The King's Heir

Chapter 4

Aira

Seems like my day is going to be worse.

.

I am the person who thinks that if the first thing of the day goes well, then the whole day will be good, and vice versa. And then that accident on the main street. 'I wanted to kick his ass for ruining my day and the car.' It was Brianna's car, and I know I am dead if she finds out. By the looks of it, the trunk and tail lights are damaged. I grumbled all the profanities I could think of.

Half an hour later, I spotted the tall building with "A K" written on it, and turned the car towards the parking area. After wandering for 5 minutes, I spotted the "Visitor Parking" sign and parked at the first available spot hastily. I picked up the file and ran towards the building. I was almost breathless and my lungs started to burn. When I saw my friend pacing at the front desk area, I thanked God, I couldn't have taken one more step.

"Aira!! You are late," my friend Brianna whisper-yelled. Couldn't she be a bit more friendly, after all I have come all the way here to hand her the file. She was working for an advertising company called"A2Z" in Peru city, which is 2 hours from Riverdale.

"Sorry", I said breathlessly while trying to get enough oxygen to my lungs. God, I am so unfit. She picked the file from my hand and checked to see if it was the one she had asked for. "Is it...the right one?" I asked breathlessly. She nodded and said, "Wait for me." I sighed after she left for her office.

She had a meeting today and had mistakenly picked up the wrong file she was working on. I could hear the tension in her voice when she called me earlier; clearly, it was important. I looked at the phone and cursed. I was 15 minutes late, all because of that i***t driver, and his audacity to flirt with me.

It was Friday, and I had a day off at the Jazz Cafe, where I am working. Later, I go to the flower shop for work, where I have two jobs that are not hectic but keep me busy. Both were in Riverdale town, not far from Bri's house. I take public transport to get there, or Bri will drop me off. Cindy will be taking care of the flowers from 7:00 to 4:00, and I will be there from 4:00 to 9:00. Although it's a short time, it's my first job since I arrived eight months ago. So I don't want to leave it and I like flowers. Martha is the owner of the flower shop. She is a good old lady in her 60s, says her husband gifted her the shop as she loved flowers, and she would gift it to a loving couple someday. She doesn't have kids and her husband is no more. She is the first person to give me a job when I was desperately looking for one. It's special. I didn't know, I was capable of this job. She taught me and I love it here.

The cafe isn't bad either, it's quite big for a town of six hundred and odd. It sometimes makes me wonder how people here know everyone and everything. I came from a place where the person doesn't know who the neighbour is, you know.

I walked out of the building, hoping to get some fresh air instead of the air freshener. The sun was bright in the sky, but it was windy. I tightened the jacket over my torso.

As I walked further down the lane, I saw that the street was lined up with high-rise buildings on one side and hospitals, schools, and restaurants on the other. After walking for a few minutes, I stopped in front of a play area and a small garden just beside the school. A few kids were out of school, it was their leisure. Then my eyes found a little girl with pigtails, sitting on the bench watching others play. She could be around 4-5 years old. She had her water bottle hanging from her neck and a backpack. I watched her for some time before I could go and talk to her, a woman appeared in front of her. I watched them as she kissed the girl and spoke to her in a soft voice, and after a few seconds, they took off. I gulped as my heart became heavy and my eyes stung. Before I could drown in my pity story, a call distracted me, and it was from Bri.

"Hey Ari...I may take 20 more minutes to finish up here. Can you pick up the food order from Blake's Kitchen?" Bri asked.

"Sure..."

"It's just right across..."

"I know where it is" I cut her off and tried to spot the girl. But she was gone. " It's down the lane." I finished.

"Right. Okay...I will see you then."

"Bye."

I walked back towards the restaurant. I had seen it on the way here. I gave the order number and waited. The restaurant wasn't that big but it was packed. I had heard from Bri that it serves some delicious food. My stomach growled thinking of food.

I started picking up the extra thread from my pink blouse unsuccessful as I waited on the chair. My mind was still with the little girl.

After a few minutes, the number was called, and I went to pick up my order only to see that the contents written on the package were different from what Bri had messaged. I checked with the restaurant guys about the wrong order. How can they be so irresponsible? After exchanging a few more words and an apology, I was handed the right order this time. Grumbling to myself, I headed back towards the building.

"I'm so hungry," Bri said, rubbing her tummy as soon as her eyes found me.

She is a big-time foodie, but she is fit and perfect. I don't know how she maintains it cos I haven't seen her in gym clothes or running shoes.

We headed to the common Cafeteria and started to eat our food. I told Bri about the mishap at the restaurant. I kept rambling about how irresponsible they were.

"Relax... poor guy. He had a bad day," she said, referring to that restaurant guy who misplaced the order.

I sighed.

I had it worse.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"I met with an accident on the way here, the car is slightly damaged. Sorry," she stopped mid-chew.

"What?" She asked aloud, and a few onlookers glanced at us.

"Are you hurt?" she asked worriedly. Her eyes swept over me from head to toe and back up for any visible injuries. She sighed when she didn't find any.

"Do you think, I care about the car?" she continued asking, her voice lazy yet annoyed. I know how expensive it is to repair the car, insurance or not. I already owe her so much, I don't want to burden her in any way.

"Aira, you are more important to me than anything or anyone," she said, extending her hand to squeeze mine over the table. She keeps saying it and I know it is true...sometimes, but she wasn't there for me when I needed her the most. If I were so important to her, why did she leave me? I know I am being irrational here, but I have stopped believing these words.