18 Chapter 18

"Your mom called me last night. She told me you weren't home so she assumed you stayed here." He said in his baritone voice.

We're inside his room. If I was enjoying my stay here before, now I don't anymore 'cause I remember every single detail happened in this room. From my very first time to step in and the last time I got here.

I remained quite instead of talking nonsense towards him. I believe he knows me better than anyone could. He knows when I'm mad, he knows when I'm happy to be with him.

"Raphaela-" he called out with his warning voice.

"I want to go home." I cut him off in my cold voice and tears pooled over my eyes.

I still remember what had happened last night. In front of everyone, he told Ria he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, so as the girl to him.

And yes, they all made me realize how awful I was... how desperate to own Royal's heart. He made me believe that he loves me too. That we're on the same page.

But I guess I was wrong. Or maybe he jump into another page and left me without my notice.

Poor, Raphaela. If only betrayal could kill, maybe you've been dead a long time ago.

"I want to go home and I don't want to see your face anymore." I declared between gritted teeth and a dragged chair followed.

"I'm sorry, Alpha." He said almost in a whisper, making my heart twitched at it sunk vigoriously.

"Sorry?" I mouthed with sarcasm as I turned to him. "That's all you can say?"

"Look-"

"What else, Royal?" Tears streamed down into my cheeks and I stood up to completely face him. "You told me you love me more than just a sister. How come last night, you declared your love for Ria."

"You don't understand-" he insisted.

"What did I misunderstand?!" I yelled at him. "That you were just trying to move on from Ria by loving me?"

"No," he shook his head, trying to hold me but I was stone cold. "Please, Alpha. Listen to me. Trust me, okay?"

"How can I trust someone who broke my heart?" I asked coldly and looked away from him. "I don't want to see your face anymore."

"You can't say that," he cried. "Please... stay."

I scowled at him.

"Stay?" I mouthed and I laughed sarcastically. "You want me to stay even if you're pricking engaged with that girl?"

"Please..." he begged.

"I'm not stupid, Royal!" I yelled at him. "You don't really love me. You just don't want me to be happy with someone else."

"Yes, I do." He eagerly said. "I don't want you to be happy with someone else when you can be happy with me."

"You're a dickhead!" I commented. "You're a pricking dink!" I yelled and I broke down into tears.

"I'm sorry," he cried and I continually shook my head as I stepped backward.

"Don't ever dare to touch me." I warned.

"Alpha-"

"And stop calling me that way..."

I looked away. Damn it! I want to kick his ass off.

"You're right..." I said exasperately. "I am just your sister... you are just my so called brother."

I was about to turn around when he tugged my hand and made me turn to him. He cupped my both cheeks and attacked my lips with his. I remained unmoved until I recovered and I forcefully pushed him away with a hard slap on his face.

"How dare you!" I yelled at him and grinned my teeth together. He remained his face at his side until he recovered and he faced me with his bloodshot eyes. "You were never a good player. You're always playing games in your own rules."

He looked away and I sighed exasperately. Just like I said, I don't want to see him anymore. I'm so worn out. I'm so fucking tired with this drama. I need a break. I want to find myself again.

"This will be our last meeting 'cause you will never see me again. I hope you're happy now. And I hope you two will end up together." I turned around and made a step and I stopped immediately to face him again. "And by the way... thank you so much for breaking my heart. You made me stronger." After that, I turned around and walked away, wiping my cheeks with the use of the back of my palm. I swear to myself, this will be my last time to cry. After this, expect that I'll be crowned as the ice queen.

I went home and locked myself inside my room. My parents aren't around and I'm so thankful because of that. I don't want them to see me crying, weak and helpless.

Couple of weeks had passed and I'm so thankful because graduation is nearly coming. We already had our last exam, it means just in few days, I'll fly off to Italy. I'm sure I will miss my friends and I won't be able to see them during our graduation day. But I'll make sure I'll do my best to connect with them often times.

"I really hate you, Alpha!" Janrez whined like a baby.

"Are you really sure with your plan?" Angelika asked in furrowed brows.

We're inside my room. I'm currently packing my things up because tomorrow is my flight. And all my friends are here, whimpering and convincing me not to go because they'll miss me.

"Yup." I answered and zipped my last luggage. I turned to them who are watching me with their mixed signal eyes. "Tomorrow is my flight. Don't forget to wake up early. You guys will take me to NAIA."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Via rolled her eyes and crossed her arms in front. I laughed at her reaction.

"Come on, little girl." I teased and she pouted. I laughed and hugged her with affection then loosened up in a moment. "I'm gonna miss you guys. You all will always be my bestfriends no matter what."

"Awe." They exclaimed in awe and hugged me. "We will miss you too, A. Do you think Royal will miss you too?"

I froze the moment I heard his name. It's been awhile since the last time I saw him. Maybe he's busy with his life with Ria. I assumed within these past few days or weeks, they've been arranging their documents so they'll get married soon or anytime they want to.

"Opps. I think... someone got butthurt." I heard Janrez voiced out, taking me back to my sanity.

