Ephemeral: Love, Pleasure and Hidden Pains

Sixteen

Anita walks out of the apartment, her high heels cast a loud sound as she walks confidently. Her eyes look boring into the distance. As she stepped into the parking lot, she scanned the whole area for the one car of a man, her new target. A clear mark handed by her own half brother. The lingering memory of the meeting stops as she sees a man leaning on the car door. His hand busy typing on his phone, there was a hint of a smile on his corner of lips. She walked into his direction, the sound of her high heels being the reason he snapped from whatever works in his phone, eyes now meeting. His smile widened as he saw her in a polite white dress. Elegant. Just as his mother liked, she took a note to satisfy the woman. Anita's expression immediately changes into one that is full of loveliness, masking all the act. The gentleman opens the door of his black Mercedes, waiting for the woman who gives a newfound tinkle of adoration to appear in his eyes for a few months now. He walked around the car and hopped on the passenger car.

"Are you ready to meet the Queen of Romsaithong?" he said playfully, it's cringy. His face saved the corny remark. Anita forced a smile and let out a giggle that could pass as real.

She looked at the man, took his hand into an intertwined, "Yes, Mr. Prince of Romsaithong," she replied, a fake happy smile appeared. He moved close to place a simple kiss on her cheek. Out of his sight, Anita rolled her eyes. Such a weak man for simple affection. She pity Mile for that. It was clear in the plain sight, Mile was a man lacking love, no, needed love from a person who had nothing in their hand to reduce him into one single thing. Mile was many things dancing in one person. Too pity, Anita was not the woman or man that suits his demand.

When Mile faces her again, she forms a smile, almost a sad one. He smiles back with a tinkle of little happiness in those black eyes. He started the car engine and moved to the destination that he had been dreading bringing her. In all honesty, that visit was her goal since before they started the relationship, but it would be suspicious for her to step into the mansion that was forbidden for anyone to step in for as long as she could remember. On top of all, her being the step daughter of an alleged murderer's ex wife would rattle the old woman. She needs to wait for long enough for his mother to at least half accept her visit. Now in her mind, this was long enough for her. She vaguely remembers having to act as if she was reluctant to accept the invitation for looking genuine. She was not like other women who were only here for Mile's money. Then when she saw Mile Phakphum Romsaithong almost begging was truly fascinating. She hit the man's trust in a mere month. What an achievement for an actress. She should get an Oscar.

She could not help but let her lips gap open. The high fence of Romsaithong mansion was a sight to behold. She remembers driving to this rich area multiple times during her highschool to her early twenties. She always had been curious with the sight across the fence, what would it be? As rich as everyone had said? As luxurious as Brian had said? Then she remembered how Brian turned the fairy tale of a palace into something horrible. All because of one incident. The fault of the adults. The paradise fairy tale castle had become a nightmare after Brian's father was arrested, the story her half brother told was vivid in her ear everytime she passed this mansion that was completely close by the high fence. But deep down her almost cold heart, she wanted to be part of the house. Anita looks at the man, Mile Phakphum, a sole heir of the thousand year empire of old money. She was still in daze how she could steal the heart of the cold prince. Did she truly have his heart? Or was it just an illusion of loneliness the man was trying to fill?

Image of Mile during highschool flash from faraway memory, everyone had mentioned that this man had never explored to know people, he kept things for himself and turned down every woman and man that flaunt into his arms. It was not shocking how people wanted Mile. With all that money and reputation. Then, she also remembers Mile Phakphum during his mid twenty, changing girlfriend, only girlfriend, as soon as he broke up with them. Like every man she knew, dated, Mile was the same yet different. As if he didn't know what he was actually doing. All the women he had dated were just to fit into his time and schedule. Anita had done too much research. This dumb man had someone in his heart, he was in love, yet was in other relationships.