CHAPTER 8

"Just let it all out," Carlos urged, "I was waiting for this actually. I was surprised you survived this long before finally breaking down."

"You're mean," I whined and blew my nose on the tissue Carlos gave me.

"I mean through all the things you've just gone through, that was pretty tough, most girls bawl their first day here."

"Nice to know I'm not that hormonal." I rolled my eyes.

He chuckled for a bit then suddenly faced me with a solemn face. "But you know, this is the first time I saw Gavier ever take an interest in a girl, and even tease a girl. I think that was just a misunderstanding Clarissa, he probably didn't mean it."

"Yeah I know, m-maybe I overacted a little bit," I said sniffling, "I-I just don't want to be like a toy to him. I just want to be friends."

I felt so pathetic, my voice was even quivering and my hands were shaking slightly. What happened to me?

"I know Clarissa." Carlos pat my back and it was strangely comforting, "There are people who tends to joke a lot and doesn't realize that the joke was too much. Strangely, Gavier is one of those people, and I swear Clarissa all those times I watched him when he was here, I never saw that side of Gavier, probably only when he was alone with his two best friends. I never even saw him laugh or really smile. And you, you were here for only a week and you've already seen that side of him. Clarissa, I don't think you're just a toy to him. If you didn't know yet, people who gets familiar with each other joke around. Gavier must have felt comfortable and familiar around you for him to joke around like that. Clarissa, you and him are already friends. It's just you who thinks that you're not."

His words stunned me and I began to finally realize the bigger picture. My tears automatically stopped and I looked at him, smiling like a fool. "Really are we friends?"

"Yes."

I jumped up and hugged Carlos hard as he gasped for air. I never felt so relieved. "Thank you Carlos."

He patted my head as I let go. "Just talk to him about it. Anyways good luck on your interview." He smiled at me gently.

"Thank you again Carlos. And oh yeah, umm do you know if I could talk to my father?" I asked, "They confiscated my cellphone."

"Sorry Clarissa, but you're not allowed to talk to him unless it's call day."

"When is call day?" I grumbled, not really happy about the arrangement.

"Every end of the month. Don't worry they'll announce it."

"Okay!" I cried cheerfully, "thanks again Carlos, you're the best adviser."

He smiled at me, shaking his head as I left his room feeling as light as a feather. It felt really good, opening up like that. I'm really glad I went to him for advice, to see his view of point because I am not an expert with relationships. My dad and I always moved before I could really get to know a person. Why?

Well it was because of his enemies. Yep, dad has lots of enemies and friends. Even though, my dad didn't do those bad things anymore, there were still a lot of people who hated him. Most of them were also powerful so you could guess how I've been living my life. I always had to be alert, to be observant, and see what was out of place. It was dad that taught me those things, and he even taught me a bit of self-defense so if he wasn't there I could somehow protect myself.

I've been kidnapped a few times too, even gone to dangerous places before. Dad let me run some of his errands, sometimes I don't even know what they were for but I didn't really care because I trust him with my life. He was my teacher, my mother, my father at the same time but I never really asked him about relationships since it never really entered my head. So you see, relationships were really not my thing, but I'm still learning.

Feeling as free as a bird, I started skipping. It was something I always did when I was in a good mood. The halls were empty as it was pretty late, hopefully Ria and Nessa weren't looking for me.

Mindlessly, I turned to a corner, still skipping, not knowing that there was a person going my way. I stumbled on that person, about to fall but the good thing was, the person had good reflexes and steadied me.

"Hey, you okay?" I looked up and saw Prince Lucas looking at me concerned, his hands on either side of my arms. His eyes were so green and bright like healthy grass in a meadow and his blonde hair was disheveled. It made me wonder what he was up to.

"Yeah I'm alright." I smiled, still feeling cheerful as he let go of my arms. He was really like a prince charming.

He smiled back. "Where did you come from Clarissa?"

"Oh, I just came from my advisor's room," I answered.

"I see, umm listen, I'm sorry about Gavier." He looked at me solemnly, "He can be such a dick sometimes."

I looked at him shocked, not really believing he just said the 'd' word. Surely, such a charming prince wouldn't say that.

He saw my expression and suddenly snapped back to his senses. "I'm sorry. That wasn't very charming."

I laughed. "It's okay, it's just shocking to hear such a charming prince saying those things for the first time."

He chuckled, looking a little embarrassed, scratching the back of his neck "I know, I'm not as charming as you believe."

"You still are, don't worry. It's not like I'm going to tell the whole world that you said those things about Gavier even if he is one."

He laughed. "I guess I don't have to worry about my reputation then not that I really care about it."

"Yeah no worries," I assured him, smiling. There was something about him that made me feel at ease, relaxed and comfortable even if our exchange had been short, it felt like we had been friends since ages ago.

"So, did you remember it yet? Our meeting before?" He asked changing the subject, looking at me with bright eyes.

