Flashback
"If you distract her brother while we're on our date, there won't be any problems, right?"
You want me to keep busy someone who hates me, by staying in the same room with him? Really?
That's impossible.
"I don't think I can do that, brother."
He seemed to have expected that answer.
"Of course, I'll make it worth your while."
I'm not Heather, but…I can't pretend I'm not interested. He knows exactly how to persuade me.
"All right, I'm listening. What's your offer?"
He smiled faintly and continued.
"Some days ago I went to an auction."
"And?" I asked, waiting for him to continue.
He pulled out a box and opened it. "Actually, I wasn't planning to give this to you, you're lucky my little rabbit!"
Rabbit?
Inside the box was a necklace with a red gem, carved into the shape of a heart. It looked dazzling. Of course, I recognized it at first sight.
Isn't this the Wish Necklace that Tiana was supposed to get? The one that grants its owner a single wish. But it doesn't grant evil wishes.
Normally, this necklace should have been gifted to Tiana by Charles.
So why is it showing up in front of the villainess Heather?!
Anyway, since it appeared before me, it's mine now! If this really is the real Wish Necklace, then that's amazing.
"Alright, brother, I'll accept. But you have to promise me this necklace. Otherwise I'll make your life hell, got it?"
A wide smile spread across Hector's face.
"I knew you'd be easy to convince."
~
"Exactly what I'd expect from you. Expensive trinkets always work on you." Said Charles.
If you keep believing that, it'll be to my advantage. I'm not letting that necklace end up in your hands.
Also, how does it even end up with you anyway?
Whatever, let's not think about that right now.
I answered Charles. "Forget the necklace, where are we going now?"
He thought for a moment. "The priority is not being recognized."
He's right, I shouldn't be seen outside with Charles.
"Are we going to disguise ourselves?"
He laughed mockingly. "That's exactly the kind of answer I'd expect from someone who can't use magic!"
What did I even say?! That was a perfectly normal question!!
Why does everything always come back to me not being able to use magic?!
"So what do you suggest?" I asked reluctantly.
"Of course we'll use transformation magic."
"Are you kidding me? I can't use magic!"
"No, I'm not kidding," he said seriously. "I'll do the transformation magic on you."
"I-I see. How will you do it?"
"I really don't want to do this!" he said, suddenly grabbing my hand.
I watched curiously, wondering how he would do it, when he looked at me and spoke a little irritated. "If you keep staring like that I can't focus, close your eyes!"
"Ugh, fine!"
It felt like a warm breeze was flowing through my body. Really…so relaxing.
So this is what magic feels like.
"I'm done, you can open your eyes now!"
"Woooow, my hair is black!"
"I changed your eyes to black too, now you don't look anything like your normal self."
"Thank you, magic really is amazing!"
"Don't thank me, I didn't do this for you!" he snapped.
When he said that, I finally looked at him. With his brown hair and purple eyes, he looked so different.
And still handsome, not that I care!
When the car stopped, I looked outside. Woooow the city center or rather the town? It's so crowded.
"Come on Charles, let's go outside!" I said happily.
"I don't understand why you're so excited."
~
Charles's POV
"Why are we at a bookstore right now?" I looked at the pile of books in my arms. I'm really experiencing things I never thought I would.
"Is that even a question? Of course, to buy books!"
I glanced at Heather. She's changed a lot these past few days. I wonder why but of course, I can't ask.
Because I hate her, and that will never change.
Heather kept tossing books into my lap. She was mumbling to herself.
"These books don't even have summaries on the back! At this rate I'll end up buying everything just based on the title."
Summaries?
"What do you mean?"
She looked at me, as if she hadn't expected me to hear her. She must not realize that people with magic have sharper senses.
"It's nothing important. Anyway, this much is enough for now. Let's just buy these and leave!"
'For now'meant more than thirty books.
Heather Federline, are you actually a bookworm?
After Heather paid for the books, we were walking outside.
"Will it be a problem for you to carry them? If you want, I can take them."
Her question sounded meaningless. Did she really think she could carry bags this heavy? Of course it's nothing for me, but it's obvious she can't.
"It's fine!" I answered firmly.
"Alright then, let's sit at that café. Remember I said, let's have tea together sometime!" she said with a smile.
"It doesn't matter to me," I said. But there were so many things I couldn't understand.
We sat down at a table and waited for our order. Heather was already flipping through the books she'd bought.
"Ahhh, which one should I start with?"
Her excitement was obvious.
"Do you actually like reading that much?!"
She looked at me and spoke with endless enthusiasm. "Of course! Reading is amazing! Every book is a new world…and I don't even mean that figuratively anymore."
I didn't understand what she meant at the end, but she was probably just talking nonsense.
"You really get obsessed with the things you like! Like Crown Prince Julius too!"
The moment I said that, all the excitement left her face.
"I don't love the Crown Prince anymore," she said seriously. "Don't bring him up."
"Do you really expect me to believe that?!" I snapped.
At that moment, the tea we ordered arrived, cutting the conversation short. After that, Heather ignored me and started reading one of the books she'd chosen.
Did I go too far?
But I know Heather isn't the type to care about such things.
She's selfish and shameless. She really is—
I looked at the girl in front of me, reading with the excitement of a child. She was trying to hide her emotions but failing.
Ahh, I don't understand.
What's wrong with me these past two days?!
Why do I get nervous when I hold her hand, why do I feel strange when she looks at me?
So weird. Maybe Heather has traumatized me.
Yes, that must be it!
~
Heather's POV
I can feel his deadly stares on me.
Hey, I'm just reading a book here. Why are you looking at me like that, Charles?
Finally, I couldn't take it anymore and spoke.
"Do you want to read too?" I asked, handing him a random book from the bag.
Without a word, he took it from me and started reading from the first page.
He's acting so strange. Anyway, at least he's not staring at me anymore so I can focus on my book.
That's what I thought, but then the people sitting at the table next to us distracted me.
The girl's delicate voice sounded so familiar.
When I looked in that direction, I knew things were about to get complicated. With a shocked expression, I quickly nudged Charles's arm.
"Hey Charles, look over there!"
He brushed me off. "Don't touch me, I'm reading here!"
"No, just look! Isn't that Tiana?" I said.
Finally, I must have gotten his attention, because he looked where I pointed.
"Tiana! What is she doing here?!"