Heraiah

CHAPTER 8

I took of my glasses y glasses, avoiding Khai’s glance. Not because I didn’t want to face him, it’s because I didn’t want to let my gaze away from the window. I haven’t seen Adreene in years, in the last 5 years, the kingdom has been thriving but unfortunately, not it’s government. I love seeing my home country having its best days even from a far but in midst of its beauty was a dark side.

Adreene was widely known to be an advanced country, the buildings were high and the technology was the best. If only it really had beauty in the inside. I glanced at Khai who focused on driving. He seemed relaxed, while I had big baggage on my shoulder. I do know that whatever I am up to he would be supportive or at least be respectful about it. I hope.

An hour passed, the only thing that broke the silence in between that 1 hour was the busy and chaotic streets of Adreene. But besides that, the only thing that was evident in between me and Khai was our constant glancing and an agonizing silence. Even though it was awkward, I kept calm.

Adreene may had a few upgrades but it was still the same as I left. The people, the aura, the feeling it gave you once you step foot in the crowded streets. Well, besides the sweaty, smelly, and noise people, it was a joy ride to feel the city life. Like you have to have a taste of it once in your life or else it would be incomplete. I wish I could keep this type of life, where the only worry I had was my office job. But in my situation, I don’t think I can ever have a taste of the life I use to have. Getting the life was easy, but getting to feel the experience like the first time is inevitable. I can never have that again.

It is something I grieve on. But I was never really me when I had that life, I never felt like me. Being in the same place I was before would only make me loose myself again and I don’t want that. I may miss or even have this sick feeling of wanting that life back but the things I had to let go was all worth it if it meant finally finding myself.

“We’re here,” Khai suddenly spoke as he gets out of the car breaking my thoughts and the silence. I look up the window and saw we were at his villa instead of his apartment.

“Your villa?” I asked getting out of the car.

“Yes,” he answered with no hesitation and walked towards the entrance.

“Seriously? You’re letting me live in your precious villa,” I formed a smirk on my lips and followed him.

“It’s private and no one will find you here, this is the safe option for you to stay,” he opens the door and let me in. This villa was given to him when he turned 18 by his grandfather. We use to stay here every summer, but Khai was extra strict around the villa mostly because it was trusted for him by his grandfather. So, it is quite a surprise to see him let me live here when I didn’t even try to convince him.

I walked around to see that it had never changed, “Thank you, but I’m afraid I can’t stay here for long,”

His face immediately turned to me with a confuse look, “I have other plans,” I answered him even before he could ask me.

“What are your plans exactly, Hera?” he narrowed his eyes.

I sighed and sat on the couch, “I’m afraid I might disappoint you,”

“Forget about disappointment, I just need your explanation, what’s so important that you had to come back here?” he gave me a familiar look.

“Don’t give me that look,” I shook my head.

“What look?”

“That look of disappointment,”

“It is not!”

“Yes, it is,” I backfired, “I know you think this is all stupid but it’s not!” he was silent leaving me to continue talking.

“Have a little trust on me, I know what I am doing,” he stood silent still and had a dismissive look on his face. Indicating that he still dissatisfied with me.

“Everything that I am here for is part of my mission, Khai,”

“Mission?”

“I’m here to investigate about the Airens that are in hostage right now, I was chosen for this specific mission because I am the only capable for it,”

“You could’ve declined it, you know? You don’t have to do this-“

“But I have to, these are my people we are talking about,”

“What about you?” he asked.

I laughed and stood up, “What’s more worth it? Sacrificing hundreds of lives for one or sacrificing one for hundreds of lives?”

“still,” he argued.

“I know you’re worried and you still think of me as your little girl but I’ve grown up, I have different priorities now and I’m more than aware-“

“You’re not- well at least not yet,”

I was in disbelief, “I do, I know more about this kingdom than you will ever know, because you know what? I was forced to see its dark sides while you had the luxury to have a choice on not to and that’s something I never had, you can cry all you want, complain or even threaten me but I’m not going to change my mind, I’m already here there’s no turning back now,”

He was silent once again. I immediately sat and realized I completely snapped and let my temper get the best of me. It still something I have to work on, I shouldn’t let it define who I am and make sure it is taken care of. I felt a little uncomfortable when we were in silence again.

“You’ve grown a lot, I can’t believe I didn’t witness seeing you grow,” he chuckles but in a weak way.

