Hearts and Vines

Chapter III

Chapter III Many Happy Returns

“ Alasdair, quit following me,” he said being irritated.

I could picture his creased forehead, furrowed brows and intense dark eyes just by looking at his back. I giggled which made him look at me over his shoulder.

With one brow raised he let out a seemingly irritated question, “ And why are you laughing?”

I only shook my head in response as I bit my lower lip to prevent a smile from showing. I totally ignored his question and went on pointing into different kinds of flowers.

“ Look at that, Chase. It's not every day I get to see something like—”

He didn't like me ignoring his remark, I guess because the moment I opened my eyes I was already pinned in a tree with his towering figure casted in front as his eyes full with intensity looked down on mine.

“—that,” I stuttered.

I bit my lip and looked elsewhere, doing everything I can to avoid his stared. Of course I didn't want to look at his scary face or his glares. I just have a feeling that I did anger him. It's not that I've seen him lose control or actually got angry at me...but I have a feeling that he is.

It is my fault anyway. He told me to stay at the bridge and wait for him to come back but you probably knew what happened next.

“ Look at me,” he ordered. I could feel him taking deep breaths and I could see that he's still staring at me through my peripheral vision.

“ No, I don't like to.”

I pouted next being extra stubborn and irritated that he didn't actually want to bring me with him. What am I supposed to do in the bridge anyway? wait for him 'til the sun sets? no, that's not me. I'd take every opportunity that I have to go to him. To see him. Even without his order or command.

I'm his tail and I'd probably follow him wherever he'd go. I don' want to be away from him. Crazy, I know. But is this love? could this be it?

I think so—but I hope it's not.

Although even if it is, I still like what I am feeling right now. I'd still choose to feel this same kind of butterflies—or birds in my stomach even if I could redo everything from the start. He is worth my chase.

He gently lifted my chin and his lackluster orbs met with my wide curious jades. I thought that I'd be greeted with an angry faced Chase but I was wrong. What was in front of me is a prince staring at me with gentle eyes.

“ Why won't you listen to me?”

“ I do not take from you.”

“ Learn how to listen or it would only put you in danger, Alisdair. I thought you like me?” he challenged.

I did not expect that! I have always been chasing him, but he's never said such words to me.

I pushed him hard which made him let go from pinning me on that freaking tree...although I must admit it was the first time I got really close to him and it made everything inside me jumped.

“ Even though I like you, I do not take orders from you!”

How could he take me easily? did he think that I'd be someone who'd wait, take orders from everyone?

“ Even my father could not control me.” I stated. What I do not like is when people try to control me. Like a puppet. And I am not one.

“ Tell me, princess—” he took a step closer to me.

This time, I could feel the tension. This time, I could feel how he's trying to stay calm. This time, I knew I have no way to escape.

“ Is this a simply foolish move to mock your father or is this a game of hearts you've started to get through me?”

I gulped. Did he see through me?

I have to admit that I've been playing with this fire and it burned me...because what I have thought of a game became real. What was reel became real. I should have listened to Mal. He was right. I'd lose.

“ You got it. I lose it, Chase.”

I looked at him.

“ I fell for you,” I surrendered. It was the truth. I have fallen in love with the prince with vines following him everywhere.

“ And I have to admit that I am a fool. I am a fool for liking you from the very start. I am a fool for...for feeling this. I'm starting to dig deeper. I'm digging my own grave.

“ I didn't like this, it was unintentional but the more I got to know you, the more I have realized how petty I was for hating you. They told me to dislike you. To crush and break you...and here I am breaking my heart because I know you wouldn't ever love an enem—”

The next thing I knew was that I've been clinging on his nape as his lips came crushing on mine. It was something I didn't expect, something I have always dreamed. Pure sweetness, gentleness and then he wasn't gentle anymore.

“ I love you all this time, my heart. You have no idea what happiness and sunshine have came to me when you talked and followed me the first time. I always wished of you to look down on your window and see me—”

“ You mean, you're staying in the bridge to see...me?” I interrupted.

He raised a brow and gave me a knowing smile.

I smiled at him too as I tiptoed and claimed his lips again. I felt vines wrapping around my feet.

We were both panting when we stopped kissing. I knew I was running out if air, but I didn't mind. Something between sharing the same air and both gasping didn't bother us.

Is that really what it should feel like?

Like I didn't want to stop until I'd die.

It was my first kiss and I like it.

“ Why did you tie me with your vines?” I asked. We were back on walking our way towards his destination a while ago. We got delayed, but I'd have to say that the flight had still been worth it.

He looked over his shoulder.

“ Because I was scared I'd lost you,” he stopped which made me bump into his broad back. I massaged my naturally button-y nose—it looks cute, I'd have to say it.

