." I said to him and he looked at me with a puzzled look.
' Huh? sure go ahead."
' Do you by any chance like Gianna?" 'Huh?"
' Do you feelings for her, I mean…do you like her as a woman?" I asked him with all seriousness.
' Why such a question?"
' I know you are the mysterious stranger who sent her to the clinic on the day she went unconscious at the laundry." I said to him and his eyes grew wider with shock.
'How…did you know…it was me?"
' Isn't it obvious…you weren't in your room or anywhere around your Chambers when she was reported unwell. You came back sweating and out of breath. Are you going to deny it?"
'Fine…I was the one." He hesitated before replying.
'So, what has that got to do with me liking her? I was just helping out since there wasn't anyone around at that time. I already told you I don't believe in that child play called love." He said, standing up and turning his back to me.
' I realized how you act when she's around you and how uneasy you get the moment she's away. You always make excuses to have her by your side and even stood up for her last night during dinner when Aurora tried to pick on her. Isn't it obvious that you like her?"
' What if I say I do…" turning to face me.
' Are you going to say she's yours since you two kissed?" His words got me stunned.
'How..."
' Yeah… I did see you two kisses passionately. Are you going to claim her as yours since she kissed you?"
….
….. IAN….
'Nico-ah…"
'What? Are you going to claim that she's yours if I say I like her huh?"
' You are getting it all wrong. That's not what I mean by asking you that question."
' Ah…"
'Nico-ah…are you jealous?" he asked me, and I couldn't believe this.
'What? Me…me…jealous? Of course not. Why would I be jealous about you two kissing. How is it my concern that she kissed you?"
' Just take a look at your room." He said to me and when I looked around, there were glasses shattered and a broken vase, with the table turned upside down. Did I just do that?
' This…this doesn't say anything. I'm not jealous or upset okay. It's none of my business okay." I tried to defend myself but then he gave me the 'like seriously" look and I looked away.
'I know you it's hard for you to accept the fact that you have feelings for her because you once said that you will never be a victim of love which you call it a 'child's play". Gianna is an amazing young lady and she's not only gorgeous but had the qualities that are rare in most ladies. If you like her, I have nothing against it but then know that there are a lot of men out there who will kill just to be with her and even I will be willing to do anything if I want her to be mine." He replied, and I glared at him.
'So, will you be willing to do anything just to have her?" I asked him.
' Of course, I will. Why not, I mean who wouldn't." he replied with a chuckle.
'FYI(for your information) I feel nothing for her so don't go thinking I like that nuisance of a lady!" I said to him and he turned to me with his right hand on the door knob.
'Whatever, you can try to reject the fact, but it will slowly make sense when the time is right. Bye." He said and left my room.
Ah, he must be very happy, isn't he?
I'm not in love with Gianna. I mean I don't even like her to talk about falling in love with her. I'm with Aurora and we are engaged as well.
We will soon be getting married after college, even if I feel something for Gianna, she doesn't stand the chance of being with me.
You must be wondering how I knew about the kiss don't you?
Well I was passing by when I saw Gianna, she looked as if someone pulled her into a tunnel, so I followed them without being caught, I thought it was just a normal friendly moment but the she kissed my brother. Can you believe it? How can she do that to me? What am I even saying?
Ah!! This is driving me nuts!!!
'Hey…we aren't in your Chambers back in Sol kingdom, no matter how sound proof this room is, they will definitely hear your voice outside so keep it down." It was Gianna, she had a tray of good in
her hand and set it on the table.
'How did you get in here?" I asked her, and she twitched he lips with both hands on her waist she glared at me before replying.
' I have no idea you forget things so soon. Weren't you the one who gave a card to the hotel receptionist and told her she should give it to me since I'll be assisting you. I have no idea why you said assisting…why didn't you just tell her that I was your maid whom you order around haphazardly huh?"
' Will you quit blabbing already… my food is going to covered in your spit."
'Fine…I'll stop." She said and folded a napkin and places it next to the tray of food.
' I'm going for the rest." She said and headed out. She came back with another tray and I noticed the food was plenty for a single person.
'Why so many foods?" I asked.
