𝒜𝐹𝒯𝐸𝑅 𝒴𝒪𝒰

2 | It's hard to find a parking lot

With my father's departure from Greenwich this morning, I perched on the balcony, grappling with the possibilities of what do to now. The classes would start in a week, so I still have plenty of time on my hands. Although I didn't need shopping as Dad already took care of everything, it was one of the available options.

I ended up roaming the whole city. It was fascinating but I still wasn't over the homesickness. Always kept feeling restless for the Netherlands.

It was almost the evening, and the yellowish lights were now brimming from the buildings. I was moving to have dinner in a restaurant. Getting out of the car, I looked around— the place was honestly better for strolling. But then again, it felt so awkward to have bunches of guards tailing behind.

I suddenly spotted Dominic, our driver, casually crossing the street with a girl at his side, their hands entwined. He looked quite different today – no more of the flashy white uniform, just jeans and a jacket, giving off a relaxed vibe.

Completing the dinner, I exited the restaurant and started walking. As soon as I reached the cafe at the other end of the area—I had no plan to stop there—but abruptly my mind changed.

One mug of coffee wouldn't hurt.

So I went in.

It was no longer than a second after I took a seat when my eyes drafted to the table by the window, where two persons were trying to pay the bill. And it was none other than him and the girl—she was young, a lot younger than him. Maybe in her early teens.

I must have wrinkled my nose as the girl's eyes suddenly fell on me and she folded her hands, creasing her forehead.

"What?" she asked spitefully.

I quickly glanced at my cup. It made him turn at to me, and widen his eyes.

"He's my brother, okay?"

"No! I did not mean to—"

"Then don't stare. Thank you." The girl retorted.

"Shut up, Mia." Finally, he said, after paying the bill. He glared at his sister once and then turned to me again. I felt my cheeks burning intensively.

God, he must be thinking that I followed him.

"I was just exploring the place," I mumbled, looking down. And faintly saw him nodding.

"It's late. You shouldn't roam at night." Dominic said.

"I'm not alone."

He looked out of the window and saw the guards, with a diminished chortling. "If someone plans to attack. What can they do." It wasn't a question, just a simple statement.

"I'm just a princess—" I saw his sister's eyes widening for a second, before turning her to brother. But she was quick to conceal it. "—not a politician or a monarch. My death wouldn't benefit anyone. For ordinary threats, they are enough."

"So it's you?" I heard Mia.

Slowly I turned my head to her—honestly, this girl's every word terrifies me. "Sorry?"

"The one who got into Yale without doing anything."

I quickly whipped my head toward Dominic and saw him rubbing his temple.

"Wow! Just wow!" I said glaring at him.

If I stayed with this girl another moment, I don't know what she'd do next. So quickly grabbing my purse and paying the bill, I got up.

"Also he said that your accent—" Dominic gripped his sister's arm before she could finish.

"That's enough." Dominic gripped his sister's arm before she could finish and started dragging her out. "Go home now."