A Fairy Tale Like World

AFLW 12: The Attack, Stolen Night

AFLW 12: The Attack, Stolen Night

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Princess Yuki POV

Malakas na sigawan ang nagbalik ng aking huwisyo. Palatandaan na tapos na ang palaro at ang parangal na lang ang hihintayin ng mga taong nanonood. Bago ko pa makalimutan ang tunay na dahilan kung bakit ako nandito ay kumalas na ako sa yakap niya.

"I have to go." Nakayuko na aking wika. Hindi ko magawang salubungin ang kanyang paningin. Marahan niyang binitawan niya ang Aklat ng Impormasyon.

Walang salita ang namutawi sa kanyang labi ganun din sa akin. Alam naming pareho na maaaring mangyari kapag may naglakas-loob sa aming magsalita. Mga salita na nais naming sabihin at ipaalam sa isa't isa subalit hindi namin magawa.

I stood in front of him silently while lowering my head for a few minutes. Then, I turn around and walk away without a word and without looking back. I can feel his stares burning my back while I slowly walk away from him.

"I love you, Shan. I will, as long as I live. Whatever happens." Chase whispered.

I was a few steps away but I still heard what he says and that made me stop in instant. And again, my tears started to fall. I wipe the tears in my face and composed myself.

"And I love you too, Chase. Always will. Wherever I am." I replied in a whisper too. Even though I'm not sure if he can hear it. Without another word, I ran towards the crowd hoping to hide from him. Although I know he won't try to follow me.

Naglakad ako pabalik ng Hotel ng nakayuko habang patuloy sa tahimik na pag-iyak. Hindi ko napansin ang taong mabilis na tumatakbo pasulubong sa akin. Isang malakas na impact ang nagpabagsak sa akin sa sementadong daan. At nakahanap ako ng dahilan upang tuluyang umiyak. Ginawa kung dahilan ang sakit na aking naramdaman sa aking pagbagsak.

"Hey, are you okay?" Tanong ng taong marahil ay nakabangga sa akin.

Hindi ko siya pinansin at nagpatuloy lang ako sa pag-iyak. Tumigil lang ako ng maramdaman ko na nagpa-panic na siya sa kaka-iyak ko. Nag-angat ako ng paningin upang makita ko ang mukha ng salarin.

I gasp when I saw his face. "Prinsipe Daisuke?" I murmured quietly.

"What did you say?" He asks. It seems like he didn't hear what I said.

I sigh and wipe my tears away. Tumayo ako at pinagpag ang alikabok na dumikit sa jeans ko.

"I said, I'm fine." I give him a small smile before starting to walk away.

Bago pa ako tuluyang makalayo isang kamay ang humawak sa braso ko para pigilan ako. I turn around to see Prince Daisuke holding my arms. He let go and put his hands in his jeans pocket.

"I'm sorry, but it's not every day that I got a chance to encounter a pretty girl like you." I raise my eyebrow with what he said. He just give me a charming smile. "So, I won't let this chance slip away. My name is Hideki. May I know your name?"

He offers his hands for a handshake. I stand there not knowing how to react. It's just that -- I'm not expecting something like this coming from the youngest Prince.

"Uhm," I composed myself and give him a faint smile. "My name is Shandra. Please to meet you Hideki."

Tinanggap ko ang pakikipagkamay niya at pinanindigan ang pagpapanggap na ngayon ko lang siya nakita at nakilala. Hindi ko ipinahalata na alam ko na isa siyang Prinsipe.

Dinala niya sa mga labi ang aking kamay at hinagkan ang likod nito. A small tint of pink crept to my cheeks. It's not every day to experience this kind of chivalry, not even in the Imperial Palace or in our Kingdom.

"The pleasure is mine, my lady." He said before letting my hands go.

I was about to say something when we heard an explosion. We both look in the direction of the arena where the game was held. It seems like the explosion is coming in that way.

