Dear Sweetheart,

Unlucky Encounter

'I'll be there in short'

A text from Joy while Lara gets ready. They promised to go to shopping mall that day. Lara wanted to go to the usual place where she gets her porcelain baked.

It's her parents' anniversary. Lara wanted to give it as the present. She draw her parents potrait on a plain plate. To make sure the paint stick and long lasting, the plate have to bake.

She packed the plate and grabbed her bag. Lara can see Joy's car parked outside through her window.

"Maa, I'll have lunch outside. Don't wait for me yaa" told Lara before she stepped outside.

The Beatles' playing on the radio. Joy singing along as it's her favourite band. Joy always have this old vibes. Once, when Lara first met Joy, Joy's wearing a poodle skirt with white collared blouse. She also had a scarf-tied ponytail.

They arrived at the mall. Since it's Sunday, there were many people at the mall. Both of them walked inside the mall.

Buzz Buzz...

Joy looked at her phone. She started screaming hysterically. Lara shocked as she thought something hava happened.

"Anything's wrong?" asked Lara.

Joy frantically looked everywhere, likes she looking for something or someone.

"Carl Steffen is here" Joy stomped her feet with excitement. Lara smiled as this was the happiest she saw Joy been since their graduation day. It's happier to be exact.

Lara fully aware on Joy's 'obsession' on Carl Steffen. The third prince of Grand Duke Edward Steffen. Her bedroom was full with Carl's picture. Joy also went to every Royal event just to see Prince Carl. The message she just got? It's from Carl's fanclub. As long as there is no harm in it, Lara always support her BFF's interest.

"Just go. I can go alone. I'll meet you later" said Lara. Joy running to 'chase' her prince charming. Lara shaked her head with Joy's passion. Lara walked into the shop.

Lara patiently waited for her plate. She skimmed through a magazine on the table. A cup of tea was served by the owner, Ms Tiana. Lara smiled as her thank you.

"Did you hear the news? A prince is here?" asked Ms Tiana. Lara nodded and sipped her tea.

"Why royal likes him go here? He can just do the shopping from palace" said Ms Tiana sarcastically.

"Maybe he wants to experience how a commoner like us live?"

"Prince Carl Steffen? This whole nation knows how he likes to spend his money lavishly. Recently he went to buy his dog a diamond dog collar" Ms Tiana annoyingly said her mind.

Half an hour later, her plate was ready. Ms Tiana puts it inside a velvet box.

"You are so talented, Lara. My customers always asked about your works especially 'The Lake'. Will you draw some for me?" Ms Tiana persistantly asked Lara to draw for her customers but Lara always kindly refused it as she did it as hobby.

Lara walked out the shop and pulled her phone to call Joy. Her friend must be running around for Carl.

Lara walked around, searching for Joy. Joy's not answering her phone. Unknowingly, Lara knocked into someone from her back and caused her to fall. All her things scattered on the floor. Her present too. She clearly heard the shatter sound.

Lara got on her feet and facing with the people who bumped into her. When she turned around, she saw Carl with a guy she misses so much, Daniel. Her eyes fixed to Daniel. It's being a while since they last met on that night they parted. She don't know he was in the town. She thought he's still in Italy.

Daniel stepped forward as he got worried Lara gets hurt.

"Are you okay?" asked Daniel worriedly.

Lara nodded. She have so many questions to ask but she refrained from doing so.

"Are you okay? Daniel, how was she?" Carl Steffen stepped forward and stand next to Daniel.

"She's fine. Nothing major" assured Daniel. He's like covering Lara from Carl. Lara's petite figure completely covered behind Daniel's tall built.

Carl slightly pushed Daniel to side. He saw Lara keeping her head down.

"I'm sure that I'm not completely at fault because you're the one backwalking" said Prince Carl monotonously. However, it sounded arrogant to Lara's ears. She lifted her face. She really can't stand arrogant people.

She admitted she also at fault. She became emotional as her present broken into pieces. All her hardwork and with the anniversary coming near, she can't make another one.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness. It's my fault. It's not your completely fault but you're still part of it. In appearance, I'm the one who fell. I'm sure you were taught about manner" Lara confidently speaks her mind. She don't care who is she facing right now.

Carl Steffen dumbfounded by her courage. Her eyes about to shoot him. Not in his mind any girl will forwardly dissed him in public.

The crowd also in silence as they're watching this dispute. Some feels like Lara should just shut her mouth and apologizes to Carl. While some admires her for standing for herself.

As there is no word comes from any side, Lara picked her things. When she picked the velvet box, glass shattering sound clearly heard. Lara shutted her eyes. She walked away from the crowd before Carl stopped her.

"How much is it? For the broken things?" asked Carl.

Lara stopped for a while before continue walked away. She ignored Carl's calling for her.

In her mind right now, the broken plate and Daniel.

Why he didn't tell her that he's here in the town? And why he's seen together with Carl Steffen?