The Prince of Goara

Chapter Three

XAVIER.

" Hey, Xavier! "

Greysen called me while they were playing. Adira is here every day in the pizzeria and she still helps us. Its break time for us and we closed the pizzeria.

Just like the usual, Desmond sleeps while the two are playing. Aren't they getting tired?

" Xavier! " Greysen called again but I just ignored them. They always bother me and tease me whenever we're having a break.

" Tss. " Adira hissed and rolled her eyes.

It's been a week since I teased her in the kitchen. She was fuming mad at me at that time. I chuckled when I remembered her face.

" Why are you smiling there, huh?! " Greysen noticed me smiling. They both looked at me.

I walked to the kitchen and decided to clean a bit.

I was cleaning the sink when I heard footsteps and I already know who it is. I can hear him chuckling and I know he'll just bother me.

He started tickling me while making that teasing sound.

" What?! " I asked irritated. I continued cleaning the sink.

" Why are you smiling earlier? " He asked curiously. I rolled my eyes. Yeah, here's another episode of Greysen teasing me. " Admit it! "

" Admit what?! " I asked and faced him. He smiled foolishly. I'm a bit irritated but I can manage. I'm used to him.

" C'mon, you can tell me that, don't be shy! " He teased.

" Tell you what?! " I frustratedly asked. I cleaned the sink again. " I'm not hiding anything, Grey, so please stop bothering me cuz I'm busy. "

" Are you flirting with a girl? " I almost stumbled with what he said. " These days, you've been smiling like a dumbhead. You also wink at someone last week I just didn't see who it was. " He added.

" Stop it, Grey. I've no time for you " I replied.

" Fine. " He agreed and walked back to Adira.

It's been months since I knew these people around me and started working in this pizzeria. I like the life I'm living now. But still, I miss my family and....my girl.

Never mind, I should forget about her for now.

I remembered that I didn't say goodbye to her before leaving. How can I face her after seeing her in someone else's arms? It stings a bit whenever I think of that night.

" Hey, let's go! " Adira said with authority. She's facing me with no emotions. She walked away so I just followed her. She went outside so I looked at Greysen with a confused face.

" Grandpa told her to come with you and buy 2 sacks of flour. " Greysen answered.

I just followed Adira and walked beside her.

We weren't talking until we got to the store. I bet she's still mad at me.

When we were walking back to the pizzeria, both carrying a sack of flour, a man bumped unto her and she fell. The man apologized to her but I noticed that she was having a hard time standing up so I helped her.

I was convincing her that I can carry two sacks so she could walk bare hands but she refused.

" Let me carry that. " I offered again. She didn't refuse this time. She gave me the sack and started walking. I was walking fine when I saw her hardly breathing.

I catch up to her and asked her if she's fine. She didn't answer.

A few moments after, she stopped walking and told me that she can't breathe properly. I put down the sacks and let her sit on the side.

" Are you okay? What's happening? " I asked confused and concerned. She's still catching her breath.

When she stopped breathing heavily and seemed to breathe normally, I asked her again.

" What's the matter? " I asked. She took a deep breath.

She looked at me for a couple of seconds, examining my face. She then stood up, ignored my question, and walked away. She's such a brat.

We went back to the pizzeria and they continued playing again.

I decided to rest a bit after I cleaned the sink. I went to the serving area and sat at one of the tables there. Greysen and Adira watched me sat on a chair and lean my face on the table. I ignored them so they went back to their business.

I brushed my hair up and closed my eyes.

I easily fell asleep because of tiredness I think.

I heard someone giggling and felt something on my face. I opened my eyes and saw a marker in front of my face. I saw two little crackheads too. They were shocked when they saw me awake.

I glared at them.

" What are you guys doing? " I asked staring at them. They both looked away.

" Nothing. " They answered at once. They walked away quickly.

I saw Desmond preparing to open the pizzeria cuz our break time is over.

I helped him and went inside when we opened it but he called me and told me to be in the serving area.

He went to the kitchen and made some doughs.

I could not refuse even if I want to be inside.

Something was unusual now. People are staring at me and chuckling a bit. What's wrong?

A not too old lady went in front and ordered.

" One Taco Quesadila Pizza, Mr. Mustaché. " She laughed. I didn't mind her cackling and just told Adira her order. I remembered I don't have a mustache but—wait a minute!

I looked in the mirror and saw the fake mustache on my face. I glared at Adira and Grey.

They couldn't help it so they burst out laughing like dumbheads. I walked into the kitchen and washed it off my face.

I didn't take it as a big deal and just went back to work.

I often saw Adira thumping her chest softly like she's not able to breathe properly.

Hours had passed and its finally closing time.

I was cleaning the tables when the two dumbheads walled towards me and gave me chocolates. I looked at them confused.

" Won't you stop joking around? I'm tired so please. " I muttered.

