Chapter 60

' If I could, I would've stopped this feeling from growing. It's hard for me you know."
' I'm not saying this because I want her for myself or because I love her…but don't you think it will only be fair if you make her life less difficult than it already is? Gianna has been through a lot since
childhood. I don't think she'll be able to accept any other torment from the Royal family. We both love her very much and don't want anything bad happening to her."
' I understand what you are saying."
'Wipe that look on your face, I'm not asking you to give up on her. I am actually a fan of challenge."
'So, are you saying I shouldn't let her go yet?" 'Yeah."
'But why, I mean if I let go of my feelings for her, you'll end up having the upper hand as you always do but you are asking me to hang around instead."
'Confusing right? I'm not in Gianna's heart and I don't know which one of us have totally won her over. One thing I don't like are men who give up on love easily, I see them to be pathetic. I am more of the challenging type and I think you're fit to be my rival. What if she ends up choosing you over
me…which I kind of doubt for the moment…will you make her suffer when she realizes you gave up on her even before she could express herself?"
' No…I wouldn't want that."
'Then good, it's on. Let's see who wins her over, Crowned Prince." I said stressing out the words 'crowned Prince".
' You sure are bold and courageous, aren't you?"
' Why do you think I'm called Alexi Thaddeus, Alexi is the variation of Alexander meaning, defender of mankind and Thaddeus also a Greek name meaning courageous heart. I bare two Greek names. Now you know I don't have that name for nothing." I said with a smirk.
'I see."
' So…I think we are done here right?"
'Yeah..." he replied and we both stood up and left the money on the table as we both walked out of
the shop.
' I'll see you around." I said and headed for my car leaving him behind.
I keep wondering why he was harsh toward Gianna all this while. From what I've heard, he was always controlling her and always harsh towards her. Could have been trying to cover up the way he feels with his cold nature? If so, then how long has he been in love with her and why he is expressing his feelings now?
I drove back to my apartment and went to shower up, prepared dinner and ate to my fullest.
I sat behind my laptop and called my parents on a video call.
'Mom..." I said the very moment she answered.
' Aww my darling, do you miss us already?" she asked and my dad popped his head behind her.
' Yes Mom…I know I called you like in the morning but I still miss you."
' We miss you too baby." Dad said with a smile. 'So, tell us, how was your day?"
' It was okay and yours?"
'Your mom and I went out to the beach to have some fun. See we listened to your advice of not stressing ourselves with work."
' I'm glad you two had fun."
'Urrrm...how are things going on with you and Gianna?" Mom as they both looked at me expectantly.
' Things are cool and you have no idea how excited I was when I heard her say I was her first love too(both gasped with joy) but I have a rival."
' Who is that?"
'You wouldn't believe it but then the crowned Prince has feelings for her '
'Oh, my goodness, how can this happened. Don't worry son, always fight for what's yours. Your father and I have your back so matter who your rival is, we will still have your back okay."
'Yes, your mother is right. Do all your best to get her okay."
'You have no idea how relived I am to hear you guys say this."
' Don't drink too much of alcohol okay, you know how you get, when you get drunk."
'I know mom, I promise not to get drunk in public." I said holding my ears and they both laughed.
' Don't worry, you don't know what might happen but then make sure to get home quickly when you realize how drunk you are." Mom said and we giggled.
' I love you Mom. I love you dad." 'We love you son. Take care okay."
'Okay. Bye for now." I said and we blew kisses at each other before hanging up.
I went to school the next morning and the first person I met on my way to the library was that girl from before.
'Thaddeus…good morning." She greeted. ' Yeah, good morning. How are you doing?" 'I'm doing great and yourself?"
' Well, let's say I'm coping."
' I hope you aren't having any bad time here."
' Of course not, my only worry is the ladies who are all over me that's all."
' That shouldn't be a surprise to you. I mean, you're a tall, well-built handsome young foreign man. Who wouldn't want to be by your side." She said touching the tip of my well ironed shirt playfully.
' Should I take that as a compliment?" I asked her and she blushed.
' So where are you headed to?" She asked and I paused.
' Ummm, I actually don't have any lectures today. I came around to see some friends but I think they are all in class."
' Oh, that's bad. So where are you off to now?" ' To the school's pool." I replied.
'Which one?"
' The one for the school's team, two blocks away." 'Okay..."
' Do you mind if I join you?"
'Okay, sure." I said and she smiled as she followed me to the pool side.
I tested Gianna my located and asked her to meet me when she's done with lectures. I wasn't able to talk to her yesterday because I was busy doing my assignment after having a conversation with my parents.
Hannah quickly sat beside the pool the moment we arrived and threw her purse in one of the chairs.
There seemed to be no body around and I think we were the only ones there.
'So…Thaddeus, I heard you are half English and Half Russian."
' Well, whoever told you said nothing but the truth."
'oh okay…urmm which of your parents is a Russian?"
'My dad."
'Oh okay." She replied.
There was total silence between us as she flapped her legs in the pool playfully and I just kept my eyes glued to my phone.
