"Yelena."

When Ella called her name, Yelena was snapped out of her stupor. Staring at the Lt. General who was still gazing at her with a smile, she tightly clenched her fist, trying her best not to lose control.

​​

Though it was the hardest thing for her, at least for now; she forced a smile. "You flatter me, sir. I will work hard so that I can return soon."

"That's great to hear." Lt. General Haric nodded in satisfaction. "I'll be in my room. Make yourself at home."

"Thank you, sir." Yelena slightly bowed and Lt. General Haric went upstairs.

Even after the Lt. General was out of her sight, Yelena stood still, staring at the stairs. She clenched her fist tighter and tighter as she was overwhelmed by an indescribable confusion and rage. Her fiery eyes were the proof of her suppressed anger.

She was sure that the voice belongs to the same person. She listened to the voice from that video countless times, so there's no way she would be mistaken!

"Yelena, what's wrong with you? You're zoned out again." Ella huffed, poking at Yelena in her arm. What's wrong with her? Why did she suddenly behave this way?!

Being too absorbed in her thoughts, Yelena flinched when she suddenly felt the touch. She dumbfoundedly turned to the left and saw Ella who was staring at her the whole time.

For the second time in just a few minutes, Yelena was hit by a cruel realization. He was Ella's father! Her best friend's father! Then she suddenly realized one more shocking thing.

Was this what Arias meant? 'The truth might end up hurting everyone. We might regret.' That's what Arias said to her in the afternoon.

Ella frowned when Yelena stared at her without saying anything. "You should at least tell me if something is wrong. You keep quiet and that scared me."

"I'm sorry, Ella. But I think I need to go. I forgot that I have an important thing to do. Let's chat later." Yelena blabbered whatever was on her mind. She bent down and took her clutch which was on the couch.

"So soon? But I don't even know when we will get to have a meal together again." Ella said with a little frown but her concern for Yelena was evident in her face.

"Later, I will give you as much time as you want," Yelena said and walked past Ella, trying to make her way to the door.

Ella tried to say something but when she saw her friend halted, she refrained from speaking up.

An idea crossed Yelena's mind and she turned back to Ella. "It's been years since I last came here, so I should at least bid goodbye to your father."

"If you're in a hurry, no need to bother. I will inform Father that you leave early." Ella promptly replied.

"It won't be long." Yelena forced a smile once more. Then Ella led her to the Lt. General's room.

"I have to leave early, so I come to say goodbye," Yelena said, standing in front of Lt. Gen. Haric. Then she briefly glanced at Ella. "I also want to thank you for allowing Ella to pursue her dreams. She is really happy due to that and I truly appreciate it."

"What a great friend you are!" Lt. Gen. Haric let out another light laughter. "Thank you for caring about my daughter, Yelena. Go home safely."

"Then goodbye, sir." She bowed one last time and left the room and then the Geraci family mansion.

The moment she walked out of the mansion, Yelena takes out her phone and stopped the recording. She glanced at the screen and hardly squeezed her phone. "I have to be sure of everything first. I won't act rashly." She told herself with determination.

* * *

When Lexus woke up in the morning, his eyes instantly swept around the room. He raised a brow when he noticed that Felix wasn't in the room. For a split second, he felt a sense of anxiety. Did Felix leave because he interrupted his quiet time?

Then the room door was opened and Felix appeared. One glance of his cousin and Lexus could sense right away that there's something about him that was changed.

The Prince appearance was very neat, unlike last night. His messy appearance was gone and he was neatly shaved. However, there was still a dim aura around him but this was more than good in comparison to last night.

Without saying anything, Lexus ended up staring at his cousin for a while.

"You're up? It's good then. Come, let's have breakfast." Felix said to him and he was out of his sight again.

Lexus blinked at the sudden change. What happened to him? Why did he suddenly behave like that? Even just last night, he sat near the window, blankly staring at the outdoors as if he was waiting for the world to end!

Deciding to not ponder further, he quickly jumped off the bed and walked out of the room. He went to the dining room where Felix was waiting for him. He sat down with a bewildered face.

The cousins quietly ate their breakfast and the silence was killing Lexus. He shifted his gaze to Felix and now that he had a closer look, he noticed how tired he appeared. "Don't you sleep last night? Your eyes seem like they are forced to be open." He stated after a long period of silence.

"I was so absorbed in my thoughts and the sunrise before I even know. But I'm fine." Felix calmly replied while eating. Then he paused and glanced at his cousin. "You should leave after this. You have many better things to do."

"I don't want to leave as long as you - "

"I won't be in this villa today. So, you should leave too."

Felix words made Lexus flustered. He blinked and asked, "Are you returning to the Palace?"

"No." Felix response came as fast as lightning. "I will stay here for a while. I only plan to go out for some fresh air. The atmosphere here is so suffocating."

Fresh air? Did his cousin wish to clear his mind? Was he finally back?! Lexus was overwhelmed with gratitude! But still, one thing troubled him. Why did he suddenly change his mind?? Even just last night, he still resembled a living corpse!

"You don't plan to trick me and drive me out, right? If that happens, I won't forgive you." Lexus bluntly said which made Felix slightly smiled.

"I might hide many things but I never lie, Lex. I have no reason to lie to you." Felix turned his head to the windows. "I only want to have a good thinking while receiving some fresh air. That's all." He muttered and then turned back to his cousin. "So, believe me, and just go."

"What about Yelena?" Lexus promptly asked.

The question halted all the Prince's movement. His heartache at the thought of the woman he loved! He then forced a little smile. "You don't have to worry. I will never give up on her unless she wants me to leave her. I just don't have the courage to face her for now. I'm not ready."

Thinking about what Felix said, Lexus quietly continued with his breakfast. After that, he left the villa as Felix asked him to while the Prince was dressing up himself in a casual dress. When he was all set, Matthew came to him.

"Your Highness." Matthew greeted him and bowed.

"I want to go out and clear my mind, Matthew. No need to arrange anything. I will drive myself and quietly go out."

Matthew was flustered at the Prince command. "Your Highness, you cannot go out alone. These days, His Majesty ordered us to tighten your security. After Prince Alonzo's incident, nothing is guaranteed. He might still have some followers left and we can't neglect that possibility." He explained to the Prince with the utmost respect.

Felix remained quiet yet his mind never rests. Then he turned to Matthew. "It would be more suffocating. I will disguise myself, so there won't be a problem. Just let me be for today."

"But His Majesty told us not to let you go alone wherever - "

"Should you obey me or my father?" Felix's voice was so firm and unyielding that Matthew can't bring himself to defy him.

"It's you, Your Highness." He acknowledged while hanging his head low.

Seeing this, Felix sighed. His father was persistent just like him! He gave a quick thought and rose from the chair where he was sitting. "Come with me but all the rest should stay here. I only wanted some quiet time while getting fresh air. I don't want to turn into a big deal."

Matthew's face brightened up at the Crown Prince's words. "Thank you, Your Highness. I will prepare the car right away." He bowed and quickly left the room.

Felix stood still for a while and then he slowly turned to the windows. Maybe this had become his habit during the past days. Staring at the view of the outdoors, a single statement repeatedly echoed in his ears. 'I must get myself back.'