"It's a peace offering. We're sorry, Xavier. " Greysen apologized. Adira was just looking at me. I stared at her, waiting for her to speak and apologize. I mean, it's not a thing for me but I still deserve an apology.

" Apology accepted? " Greysen asked like a child. I diverted my attention to him and nodded. I accepted the chocolates planning to give them to the kids when I go home. I glanced at Adira and went back to cleaning.

" Bye, Xavier! " Greysen waved goodbye. I just nodded and waved back.

" Hey, Ads. Where are you going? " Greysen asked when he saw Adira walking in my same direction. I confusedly looked at them. Desmond walked continuously, not minding us.

" I'll go this way, I'll pick up something there. " She pointed far away in the direction we'll go.

Greysen agreed and said goodbye to Adira.

We were walking quietly. I don't mind her walking beside me and I don't know what to say so I think it's better to shut up.

She started thumping her chest again. I was bothered so I managed to ask her.

" Are you okay? " I asked, concerned. She just nodded while looking far away. " Are you sure, Adira? "

She stopped and looked around. She sat on the side of the street. I followed her and sat beside her.

" Can I trust you? " She said. I just nodded and assured her. " I have heart disease. "

I was stupefied and opened my mouth but no words came out of my mouth.

" It's for you to believe or not. " She mumbled. She has this melancholy aura right now and I can't stand it because it's the first time I saw her like this.

She looks so serious.

" I-I believe you but...I'm just...shocked. " I stuttered a bit.

" It's okay. It's better than the reaction I'm expecting and also afraid of. " She replied. She's just looking from nowhere.

" Does...anybody knows—"

" No. " She cut me off. She looked at me with sadness in her eyes. " You're the only person I told about this. " She added.

" You mean... Greysen and Desmond don't know about it too? " I asked. She nodded and turned her gaze away. " But why? Why didn't you tell them and why did you let me know about it? I-I mean, you knew them first and you've been with them longer and I'm sure you trust them more than me. "

" That's the reason. It won't affect you that much cuz we're not that close and we're not attached. I'm afraid to hurt them if I'll tell them. I'm afraid of their possible reactions. " She explained.

I understand her reason and I won't complain about it.

" How long have you known this? " I asked.

" Since I was a kid." She answered. She's nearly crying and I understand.

" So you've been keeping it this long? " I don't know if I should tap her back or hug her or what. I just don't know how to comfort people.

" Yeah. "

" What will happen to you? "I asked.

" I'll die one day. " I could not open my mouth. I slowly tapped her shoulder.

" We'll all surely die. " I joked tho' it's true. Her tears started falling. I couldn't bear to see her crying so I hugged her and caressed her head.

" Everything will be alright. " I said sincerely. She just cried harder and hugged me back. She pressed her face to my chest.

I also told her a bit about me. I told her that I disappointed my father big time and I wanted to find my purpose.

When I got home, I saw Crimson and Amber waiting at the door. Amber was sleeping beside her brother. Crimson smiled when he saw me. I gave him chocolates and I halted him when he was about to wake her sister up.

I carried Amber and laid her on their bed. Crimson told me about their day and he slept after.

I quickly fell asleep.

As days passed, things between me and Adira changed. Since that night she cried in my arms, we got closer and she's not acting like a brat anymore. She's a little kind to me now. We even tease each other like best friends now.

" Are you angry? " Greysen ignored her and continued what he was doing. " What's wrong with you, Grey? "

" Adira, please. I'm doing something. " Greysen coldly said. I saw them fighting in the serving area. There are only a few people here. I decided to go inside ang give them a little privacy.

" They're like lovers, right? " Desmond joked and giggled. I just laughed and nodded.

A few hours after, Greysen went to the kitchen and drank a glass of water.

" Grey " I called him but he just went back to the serving area like he didn't hear anything. He didn't even throw a glance at me and just ignored my existence completely.

" He's not in the mood. " Adira told me.

" You fought? " I asked while kneading the dough. I understand Grey.

" I don't know about him. He hasn't talked to me since this morning. " She answered. " By the way, do you know how to use a sword. " I almost choked when I heard her.

" What? "

" There's a sword fight on the other street. " She said. I looked at her.

" So? "

" Let's play a game. If you lose, you have to do what I'll tell you. " She explained. I raised an eyebrow.

" And what if you lose? " I asked with doubt on my face.

" Then I'll do what you'll tell me. " She smiled. It took me a couple of minutes to decide.

" Fine. What's the game? " I asked that blossomed a smile on her face. I really doubt her actions, she looks like she's planning something. She placed her thumb in front of my face.

" Thumb wrestling! " She cackled. I raised an eyebrow again, asking if she's serious. She looks serious and I don't have a choice.

We played thumb wrestling and I was so confident that I would win but I lost.

