Once Upon A Princess

Chapter 14 - Imagination

The weekdays have passed so easily because of the piled school work and activities that are needed to be done. My time was wasted doing all of them either at school or in my room. I rarely see those two in the house because of my mother who just flew abroad today to accompany dad once again.

I decided to not be bothered by any of them because I wanted to focus on my studies first since I don't want my rank to go down. I was the top student in our school and I intend to make it stay that way until I graduate. Despite having the opportunity to work at my dad's companies or even own some in the future, I still wanted to show them that at least I am capable of working there because I worked hard to be there.

I finished all of my tasks before the weekend has come once again and passed them right away to school so that I could prepare all of the things that I needed to bring to Caroline's rest house. I only packed some of the valuable things since Caroline said that we should just bring a little since everything is already in that house. So, I only brought my clothes, bikinis, shoes, slippers, and some essentials for my skin.

"Nat." I heard Nicolas call at the other side of my door. I stood up and went to open it.

"What?" I asked the moment I opened it and saw that he was already prepared.

"Let's go. Where's your bag?" He asked and pushed me to the other side to get it inside without even asking me if I am already finished or not.

"Aren't this too many?" He asked looking at the bikinis in my bag and I just simply shrug my shoulders.

"I can't choose," I answered but the truth is, I couldn't leave anything behind because Ethan said that they all suited me even though he doesn't sound sincere.

"Fine. Let's head out now. Ethan's waiting at the car." He said and closed my bag then began to carry it.

I quickly went to the table near my bed and get my phone that he smashed since it is valuable to me and I can't go to any places without this with me.

It was mom's phone and this little device stored all of her memories. So, I treasure this a lot and have never misplaced it ever since. Thankfully, when my brother smashed it to the ground, it was still okay with some minor issues that is why I went to a shop that could fix it and now it's alright once again.

After I got the phone, we eventually went out of my room and then proceeded out of our house. We headed towards my brother's car and I saw Ethan waiting while leaning onto the car. My eyes widened to see him smoking but he immediately threw it on the ground and put it off by stomping on it with his own feet when he saw me. I have never seen this part of him since I rarely see him in the house despite living with him. Yet, I don't mind... I was just surprised.

"You could have called me," Ethan said and get my bag from my brother.

"I can handle this much," Nicolas answered in return as they went to the trunk to put all of our bags.

I, on the other hand, decided to head inside the car because I feel like sleeping. I never had a proper rest since Monday and now I am hardly awake from all of the things that I have done. I closed my eyes the moment I got inside and started to doze off.

"Are you going to sleep?" Someone asked me all of a sudden, so I slowly opened my eyes to see who it was.

It was Ethan who was in the shotgun seat already but I don't have the energy to talk to him so, I simply nodded at him and lay down on the seat slowly. I don't know what happened after that because I have already fallen asleep before I even noticed that the car has finally started and we left the house.

After an hour-long journey, we must have arrived at our destination since the car is finally parked somewhere and the windows of the car are already opened. I can feel the cold breeze getting inside the car and I can't help but wanted to sleep for more. I don't want to leave here.

However, I froze when I realized right at that moment that I was lying on something hard and thick. I slowly raised my gaze and literally stiffen when I saw the man calmly sleeping. I was lying on his lap while he... he was sleeping but I don't mind if he is. All I care about right now is that his face was already inches away from mine.

S-Should I wake him up?

What if it got awkward between us because of this?

No.

It couldn't happen, right?

I should probably just wake him up before this turns into an utter mess. I slowly raised my hand to reach his face but flinched when I heard a snap out of nowhere. A camera's snap to be exact and later on, I heard people laughing quietly. When I glanced at the door of the car, Caroline and Henry were there holding onto a camera and were laughing at me.

"Help me," I whispered, hoping that they would but they run away right that instant.

I sighed heavily as I shifted my gaze once again at the sleeping man but was surprised that his eyes were already open and were looking straight into mine but he still wasn't moving his face away from me so he was still inches away and we stayed there for a minute or so.

Long until I can feel the atmosphere around us that gradually changed that is why I decided to finally stop this before I make a mistake that may change his way of treating me. I mean I wanted to do something in this situation but... it's too early for that, especially since I still do not know why is this happening right now and what his feelings... I wanted to know about them first.

Then, suddenly I felt his hand caress my head and began to comb my hair with his fingers.

"You have slept soundly." He said and finally backed away, leaning onto the car's seat while still staring at me.

"I-I did," I answered awkwardly while averting my gaze.

"You didn't even wake up when I put you on my lap. You must have exerted yourself for the past few days." He said frowning at me. I just smiled at him. He was worried I can see that but that doesn't change the fact that I will never be able to forget what just happened a while ago and my heart... my heart is racing so fast to the point that I was unable to breathe for a second.

"You should have rested, you might collapse when you start to have fun today because of what you did these past few days." He added and stopped combing my hair.

"It was all worth it, don't worry. I can handle myself. Besides, because I quickly finished all of my tasks and assignments in school, now, I can enjoy this short vacation at ease without thinking anything but have fun and relax." I said in return.

"If you say so. Just... tell me if you don't feel good or anything." He said and to my surprise... he kissed my hair. I can feel my cheeks begin to feel hot once again that is why I decided to sit up and never looked him in the eye because of how flustered I am. I don't want him to see me as red as a tomato.

"Uhmm... Let's go. They must be waiting already." I said and hurriedly went outside of the car without even waiting for his response.

I saw Nicolas outside the moment I stepped out of the car carrying all of the bags that he got from the trunk of the car. He noticed that I have just gotten out of the car and later on, the man who was also inside came out, and right before I know it, my brother was smirking so creepily.

"What?" I asked trying to feign ignorance but I simply heard him sigh and threw one of the bags to Ethan which scared the s**t out of me because I thought that he was throwing it onto me. After that, he began to walk in the direction of the house that wasn't that far from us.

"Let's head in," Ethan said without me realizing that he was already next to me.

"S-Sure," I said and so we went to the house with me being stiff as a stick while walking right beside him.

I can't help it.

I am nervous all the time when it comes to him and this time is not an exception. The situation a while ago made it even worse. I don't know what is going on inside his mind but now, I am definitely sure that he... doesn't see me as a kid.

I saw it in his eyes.

He... must have liked me too, or is it just my imagination?