I thought hard about what he just said. Ummm, so we've met before? "Sorry, I really don't remember. I'll try harder or," I looked at him smiling and raising an eyebrow suggestively, "You can just tell me so I can rest my poor brains."

"Uh, uh nope." He smiled walking beside me. Yep, without even noticing it, he was walking me to my room. What a gentleman.

"You're such a meanie," I joked pouting at him as I reached my room, turning around to face him.

His eyebrows scrunched as if thinking hard about something then before I knew it, he was squeezing my cheeks. "You're so adorable." He chuckled, and my heartbeat accelerated. A guy never told me that before, much less a handsome prince!

He snatched his hands away suddenly realizing what he was doing. "Oh god, Clarissa I-"

"It's okay," I cut him. "You can be casual with me. I hate formalities."

"And I hate it too, glad we agree on something." His charming smile was back. "You're really different from the other girls. You're not intimidated by my title. I'm so glad I met someone like you."

Aww, there goes the charming prince and his sweet words.

"I'm so glad I met you too, even if I don't remember." I smiled at him as he chuckled once more.

"Good luck with your interview tomorrow. I apologize again about Gavier but don't worry he isn't as bad as he seems, he's a good guy."

"I know."

We said our goodbyes again and I finally went inside my room, exhilarated of what may happen. Little did I know what troubles I may have to face.

*****

"Clarissa Marie Valdez! What kind of girl would wound her beautiful skin just before the day of her interview?!" Mrs. Wales looked at me furiously.

I raised my hand slowly, cowering from her intense gaze. "M-me?" I mean she already knew the answer. "I-I'm sorry." I looked down at my wounded knees, looking away afraid. What a scary woman.

She sighed as if giving up. "Can't be helped. Sometimes I really hate people who work too hard. At least you're not stumbling with the heels anymore, right?" She raised an eyebrow at me again.

"Y-yes!" I stuttered in a high pitched tone. I never met a woman who could be so scary before. Maybe she was really a witch, oh no, how terrifying!

"Mrs. Wales, I think it was an accident, there's no need to be so angry," Carlos told her, knowing fully well how I got it. I thanked him with my eyes.

"It's just upsetting that you won't be able to wear the dress I prepared for you. Good thing, I found a long dress that would be long enough to cover your knees. Here." She handed me a red dress that felt light and soft. "Now scoot! We don't have enough time."

I scrambled towards the bathroom as if catching my breath. I swear the woman could breathe fire. I changed into the beautiful dress quickly. The dress felt extremely soft to the touch almost like silk but not quite. I looked in the mirror and blushed at the sight of my bare attire. The dress which had bits of frills on the top showed a bit of my cleavage and it being sleeveless showed too much of my skin. I felt bare and cold but remembering Mrs. Wales furious eyes—I gulped, it might be best not to complain. Fumbling, I stepped out of the bathroom, Mrs. Wales' eyes suddenly brightened and Carlos smiled.

"Well, it might be good that you actually wounded your knees, although let's see what we can do about that scratches on your elbows."

Random people suddenly barged in, did my make-up and hair as Mrs. Wales reminded me of my manners and my poise. All in all, it was a busy morning, making me dizzy and filled with anxiety. This was new, was this how celebrities go on with their daily lives? I'm sure glad I wasn't one.

Nessa and Ria visited me when I was finally ready. Their eyes widened in surprise which confused me a bit. They said I looked different and I said of course, with all that hell of a make-up. They both laughed while Nessa winked at me encouragingly about Gavier and I bumped her lightly with my hip as I rolled my eyes.

"It might be a good time for us to go now Clarissa." I stoned, I knew that voice. Immediately my heart accelerated to a top notch and that was just his voice calling me. It was so busy this morning, I forgot about making my speech to Gavier. Hesitantly, I turned my back on my friends' smirks and faced Gavier.

Oh dear me Lord, I almost gasped at the radiant, stunning sight. He was wearing a royal blue polo shirt and it looked like silk, even his black pants and black vest looked like high class satin. He was really shining, his hair slicked back with gel and a gold watch on his wrist that was probably made out of pure gold.

I blinked my eyes then noticed the sun shining behind his back. Then I realized it must be the sun's effect to make him look like a god, yep totally the sun.

He stared back at me, his eyes taking in my appearance but he didn't say anything, not even a sort of insult. He just merely turned around and got in the sparkling white limousine with golden carvings.

"Well, at least he looked a bit taken aback." Nessa patted my back.

I frowned, well what was I expecting from Gavier? Gavier didn't do compliments, I don't think he was good at that, especially towards me. I began doubting my appearance, feeling icky all of a sudden.

"Do I really look fine? Don't you think it's a bit too much?" I asked.

"You look great Clarissa, don't worry," Ria assured me, "Maybe he just couldn't find the right word to describe you."