Nagkatinginan kami ng Prinsipe at sabay na napatakbo sa direksyon ng arena ng walang salita. Bakas ang matinding pag-alala sa kanyang mukha. Batid ng lahat na nasa arena ang Mahal na Prinsipe, ang kanyang kapatid, maging ang akala ng lahat na si Prinsesa Yuki.

Nakahinga ako ng maluwag ng makita ko ang kumpol ng mga Royal Guards sa isang bahagi may kalayuan sa arena. Mahigpit nilang binabantayan ang Mahal na Prinsipe. Maging sina Yoshie, na nagpapanggap na ako, at si Shuji ay nasa tabi ng Kamahalan.

I saw one of the Royal Guards guided them towards the car not so far from where they are. My eyes widened when I realize something. If the explosion was meant for the Prince, there is a possibility that the car has explosive.

Napahawak ako sa braso ni Prinsipe Daisuke at napatingin ako sa kanya na nanlalaki ang mga mata.

"The car --," I said wide eye while the Prince look at me with a frown. "Don't let the Prince get on the car!" I almost shouted. My heartbeat wildly in my chest.

"s**t!" Prince Daisuke curse.

Naintindihan niya ang ibig kung sabihin. He was about to run when we heard another explosion again. We look at the car in horror. Nilamon na ito ng malakas na apoy at usok. I am right all along.

Alerto kong inilibot ang aking paningin. Sinuri ko ang lahat ng taong aking makita na kaduda-duda. Tumigil ang aking mga mata sa isang taong nasa ilalim ng mayabong na puno. He's wearing an all-black suit, black sunglasses with no expression at all. I made sure not to miss a single detail about the guy. But I saw his lips twitch upward, looking somewhere.

I follow where he's looking at and found the Prince getting on another car. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag, mabuti naman at ligtas sila. Hindi ko maaaring maliitin ang kakayahan at talinong taglay ng Punong Bantay ng Mahal na Prinsipe, na si Pinunong Kizu.

"I need to go, Shan." I heard Prince Daisuke said.

I look at him. I know that he's planning to follow his brother to the Hotel. But I don't think it is safe to do that. The Hotel is also not a safe place.

"The Hotel where the Prince I think is going is not safe, Hideki." He look at me with an obvious questioning look. "Ang Mahal na Prinsipe ang habol ng kung sino man ang may pakana nito kaya sigurado akong alam din nila kung saang Hotel at tinitigilan nito. I'm not sure, but my instinct told me that something bad will also happen in the Hotel."

"You have a point. People are busy with the things here and the Hotel might slip away from their minds. Other people will not think ahead but not Pinunong Kizu. I bet he's thinking the same." He agreed.

"But still, we have to do something," I said looking at him seriously.

"I know. Let's go?"

I nodded. We both run towards the Hotel. Using the short way we'll be the first one to reach the Hotel since the the Prince will be stuck in the traffic.

Napagkasunduan namin ako ang makikipag-usap sa reception at siya sa Security. Kailangan maalerto ang pamunuan ng Hotel sa posibleng mangyari.

I was about to talk to the receptionist when I saw the Prince party park in front of the Hotel. Then, another explosion happened. But this time it is the Hotel where I am in.

Chase POV

I stand there for I don't know how long. I can't see her in the crowd. The horde of people hides her from my sight after she ran away from me. But still, I'm able to hear what she whisper. He replied with what I see.

"And I love you too, Chase. Always will. Wherever I am."

A bittersweet smile crept onto my lips. We both love each other but why we can't be together? Screw, responsibility. Why Shandra can't be selfish and choose her happiness over her responsibilities? I sigh and shook my head. Why am I thinking stupid and nonsense things?

Tumalikod na ako at naglakad pabalik sa hotel na tinutuluyan ko. Nakikita ko na ang Hotel ng marinig ko ang isang malakas na pagsabog. Napabaling ako sa direksyon ng arena kung saan galing ang pagsabog na narinig ko.

Is Shandra going to the arena? I asked myself frowning.

"Damn!" Without another thought, I sprinted towards the arena. I'm pretty sure Shandra is heading there after our meeting, her subordinate is there.

