The Second Choice | COMPLETED

Chapter 4

"In the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take." America said softly, looking deep into my eyes, as if she was searching for something.

"And that, is true." I agreed, closing my eyes. I felt her arms wrap around my back and I wrapped my arms around her waist. She sighed and took off the little white cap that hid most of her hair. Slowly, she undid her tight bun and let her hair fall down, past her shoulders and halfway down her back. It was mesmerizing, the way the soft blonde locks rolled down her back, like a slow and beautiful waterfall, the kind you see in paintings and books. Her beautiful voice broke into my thoughts.

"Do you still love me?" She whispered hesitantly. I looked at her, really looked at her and smiled sadly,

"Yes." Then she broke into uncontrollable sobs. Oh no, I still hadn't gotten used to crying women.

"Oh, please don't cry. You know I'm clueless when women start to cry." I pleaded desperately while awkwardly patting her back. She let out a strained laugh. She hugged me tightly and I returned the favour.

"I still love you." She murmured, tears still running down her cheeks.

"Then why are you crying?" I asked, perplexed.

"Because I can never have you as mine. I just want to be yours, Maxon. I just want you to hold me and tell me you love me. I just want you to grab me by the waist and kiss me hard. I just want you to whisper into my neck, 'You're mine.' and let me whisper back, 'Yours.' " She explained, letting down a shower of tears, then she did what I least expected. She ran away from me.

"America!" I screamed, lunging forward, reaching out. She shook her head.

"I have to go." She mumbled desperately then disappeared. I sunk onto my knees.

"I... love... you." I whispered miserably.

********************************
I woke up the next morning with Kriss tangled in my arms. I smiled briefly and kissed her forehead. She mumbled something that sounded like '5 more minutes.' I chuckled and laid back down in the pillows, when the memories of last night came crashing down on me. It felt a ceiling had fallen on me, a huge pressure pressing onto my chest. I groaned softly and turned into my side, capturing a curl of Kriss' hair. I fiddled with it, rubbing it in between my two fingers. Her eyes fluttered open like a butterfly's wings. A beautiful smile lit up her face. I smiled back gently and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.

"Morning, love."

"Morning." She grinned.

"Where's Kriston?" I could feel a surge of happiness as I picked up our sleeping baby boy, who had been in a deep slumber in the cream coloured crib next to our bed. She cradled him in her arms lovingly.

"He has your nose." She says quietly, smiling.

"My nose, eh?" I laughed heartily.

"Mhm." She quirked an eyebrow at me teasingly.

"He does have your eyes." I said quietly.

"He does." She repeated in agreement and turned to me, smiling slightly. I looked into her eyes deeply, searching for the old feelings I had felt so many years ago during my selection. Nothing. What had become of our love? Quietly, I leaned in, kissing her softly. She smiled against my lips, returning it affectionately. I broke away, there was nothing there either. Her eyes looked slightly pained as I excused myself, mumbling something about important trade documents for France. I got to my office and collapsed in my chair, rubbing my temples. It was all clear to me now. I wanted America, not Kriss. Yes, I still had feelings for her but they didn't send my heart pounding, my hands sweating, my knees wobbling, didn't make me feel lightheaded. They didn't make me feel like pulling her into my arms and kissing her. They didn't make me feel like the world revolved around only her and I. They didn't whisper anything about love. Because I didn't love Kriss anymore.

I spent the day, absentmindedly gazing out my window, nothing else. Oddly, no maids or butlers came in. When my clock chimed five o'clock, I startled. I had spent nine hours doing nothing. I groaned softly and rested my head on top of my arms, lying on the desk. Someone knocked on the door and I shot straight up, gathering a few sheets of paper and pretending to be focused.

"Come in." I mumbled distractedly as I actually read the top sheet. France wanted to visit during the year to negotiate? They never did that. I rubbed my temples with my index and middle fingers. I heard a quick clacking of heels on the tiled floor. I looked up and my eyes seemed unfocused for a minute. I didn't have the energy to focus them so I waited for a while. When they focused, I saw America. She was looking at me weirdly.

"Are you alright, your majesty?" She asked quietly. I nodded.

"Your w-wife requested to see you." America said softly.

"Who?" I mumbled, rubbing my eyes.

"Your wife. The queen. Kriss." She reminded me, eyebrows furrowed confusedly.

"Right. Before you go, though..." I stood up, taking her arm, eyeing the camera in the corner. I walked with her into a corner where the camera can't see.

"Why is it always you? That comes in?" I asked.

"And what happened last night?" I continued.

"I'm your new maid. Marlee put me here, and as for last night, I'm sorry. But I have to go." She mumbled. She quickly squeezed my hand and then left. I looked at my hand. There was a piece of paper. Frowning in confusion, I opened the folded sheet.

10 eggs.
Apples.
eggplanT.
Newspaper.
chIps.
Grass clippings.
ligHT.
502 books.

I scratched the back of my neck, frowning. What? I gazed at the weird capitalization. A, t, n, i, g, h, t. At night? I looked at the numbers. 10, 502. 10 at night, 502. 502? Room 502. My eyes widened in realization.