The Commoner

Chapter 17: Roadtrip

We sat on the top of the jeep, sharing stories. Luke is so gentle and sweet. I dont know if all the boys out there is just like him coz as I said I've never dated before, never been around men except for my father and uncles. Well, maybe it's not that bad if im gonna give it a try to date or hang out with him.

"This is so beautiful here." I said calmly.

"I like your voice when you voice out your admiration into something." He said moving closer to my side."Ari, have you been in a relationship before? or dated any guy?" He asked.

"Nope! As I told you, all I did in life is to train." I paused and sip a drinks."Im gonna tell you half about me to atleast lessen my debt coz I am still thankful to you for letting me drove your car last time." I said tapping him on the shoulder

"That's great! Cant wait to hear about that." He excitedly said.

"Well, you already knew it but I just want to introduce myself to you in a nice way. My name is Arya Edwards, 19 year old. Born on the 11th of May in Millwood City. As far as I can remember I was 5 when all my dreams happens in reality. I dreamed about my parent's accident that made me afraid to fall asleep. Mum assured me that my dream is just a warning and I can prevent it from happening, that I can always change the future. Then at that age, my dad started to train me, self defense, fighting and survival skills, diving and driving a different kind of cars in a different kind of situation, flying a chopper and so on... He taught me how to defend myself, how to be a fighter.. Mum on the other side trained me how to used weapons. knives, guns... Then she taught me how to form a tranquilizer, sedatives and.... silver bullet because she believes that there are supernatural kinds roaming around and I'll never know one day Im gonna encounter one of them. My parents is a believer of such kind of stuff." I said looking away. "I am an only child but I wasn't raised as a spoiled brat rich kid. I never get what I wanted without working hard for it. Even my education, I had to work in the office to pay for my tuition, school projects and my personal stuff. Then one day, I had to represent the company in a business gathering where I encountered gabriel and his group. I cant even recall how I managed to escape them. Since then, my parents became overprotective and I am only allowed to go out for school. But of course I am a teenager who wanted to explore the world so I convinced my father to let me " I continued while reminiscing those moments.

"You're such an amazing woman, Ar! Im so sorry for what you've been through. You'll be safe now, I'll protect you whatever it cost." He mumbled but I clearly heard it.

"What about you? How did you become the leader, I mean the Alpha in this town?"

"Well um, it's a tribe thing, a family passed down, throne. You know, like royals--"

"You mean you're royal?" I exclaimed.

"No, yes something like that."

"Oh my god! I must call you Alpha, too."

"No no! that's not necessary!"

"Why not?! I mean, your a prince or a king so I must address you by your title!"

"No, i'm okay with luke!"

"Okay! Luke! Tell me more about you, yourself. Im interested to know more about you, handsome prince!" I said chuckling.

"I like it! So, tell me what got you interested?" I didn't answer instead I jumped off from the top and shouted, "We gotta go home, it's getting dark!"

He jumped off too and landed just an inches away from me and I was surprise when he pulled me on the waist and pushes my back to the jeep and kissed me passionately. That was so fast but I admitted it, it was great and I like every move he make toward me. I feel like I'm in a very comfort place. "So, this is the feeling of finally finding your soulmate." He whispered and I think he's talking to himself.

"What? Am I your soulmate?" I asked in confusion.

"Yeah, you are perfectly made for me and I am for you." He responded in his melodious voice.

"Why me?" I am still confused like seriously, you believe in that soulmate thing?

"It's not something that I could control but even if I can, I will never control it. If I ever met you in a different circumstances I will still fall deeply in love with you." He said with sincerity in his voice. Is he really in love with me or just wanted to flirt around. Unfortunately, he's consuming me slowly, I am falling for him and I felt an attachment which I am afraid of. I am afraid to be attached to anyone because of my situation, I cant make friends and I cant be with him. I dont know what the future lies ahead of me, I dont know how long will am I going to hide or run from my enemy and I just cant put someone or anyone's life in danger by letting them in my life. I just cant stand hurting anyone but here I am stuck in this small town with a very welcoming community, staying in a kindhearted person's house, and hanging out with someone who has the ability to gained my trust, to make me feel that I am not meant to be alone. Someone who gives me hope that this running and hiding can lead me to a peaceful life and make me discover what is really meant for me.

"Are you mad?" Luke asked that startled me. The ride back home is really quick for me not to noticed that we're already infront of the house.

"Oh, how did we arrived so fast?" I asked looking around.

"You're silent the whole ride. Are you mad at me?" He repeated.

"Maybe?" Was my answer that made him confused.

"Im sorry for kissing you without your consent." He said.

