Zane: The Atlantean Prince

CHAPTER 35: THE SPY

They spent the day having fun at the theme park, though Zane and Aera needed to leave early to go back to their dorm early. They still have morning classes the next day.

"I had so much fun spending time with your family, Zane. They are awesome and adorable," Aera said. They are on the bus now going back to the city. They were seated at the back of the bus which was still half-empty.

Their hands were intertwined, placed on Zane's lap. "I'm glad you had fun spending time with us."

She leaned her head on his shoulder. "I want to take a nap," she said. "Wake me up once we're at the central bus terminal."

"You should rest, then." He lightly brushed her hair using his hand. "I love you, Aera," he whispered.

"I love you, too, Zane Cole," she answered back. She looked up to meet his eyes.

Zane could hear his heart beating so fast. Aera's lips were tempting, and he could not stop himself from getting closer to her face. He brushed her lips gently and delicately. He closed his eyes to feel her lips on his. Aera opened her lips and received a deeper kiss from him. They parted when the bus jogged from side to side.

"What was that?" Zane looked outside the bus. There was a motorbike rider who seemed shouting at them.

"I'm sorry about that," the driver said in a loud voice. "I avoided that rider."

Aera sighed. "Glad it wasn't that serious. I thought we had an attack from a kakodaimon."

"You can go to sleep now." He kissed her on her forehead. Aera leaned on his shoulder again and closed her eyes.

Zane felt he was still on cloud nine. "I think I saved the world in my past life." He leaned his head on Aera's head and closed his eyes.

****

"Hey, Zane," Tommy called him. He went early to school, waiting to see Aera. They agreed to hang out before the classes started. "Do you know anyone named Zack or Jack? IU can't remember his name."

Zane shook his head. "No. Why?"

"Well, someone asked around earlier if we know you, while showing your video." Tommy looked around. "I can't find him now. He said he was your childhood friend that's why he was looking for you. I was the last person he talked to."

"I don't know anyone by those names." He tried recalling anyone by that name but he couldn't remember.

"I did not give any information about you," Tommy said. "My father said do not give out anyone's information without their permission, and never trust strangers. It was weird for him to ask around about you."

"You have the qualities of a good police officer," he said. "You know how to protect your good friend."

"Oh, please, no way."

"Zane," Aera called from behind. "Good morning."

"Good morning, Aera." She hugged him.

Tommy's eyes went wider upon seeing her. "Zane? Who is she? Whoa!"

"Right, Tommy, meet my girlfriend, Aera." He placed his arm around Aera's shoulder. "Aera, he's my friend, Tommy. His father was the police officer who helped us back then during the k********g incident."

"Nice to meet you, Tommy." She simply waved her hand to greet him.

"Same, Aera. Do you have a sister? I'm single." He gave a wide smile showing his braces.

"I'm sorry, I don't have siblings." She laughed.

"Zane, you probably saved the universe in your past life."

'I know. I am the luckiest man ever." He gazed at Aera's eyes full of love. "Did you eat your breakfast?"

She shook her head. "I don't have food in my dorm."

"Let's eat at the cafeteria," he said. "Join us, Tommy. My treat."

"That's the best thing you said today. I'm hungry." He rubbed his flat belly.

"I wonder why you don't gain weight even though you eat a lot. Do you have worms in your tummy?" Zane said, teasing his friend.

"Probably. Let's go. My pets are hungry."

They walked towards the cafeteria. They hardly notice the guy staring at them. "I found him." He carefully followed them.

"What are you going to eat?" Zane asked Aera.

"Spaghetti and burger! I want some fries, too," she said.

Zane whispered in her ear. "Are you really sure you're okay eating human food?"

"Yes, I am. Glad I grew up in the mortal world and ate human food for almost ten years of my life," she said in a low voice. "I'm okay, don't worry about me. I just need to eat ambrosia later."

"If you say so." They sat at the vacant table at the corner of the cafeteria. There were only a few students eating that time. "What's yours?" he asked Tommy.

"I want rice, chicken, spaghetti and a burger. I want some iced tea, too." Tommy rubbed his belly again. "I haven't eaten any decent food recently."

"What? Your Dad didn't show up yet?"

Tommy shook his head. "He called me yesterday. He said they were busy investigating the murder cases in our town. The cause of death was loss of blood without severe wounds. There were just two pierced wounds on the neck. He told me to not go out in the dark because it has also been the same around here. They found two bodies with the same cause of death."

Aera and Zane exchanged looks. They had an idea who killed those victims.

"Y-your father is right. Don't go out alone, especially at night." He stood up. "Let me buy our food. Stay here for a while."

He went to the counter and ordered the food they requested. He was walking back to their table when someone bumped him from behind.

"I'm sorry," the guy said.

"It's okay." He ignored the guy and went back to their table.

"Zane, the guy who bumped you was the same guy who was looking for you earlier," Tommy said.

"What?" He stood up and scanned the area. The guy was no longer there. "Where did he go?"

"Why, Zane?" Aera asked.

"Tommy said someone named Zack or Jack were looking for me using my video uploaded online, and said he was my childhood friend, but I don't have any friends in our town aside from you and my archery team." He looked around and tried to search for the guy again. "I don't even know that person who bumped me. That's weird."

"He's probably your fan," Aera said. "You're famous now."

He just shrugged his shoulders and sat down.

"Just ignore him. He was really just your fan asking for attention, or probably want your autograph." Tommy laughed at the idea. "Can you sign my uniform? I'd be proud wearing it with your autograph on it!"

"Crazy. You just eat your food and finish immediately. Our classes will start in fifteen minutes." He just shook his head and decided to forget the guy earlier.

"My life would be totally different now. Why did they upload my videos?" he asked himself. He continued digging in his food. He will just cover himself with hoodie or sunglasses to hide from people.