Heraiah

CHAPTER 11

It was painfully agonizing to eat dinner with Ravier. We were dead silent, the sounds of chewing and clacking of the plates were the only thing was evident in the room. We had a few glances but that was all it, all in all, I was fighting for my life to not suddenly scream because the environment around us was awkward. But I am glad it’s all over.

We decided to go out for tonight and go shopping for my necessities because I don’t have any clothes nor any basic needs. The car ride was even more agonizing than the dinner. I had to keep my eyes busy on the streets to avoid eye contact with Ravier. I just felt it was easier this way.

I smiled seeing the city lights up close, big screens on the buildings with the advertisements on it. Then I saw my little sister’s face, she was a rising star. She’s only 16 right now, but she already has acting roles, her acting skills is why she is known. But before that, people use to criticize her for being a Hyveins. They said, she was only famous for the family name and me. I was also really known, the darling daughter of the Hyveins clan.

I was said to be flawless. My grades were perfect, I was almost good at everything because my parents forced me to be like that. I was good at sports, arts, and music. I used to be part of the debate team and I always won. I was smart and knowledgeable. I could never act stupidly without getting verbally abused at home. I just had to be perfect and I was.

Keyword: was. Carlie seemed to be doing well. Even after the years, I have always been updated about her and Wesley. But she was heavily bullied in the internet, people made her feel that she will always be a shadow of me. my disappearance became a big impact to them. She was only 11 at the time, Wesley was 14. They lost their big sister without any explanation.

They must’ve thought I left them. Now, I am back and they still haven’t contacted me yet. It’s been almost over a week since my comeback was announced. My only guess is that maybe they were prohibited to have any contact with me. My parents mind plays in different ways, but I am not stupid to not expect this. They wanted to get rid of me, I got rid of myself. I surrendered too fast, now I must never let them know that I know but use it as a weapon against them.

Use it as a hidden weapon that they could never expect.

I still don’t know what I am exactly, I know I am an Airen, but that’s all I know. No one has ever told me anything about me. It was just a big question mark that no one dared to answer.

Funny, I don’t know myself at all.

We arrived at the famously known mall named, ‘NERRIX’, owned by millionaire family, Nexu. The Nexu family was said to be one of the down to earth nicest people in Adreene. And that was very rare to see, rich people in Adreene tend to act arrogant and looked down at people who were not in their level. The basic struggle in Adreene was fitting in.

Rich people were honored, while the average was looked down. But the Nexu family welcomed everyone like equally. The nobles thought of them as a disgrace. It had become a normal behavior to treat the average differently, hence, the judging of the Nexu family. I never really understood the criticism. But this is Adreene, nothing is normal.

We walked out of the car and in the mall like a normal couple. Both of us were wearing mask and coats. He offered his arm.

I paused as I was confused, I stared at the offered arm.

He looked at my eyes with his eyebrows raised, “This is the first part of our relationship, being comfortable as a couple, you have to get used to it,”

I nodded and I wrapped my arm around his as we walked in. People didn’t mind though, it was normal in Adreene to be wearing such clothes. Everyone minded their own business and it was a glory to have that. But once your exposed, you are everyone’s business.

“It feels weird to be here,” I whispered under my mask.

Since this is where I used to go after school Nori, it felt weird embracing the feeling of coming back here again. Nori was the youngest child of the Nexu family. She was the only close friend I had besides Khai for my parents did not see the Nexu family as a threat. They said kindness will never bring you success. But the Nexus has been successful for generations. Most people thought kindness would be their downfall, but the Nexus are filled with intelligent and bright minds. They had brains and hearts. Which brought to their success and that is why I admired them.

It has been ages since I saw her. It would be a delight to see her but that would only drag the mission and I am not here for personal matters.

We went through some necessities first. Toothbrush, hair brush, pads and tampons, shampoo, soap, basically anything that are basic needs. Then some wants, stylish clothes that are fit for a woman like me. Of course, I had to ask Ravier what he thought of it and just like he always is, he only agreed and never argued with any of it. He said to wear whatever that was in my liking.

I couldn’t do anything but just by the wants that I had picked. By then, we had to get grocery. Since we just moved and Ravier is rarely at the house even before I came, there was no supplies back at the mansion. So, we had to pick the groceries. Ravier pushed the cart as we move along to each aisle.

I took out a box and handed it over to Ravier, “Do you think we should get this?”

“Yeah, whatever you like,” that was the millionth time he has said that and it’s getting annoying.

I sighed heavily so he could hear, “You have to give me opinions here, your majesty, this is a partnership, you can throw some opinions,” I nagged.

“Oh,” he paused, “I’m not quite fond of shrimp,”

“What? Why not? It’s delicious,” I boasted and held the box up and let him see it. I was beyond confused how could anyone not like shrimp?

“I would like to eat it but I am allergic,” he stated. Okay, that’s why.

“Oh, that’s sad,” I silently put the box back and continued to walk. He was silent and followed me.

The atmosphere around us become awkward. The lining between me from crying out of awkwardness was incredibly thin. I looked around and grabbed a few more products. I grabbed anything that I thought would be useful.

The cart was almost filled and that’s why stopped there and payed for the groceries. Well he paid for it, I only waited. People weren’t suspicious, thankfully. But just as Ravier said, we must stir rumors. Maybe not now, I can’t really take a thousand people coming after me for being the prince’s fiancée. He was everyone’s ideal man. A kind man towards the people.

I bet once our engagement is announced, girl’s from well known families would come at me. There will be assumptions and rumors. I’m not ready to face that but I have to.

Once everything was paid, we went out. I was pushing the cart where everything we bought were in, we were walking in the quiet parking lot. It wasn’t completely empty but it was quiet and there were fewer people in the mall. This was because it was almost closing time.

Ravier unlocked the car doors as well as the trunk. He helped me get the groceries inside, but I stopped and let him do it by himself. Then I heard rumbling noises from outside. My eyes widen when I saw it was raining. Luckily, we were inside an underground parking lot. Everyone who was coming out of the mall were looking cold. It was starting to get cold, I hugged myself while looking around the parking lot.

I was wearing thin clothing and I easily get cold. For what reason, I don’t know. i started trying to warm myself up but it felt almost impossible, I couldn’t form any type of warmth by rubbing my hands. Ravier seemed to have noticed after he was done putting the groceries inside the trunk.

I suddenly felt a warm embrace over me. I turned to see Ravier putting his coat on me, I hesitated, “What about you?”

“You seemed to need it more,” he said as he settles the coat on me.

My forehead creased, “But you can get cold too, I don’t want the prince getting sick because of me,” I moved away and tried to take the coat off.

He ignored what I said and got closer to me to adjust the coat, “I don’t get sick from coldness,” he stated.

My mouth went shut to hard line and let him handle the coat. I gazed down and felt a little warmer. He doesn’t get cold, what a weird ability. I looked up, “What are you?”

His eyes lowered, “The same as you but also far different,” he pursed his lips and walks to the car to open the door for me.

What did he mean?

I stared for awhile at his stance. He is still a wonder. I sighed and got inside the backseat. He closes the door shut and goes to the driver’s seat. He turns the car on and the car started moving. I could smell the fragrance of his majesty as I cuddled in the coat. It filled my nostrils. I rested my body on the car door and stared at the window. As we got out the mall, rain poured on the car. Although I love the rain, I can’t enjoy it as much as people can. I get cold easily it ruins my entire system and I don’t why.

I glanced back at Ravier whilst stirring the wheel, suddenly my eyes got heavier and heavier and I was lost again in oblivion.