Dear Sweetheart,

One Last Chance

Carl went to his room before the banquet ended. It bored him anyway and he decided not to stay.

He slammed the room's door to show his anger. He grabbed a bottle of whiskey on his study table and gulped down the whiskey. Out of rage, he threw the emptied bottle to the wall and shattered glass were all over the floor.

Carl sat on the table, looked at the glasses on the floor, just like how his trust to Daniel were broken into pieces.

"How can you love someone that I've set my heart for? Who are you? Just a mere f****ng guard compared to me" Carl shouted as he cursed.

All of sudden, he laughed out loud. His mind suddenly reminded of that woman.

"Lara Becker. That's your name" Carl overheard Daniel said Lara's name just now.

Carl punched the table. He clearly remembered her smile to Daniel. He clearly heard Lara moaned when Daniel kissed her. Their actions clearly stucked inside his mind. His blood started to boil. His body shivered and he clenched his jaw.

"Both of you will pay for this. For fooling me. Let's see how long you're taking me for a fool" Carl determined to bring their relationship to end with any means.

The next morning, Daniel entered Carl's room. Carl had to attend an event on behalf of his father this morning. The Royal Jubilee will be held for the whole month where royal family members will visit different parts of country to greet the people. Daniel went there to wake him up because Carl's already late.

Daniel saw a broken whiskey bottle on the floor. He's wondering what's happened last night. He walked to the bedside and saw Carl still asleep. The stained on his white shirt showed he's drinking last night.

"Carl, you're supposed to attend an event on behalf of Grand Duke. You have to wake up now" Daniel tried to wake Carl up. But no response.

Daniel moved Carl's body. Carl slightly opened his eyes. His head hurts so much from his drinking last night. He positioned himself to sit with hand on his forehead. Trying to remember what happened.

"Do you want me to get you something to drink? A warm honey water?" asked Daniel. If Carl still feeling hangover, they have to cancel the event and it will tarnish royal's image.

Hearing Daniel's voice, Carl suddenly remembered everything. The reason he got drunk last night. He glared at Daniel. Daniel noticed it.

"Is there something wrong Carl? Your head still hurt?" asked Daniel in worried manner.

"Why? Are you that worried? Can I really believe in you?" Carl's question just threw Daniel off. His tone sounded cold. Like he talked to a stranger.

"I'm worried. Of course you can believe me. Is there anything you want me to do?" Daniel nodded his head. Carl just left Daniel's question hanged and get off from his bed before he walked into the bathroom.

Daniel felt weird with Carl's behavior that day but he just brushed it off from his mind. Maybe after effect of the hangover.

The crowd consisted of reporters and citizen already waited for Carl's arrival since early morning. Carl supposed to visit Woodland Nursing, a nursing centre for adults.

He walked out from his limousine when he greeted by the Director of Woodland Nursing, Ms Fei Smith.

"It is an honor to us for your visit, Your Highness" greeted Ms Fei. All camera flashed to capture this moment. Anything with Carl's photo will be sold out in no time. For the event, Carl dressed casually with burgundy polo shirt and white slacks. As usual, Daniel loyally stands next to him.

Ms Fei guided Carl throughout his visit. They entered the centre to greet the elders. Inside, the decoration looked like a normal home with living room. There's where the elders spent their time watched television or chatted with each other.

Further inside the centre, there's rooms for each elders. It varied from single bedded room to a dorm like.

Ms Fei brought Carl to meet one of the elders. He's called by Grandpa Jack. Carl saw Grandpa Jack lied on his bed with some tubes around his body.

"Grandpa Jack is our longest resident here. He's been staying here for almost 10 years. Currently he diagnosed with chronic bronchitis. That's why he depends on the oxygen tank" Ms Fei explained the situation. Carl nodded.

He reached for Grandpa Jack's hand and rubs his hand as his support for Grandpa Jack.

They continued the visit when Carl's eyes focused on a picture hung at the wall.

"These people are our volunteers where they will visit the elders and spent their time here. We are grateful to have them to cheer the elders since most of them missed their children and grandchildren" Ms Fei clearly explained on the picture of people happily smiled.