Malapit na ako sa arena ng may isang malakas na pagsabog ulit akong narinig. At tulad kanina, galing din ito sa direksyon ng arena. Mas lalong lumakas ang kaba sa aking dibdib. God, don't let anything bad happened to the girl I love so much.

Tanaw ko na ang arena, sira ang isang malaking bahagi nito na marahil ay dahil sa pagsabog. Nahagip ng mata ko ang pagtakbo ni Shan kasama ang isang lalaking hindi ko kilala.

Before I follow Shandra, I reported first the situation to DC Org. and ask them to investigate the situation. I received a prompt stating an order from the DC Org. that every man who's near the place will gather and investigate.

Mabilis akong tumakbo sa direksyong tinakbuhan ni Shandra. I want to make sure that she is safe. Naabutan ko pa ang pagpasok niya sa isang Hotel. I was about to follow when I saw the cars stop in front of the said Hotel. And by the look of it, it is the Crown Prince convoy. I stopped and observe the surrounding.

Another explosion happened. This time it is in front of me, the Hotel where Shandra is. I look at the Hotel in horror, it was covered with thick smoke.

"Shandra!" I shouted. I ran towards the building without minding the danger and the authorities starting to surround the place.

May mga bahagi na ng Hotel ang bumabagsak. The ground floor is already in a mess. Halos sumabog na ang dibdib ko sa sobrang kaba.

"Shan, where are you? Answer me."

No answer. Tanging mga bagay na bumabagsak lang ang narinig ko. Unti-unti ng nilalamon ng apoy ang reception area. May narinig akong umuubo sa malapit sa reception. I saw the man looking down at unconscious Shandra.

"Hey, Shan, wake up. We need to get out of here." The man said.

"Tabi," itinulak ko patabi ang lalaki at agad dinaluhan si Shandra. I check her from head to toe, making sure the damage she get that knocked her down. May nakapa akong basa sa ulo niya, pag-angat ko ng aking kamay lihim akong napamura sa ng makita ko ang dugo sa aking kamay. Hindi malala ang sugar niya at nawalan lang siya ng malay dahil sa impact ng pagtama ng kung ano mang bagay sa ulo niya. Subalit hindi pa rin dahilan yun upang mapigilan ko ang galit na nararamdaman ko.

I dialed a number. "Lady Bethany is hurt." I give them the address of the Hotel. "I'm getting her out of this place. Be sure to find the culprit of the explosion and punished them to death." I said fuming in anger. This is the very first command I made, being the son and heir of the Huddle Head of DC Org.

Buong ingat ko siyang binuhat. Kailangan ko siyang madala agad sa Hotel ko upang magamot ang sugat niya.

"Where are you going to take her? Who are you?" Pigil ng lalaki sa akin.

"I'm going to take her to a safe place," I said emotionless.

"I'm going with you. I don't know you, so I can't trust you with her."

"Tch," the corner of my lips twitch but I said nothing. Naglakad na ako palabas ng building. Mas pinili ko ang dumaan sa likod upang iwasan ang mga pulis o media. Hinayaan ko lang na sumunod ang lalaki sa akin.

Hindi ko pinansin ang tingin ng mga tao habang papasok ako ng Hotel ko na may buhat-buhat na babaeng walang malay. Naramdaman ko ang paggalaw ni Shandra sa bisig ko ng lumulan kami sa elevator. I can hear her murmured my name, and she settled in my arms. Ikinawit niya sa leeg ko ang kamay niya at tuluyang yumakap sa'kin habang nananatiling nakapikit.

Maingat ko siyang inilapag sa kama. Kinuha ko ang first aid kit saka ginamot ang sugat niya sa ulo.

"Are you okay, Shan?" The guy asks the moment Shandra open her eyes. I just look at her tenderly.

"I'm fine, Hideki. You don't have to worry and thanks for the concern." She smiled at him which makes my blood boil in sudden jealousy. I stand up and open the window to have a glimpse of what's happening outside. No report from our men yet.

