Forever Begins

Chapter 3: The Man in the Hood

               The man going to bed, kept thinking about Ana. He regretted every minute of not being able to introduce himself. He asked himself, "Did I appear awkward?". How worried the man felt, how could he not be? Ana could have disliked her already.

         Meanwhile back in Ana's house up in her room. She also couldn't sleep for she was thinking of the most beautiful man she has ever seen. She pictured his face in her mind, he had hazel brown eyes with light brown soft skin. He also had trimmed black hair, along with his well built muscular body. She thought maybe this could be the man in her dreams the man in the mask under the hood. She had to find out, what if all her dreams were true?

    Early morning Ana woke up feeling better and excited while getting ready for the day. She had a feeling this day would be special and different. This was going to be the day she would find about the man in her dreams. Meanwhile back at the inn the man also preparing for the day. Feeling excited and nervous, believed this day would be the day he would meet the love of his life.

           The mysterious man went to the plaza hoping to find her there, as he looked around. He couldn't see her, immediately he lost hope for he had no idea where to look for her. Suddenly he heard a voice from behind.

"Looking for someone?", Ana said.

"Actually I was looking for you", the man replied blushing.

" Oh really? Why are you looking for me?", Ana asked.

"I have no friends here my lady. You are the first person I've met also the most beautiful I must say", the man said confidently.

       Ana blushed at the words of this man he simply was just unpredictable. How could he say things like that immediately,  but Ana found him different unlike her other suitors this made her like him even more.

"Well thank you for saying I am beautiful," she said then continued to ask,  "Might I ask what's your name?"

"I am Gabriel. We arrived two days ago but now my friends have left", the man replied.

"Hello Gabriel nice to meet you. Were there three of you who came here?", she asked.

Gabriel replied, "Yes. How did you know?"

"I saw a masked man came by two days ago", Ana replied courageously

Gabriel said gently, "I admire your senses. That masked man was me I concealed my face so no one may know who I am until I have entered the village."

       Ana felt her heart glad for her dream after all was true. This was the man of her dreams the masked man she has been looking for has finally revealed himself. The man of her dreams has come for her, but this was only all in her head. She wasn't still sure if her dream would manifest to reality. As Gabriel noticed Ana in a deep thought he touched her shoulder and tapped her softly.

"Are you okay? You look stunned!", Gabriel asked.

Ana replied (Shakes her head), "Me? Of course I'm fine."

"Uhmmm.... so ah... you wouldn't considering me to be your friend would you?", Gabriel asked cowardly.

"Of course I would how could I not. Your the most handsome person I've met (bites her lip)", Ana said.

Gabriel replied, "Well thank you! Your the most beautiful person I've ever met."

         Gabriel blushed at the words of Ana how could he not blush, the more he's with Ana the more he likes her.He already felt an intense feeling around her as if he knew her already. As they kept strolling around town talking, laughing they looked like a couple in love with each other. Gabriel just wished that love would not be cruel to him and take Ana away. Ana feeling more joy in her heart just to be with Gabriel. Maybe her dream after all was true how she wished Gabriel would just say the words. But how could Gabriel do a thing like that, he only met this girl at the plaza yesterday. Gabriel felt very nervous he did not know what to do. All his life everything was done for him but now a girl he likes has come. He must learn to stand on his own feet and be the man he needs to be.

" Gabriel I want to ask you something?", Ana asked.

Gabriel replied asking,  "What is it?"

Ana said, "What do you do for a living?"

Gabriel answered since this is the first time somebody asked him, "I don't do anything for a living our family is very wealthy."

"Oh! Okay that's interesting, is there anything particular you specialize in? Like any thing you like to do?", Ana kept asking.

Gabriel again answered,  "I have mastered the way of the sword. My father taught me well by being so cruel to me, he always blamed me for the death of my mother."

Ana said to Gabriel, "I am sorry to hear that. Do you have any idea what the Prince looks like. I hear he has never left the castle  even once."

Gabriel kept quiet until, "The Prince?...........I have to go its getting late. It was nice having you with me can we see each other again."

Ana answered wondering,  "I would love to see you again. Till then farewell I guess."

             They part ways as Gabriel hurried back to the inn. Looking puzzled and confused still thinking about Ana. He never wanted this day to end he felt he saw a glimpse of heaven. Gabriel asked himself how could he reveal to Ana who he is? Will she still like him? Gabriel knew there was only one way to find out. He had to reveal to Ana who he is and tell Ana that he is the Prince who lived in a castle all his years with the world shut out to him by his cruel father no other than the King. The King who was very kind hearted and humble slow to anger became a man hungry for power and revenge after the death of her wife. His wife was his only treasure and loved her all his life, she was the only one keeping him alive. Her death made him dead inside that even to Gabriel he showed cruelty not seeing him as his son.

          Gabriel finding the courage to finally reveal the truth to Ana in their next meeting felt anxious of what her reaction would be. Gabriel prayed she would accept him and fight for him. Gabriel felt his heart beating fast for Ana. What is he feeling for this girl is it something else? Was he certain that this woman is the love of his life. How he wished it would be, but first he must truly confess who really was the man in the hood. For how could a woman love a man of secrets.