I chuckled, as we said our goodbyes. Well who cares what that jerk thinks? I certainly don't, I shouldn't.

Mrs. Wales reminded me once again about my manners and not to talk back like what I did with the queen. Carlos also reminded me about being friendly towards Gavier and pleaded me not to fight with him. I thought, we were already in a fight though, but I didn't say it.

Even Prince Lucas and Prince Eric were there. Well of course, it was because of Gavier but the guy didn't even get out of the car to bid his farewell.

Prince Lucas waved at me as I waved back and smiled at him. Finally, I went inside the extravagant limousine, only to be met by a moody and angry Gavier.

Yes, he was jeering at me. What the hell did I do now? Wasn't I the one who was supposed to be mad at him?

"Must be nice to have lots of friends," He sneered glaring at me. Seriously why was he freaking seething at me?

I glared back at him, completely forgetting about explaining my outburst last night. "Yes, and they're all nice friends."

"Nice friends huh? Even Lucas went to see you off, you must be thrilled." He smirked sarcastically, the kind that was taunting and irritating.

What the hell?! What was he trying to imply? "What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you so angry suddenly?"

He raised an eyebrow at me. "You tell me."

"You're despicable," I groaned, feeling furious.

"Not as despicable as you," he retorted, not flinching his glaring eyes at me.

"You're the one who started this fight, how am I despicable?!" My voice was raising again. This guy really frustrates the hell out of me.

"Well you're the one who caused it." He rolled his eyes.

"How the hell did I cause it? I don't even know what you're talking about."

"Oh playing dumb I see." He gritted his teeth. "You're such a good liar Clarissa. You're undoubtedly a daughter of a criminal."

That did it. I pounced on him, and he fell back on the long seat as I straddled him. I wrapped my hands around his neck as he held my hands, trying to get it off him. "Don't you dare call my father a criminal!" I screamed. Yep, call me violent, but this jerk really gets on my nerves.

But because he was a guy and was stronger and bigger than me, he managed to get my hands off his neck, pushed me hard causing me to fall on my back, then pinned me on the long seat, him on top of me and his hands on my wrists, stilling it above my head as his face grew closer.

We were breathing hard and for a moment we stared at each other, glaring at one another, not backing down. I could feel his rigid body against mine, his jaw tensed as he glared at me, and his eyes-oh god, his eyes, even though filled with anger and hatred, they were still so beautiful like the wild deep blue ocean. I could almost see the waves clashing inside of them as they held so much emotions.

There was a tap on the window, snapping the both of us out of our trance. We quickly scrambled up as the door opened. "We're here your majesty," a guy with a black tuxedo said, I'm guessing, one of our bodyguards.

Flushed, I went out after Gavier, and the girl who did my make-up and hair this morning quickly fixed my hair and my dress, asking me how did I mess it up? I told her, it would be better if she didn't know and she suddenly looked at me with suspicious eyes, glancing at Gavier who was also being fixed then back at me. I mean, I think she would be horrified if I told her, I just tried to strangle the prince of New Zealand at the back of the car on our way here. And then she smirked, probably getting the wrong idea. I was about to tell her that nothing happened but then I was pushed inside a huge edifice.

Flashes suddenly blinded me, lots of microphones put to my face, different voices filled the air, and it was suffocating me. Thankfully there were lots of our bulky guys to protect us from the frantic reporters. I stumbled forward but was stopped before I kiss the floor by someone catching my waist.

"Now's not the time for trying to act like a comedian," Gavier growled as he held me tightly by his side.

Did he just say I was trying to act funny by falling on my face, my face? "For once, can you please stop getting on my nerves?" I glared at him.

He rolled his eyes. "You're not even making sense. How am I on your nerves, when I can't even touch it?"

I groaned. "Getting all philosophical so suddenly. I didn't know you were a Shakespearean."

"I hate Shakespeare as much as I hate tomatoes," he growled as he glared at the reporters who were blocking us. They all cowered back in fear. I sympathized with them, I knew Gavier had that effect on people. His mere presence could intimidate the president of America.

When we finally got to a secure room, he immediately let go as if I was a hot potato, ignoring me all of a sudden, not even glancing at me. I felt a shot of pain inside my chest, Gavier was intentionally ignoring me and I didn't even know why he was so mad at me. I mean I kind of strangled him but he was asking for it earlier. For a second I thought of apologizing but he was the one who started it and so I didn't because of my hateful pride.

A bunch of people were fixing me up again and I felt hollow. I just wanted to go home and just be with my dad. Why were we even doing this? It would be all just a lie anyway, because Gavier hates me and he makes me want to hate him even if I didn't want to.

"The queen is here!" The girl who did my make-up exclaimed.

Everyone looked at her shocked, even Gavier. And I bet she came here to make me feel like I'm in hell, not that I wasn't already in one.

Yay! I seriously love my life.