“ While you've been gasping for air Alasdair, I had been drowning already far deeper than what you know.”

***

“ Wow!” I gasped as I saw what was ahead of us. I roamed my eyes and just feed my self with all the wonders.Flowers, a flowing stream, mountains that was almost like a painting, butterflies, there's even a crystal clear waterfall. It was almost like a secret garden except that it's a whole new world that was waiting to be unfolded and at last, here we are.

Well, for this matter...Chase found it first.

“ So, why won't let me go with you earlier? were you planning to keep this place all by yourself? you're mean.” I said with a glare.

He sighed as he ruffled my hair. “ I wanted to prepare everything here...I was planning to confess tomorrow,” he said looking away but I still caught how his ears reddened. He looked cute and I was about to tease him about it when I realized what he said.

My mouth gaped at him. Did I hear it right? He-he's planning to confess?!

“ Then why didn't you tell me?!” I grunted as I shook him. Oh, my! what a waste of moment we should have tomorrow.

He took my hands away from him as he said, “ It wouldn't be a surprise anymore.”

“ Still, you should have told me.” I 'tsk-ed' next.

He only laughed at me. I found it annoying so to make it even, I stomped on his foot.

“ Aww, Alisdair!”

I only stucked my tongue out.

Sometimes, I love wearing heels for that reason.

I ran away from him laughing. He only laughed at me so...he's not angry.

I ran into the stream and cupped water with my hands. I took a gulp. I didn't know I had been really thirsty.

I looked back and saw Chase just watching from the shade of a sakura with his hands inside his pockets and the wind just blowing his hair. The flowers seems to be bowing their heads for the prince. The vines—trumpet creeper creeps like loyal knights for their lord. I smiled. He look really dashing. No, beautiful even. It was like this place was made and meant for him.

He's like in my memory. Forever etched and never to be forgotten. I ran towards him and halfway through, I shouted.

“ This is a paradise!” I spread my arms and twirled as I felt the sweet-smelling air enter my respiratory system.

Everything is just so beautiful—so enchanting.

I ran back to Chase and pulled his hand to dance with me. He didn't want to, but he still danced.

“ This is silly Alasdair,” he gave me a bored look as I laugh at how serious his face looks and yet he's moving and dancing with unknown and uhm unflattering moves...which he got from me.

“ This is so fun!” I exclaimed. I just want this moment with Chase.

“I hope it would rain.”

I pouted at what he said. Such a killjoy.

“ Why? don't you like the sunshine?”

He laughed and pulled my shoulder and embraced me.

“ So I could dance with you under the rain.”

Instantly, as if the gods have heard his plea, it rained.

“ I could dance with you now,” he said with a smirk.

“ Yes you can,” I knowingly nodded.

I laughed as the vines almost but not quite tickled my feet. I looked at Chase and he gestured at them. I waited as I tried to understand what he meant.

The vines creep and slowly—almost like a child stood up. I gasped and looked at Chase. This is so amazing!

At the very tip, I could see a bud becoming bigger and bigger every second until I could see what it really was.

A crystalline flower that reflected elegance, and pure beauty. I looked at Chase to ask if it's okay if I pick it.

“ It's yours. Everything that is mine will be yours,” he tucked my loose hair behind my ear.

As soon as I have it, Chase offered his hand.

“ Shall we?”

I smelled the flower, and although I didn't really expected it to have scent—it looked like a crystal to me—it have and it's one of the sweetest scent I have ever smelled. It was just like Chase.

I accepted his hand.

“ We shall.”

He put my arms around his neck as he put his on my waist. We slow danced under the rain, with our hearts serving as the music only the both of us knew.

We were drenched, but it didn't matter. I am happy...very happy. I wish to always remember this day,this paradise, and Chase. No matter what, I'd always find a way to return to this happiness.

I know he'd do the same.

Oh wait.

I pulled away from his chest as I remembered something.

“ What?” he c****d his head as he asked.

“ We forgot about Nana! Oh, my Nana...” Chase laughed at me getting very frantic about my dragon.

“ She'll be fine. She's with Malcom,” assured him.

“ But—”

“ Don't you like being here with me?” he said while wiggling his brows.

I squinted my eyes at him. He's clearly teasing me. This prince.

This prince that I love.

“ Well, I have a feeling that she's fine,” I cheekily said.

Chuckling, he said, “ I have that feeling too.”

I giggled as I knew where this is coming.

“ She'd be fine for the next hour right?” I stared into his ever so lovely eyes.

“ She will,”

He said while gently pulling me back to him as he gently sealed me with a kiss under the pouring rain.