The Prince and The Parvenu (Completed)

chapter 9

Calm down Herm. 

Calm down. 

I told myself over and over again as he makes his way towards me. He fixed his already perfect hair with his fingers and stopped right in front of me. Unconsciously, I held my breath feeling mixed emotions inside my aching chest. He's eyes glimmer with so much fondness as he look at me. Is this real? Probably. Not.

"I asked the guards if they know a place here in Manila where we could hang out. They said that most couples go to the Intramuros, Luneta Park—" I cut him off, my voice cold and sharp than what I intended to.

"Are we a couple?" I asked and avoided his gaze, shocked at what I just said. On my peripheral view, I saw him awkwardly scratch his head as if he's about to say something embarrassing.

"No. But... uh... I wanted to take you out today." He said and guided my elbows towards him. I flinched at his warm touch. Feeling a shocking feeling penetrate right into my system and made my stomach flutter. Fuck I hate his effect on me.

"I can't. I need to go to the mall. I'm meeting Clarie," my voice calm and face stoic. He look confused at my behaviour and I couldn't care less. I just want to be out of here. Clarie haven't replied to my message. After a few moments of silence, —his constant stare at me while I'm still avoiding his eyes— he sighed heavily and nodded.

"Yeah. Okay. I'll take you there," I quickly looked at him because I didn't expect him to come with me. I wanted to say that I didn't want him around me but he would ask questions.

"Can you drive?" I asked and raised my right eyebrow at him. He's been living in La Belleza El Tierra almost all his life and there's definitely no cars there.

"No. But I have a driver. Let's go" he started walking now, leaving me behind. Fuck. 

Okay, just tell him it's a girl thing meet up Herm. Reason out. I feel guilty for leaving him behind when in fact, it's his first time here in the Philippines and I should show him around. But he has his guards anyway, they can show him around if he wants to.

I walked a few steps behind the second Prince, not wanting to walk alongside him. In my mind, I'm itching to talk to him and ask him himself. My whole world came crumbling down when both of my parents died. And now that I am aware of the truth that their death wasn't an accident, I couldn't stop my mind from overthinking. The King and Queen of El Suelo are responsible for the assassination of my parents. His parents killed mine. And this emotion that I'm feeling right now shouldn't be pampered. My chest ached at the thought.

We rode the lift silently. He kept on glancing at me but I remained stoic as I look in front. When we arrived at the basement, where the car is parked, a guard in a black suit stepped out of the car and opened the door for the both of us. The second Prince motioned for me to step inside first so I did, expecting him to take the shotgun seat, but to my surprise, he stepped inside and sat beside me. I could almost hear my heartbeat now that he's only a few inches away from me.

The car started and my mind flew to the conversation I had with Rav only a while ago. He's only using me to get my sister. Their parents are responsible for the assassination of my parents. They're hiding me from my own siblings. They lied to me. The second Prince is only doing his brother a favor on keeping me preoccupied. Everything is just a lie. Why does the truth hurt so much? Rav was right, I grew up strong but I'm definitely weak when it comes to my emotions. I can control every move I make but I cannot control my feelings.