"Come on, girls." I smiled at them. "Let's forget about him. I'm pretty sure he's happy with Ria. And no one knows, maybe tomorrow is their wedding day too."

"Why can't you be the bridesmaid?"

Something pricked my heart hearing that question. Memory of what had happened last time lurks inside my head.

I was in a certain coffee shop while having a cup of tea. Then a familiar face of a girl came before my eyes. I blinked twice to convince myself that she's really Ria.

"Alpha!" She called out joyfully. She's wearing a crop top made of cloth, high wasted blue jeans and a pair of pumps. She always looks sophisticated in any season.

"Hey," I curled my lips into a smile. A smile that has no meaning.

She took the seat in front of me and crossed her legs as she eyed me.

"I'm happy to see you again." She said.

"Me too." I smiled sarcastically. If only she's not beautiful, I'll laugh 'till my ass out because Royal made a wrong choice. And I realized I will never be like her because she's too far compared to me. She's the girl every girl wanted to be. Sophisticated, classy, powerful... name it all.

"By the way," she smiled. "I was thinking of you being my bridesmaid."

I was caught off guard by her words that I want to fall from my seat.

"Okay," she grinned. "I'm just too excited, you know. I know we are in the right age but I know it's not yet the right time to marry him."

"What do you mean?" I furrowed my brows in curiosity.

"Well," she shrugged and sat straight like a queen. "I'm too young rather, I'm still too young. I'm currently taking a bachelor degree in first year college while he'll graduate this year. Won't it be a hindrance if I'll marry him while I'm still in college? I should prioritize myself, right? No one knows, sooner or later, he'll realize he loves someone else."

I looked away. I don't understand her. I don't know what is she trying to figure out.

Does it mean she's questioning herself about the marriage? 'Cause she's still young and she wants to enjoy her life being single?

"But don't get me wrong, A." She said, taking me back to my world. "I'm just thinking about something. But anyway, nevermind it. If ever I'll marry him next year, I want you to be my bridesmaid."

"Next year?" I mouthed in curiosity. "You just told me you're first year in college now?"

"Yup?"

I narrowed my eyes at her. I'm so confused. I don't get her point.

"Oh," she laughed richly. "That's what I'm trying to say, Alpha. I'll be second year college next year then I'm gonna marry him."

"Why don't you tell him you're not yet ready to be tied up with him?" I asked. "I mean... of course you want to be free from commitments. And besides, you just told me you're still young to settle down. I believe you have dreams as well."

"Yeah," she whispered. I can see hesitation in her eyes. "But my lolo wants me to marry that Mr. Mocetti. And I know... I can feel it, A, that Royal is just forced to be tied with me."

"No," I quickly disagreed. "He loves you so much."

If only you know how much he loves you that he broke my heart by choosing you. You are so lucky to have him. I hope you won't let him slip away 'cause if you'll do, I won't think twice to steal him from you.

"I know." She said. "It's just that... I don't think he is for me. He's too... I don't know. I can't understand myself. Sometimes I asked myself if am I really happy with him? Look," she propped her elbows on the table. "I know he's a perfect man but I don't think he is for me. We've been together for almost five years but I know it's all for business. His parents and my grandfather want us to have a fixed marriage in order to save the business line."

I took a deep breath after she ended her line. I don't understand her but somehow I got her point. It's so tricky.

"Really?" I exclaimed in disbelief. "But I can feel how much Royal loves you."

"That's my point here." She whined. "I'm afraid that I'll wake up someday with the news that he's not mine anymore. I can't afford to lose him."

"Then marry him." I suggested eagerly. I know I'm so stupid for telling her that way but I have no choice. And I don't want her to think that I will celebrate once I heard Royal's not in love with her anymore. I know I love Royal but it doesn't mean I'm gonna be selfish. That I will own him by hook or by crook even if many people will suffer.

No. I'm not that kind of a woman. I know my place. But if one day I'll know that this girl in front of me wasted someone I've been dreaming of, then maybe that's the time to move.

"Yeah," she sighed. "I have no choice, anyway."

"I know you'll be happy with him." I insisted. "But try to explain to him and to your family that you're still young or you're too young to settle just because of a business."

I thought only in books exist that kind of story.

"Yeah. Thanks a lot." She smiled and I smiled too.

The loud sound of a horn made me back to my sanity. I immediately wandered my eyes around and found out I'm already in front of the airport.

"Oh my god! I just can't believe this is happening!" I heard Janrez blurted out from behind and I looked at her through the mirror.

"Why?" I asked while laughing.

We're still inside Trixie's car. And as usual, she's driving while I'm taking the passengerseat and the rest took the backseat. My things are inside our car, which is driven by my driver who's following us.

"I can hear airplanes from here." She whimpered and Trixie rolled her eyes.

"You're too noisy, Rez." Whined by Trixie.

"Duh." Janrez rolled her eyes in disgust and I laughed at them. I'm gonna miss their little and childish fights.

"Ready?" Angelika asked as soon as I heard the right flight number and I unconsciously took a deep breath and nodded at her.

"I'm always ready." I said confidently.