'Your fiancé will be joining you too. She asked me them to prepare your food together. I'll call her and let her know that everything is ready." She replied formally.
' Why didn't she tell me about this first?"
' I think you should be asking her not me." She blurted out.
'Hey! When will you stop been rude towards me?" I asked her, and she looked at me with a frown.
' I can't, I can never stop. I mean…how do you expect me to live without being myself. Your Highness, with due respect, kindly excuse me… I want to go and inspect the place for the meeting."
'When is the time of the meeting?" I asked. '6pm."
'Okay. You may leave now." I said to her and she bowed before leaving.
Aurora joined me for dinner, but I couldn't get that kissing scene out if my mind. His hands behind her waist, moving his hand up her back and her grip around his neck as he pulled him in for more and the smile on her face.
Damn it's driving me crazy.
'ian-ah…" I heard Aurora call.
'What's wrong? You've barely touched your food. Is something bothering you?" she asked and I shook my head sideways.
' I'm having a bit of a stomach upset… I'm full." I said and stood up from the table.
'Is it because of me? Are you upset because I joined you?"
'No Aurora, it has nothing to do with you okay. I'm just not feeling well. You, I'll keep you company as you eat."
' No need. You should get some rest before the meeting."
'No…I insist to stay with you till you are done eating." I insisted and she agreed to it.
So, I kept her company till she was done eating, we had a little chat and spent some alone time together. She's actually interesting to be around.
We were watching TV when a knock was heard in my door.
'Who's it?"
'It's me Gianna." She replied and stood behind the door.
'Ummm Prince Tae, can you please open the door for me?"
'I though you have a card to my room?"
'I do but I can't open it became my hands are full." ' I don't care, come in yourself." I said to her and I
heard her groaned from behind the door.
After countless attempts, she finally opened the door and she carried in her arms boxed and chocolate.
' I'm here to remind you about the meeting. The foreign board of directors have arrived and are waiting for you." She said and peeked over my shoulder.
' Okay, I'll be right there." I said to her.
'I can see you got yourself busy. I'll tell them, but make sure to shower. I bet you had some great fun." She said turning her gaze from Aurora's to mine.
' I'll be going then." She said and left.
What's with those boxes of chocolates? Where did she get them?
Wait did she probably made friends already? I heard her English is really good.
Aurora left for her flat and I changed myself, wore a yellow well buttoned long sleeves, with a matching pair of black pants with my well-polished black shoes.
I was on my way to the conference room when I saw her looking outside the window and called her.
' Follow me." I said to her. 'Huh?"
'Here(threw my bag on her) you're also my personal assistant right, so you're also my personal secretary. Well your dressing code is suitable for meeting so come along." I said to her.
'But…but…"
'Are you going to disobey your Master?" I asked her and she gulped loudly as she followed me.
Everyone turned in our direction and stood up to greet me when I entered the conference room, I greeted and took my seat with Aurora seated on my right-hand side.
The meeting went on very well and I had Gianna take note of all the important information, we ended the meeting and everyone left in an hour time.
' Why did you bring her along?" Aurora asked me when everyone had left.
'Why…is there a problem with me bringing her along?".
'Not really, I was just concerned since the company has been facing a very big competition with Quang Industries. I was just worried that one of them might trick her into selling our information about this meeting to them." She said to me and I nodded.
'What? Do you think I'm so obsessed with money that I might sell out your info? What do you take me for huh? Do you want to frame me from here so that when you sell the information outside you will immediately point fingers at me and say, 'I told you so" right?" Gianna snapped at Aurora.
'Watch your words Gianna, I was just trying to…"
'Trying to what? Do you think I will stoop so low for money by betraying the king and Queen? I am not that much of a disgusting human like you!"
'GIANNA!! THAT'S ENOUGH!!" I yelled at her and she jerked.
'Enough with your blabbing, how dare you talk to the Princess that way? Don't you think you have crossed the line enough? Enough of your nonsense already! She was just trying to make point here and you just jumped in and throwing insults at her. Don't you know your place? I've tolerated your nonsense for far too long. Know your place when around us. I've had enough of your rudeness You are nothing but a common maid so know your place!!" I yelled at her and she stepped back.