What makes Carl interested with the picture was because of one woman, smiled brightly next to an woman elder. Lara.

"So do they come here often?"

"Most of them, yes. But our regular visitor will be Ms Becker. She always visits on weekend. She also celebrates her birthday here"

Finally Carl found a way to meet with Lara.

After the visit was ended, Carl's been invited to enjoy some refreshments prepared by the centre. They went outside, headed to a specific canopy. On the table, there's some cakes and teas being served.

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Lara panted heavily because she ran hard, afraid for being late. Ms Fei seeked for her help at the nursing home to help with the banquet after the visit. Ms Fei told her there will be royal visit to the nursing home.

When she arrived, the royal has come.

"I'm not that late, right? Gosh this sleepy head" Lara hit her head for woke up late that day. She walked straight to the back of the building.

"I'm sorry that I'm late. They still havent finished yet?" asked Lara to one of the volunteers, who also helped with the preparation.

"It's okay. They're about to finish. You arrived just in time" that kind woman warmly smile to Lara. Lara finally can catch her breathe and felt relieved.

Then she helped with the plating of cakes and dessert to be served on the table. She also set the tables with napkins and cutleries. Good thing she learnt about table ethics during highschool that she got to use it that time.

Not long after that, the guests walked to the canopies for the refreshment. The guests consisted of the VVIPs and VIPs. Lara just looked for a far. To her luck, she saw Daniel walked with the guests.

Lara continued her work to arrange the foods.

"Lara, come with me" suddenly Ms Fei asked Lara to come with her. She pulled Lara's hand without any explanation. She being dragged to the guests table.

"Your Highness, let me introduce to you, our most hardworking volunteer at Woodland Nursing, Ms Lara Becker" said Ms Fei while introduced Lara to Carl who's sat there.

Carl looked at Lara and saw Lara in with apron tied around her tiny waist. Ms Fei slightly nudged Lara's shoulder to greet Carl.

"Good morning Your Highness. I'm Lara Becker" Lara greeted Carl awkwardly. That's their third time see each other. But this time is different. They're in a formal event.

"By the way Ms Becker, have we met before?" Carl asked the sudden question. Lara felt like Carl wanted to get to her with that question.

"I'm sorry but I'm afraid no. How can I meet a Royal? That's absurd" Lara tried to maintain her composure. What if she said they've met before? In front of these guests.

Carl nodded slowly.

'This how you want to play? Okay. Let's see how it goes'

Carl monologued by himself. Lara excused herself and left the table. Carl silently watched Lara's action. Then he took a glance at Daniel, who's still stood there with his poker face. This couple really good actors.

The event ended and Carl took his leave with the limousine. He silently looked at Daniel's back, who sat at the front passenger seat.

"You are done for today, Sir. We will head back to palace" said Daniel to Carl after he finished talked at the phone.

Carl nodded. He continued to stare out of window. In his mind, so many things going around.

Daniel noticed it too from rear-view mirror. Carl's not in his usual state. He mostly kept silent and blankly stare out of window.

"Is there something in your mind Sir?" Daniel tried to console Carl.

"What do you think of that Ms Becker earlier, Dan?" The question caused Daniel to startle a bit. Why that question came from Carl?

"I don't know how to answer that question Sir" Daniel replied in awkward manner.

"Is she beautiful? I mean, will you like someone like her?" Carl straightly looked at Daniel through mirror reflection. Daniel fixed his sitting position. He felt a bit uncomfortable.

"Don't worry. Just tell me. I knew you already have someone but this is just for fun" Carl assured Daniel that there's nothing serious in his question.

After a long silence, Daniel answered.

"I will. She's indeed a beautiful young lady"

Daniel sensed Carl knew about him and Lara but nothing to prove it.

"If I may ask, is there anything wrong with Ms Becker? Since you asked about her" Daniel returned the question back to Carl.

"Nothing. I'm just curious about your view on women" Carl continued to stare out of window until they arrived at the Palace.

'Of course you will like her. She's your beloved one. You liar'

Carl actually tried to give chance to Daniel to tell him the truth. But the way Daniel still hid it from him, he can't really trust Daniel any longer.