' Harrhhh, such a nice weather." Hannah said as she inhaled the warm breeze, I was about to utter a word when I heard a splash in the water.
I looked over my phone and couldn't find Hannah at where she was seated, I looked into the pool and there she was, gagging the water in the pool and struggling to come out. Out of fear, I threw my phone on the chair I was seated on and jumped into the pool to help her out. I finally got her out of the pool but she had gagged on a lot of water and I think she swallowed a lot of water as well. I called her name but she wasn't moving, and her breath was so slow I could barely hear her heart beat. I had no option but to go bend down and give her a mouth to mouth precipitation. I got up, pump on her
chest but still no response, and I went back down for the mouth to mouth precipitation and she finally gave out a long breath. She opened her eyes and at that very moment I heard footsteps approaching but then she pulled my collar and kissed me on the lips before I could turn to see who was coming.
'Thaddeus…?" I heard Gianna's voice when I finally got to push Hannah away but then it was too late as she ran off.
' Gianna, it's not what you think, let me explain please!!" I said as I went after her.
…
…Unexpected Situations… No POV's
After that incident of the kiss, Hannah smirked with ease as she majestically walked into the female washroom nearby and changed into another clothes and headed for Aurora's apartment.
'How did it go?" Aurora asked Hannah the moment she entered the living room.
' It was perfect, you should've seen the look on her face, oh my goodness it was so priceless."
' I can see you really did enjoy yourself."
' Those foreign lips of his tastes so juicy that I didn't want to let go."
' Are you crushing on him or something?"
' How wouldn't I. You're even crushing on him like
crazy but you hiding it too."
' Whatever, he's got almost every girl after him. He's like the boy next door that every girl wants."
' You're too bad Aurora."
' I know right." Aurora replied chicly and bated her lashes.
They both sat across the table with their legs cross as they rejoiced over making Gianna feel miserable.
Thaddeus finally found Gianna and to his surprise, she was sucking down juice with a straw happily.
' Hey… come sit here." Gianna said to him as she patted her hand on the empty space beside her.
' Gianna, I'm really sorry for what happened back there. It wasn't what it seemed like." Thaddeus tried to explain when Gianna smiled at him.
' I know, you shouldn't be apologizing. There's no way I would've believed that act she was putting on back there. She did it on purpose and I decided to play along as if I was really hurt even though I didn't let the fact that she kissed you. '
' What do you mean by you played along?"
'Hannah and Aurora have always been at my throat since second year, I mean when I first came to this school. They don't like me one bit and I don't care either. I knew she was just putting on a show because she was the first to see me when I walked in. Don't worry, no hard feelings." Gianna explained and Thaddeus nodded trying to get it all in.
' am I the only one who has noticed howaxel stares at Sandra?" Thaddeus asked Gianna when they spottedaxel seriously staring at Sandra who was helping out set up the podium with a smile on his face.
'Of course not. I realized it during last semester. He's been sending her flowers and he remains anonymous as well. Sandra seemed to talk about him a lot. I have no idea why they both don't want to express their feeling to each other." Gianna pointed out.
'Maybe they think Zoe wouldn't root for them or something like that. You know sometimes dating a sibling's friend can be hard."
' That's very true but I think Zoe will love it when she gets to know."
' Zoe might probably burst with excitement." Thaddeus added.
' And…what am I going to burst with excited about?" there she stood Zoe was standing right next to them.
' Just have a seat and watch two people secretly admire and steal glances at each other." Gianna
said offering Zoe a seat.
' I love it so much, it's more like spying on two secret lovers." Zoe said excitedly as she sat down.
' I can see Sandra has really rubbed off her fantasy and action self on you." Gianna teased and they giggled.
Zoe closely watched with them and her eyes followed her brother as he walked towards Sandra.
'Do you mind if I give you a hand?"axel asked Sandra who smiled shyly before replying.
' Of course not, thank you."
He helped her hang the decorations on the sides of the canopy. Sandra turned around to pass on a flyer to one of the second-year students, she stepped forward and accidentally tripped over a role which was tied to one of the chairs whenaxel caught her in time. She looked up at him, breathless, her eye lashes not batting, they could feel their heart race uniformly together as he held unto her and eyes looking into each other.
' I got it!" Zoe screamed with excitement as she stood up and showed Gianna and Thaddeus the picture she had taken.
' Their poise is so romantic and the look In their eyes, they will make the cutest couple on my IG." She said and suddenly pauses.
'Wait, were those two the secret admirers you guys…Oh my God I can't believe this!!!" she said jumping from toe to toe in excitement and ran to Sandra andaxel as Gianna and Thaddeus followed.
'Hyang loves Sandra!axel loves Sandra!axel loves Sandra!axel loves Sandra!" Zoe sang loudly.
' Oh my God, Oh my God…I can't believe this. All this while you liked Sandra and you couldn't say
it." Zoe said toaxel and Sandra's eyes grew wider.axel tried to cover Zoe's mouth to stop her from spewing another word when she went 'Don't even think about it!"
'So, you are the anonymous flower guy, No wonder you kept asking mom about flowers that lady's love."