" Huh! I won. So.... you have to do what I'll tell you. " She uttered mockingly. I glanced at her with no trace of emotion on my face. " Join the sword fight. "

" What? "

" You heard me. " She replied and went back to the serving area. Before she went out, I caught Greysen looking at us emotionless.

" Are you....serious? " I asked Adira looking at the sword fight in front of me.

" Yep! " I looked at her with an unamused face. She laughed when she saw the reaction on my face. She pushed me and registered me as a fighter.

" Here's a new challenger! Looks like our new challenger aroused bravery in him. " The announcer laughed. " Here's Xavier Wyatt! "

People were just looking at me while I'm glaring at Adira. I looked at my opponent and I heard earlier that he's the champion here. He smiled mockingly.

The fight started and we were just cool holding our swords. At first, people were cheering for my opponent but in the middle of the fight, they were intensely watching us as we move our swords.

He took a step forward and moved his sword. He was about to strike me but I managed to move my arms as fast as I could and parried his sword. He was about to move when I pressed my sword a little on his neck.

The fight ended and I left a small cut on his neck.

I won a cash prize after defeating their champ. We went back to the pizzeria and we saw Desmond taking a nap while Greysen is looking at us, examining our faces. He rolled his eyes and turned his gaze away.

Adira and I both looked at each other and laughed softly.

Desmond was sleeping when we left and Greysen was in the kitchen.

After our break, we opened the pizzeria and we had a lot of customers. I'm in the serving area with Adira, assisting the customers.

I brought the double cheese pizza to the customers at the third table. I think they're a group of friends. The girls smiled at me while teasing their friend who among them, doesn't have a couple. The guys they're with are looking at me with a frown face. I served the pizza and went back to Adira.

She's squinting at me that made me chuckle.

" What? " I laughed. She just looked at me with disbelief on her face. I can't stop laughing at her reaction.

When the customers on the third table went out after eating, Adira stepped close to me and whispered something in my ears.

" Aren't the guys a bit familiar? " She asked. I thought she didn't notice them, their faces are also familiar to me. I think we saw them already but I don't know where.

" Yeah. " I agreed.

THIRD PERSON'S POV.

" Will you pick up something again in that way? " Greysen asked, toneless. There is pain n his eyes that Adira couldn't see because she's focused on Xavier.

Adira looked back at him like how she first looked back when they were kids, the difference is that she didn't run back to him now, she just answered and ran to someone else's arms.

" I'll just tell him something. "

She ran to Xavier and he watched as she whispered in Xavier's ears. He watched as she laughed softly like how they laughed together when they first teased each other, the difference is that she's laughing with someone else now.

Things have changed since Xavier came into their lives. He knew that this day would come but still, it hits him and he's hurt.

He turned away and caught up to his grandpa. He walked beside him like how he always does.

He sniffs and tried to hold his tears.

" Be strong. The right time will come....that you can finally chase your girl and keep her in your arms. You just have to wait. " Desmond said, looking from afar while they were walking. " 'til that time comes. "

" What time, grandpa? " Adira asked livelily. She's full of happiness that she can't even see the pain in her best friend's eyes. She's too blissful that she doesn't even notice her best friend being hurt.

" C'mon share it with me. "

XAVIER.

I'm on my way home now. I'm alone on the streets and it's pretty dark here.

I heard some footsteps behind me so I looked back but I didn't see anybody. I started walking again and I can feel someone following me.

I walked faster and I can sense that guy behind me is walking faster too.

I'm walking faster and faster until it became a fast run. I ran as fast as I could, I don't even know where to go.

Anywhere I ran, there are no people. Maybe everyone's sleeping right now.

I was running and trying to find which way I should go but I saw a guy on the other street. So I'm left with one way and I was about to run there but I saw a guy there too.

I looked back and saw the guy chasing me. I'm cornered.

They were coming near me slowly.

I looked at them, trying to find an escape.

" Who are you?! " I shouted. None of them was talking. They were just walking slowly while I'm stepping backward.

I'm taking steps backward when I heard a sound of a sword, swaying. I looked behind me and saw this guy.

He's the guy in the sword fight.

He was looking at me blankly. When he saw the shock on my face, a small curve formed on his lips.

No words were uttered, he tried to stab me with his sword. Fortunately, I avoided it. I was thinking of a way to get one of their swords cuz they all have one now.

The guy who was chasing me earlier went closer and attacked me, I tried to avoid it and I did but I had a long cut on my left shoulder. My arm is bleeding now.

I moved my right hand before he could even stab me again. I've got a grip on the handle of his sword. He looked at my eyes with flaring up anger. He was about to move but I kicked him on the stomach first.

I have successfully stolen his sword while he's on the ground because of my kick.

The other guy behind struck me so I warded off the sword in my hands.