“You didn’t have to, trust me my outbursts when I was training would’ve probably killed you,” I laughed in which he laughed back. He was laughing as he sat beside me.

“I’m sorry I yelled at you, I’ll trust you on this one,”

I furrowed my eyebrows, “Haven’t you always trust me in everything?”

He was quite and made a disagreeing look that made me laugh, “My judgement is always the best,” I said.

“You think of yourself too highly,”

“That’s because I am highly,”

“Whatever you say,” he laughs.

We sat there for a few minutes until we heard a knock on the door. We both looked confused and weirded out.

“Are you expecting someone?”

“No,” he hesitated as he got up to open the door.

I was confused and followed him to see who it was, “I thought you said no one would find us here?”

I was beyond confused and irritated by the fact that he gave me a short answer, “I did,”

I rolled my eyes and just continued to follow him to the room. When he opened the door and unexpected guest was standing in front of us. An unwelcomed guest, but I was glad he came because that meant he is indeed on board in the plan.

“Your majesty,” Khai said in a questioning tone but Ravier completely ignored him and came to me. Khai was left in confusion but gladly accepted him in.

“You really thought you could just leave me hanging after you accepted my offer, well I won’t let you leave,” he said.

I laughed uncontrollably, “I never said I was leaving,”

His face turned annoyed, “Then why didn’t you said that your discharged was today?”

I mimicked his face, “Remember you left without a good bye,” I pointed at him and he was annoyed. A curve formed in the tips of my lips in satisfaction.

“context please?” I forgot Khai was in the same room with us.

I grinned widely and pulled Ravier to my side, “He is-“

“I’m her fiancée,” my eyes widen but it relaxes because he admitted he was part of my plan now.

Khai twisted his lips, “I didn’t know you were hooking up with the prince.”

I fake barfed, “I’m not, it’s just a contractional agreement,” I passed by them and rolled my eyes. I sat back at the couch and glance back at them who were eyeing each other from head to toe.

Khai finally snapped out of it and spoke, “Well, I don’t really have any problem with him,” he secretly shook his head at him and whispers, “do something wrong and you’re dead,” In which I could hear clearly but he doesn’t have to know that. Khai follows to sit beside me and Ravier decides to sit in front of us.

We sat in silence. It was awkward despite the fact that we all knew each other, well at least we know each other by name. Except for me and Khai we know each other very well, but Ravier, not so much. But Ravier was involved in the rumors about them and Remia which meant they do know each other well. I know for a fact the imperial family would never let one of their family members involve in any scandal unless one of them gives permission to be included.

So, maybe, Khai and Ravier know each other. They didn’t seem tense around each other, in fact, they seem cool with each other’s presence.

“So, it’s just a set up? Fake dating?” he asked.

“No,” Ravier shook his head.

“We’re actually getting married,” I nodded at the confused face of Khai.

Khai looked like he was about to laugh, “You’re kidding me, right?”

Ravier and me exchanged glances and shook our heads at him that’s when he refrained himself from laughing, “You’re willing to be stuck with this guy?” Ravier seemed offended by that making me laugh at him.

“I mean, it doesn’t really matter, it’s just our names connected in paper and of course to everyone’s eyes we must look like a happy couple,”

“What about your lovelife?”

“I don’t have one?” I said that as if it was a question because Khai seemed to forget that I am not romantically intact with anyone.

“Weren’t you against marrying him before?” Ravier head turned to me with his eyebrow raised in a questioning look. He’s been awfully quiet listening to our conversation.

I rolled my eyes, “You expect me to want getting married at 19?” I shook my head at him with a disgusted look. “And besides this benefits the both of us,” I grinned. Ravier nodded with a bore face.

“It’s fine with me, I’ve always peg him for you anyway,” Khai exclaimed. Me and Ravier exchanged glances. I remembered the night I left 5 years ago where he suggested on me and the prince to get married.

That was surprising, “Weren’t you just mad that I wasn’t staying here?” I squinted my eyes at him. Although I’m glad he’s okay with it, I felt uneasy how he was so okay with it. It didn’t seem right knowing he is the over protective big brother type.

“Yeah, that was before I knew it was with him,” he looks at Ravier. And the stupid prince smiled proudly at Khai’s praise for him.

“Aren’t you worried about me?” I asked because of his weird attitude he was showing. A second ago he was ready to throw a fight to whoever I would be staying and now he’s being considerate?

“Yes, Hera, I can trust him with you, I mean he helped me with Remia, I’m sure he can help you too,”