"It's okay. I'm not saying it's okay to kiss me what I mean is what happened had happened. As you said earlier, it's something beyond your control so dont be sorry about it or else you want me to think that you regretted it--'

"Ari, No! I never regretted every move I made toward you because I love you and I will take responsibility of my action always remember that. I wasn't born to messed around with you, ari. I was born to protect you." He said holding my hands and I cant keep myself from falling into his words. I have a trust issue but when it comes to him, something inside me telling me to trust him, that it's okay to fall for him. My heart is trying to overpower my brain and it's hard to control. Am I in love? Is this how it feels to be in love? what if my enemy found out that I am here and they will hurt Luke, his family and his community, I cant let that happen because of me. Or what if this is just a trapped, that he is one of those who wanted me because of what I have, I mean my ability. Gosh, he is stressing me out. I have so much what if in my mind right now.

"You okay?" He asked when I didn't answer him

"Yeah. Bailey is waiting outside the door. I should go. thanks for the ride." I answered

"Oh, bailey. see you tomorrow, then." He said as I am getting out from the car. I just glance at him with a smile.

I walked toward bailey whose standing outside the door and talking with someone on the phone.

"Arya, I am so sorry I've been busy throughout the week. How's luke? did he give you so much headache?" Bailey said in apologetic way.

"It's okay. Hm... Well I think luke is a nice guy." I said gesturing to the car leaving the area.

"I know. We've never seen him like this before. ever. He must be really in love with you." Bailey said with admiration. "Anyway, your landlady called me. She knows that I am the owner of the cafe so she went there and got my number. She asked me your whereabout so I told her that you are with me." She continued.

So maybe the landlady thought that I runaway from her. She's nice but strict when it comes to payment and I am not yet paid for the month since I am stuck in this city for almost 3 weeks.

"I haven't pay the rent yet. Maybe that's the reason she's looking for me. Bailey, will you still go back to Algona?" I composed myself to asked her about it. She's my boss and I dont wanna precede her decision but I am hoping that she'll going to ask someone to drive me back there or atleast a halfway there.

"I am so sorry, Ari but my sister needed me for a moment. I needed to stay by her side for now. I can ask someone to pick up your belongings to your apartment. I already asked the landlady for her bank account so you just can deposit your payment. Here." Bailey said handling me a piece of paper.

"Thank you Bailey, I am so sorry that I became a burden to you. I'll talk to her tomorrow." I answered.

We walked inside the house chatting about luke. I've learn that luke is telling me that truth about not dating anyone before despite of studying abroad and meeting a lot of beautiful girls. Luke is saving her heart for the important woman and that was me, according to bailey. And the reason he focuses on studying about leadership and laws is because, he took over his father's position at the age of 18. Well, Being a leader of one city is not a joke. But why they dont have election here, why are they stuck in this period. The period of just passing down the thrown in one family. They are away from civilization. Living with less car, less building, living in the forest, surrounded by nature. They have different diet, exercise. They have training grounds but no city jail and police officers. Yeah, I observed that they dont have police officers here. I only saw that guard in the university. They called luke Alpha. What are they? A werewolf? Do they really exist? I cant imagine how the hell I ended up roaming around with them.

After the long conversation, I go to my room and take a shower to clear up my mind. I came up with the decision of leaving this place. Right, tomorrow I will leave no matter what they tell me. I'll convince luke to drive me back to Algona. I lay on the bed making a lot of plan. Plan A, going back to algona to find another job, Plan B, going to other country, pursue my studies while working, plan C, what if I'll just stay here and pretend that I didn't know about their existence? No, No! I can't, I need to go away, far far away from here, from luke. I cant put their lives in danger by staying here. I know, I saw it, my enemy never stops looking for me and one day we'll encounter each other but I am hoping that not in this place, not in this well-preserved place. My busy mind didn't noticed that I am slowly falling asleep, and now I am dreaming. It's may mum standing at the door staring at me. I sat on the corner of the bed and called her, 'mum, your here. why are you alone? where's dad? I'll go with you mum.' Suddenly, she turn around, open the door and walked away. I got up and followed her. I ran as fast as I can to catch her. 'No, darling. It's not your time yet. You cant come with me. You have to enjoy your life, there's a lot of good things waiting ahead of you. I am so sorry for leaving you so soon. I want you to know that me and your dad loved you so much.' She finally said, sobbing. 'No mum, I'll go with you. I'm tired of running, hiding. I just wanted to be with you.' I answered.

'Honey, listen to me carefully, Please dont leave this place. This is the safest place for you. I love you so much my daughter. I need to go now, your dad is waiting for me. The gate will close soon.' Mum continued, I wanted to touch her but I just cant reach her no matter how long I extended my hands. 'No mum, I'll go with you, take me with you, mum! Don't leave me.. Daaaad!' I shouted when I saw dad reaching his arms toward mum and they both walked toward the forest. I am devastated that I ran as fast as I can while sobbing to follow my parents but they are nowhere to be found. I can't see them anywhere anymore. I am now panting, I feel numb and suffocated. What happened to me? Am I dying or Am I already dead? Did mum and dad came to to fetch me? But where are they? Did I ended up in hell?