The Hidden Royals (ON HOLD)

16.

"What the hell is going on?" Esther froze, but pushed Anastasios away from her and looked at the two people standing there

"Hey, Elliana and Jackson," Esther shyly waved her hand

"Esther, who is that?" Jackson asked, glaring at Anastasios

"He's my friend and he was just about to leave," Esther stated, standing in front of Anastasios

"No, he isn't," Jackson said, walking towards them

"Elliana, get him," Esther pleaded

"No. Now, who is he?" Elliana asked, crossing her arms

"Are you Esther's boyfriend?" Jackson and Anastasios asked at the same time

Esther's, Elliana's, and Jackson's eyes widened.

"W-what, no! I'm dating Elliana, her sister. I only see Esther as a sister. Now, what about you? What are you to her?" Jackson glared, but the redness in his face, failing him

"It's what Esther said. I'm her childhood friend, Anastasios," Anastasios stood beside Esther

"Wait, Anastasios?" Elliana said, walking closer

"Do you know him, Elliana?" Jackson asked

"Yeah, but you changed, Anastasios. Puberty did you good," Elliana complimented him, looking over him

"Okay, that's enough," Jackson covered her eyes and pulled her closer to him

"I'll take that as a compliment," Anastasios nodded to himself, but Esther could see his ears red

"Jackson, let go," Elliana elbow Jackson in the stomach to which he let go, Elliana walked closer to Anastasios, "So, how long are you staying here for?"

"A week or two," Anastasios answered

"Well, that's not enough time, but well make the most of it," Elliana nodded, smiling

"Well, not today," Esther said, "He needs rest and he was about to go,"

"Wow, Esther, kicking out a friend who you haven't seen in a while. I never thought you would do that," Jackson shook his head

"Haha, Jackson. I'm not kicking him out, I'm telling him to go to his hotel, so he can get rest because it seem he didn't sleep for a good time," Esther looked at Anastasios, grimacing at the eye bags

"Well, you're going to accompany him, Esther," Elliana said, a smile that Esther didn't like

"Oh, no, that isn't necessary. I know my way back," Anastasios said, shaking his hand

"No, I'll take you. It's only right and I can't afford for you to get lost," Esther patted his shoulder and walked to the counter, but stopped when she smelt something burnt

"Shit!" Esther climbed over the counter and into the kitchen, noticing smoke coming out of the oven

Esther grabbed mittens and put them on, opening the oven, black smoke came out, but luckily no flames. She threw the pan in the sink and quickly turned the oven off. She mentally cursed as she opened a window.

"What just happened?" Elliana asked, stepping into the kitchen

Esther looked over her, "You are seeing my death," She scrapped the burnt dough off the pan

"Dad is so going to kill us, especially you," Elliana said, observing the mess

"Well, he's going to kill you first for leaving the cashier unaccompanied," Esther remarked, staring at Elliana, "Even why did you and Jackson leave?"