Layana got down from the car, wearing dark sunglasses. She walked into the restaurant, her bodyguards following behind.
"Princess Layana" she heard her name and she turned to the source. Mathias was standing there beside a table and he bowed to her. Feigning a smile, she walked to him.
"Sorry, I'm late. I had an unwanted visitor" she said.
"It's okay." Mathias said with a smile "have a seat please" they both took their respective seats, opposite each other.
"You look extremely beautiful, princess" Mathias complimented with a smile.
"Thank you" she appreciated. Their meal was served. Steak and lobster, with red wine.
"Shall we eat?"
"After you, princess"
Layana began to eat, after which he followed. "So I was wondering...." she began "what made you like me? Because we've never had time to know about ourselves. We were never friends."
"Let's just say I've been noticing you. And I like your demeanour." he replied.
Layana chewed on the meat in her mouth "Really?"
"Hmm"
"Anything else that made you want to marry me?" She sipped her wine, looking at him with scrutiny.
"Nothing else, princess. You just attract me" he said.
"So I'm the kind of woman you desire?"
"Of course"
"But what if I wasn't the princess? Would you still desire me?" she threw the question at him, and he wondered why she's asking this kind of questions.
"Of course" he replied "I am not after power"
Layana sighed "Just like I thought"
"What do you mean?"
"What I mean is.... I never wanted a power-hungry man for myself. It's kind of disgusting."
"Is it? I guess that's why you're not married yet. Almost everyone wants power these days" he told her.
"That's a partial reason. I am waiting for my brother. I won't get married until he returns" she smiled.
"Your brother?" He was stunned. Which brother is she talking about?
"The first prince, Ryan"
"Oh, I've heard about him." Of course who wouldn't know the half breed. He's like a legend, but they're still after his life.
"I'm going to wait until he returns. Even if it means waiting for a thousand years." She blinked at him, and Mathias could only focus on his food.
"General Mathias..... Let's take things 'slowly', shall we?" She asked, and Mathias stared at her for a while, as if wondering what she's up to.
"Sure. Whatever the princess wants, is what I'll give"
Layana cupped her face when he said that. "Does that mean your heart also"
His lips stretched into a smile "it is yours" he replied, and a sly smirk formed on her face.
"I meant the organ"
His smile disappeared that instant "Huh?!"
"Hahaha.... Just kidding" she laughed.
"Haha... Very funny" he turned his face to the other side and gulped down his drink with a frown. Layana watched his every expression. And she noticed that all his smiles weren't actually real.
*.....*.....*.....*.....*...*....*...*...*...*.....*
Ryan carried Arianna in his arms and she reflexly wrapped her arms around his next, still asleep. He walked to the car, placing her in the passenger seat, he put the seatbelt on for her. Her hair which covered her face, he tucked behind her ear. His fingers traced her cheeks down to her lips, it grazed passed it slowly. Tickling her a little, making her lashes flutter.
Ryan moved his eyes away or else he'd keep staring. He closed the door and got in through the other side. Once the door closed, her eyes opened. She looked around, realizing she was in the car, she jerked.
"What's wrong. Did I wake you?" Ryan asked her.
She looked at him and shook her head. "How did I fall asleep?"
"I don't know" he said indifferently.
"How long have I been asleep?" She asked and he looked at her. She was staring at him like she was scared of his next words. She herself knew she had slept for a quite a long time.
Ryan faced forward, his hands on the steering, he exhaled. Like he didn't want to tell her. "Seventy three hours" he said and her eyes grew wide.
"Are you kidding me?!"
"We've been here for three days, Aria. I didn't want to disturb your peaceful sleep" he lied again and faced her "You slept like a log. I almost thought you were dead" his face was so serious as he looked at her.
"Stop lying Ryan" Arianna pursed her lips. She didn't sleep much. He's definitely lying.
"Lying? I'm telling you. You slept for an hour" he said, a playful smirk creeping up to his face.
"Yah!" With her clenched fist, she hit him hard on his shoulder. "How could you lie so easily?"
"What? I was only trying to be funny here. Besides, it's a harmless lie, so it's not a lie" he spoke while rubbing his shoulder. She glared at him, but all he did was smile.
"So darling, where do you want to go now?" He asked with a mischievous look on his eyes.
"Let's go and eat. I'm hungry" she said, blinking her eyes that had turned crescents due to her smiles. "Let's go to have some street foods"
"WHAT?!" his jaws dropped. What did he just hear? "Street what?"
"Street foods" she replied "Don't tell me you never had one?"
"No. I haven't"
"Now's your time to have one. Don't worry, it's not bad. Please, Ryan. Please....." She dragged the word, and Ryan couldn't help but agree.
"Okay. At your service, my lady" he said through clenched teeth., and she clapped in excitement. He started the car and drove off.
Meanwhile.....
Jana walked along the road on her phone call. "I'm there already. But I can't see you anywhere" she said to the person on the other end.
"But I'm seeing you"
Jana looked around "where..." she stopped the moment her eyes landed on him. He looked so amazingly beautiful again, like it was the first time she was seeing him. Her hands dropped slowly, her lips stretching into a smile. He walked towards her. To her, his steps seemed slow, and his surroundings seemed pink. Breeze blew passed her, making a tone only she could hear. And her heart, it was like it wasn't beating anymore.
Zayden stopped few inches away from her. He smiled. "Hi Jana"
She gazed, searching for her voice "Hi..." she finally found her voice.
"How have you been?" he asked, his eyes glistening.
"I've been alright, thank you " she replied "So you wanted us to go out"
"Hmm. Where would you want to go?" he asked her.
"First, let's go and eat. At a normal, not so expensive restaurant"
"Okay, let's go then" they walked to his car, and he drove off.