Prinsesa Yuki/Shandra POV

Sinundan ko ng tingin ang pagtayo ni Chase sa may bintana. Napaka-seryoso ng kanyang mukha subalit wala kang emosyon na makikita dito. But I know better than that, he's still fuming with anger. I sigh.

"Who is he?" I heard Prince Daisuke ask.

Napatingin sa amin si Chase na mukhang nadinig ang tanong ng Prinsipe.

"He's Chase, a friend." Pagpapakilala ko. Chase frown the way I address him but I didn't mind it. "Chase, this is Hideki, an acquaintance? I just met him earlier."

"You seem so close than an acquaintance." He sternly said. I notice the hint of jealousy behind his stern voice.

"Well, it's not every day that I get to meet a beautiful girl like her." Prince Daisuke shrugged his shoulder. "Anyway, I have to go. I need to check something important. It's nice to meet you, Shandra. Hope to see you again."

Silence engulfed the room when Prince Daisuke is gone. I am sitting in the bed silently while I can feel Chase eyeing me -- dangerously? But he said nothing. I get up from bed and find my shoes. I need to check Yoshie and Shuji.

"And where do you think you're going, lady?" Chase asks in a low dangerous voice.

"I have to go, Chase. I need to check my subordinate." I replied almost pleading.

"No. You're are not going anywhere."

"Chase, please."

"No, Shan." He shook his head. He stood in front of me. "Do you know how afraid I am when I heard the explosion and saw that the hotel you're in is starting to collapse? I'm dead worried! And here you are worrying someone else?"

"They're here because of me Chase. So it's my responsibility to make sure that they're fine."

"Damn that responsibility!" He gritted his teeth and I look at him in shock, can't believe what I heard. He sighs, "what I'm gonna do with you? Can you please set aside that responsibility just for once? Just for now?" He pleads in an agonizing voice.

"Chase ----"

"No. You listen to me Shan," hinawakan niya ng mahigpit ang balikat ko. "You're not going anywhere until I said so. Understand?"

I slowly nod my head. This is the first time I saw Chase like this. Sa nakikita ko, kahit anung gawin ko ay hindi siya papayag na umalis ako.

"Go back to bed and rest." Umupo siya sa couch na naroon saka pumikit. "And don't dare do something to get out of here. I won't let you."

I sigh. Mukhang wala na akong magagawa kundi mananatili muna dito. Hindi ko siya masisisi dahil nag-aalala lang siya sa akin. Lumapit ako sa telepono at tinawagan si Ate Yen, humingi ako ng pabor sa kanya upang alamin ang nangyari kina Yoshie at Shuji. Nagbigay na rin ako ng contact number upang maipaalam niya kaagad sa akin ang kalagayan ng dalawa.

I walk towards Chase and stop in front of him. I look at him intently, his eye's closed but I know that he's awake. I sat in his lap, straddle closer to him. I put my chin in his chest and place my hand in his face. I feel his arms encircled my waist tightly and pull me closer to him.

"I'm sorry if made you worried," I whispered softly.

He opens his eyes and looks down at me. Our eyes lock. His hand cupped my face tenderly and smile, the smile that I love the most.

"I'm glad that you're safe." He leaned down, lips almost brush with mine. "I love you, Shan, very much." He sincerely said while looking at me in the eyes. His eyes are full of emotions.

"I love you too, Chase, very much," I replied lovingly in a hushed voice. Then he claims my lips for a sweet kiss and I close my eyes to savor the moment of bliss.

We broke the kiss to gasp some air. I open my eyes only to see a pair of eyes staring at me lovingly. I give him my sweetest smile meant for him. This time I accepted the kiss wholeheartedly, with all that I've got. The kiss turns into more passionate, asking for more. And I give in. Hands starting to wander each other bodies. Exploring a newfound pleasure we felt. Pleasure, excitement, and anticipation with what might happen to shake my whole body in delight.

I must treasure this moment with him, with the man I love with all my heart, and make the most out of this one stolen night, can I?