' I'm sorry." She said with a bow, left the note on the table and ran out of the conference room.
'Please calm down darling. You were too harsh on her." Aurora said trying to calm me down but then I was so furious. I don't know but after watching her run out, I felt angry about myself.
What did I just do?
No…I did what was right, she was crossing the line. But why I'm I so mad at myself?
I headed for my room and fell on my bed. I felt as if someone was pulling my heart out when I thought of her, the tears which were welling up in her eyes and the shock written all over her face made my heart ache. Why do I even feel this way. I'm s messed up!
I woke up the next morning and realized I went to sleep without changing into my pajamas. I walked
into the bathroom room and the image of her sorrowful eyes came crawling into my head. I hit the wall so hard that I bled.
WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME!!
I was restless, she hasn't showed up today or brought my breakfast. I suddenly heard a knock on the door and hurried to open it, expecting it to be her but then it was a different lady.
'Good morning Your Highness, we are sorry for the inconvenience, your breakfast will be served soon." She said to me.
' Are you the one who will be bringing it?" I asked her.
'No, your highness, Ms. Han will be bringing it in a short time." She said with a smile and I nodded and closed the door behind her after she left.
I heard the door knob turn open and she came walking in with a tray of food.
'Good morning Your Highness, I brought your breakfast." She said with a bow.
'Thank you." I said and sat behind the table as she served me with a cup of tea and a sliced bread with fried eggs.
'Have you had your breakfast?" I asked her. 'No please."
'Why don't you join me? Let's have breakfast together." I suggested.
' I'm sorry your Highness, it will be improper of me to do so." She replied.
'Hey! Gianna, what's gotten into you?" I asked.
' I'm sorry your Highness, I'm just doing my job. If you don't find my service pleasing, I'll work on myself." She replied, and I was really getting pissed off because she wouldn't even look up at me.
I pushed the food away and asked her to take it back and that I wasn't having an appetite.
I went outside my room for some air when I saw her in the distance talking to a foreigner. She brought out her phone and they seemed to exchange contact. I watched as she giggled and waved at him when he was leaving.
I approached her and the very moment she turned to me, the smile just left her face.
'Good afternoon your Highness." She greeted, and I scoffed.
' What's with all this? Why are you being like this towards me?"
' Please I don't get you."
'Hey…stop playing dumb. Why are you being like this…was it because of what I said yesterday at the con…" I couldn't finish my statement when Waylon walked towards us.
'Oh Gianna…" He called, and she smiled the moment their gaze met.
I held her hand to prevent her from leaving, she didn't fight back like she usually does.
'Please let me go." She pleaded politely.
'Gianna…" I was about to talk when Waylon came and took her hand from mine, glared at me, shaking his head and heaved a sigh as he took her hand and left with her.
….
…Gianna…
I couldn't believe it when he told me I was just a maiden and that I should know my place. I never expected anything from him but not standing up for Aurora and going that far.
' I'm sorry." I apologized and headed for the door. I closed the door and when I turned to leave, Waylon was standing there. By the sight of him, I burst into tears as I leaned my forehead on his chest and cried my heart out.
He held my shoulders and slid his fingers down my chin, lifting my head up and wiping my tears with his thumb.
' I'm sorry Gianna. I'm sorry for what he did." He apologized, and it rather made me cry the more.
'Why do you always have to apologize on his behalf. It's not like I wanted to be a maiden on an intention of mine. He made me a maiden and now…" I sobbed bitterly in his arms.
'Why does it hurt so much, why does this have to happen to me." I cried, and he patted my back.
Waylon escorted me to my room and I barely touched any food that night.
I was done with my service for the morning and went out with Waylon to get some ice cream from a nearby ice cream truck opposite the hotel.
'Wait here…I'll be right back." He said as he headed for the ice cream truck and I waved at him.
'Hoo…Nan is that you?" Someone called my name with a British accent. Behind me stood a very good-looking handsome man with brown hair, blue eyes and I think he's six feet and two inches tall.
'Umm do I know you by any chance?" I asked, and he chuckled, lowered his head and rubbed his right finger on his lip shyly.