' I can't believe mom told you about it."axel cried and Zoe turned to Sandra.
' You two like each other and you can't say it. I can't believe how you two can be noisy and boastful about yourselves but not your feelings. I have a new sister in-law and I'm so happy it's you Sandra!!" She said hugging Sandra tightly.
Hyang and Sandra looked away shyly as Zoe kept on blabbing about how excited she as at the moment!!
' Without further or do… you two are officially dating!" Zoe announced.
' Zoe-ah!!"axel called her name.
'What? Don't you like her(Hyang bows his head shyly) see how you get all shy when around her. It's official now. You are so lucky I didn't ask you two to kiss. I have a future Sister in-law." Zoe said happily as she crosses her right arm around Sandra's left arm.
She took out her phone and punched in some keys then turned back to them.
' Oh…I've got to go!! See you guys later my new couple." She said, blowing kisses ataxel and Sandra before running off.
The atmosphere got awkward for bothaxel and Sandra as all they could do is get shy and the others congratulating them. Some of the girls felt jealous about Sandra she stole the heart of one of the handsome Trio.
'So, when will your contract withian be over?" Thaddeus asked Gianna.
' I've got five days left."
' That's good news. You'll finally have your life back."
' Exactly." Gianna replied and they burst out laughing.
' So, when will you be leaving for England?" Gianna asked Thaddeus.
' Not anytime soon. I'll be around till next year." 'Are you going to graduate with us?"
' Yes and no." 'Explain please."
' I'll leave for England for my graduation there and I'll receive a certificate from here as well to show I was once an exchange student here."
'oh Okay. But will you be coming back to Korea?"
' Yup."
' That's great." Gianna said with a smile as she kicked the little rock on the floor playfully.
' About me andian, I think you know, don't you?"
' That he's interested in you?" 'Yeah."
' Don't worry, I know you must be confused on who to choose or leave but all I'll say is that, you should listen to your heart. If I'm the one, I'll be the happiest man in the world and if he is the one, I'll respect your decision but I will still love you."
Thaddeus' response was sincere and he didn't want to look like he wanted her all to himself.
' Thank you, Thaddeus." ' Why?"
'For loving a silly girl like me."
'Your silliness is sexy and your sassiness is one in a million." Thaddeus said and she giggled.
' I heard you have a doctor friend who got your sarcasm on the high and took it to a whole new level.
' Yeah, Dr. Park…I really miss him." Gianna said with a smile as she recalled the first day she got to know him.
BACK AT THE CASTLE
Nico was relaxing and enjoying the view from the balcony when Waylon walked to him with his phone.
' It's dad." Waylon said as she handed over the phone over toian.
' Good day son" 'Good day dad."
'How have you been?"
' Great dad."
' That's good to hear."
' Son…we need you at the Castle. If possible, you should get here before the end of the day."
'Okay dad. I'll be on my way then." ' Okay son."
He hanged up the call and turned to Waylon who was eager to know what their father said toian.
' He asked me to go to the Castle. Only God knows what he's up to this time around."ian said to Waylon and they both chuckled.
' Should I drive you there?"
' Are you using it as an excuse to see Athenag?" ' Yeah yeah, you caught me."
' Then I'm in."
Waylon hurried and fetched his car key as they
headed for his white range Rover parked outside the lounge.
' Have you seen Gianna around lately?"ian asked Waylon who started the car's engine.
' Oh yeah, I was with her last night. We even went out to the movies with Sandra andaxel."
' Did Thaddeus come along?"
'oh no, he was busy with some stuffs so he couldn't make it."
' I see. I still can't believe thataxel and Sandra are dating, it feels like just yesterday when I caughtaxel stealing glances at Sandra and taking pictures of her with his phone."
'You know right. They are inseparable."
' I'm happy for them."ian's mood seemed look less happy.
' Are you worried about you and Gianna?"
' Yeah, I get really scared when I have the thought of her going with Thaddeus. It haunts me."
' Why don't you flee with her. Like the two of you go somewhere no one can find you and start all over there." Waylon said playfully.
' That's a great idea."
' Don't take it too serious bro, I was just joking around."
' Arh well."ian said with a shrug making Waylon laugh.
They finally arrived at the big giant castle.
' Have you found the guy who helped Aurora with framing Gianna?"ian asked Waylon who wore his sunglasses.
' Yeah, I did. He's not really cooperating but I'll eventually get him to talk when the time is right."
' What of Zoe, did she tell you?"
' Zoe's secret seems to be a very hard one. She isn't willing to spill it no matter what."
' I'm wondering what she's trying to hide so much."
'Me too, it keeps me…it always keeps me on my toes. I think you should get going now, Dad is probably waiting for you."
' Yeah, you are right. See you later." 'Sure…bye." Waylon andian parted.
' The Crowned Prince is here your Majesty." The Duke said to the King andian was allowed to come in.
The Queen soon joined them and so did the Duke's wife (Zoe andaxel mother). The Duke's wife is actually the King's younger sister and the Duke is the King's best friend since childhood.
'You may excuse us now." The king said to the maids present and they excused them asian
took his seat.