The guy I fought in the sword fight was about to stab my back but someone parried it and I saw Adira behind me.

We fought side by side. She was pretty good at fighting and I was impressed.

The guy was about to stab her on her back so I held Adira and beheaded him. I met her eyes and she was just looking at me. I heard more men coming so I looked their way and held Adira. We ran as fast as we could.

When we turned in a dark street near the pizzeria, I saw an open door so we stepped inside without hesitation and locked the door.

It was so dark inside. We stayed inside while I'm observing if we lost them already.

I heard footsteps and Adira was about to speak so I held her in my arms and closed her mouth.

When the sound of the footsteps was gone, I pushed her away.

" What was that?! " I asked her.

" They were the men from the sword fight—"

" I know but why are they chasing me?! "

" Do you think I know the reason?! " She fired back.

" Then how did you know that they were chasing me and you just came here out of nowhere when you went on your way with Grey and Desmond earlier?! " I blared with rising anger in me.

" Are you—"

"You were the one who put me in that sword fight and now this?! Is it all planned? What's next, huh? " asked angrily.

" Of course not! I was on my way to my friend's house but I saw you running and I saw the guy chasing you so I followed you. " She explained. I wasn't convinced. I don't trust anyone around me.

" Do you really think I'll set you up like that? " I examined her eyes to see if she's telling the truth.

I was about to answer when I heard someone coming near us from outside. The footsteps stopped in front of the door so we made sure to keep quiet.

He was doing something but he's not opening the door. It lasted for such minutes until we heard the footsteps going away until its gone.

" Do you think it's them? " She asked with a low tone.

" I don't think so. They should've opened the door and checked if we're here. " I answered.

I remember when someone was trying to sneak inside our house years ago.

" If they won't open the door, then it'll be the other way. "

I remember my father saying that while assuring the safety of our whole family.

I realized something—wait no!

If they didn't open the door, then they probably closed it! That can't be!

I ran towards the door and tried to open it but I can't. I think it's locked! No way, we can't be locked in here!

" What are you doing? " Adira confusedly asked.

I faced her and looked at her with a dismayed face.

" It's locked. " I said with a high tone. Her eyes grew bigger and started to panic.

" Let's find a way to get out. " I said with authority in my voice. I'm trying to think of something we can do to get out. " Maybe...should we break the door? "

I was waiting for a response but I heard nothing. I'm too focused on finding a way.

" Hey, I think we can wreck the locks? " I'm examining the locks trying to figure out if we can break it. She was too quiet so I looked at her a little pissed off.

She's sitting on the ground while hugging her knees. I saw tears falling from her eyes. She seemed so scared. I quickly ran to her and caressed her.

" H-hey, it's alright we can get out of here. Everything's gonna be fine, okay? " She kept on crying and crying. " I'm here, okay? I'll protect you. "

I embraced her and tried to calm her down. After such time, she calmed and rested on my arms. It suddenly broke my heart seeing how scared she was.

" Mom! " The young girl shouted, seeking help. She's nearly dying and she can barely breathe but she keeps holding on for her life. " Dad, help me! Mom, help! Please! "

Her vision started to get blurry. A few seconds and she'll pass out, eventually, she will die. There is fire everywhere and she couldn't find a way to escape it. She was too afraid that she couldn't even move but she wants to live and survive. But the smoke is slowly suffocating her.

She was ready to die and was about to accept it all but she saw someone trying to get past the fire and save her. It was her father.

He did everything he can and finally, he ran to his daughter and he carried her in his arms. They ran as fast as they could to survive while everything around them is burning.

They were close to the exit but a large burning board hit her father and he was halted.

" Run, Adira! Save yourself! Run! " He told his daughter but she was frozen on her feet, she wanted to help his father but she was just a 7-year-old kid.

Her father was dying in front of her eyes.

" RUN! PLEASE, I LOVE YOU! RUN NOW! " He shouted at the top of his lungs and before he passed out, he mumbled ' I love you, my daughter '.

The little girl was just crying on her feet watching her father die. Someone held her and pulled her out of the burning house.

" It was Desmond who also saved me that night. " Adira stated.

She was traumatized by the tragedy that happened when she was seven. She wanted to do something to help his father so they could survive together but she was just a kid back then.

" I hated myself after that night. I could've done something! I was the one who should have died that night if it wasn't for him! He did everything to save me but I did nothing! I-I did nothing, Xavier. " She wept.

" It's not your fault, Adira. No one likes what happened that night. And remember... " I caressed her head to comfort her. " He loves you that's why he saved you. Now, don't ever hate that little girl that he gave his life for, hmm? "

We spent the night in that place together until the sun showed up and the owner opened the doors. He said that he didn't know that there are people inside yesternight.

Adira told me the stories of her life throughout the night. She's a brave, adorable lady scarred with tragedies and battles.

She's indeed a great person.