Dear Sweetheart,

Guardian Angel

It was the time of the year where Woodland Nursing Centre's Fundraising Event will be held. Every year, the centre will hold a fundraising event where individuals or corporates can donate for the centre. The donation will be used for the residents' well-being and to ensure the centre daily operation kept going.

There were many entertaining and engaging activities for the residents to enjoy. There were BBQ party, Story Telling, Board games and Singing contest.

Lara too, always be part of the event every years. She loves to see these elders getting fun and enjoyed themselves to the fullest. Some of them were left alone, so with this kind of event, at least can cheer them up.

"My God, Your Highness. I don't expect to see you here. What an honor for us to have you here" shouted Ms Fei when Carl showed up at the event. Few staffs whispered on Carl's arrival.

"I heard about the event and thought it will be nice. This event is for a good cause, of course I should be here" said Carl.

"Hi young man" Carl turned and saw Grandpa Jack waved at him and also Lara at his side.

Carl excused himself from the crowd and walked towards Grandpa Jack and Lara.

"You came" Grandpa Jack warmly welcomed Carl. Carl smiled at Grandpa Jack and steal a look at Lara at the side.

Grandpa Jack held Carl's hand as they walked together to the garden. Lara followed them from behind.

They sat at a bench to watch several elders happily sang on the stage. Lara just stood at the side even Carl already asked her to sit next to him.

Carl seemed to enjoy the show and event. Sometimes, he's seen laughed out loud when something funny happened. He also clapped along with the elders.

"Grandpa Jack, do you want to eat anything? I'll take it for you" asked Lara.

"No.. no.. I'll take it." Carl also stood up and offer to take the food.

"You two just go take the food together. Don't have to argue" Grandpa Jack stopped the argument while his eyes fixed at the performance.

Lara looked at Carl and gave a signal to follow her.

There's a long line of food and beverages on the table to serve the elders and visitors. Lara passed a plate to Carl.

"How do you know about this?" Lara asked Carl while she put food on her plate.

"Grandpa Jack called me yesterday. I don't know this kind of event existed" Carl didn't expect the event to be quite huge and grand. He can see many visitors came to the event to spend their times with the elders and donate for a good cause.

"This is not the type of event that people like you to participate. It just a small communal event. You can see other people faces when they saw you, right?"

"Then what kind of event that people like me go to?" Carl curiously asked even he already knew the answer.

"I don't know. Maybe a huge charity gala event, fashion show week, parties at a high-end club? Who knows?" Lara shrugged her shoulder while holding 2 plates of food. One for her and one for Grandpa Jack.

Carl grinned and showed his perfect smile. He knew what's on Lara's mind.

"You know that you sounded like you just stereotyping people like me, don't you? Plus, what's wrong with going to those events? We were invited" Carl defended himself.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to. It just... people like you don't really engaged with us, the 'normal' citizens. That's why we kinda have that stereotyped on elites" Lara felt guilty for said that to Carl. She just wanted to express her opinion but somehow, it goes wrong.

"Do you want me to show you the real life of people like me?" Carl smiled and raised his eyebrows playfully. Lara ignored him and walked back towards Grandpa Jack.

They talked and laughed while enjoying their meals.

"Long time ago, I can chew this meat off from the bone in one single bite. But now, I need to suck it and threw it off" Grandpa Jack snapped at the barbeque ribs.

Carl and Lara laughed at annoyed Grandpa Jack. He seemed cute in their eyes.

"Visitors, today we have a very special guest with us, His Highness Prince Carl" Ms Fei gave a speech on the stage. People clapped when Carl stood up and waved to the crowd. He didn't expect this kind of welcoming.

"To make it more memorable and meaningful, His Highness willingly to donate an amount of £200k with addition a sponsor for necessary items for the centre. Please give a huge applause to His Highness for his kindness" The claps getting louder and merrier when they heard the amount of donation. That was the biggest donation from a person.

Carl don't sure what to do with all the attentions he got from the crowd.

"Why don't you head to the stage and give a small speech?" Lara whispered to Carl and signalled him to head to the stage. He walked to the stage when Ms Fei passed the mic to him

"First of all, I would like to welcome all guests to this event. It's my first time here but I can feel the warmness and felt welcomed here" Carl started his speech and people kept on cheering for him.

"I would like to thank Grandpa Jack for inviting me. And also, to Ms Becker, for becoming my friend"

Lara can see all eyes aimed to her when Carl mentioned her name. She can't hide her face.

Carl finished his speech with a loud claps from the audiences. He returned to his seat.

"You don't have to mention my name" Lara slightly angry. She doesn't like to pull attentions from the crowd.

"Why? I'm only thanking you as my friend" Carl defended his action. He sees nothing's wrong with that.

"It's true Lara... There's nothing wrong to express gratitude to our friend. Don't be mad at him" Grandpa Jack consoled Lara.

The event came to the end where it successfully collected the donation from the visitors for almost £500k. It was a huge success for the centre to keep on helping these elders.

"Young man, thank you for coming. I just knew that you're a prince. I'm sorry if I disturbed you in any ways" Grandpa Jack held Carl's hand tightly. Carl kneeled on one knee to meet Grandpa Jack's eyes. Lara stood besides Grandpa Jack.

"Don't say that Grandpa Jack. I treat you like I treat my own grandpa. Thank you for letting me to join this event" Carl smiled warmly to Grandpa Jack.

Grandpa Jack extended his hand to Lara, asked for her hand. Lara put her right hand on Grandpa Jack's palm. To her surprised, Grandpa Jack brought her hand together with Carl's hand. They looked at each other.

"I don't have a kid or grandchildren. You two are like my grandchildren. I'm blessed with your existence in my life" Grandpa Jack tapped at the hands softly.

"If I die tomorrow, I have nothing to regret for. Because I know, there are two people who will miss me when I'm gone" Grandpa Jack smiled when he alternated to look at Carl and Lara.

"Grandpa Jack, don't say it like that. You will stay alive for a very long time. You promised me to attend my wedding. You have to keep it" Lara tried to hold back her tears from came out.

Grandpa Jack laughed loudly and brushed Lara's hair softly when Lara said it like that. Then he softly pinched Lara's cheek to cheer her up. He was at his happiest moment.

Carl and Lara walked down the street after the event ended. Their walks were filled with silentness. They were having thoughts in their mind.

"Why you chose to help Grandpa Jack?" Lara breaks the silence between them.

Carl seemed to have a deep thought on that question.

"The very first moment I saw him, I pitied him. I had several thoughts at that time"

"What if I becoming like him? Left alone with no family to rely on? Lying on the bed for the rest of my life? Can I really live like that if it happens to me? That kinda thoughts" Carl opened up with Lara. Lara silently focused on Carl.

"When I touched his hand, I can feel his strong grab onto my finger. It's like a way for him to tell me that so much he wanted to do and he wanted to stay alive. So that's why I helped Grandpa Jack" Carl vividly remembered the feelings he had at that time. He looked at his fingers.

"Grandpa Jack must be lucky to meet you. You're like his guardian angel" Lara admired Carl with his kindness. It's like a new Carl for her. She always thought that Carl was just another rich people with no heart and kindness in them. Seemed like she wrongly judged Carl.