' Well I think you barely remember me now right…it's me Thaddeus, that young brown hair kid from the streets with a strawberry hat." He said, and I winced my eyes , trying to recall who he was talking about, I was thoughtful for some time then, I remembered.
'Oh, Thad…it's you. The strawberry English kid." I said and he chuckled.
' How did you know it was me?" I asked him, and he smiled.
'Urm, let's say you didn't change even a little, you got much prettier." Thad said to me and I kicked my hair behind my ears shyly.
'I barely recognized you, the strawberry English kid with runny nose is all grown up now." I said, and he smiled at me. His smile was bright, and his eyes were like the crescent moon. How can he be so handsome.
' My nose doesn't run anymore." He replied, and I giggled.
'So…what are you doing here?" I asked
'oh… I'm here with my uncle. We came around for some vacation. What about you?"
'Let's say it's kind of complicated." I replied, I noticedian coming out of the hotel.
'Oh okay. When will you be leaving?" he asked me.
' Very soon…you know what? Let's exchange contact so we can keep in touch." I suggested, and he agreed as he took my phone and dialed in his number.
'That's my number." I said as his phone rang, and he brought it out of his pocket.
' I guess you are in a hurry, I'll call you okay." He said to me.
' I'll be looking forward to it." I said to him and he smiled.
He smiled at me, looking into my eyes and before I realized, he planted a kiss on my cheeks and ran off.
Ah, he hasn't changed a little bit. That was the same thing he did when we were young. This foreign runny nose kid grew up really well.
I found myself smiling and holding my cheeks as I watched him go.
He sure has a way of getting into my head but I'm really curious about what he's doing here. The last time I checked, he's an English kid. Well my happy moment got ruined when he showed up.
'Good afternoon your Highness." I greeted, and he scoffed.
' What's with all this? Why are you being like this towards me?"
' Please I don't get you."
'Hey…stop playing dumb. Why are you being like this…was it because of what I said yesterday at the con…" He couldn't finish my statement when Waylon walked towards us.
'Oh Gianna…" He called, and I smiled the moment our gaze met.
He held her hand to prevent me from leaving but I didn't fight back.
'Please let me go." I pleaded politely.
'Gianna…" He was about to talk when Waylon came and took my hand from his and glared at him, shaking his head and heaved a sigh as he took my hand and we left.
'Why did you do that?" I asked him, and he sighed and placed the ice cream in the table.
' Why, do you miss him so bad that you wanted to have a conversation with him?" He asked, and I shook my head.
'Actually, I wanted to tell you that you were so cool back there."
' Hey... I don't know what to do with you." ' Then marry me." I blurted out playfully.
' Okay sure, when should we get married, do you want it now and right here?"
' Yeah if it's possible." I replied and we both laughed.
'Here, your favorite mint chocolate ice cream." He said handing it over to me.
'Thank you so much." I said and took it from him gently.
He sat next to me with his legs crossed and staring in the distance with me.
'Who was that foreigner you were talking to?" he asked, and it made me turn towards him.
' Oh, the runny nose kid? He's a friend of mine."
' How come you two are friends, he's not Asian or anything."
'Yeah, he's an English kid, we met when I was around ten years old, it was during summer and he got his kite stick on a tree nearby, so I helped him out and we became friends."
'I see." He said and looked away.
'He looked like he was interested in you." 'Who?"
'The foreigner." ' Why?"
'Well from the way he looked at you, and the kiss on your cheek."
' Ah well." I said and sighed. 'Okay."
There was total silence between us as we both stared in the distance.
'Ummm…excuse me, are you two a couple?" A young girl between the age of ten to twelve approached us asked and my jaw dropped.
'Why?" I asked, and she smiled as she looked up at Waylon who stared at her with shock.
' You two are seated the same way with your right leg crossed over your left leg and you are eating
the ice cream uniformly at the same time. I was curious, so I came to ask." The Canadian girl said, and I nodded my head.
'We are no…"
'Yeah we are a couple." Waylon interjected and crossed his arms around my shoulder.
'Wow, you two really look good together." The girl complimented.
'Can you please take a picture of us?" Waylon asked and she nodded as he handed over his phone to her.