The New Life of Amaya

Chapter 13

There was a long silence after I explained the mix-up. Rex still sat protectively on top of my legs. The triplets ended up on the second level leaning over the balcony. Zhi leaned against a pillar and Andreas still sat in the chair. The five of them were talking about the things that Andreas needed to do as King. One of those were welcoming some of the people into his home to hear requests from them on what they wanted from him as king and what changes they propose he makes.

"Amaya..." Andreas said suddenly. I looked up to see him at the door. 

Rex growled at him in warning. I pet Rex, as if telling him it's okay.

"Rex, it's okay" Andreas said sitting against the doorframe turning his attention to me, "Amaya, I'm sorry if I scared you earlier"

"It's okay.." I said softly, "I was in the wrong anyway.." I finished as I pet Rex, gently grabbing his fur when uncomfortable.

"Amaya, I have grown a fondness towards you since I first saw you in the diner. I would like you to allow me to court you for a time." Andreas said.

"Court me?"

"Oh no! Boss did it!" the triplets shouted from above.

"Shut up you three" Zhi snapped.

"I want to take you on dates, I'd like to have a chance to get to know you." Andreas said. 

"HUH?" I said with wide eyes and mouth agape.

"Exactly what I just said." Andreas retorted.

"Rex?" I asked looking at Rex who then barked a playful bark and liked my face before licking Andreas' face, everyone laughed including me, "I guess Rex agrees."

Andreas smiled softly, "between us, and the guys here would agree, you've changed me just by being at the diner that day."

Suddenly a collective yes sounded through the room. Andreas shook his head reaching his hand toward me with a smile. I took his hand and allowed him to pull me into a hug. Rex laid down next to Andreas and myself. The triplets made kissing faces at us and Zhi snapped at them in another language. I'm assuming he told them to stop.

"Oh, Boss!" The triplets shouted at the same time, "Miss Amaya painted a very nice picture of you in art class today"

"Turtle triplets!" I shouted at them embarrassed. 

They laughed

"Oh, you did huh?" Andreas said looking at me.

"It's nothing..." I mumbled.

"It could be considered professional" Leo shouted.

"I did see it myself and have to agree with the boys." Zhi said. 

"Don't you dare start too Zhi" I snapped.

Rex barked pulling the sleeve of my dress toward the door.

"Rex not you too!" I grumbled struggling to my feet.

Andreas laughed helping me to my feet, "The judges have spoken. May I see it?"

I bit my lip nodding my head, "It seems like I don't have a choice right now."

Together we all stood up and left from the room going up the stairs and to my room where I saw that the maids and guards brought all of my stuff from the dorm. Rex immediately went to the big bed where he laid down and I lead the group, mainly Andreas, over to my easel holding the art pad. I opened the art pad and placed it on the easel once more exposing the painting I did in art class. I looked at Andreas as he stared at it. 

"This isn't one done from simply duplicating. I don't have a portrait like this one" Andreas said.

"No, she took little you as an example from a family portrait and created something with a happier little you." Mikey said. 

Andreas inspected it more. I was beginning to feel like it wasn't good until I saw a smile form on Andreas' face. He came over to me taking my hand and pulling me into a hug. I wrapped my arms around him a smile forming on my face for the first time in a long time.

"I think it's perfect and I'd like you to make a bigger one to have hung up in the house." Andreas whispered in my ear.

I nodded my head, whispering, "Provide the materials and I'd love to" 

Andreas hugged me a bit tighter before letting me go, "Are you hungry? The chefs prepared a welcome dinner for you."

I nodded and went to Rex petting his head, "You stay here and sleep Rex. You deserve it" then left and went downstairs and to the dining room. 

I now get to see the dining room like I couldn't see before. There were blue curtains with gold trim above the windows that overlooked the forest surrounding Andreas' home. The long table was draped with a white table cloth with about 16 chairs around it. The chairs were white cushioned with gold trim. Andreas lead me to the table and pulled out the chair to the right of the one at the end of the table and then sat down at the end. 

"We're off to do homework Boss!" Donnie said as he and his brothers left the room. 

"Sir, if you need anything, I'll be right at the door as usual." Zhi said posting up at the door. 

"Thank you." Andreas said and turned his attention towards me, "I'm sorry if I blindsided you with asking you to date me."

"It's okay.." I said, feeling my face heat in a blush. "Technically speaking, you aren't in a position where you're required to apologize."

"True, but as I've said before, I want to be different from my dad.." Andreas replied as the servants came out placing the food on the table before us. 

"How are we going to explain this at school..?" I mumbled in between bites. 

"It's a perfect setting for us to date. I just ask that you don't let it slip that I am Amato and the King." 

"I won't, I promise." I reassured him making him smile with relief.

We ate dinner together, soon we were laughing and more comfortable around each other. More so me than him. We talked about interests, dislikes, and anything we could that crossed our minds. Soon we finished dinner, had desert and we were now finishing our time together. 

"Amaya, it may be best that we call it a night. We have school tomorrow and you need to be able to make it to your first class of the day."

I nodded heading up to my room and laying down in bed next Rex with my head on his stomach and falling asleep almost immediately.