The Prince's Surrogate Wife

It was very early in the morning when Gina got to the prison's entrance. She stood on her tippy toes, trying to catch a glimpse of what's going on inside, though that's impossible. She's just so anxious. It's been four years since she saw him. Her mind suddenly went to her phone. Gosh! I forgot to call uncle! She quickly rummaged through her bag. A bright smile on her face when she saw it. She dialed her uncle's number but it wasn't reachable. She tried again and same thing. She decided to stop trying. Her heart raced when she heard the prison's gate open. She rubbed her palms together anxiously. She swallowed the saliva that wasn't there. At long last, he emerged, a black wornout bag in his hands. He looked ahead, a smile finding it's way to his face when he saw his sister standing a few meters away, looking equally delighted to see him. The both of them rushed towards each other and crashed into each other's arms. Tears bursted out of Gina's eyes. She promised herself not to cry but that was impossible. She held her older brother tightly as they cried in each other's arms. It's been four years since they held one another like this. Gina's mind went back to that day, the day of the nightmare. She was sixteen, returning home from night study at the library. From the moment she left the library, she felt someone following but she didn't look back. She kept walking forward, her fear evident in her steps. The person pulled Gina with his strong arms and pulled her into an alley. He pinned her to the ground. The disgusting smell of alcohol and drugs that emaciated from her assailant almost made her puke. She became horrified when everything dawned on her. She was about to be r***d! Her mouth was covered by the man's strong hand, the man was heavier, stronger. Gina's efforts to push him off only earned her beatings. She was weak, she prayed for someone to show up and save her. The man was already reaching for her panties, she had lost all hope until her brother showed up. He pulled the assailant off his sister and pounced on him. Herald was a professional boxer so taking the assailant down was easy. Herald beat the man almost to death. "How dare he touch my sister?" He said. The police passed by at the moment the man almost lost consciousness. They were all taken to the police station. Herald thought the bad man would be jailed and punished but the tables turned. "He is the youngest son of the Yagan family" they said, "You shouldn't have beaten him up this badly." Within a blink of an eye, Herald became the bad guy. And Williams Yagan got away with his crime all because he was a rich man's son. The irony. Herald spent his years in prison in anger. Gina lived in guilt. She blamed herself for not spending the night with her friend like her brother suggested that night. When Gina thinks back to that night, she feels more and more guilty. "I've missed you so much." Herald pulled his little sister into his arms once more. He held her tightly, stroking her hair. "You're still a cry baby." He teased. He held her face. He grinned, happy to see his sister's face without a transparent window separating them. "Look at you. You're now lean and...and... Gina chocked on her tears. Seeing her brother's wornout state made her heart ache. "Hey, it's okay. I'm here now, aren't I? I'm fine." Herald assured, brushing his sister's hair with his fingers. "Let's go home." That sentence echoed in Herald's head. He's been wanting to hear that for long time. He grinned and took Gina's hand in his, "yes, let's go home." ==== "Wow, this place hasn't changed that much." "I'm the only one living here, remember?" Herald plopped on the soft cushion in the living room. He felt delighted to feel his body against a soft cushion after four years. "Here, drink this." "Thanks." Herald collected the glass of water from Gina and chugged it down. He placed the empty glass on the old wooden table and turned to Gina. "Everyone has been expecting you. Mama Choco especially. She planned to pick you up together but something suddenly came up." "Hmm, I've missed her. She still makes her steamed buns?" Gina nodded, a wide smile on her face, "of course! And it's still as delicious." Mama Choco is the woman living right across the street. She sells the best steamed buns in the neighborhood. She's really welcoming. After Gina's parents died, she made sure she checked on the two children. She brought them breakfast, lunch and dinner even though they cooked. "I can't wait to try it again." Herald's head caught an envelope on the couch opposite him. "What's that?" "Oh" Gina picked up the envelope and gave it to Herald. "My department is arranging a field trip so that's the form. I don't think I'll go though." Herald furrowed his brows, "why? You're on scholarship so I don't think the fee is the problem." "You just got released, how can I leave at this moment? We haven't had fun together for a very long time." Gina pouted. Herald chuckled at her cuteness. "You should go, Gina." "No!" Gina deadpanned, "I'm not going! I wanna spend time with you." Herald shook his head. He held her hands, "you should go. When is it?" "In three days." "We can have all the fun in the world tomorrow and the day after. Nothing is stopping you from going, Gina." "But... "It's fine, just go. Hm?" Gina sighed in defeat. "Fine." "Atta girl." Gina giggled. She's missed hearing that. === "Son, just listen to me!" "No! f*****g leave me alone!" Crown Prince Jesse stumped out of the house, ignoring his mother's calls behind him. He is highly infuriated and full of rage. Queen Flora quickly shut the car's door as Jesse opened it. Jesse turned to his mother, his darkened eyes sent shivers to Queen Flora's spine. "Jesse... "How could he? How could you!" Jesse fired at his mother. "This is for the best of the country, just... "For the best? For the..." Jesse laughed sarcastically. He ran his ring adorned fingers through his jet-black hair. "You want me, me! You marry her? Do you know how much I hate her? Do you have any idea how much even her name makes me angry?" "Jesse, please! Be rational! You're just gonna marry her. Do it for my sake! For the country's sake! We find one way to end a feud of almost thirty years and you don't want to comply?" Jesse inhaled sharply. massaging his temple. "I'm just gonna say this once! This marriage would be her worst nightmare. Bet it with me." "Jesse... "Let's go!" He instructed his driver as he got into his car. He winded up the windshield, blocking his mother's rants from getting in. Jesse rested his head on the head rest, his eyes closed and tie loosened. The more he thought of marrying Princess Annabelle, the more his blood boiled in rage. There is no way he's marrying her, never!