Sorry for this extra late update, these past few weeks were crazy. But anyways please prepare for this chapter and for the next few chapters hehe;)

I sighed as I entered one of the coffee shops in Elite square. The second I stepped in, the sweet aroma of coffee filled me in. I looked around and there's no in the café. A waiter smiled at me, I gave her a small smile before sitting down in one of the seats by the glass window.

"Can I get your order Miss?" A waiter asked.

I looked through the menu. "Well uh."

"Can you come back later?" A voice said.

The waiter and I turned to the girl standing in front of me. She was tall and slim, her long wavy brown hair was down, she wore a black turtle-neck and leather pants covered in a long white coat, she held a designer bag in her arm and shades covered her eyes.

She suddenly lowered her shades sliding it a bit down her nose revealing her eyes to the waiter.

The waiter's expression suddenly changed from surprised to awestruck. "O-of course y-your Highness." She bowed and left.

I turned to the girl and gestured her to sit across me, she placed her purse down on the table and took a seat crossing her legs.

"You're back." I said.

"What is it you wanted to talk about?" She leaned on her seat and took off her shades, placing them on her head revealing her stormy gray eyes.

"It's about Kile." I sighed. "He left"

She kept quiet, her expression was intimidating as ever but she seemed to be thinking. "I know."

"He left this morning." I added. "Did you know that too?"

She nodded. "I was the first one who knew about his plan."

The waiter came back with drinks even if we haven't ordered yet. I mouthed "Thankyou" to the waiter and looked back at Bellona. "Could you please tell me about everything that's going on?"

She raised her brow. "So you were clueless this whole time." She took a sip on her drink.

"That is why I'm asking you." I looked at her with pleading eyes. I needed answers, I couldn't ask Blake nor Ram since they both left campus immediately after hearing that Kile left.

"Fine." Bellona placed both her hands together. "He came to Rome last holiday break and told me his plan of leaving, of course he needed to break the engagement in order to make a leave and he had a good cause so I allowed him."

My eyes widened. "You just let him go?"

"You see Paige." She crossed her arms and leaned back. "That's the thing about being Royal, you have to make tough decisions and sacrifices, either way you have to deal with the consequences." She sipped again on her drink. "And I've dealt with mine."

"Besides." She continued. "There wasn't anything I could do to stop him." She eyed me. "But I always thought that you were the one who'd be able to."

I slumped in my seat. "I never knew that this was what he wanted."

"It's not like were never going to see him again." Bellona said. "He may have left Eres as a Prince but that's just his strategy to make him a great king."

"I just hope that he's going to be okay" I sighed. "I hope that he finds happiness."

"He will." Bellona answered.

I faced her. "Do you mind me asking a question?"

She raised her eyebrow.

"Did you really love him?" I asked. "As a friend or more than that?"

She seemed taken aback my my question. She scoffed and took a sip on her drink again. "What kind of question is that?"

I waited for her answer but from the looks of it, it wasn't coming. I started to sip on my drink. We both were covered in silence.

"Where's Blake and Ram?" She asked.

"They left this morning in hopes to bring Kile back."

She nodded. "I heard that you're with Blake now?"

I nodded and sipped on my drink.

"I never expected this but good for you." She said without emotion. "I also heard that Blake turned down his trip to England for his business internship right?"

"Internship?" My eyes widened when I heard what she said. "Blake never mentioned that to me."

"He was supposed to leave with his father a month from now and attend the one month internship but recently he declined." She eyed me. "Guess he didn't told you."

I nodded. "I'll just talk to him."

She nodded.

I feel shocked and upset at the same time. First because he never told me about this and second, why would he decline an opportunity?

After we finished our drinks, I was about to hand my name plate to the cashier but Bellona gave hers first, making me feel a little embarrassed.

We both walked out of the cafe and into the streets. She wore her shades back on.

She was about to walk away when I forgot something.

"Bellona." I called her name.

She turned to me with her brow raised.

"Welcome back." I smiled.

I thought she was just gonna ignore me and return to her car but she stayed right in her position as if lost in thought.

"Paige." She looked back up at me. "To answer your question a while ago." She locked her eyes on mine. "Yes, I love him." She brought her shades back up to her head. "But only as a friend."

________________________________________________

I sat down on the porch of the villa, it was afternoon and I went straight here right after class. I looked at my watch. "I can still wait." I whispered to myself. I pulled out my phone and realized, I've received a text from Aicko.

From Aicko:

I left some pizza for you in the fridge.

I typed.

To: Aicko

Thanks, I'll be back soon.

Suddenly the sound of a car's engine came. I looked up and saw a Black sports car park itself in front of the porch. Blake came out from the driver's seat. When he saw me, he gave me a small smile and walked towards me. I stood up from where I was seated.

I looked him in the eyes.

He shook his head.

I sighed. I welcomed him with open arms until he stopped on the lower step of the porch and hugged me.

"It's ok." I comforted him.

He buried his face in my neck. I felt him crying, which made me even sadder.

"Shhh, it's ok. You tried your best to stop him." I patted his back. "He's following his own path now."

He still cried in silence, I felt his tears. Is this really him? I never thought that he could cry.

"Everything's going to be fine." I consoled him.

He suddenly stopped crying and let me go. He couldn't look at me . He tried to wipe his tears with his backhand. I got out my hankie and wiped his tears for him. "Hey." I made him look at me. "You're a good friend." I smiled at him.

He gave me a small smile in return.

"Lets go inside?"

He nodded and we both entered the villa.

Ram wasn't here which left both Blake and I by ourselves. He went upstairs to shower while I sat on the couch. Maids came and offered me some water and some biscuits to keep me company while I waited. A little later, Blake came back down wearing a gray hoodie and shorts with his hair looking fresh from the shower.

"We should eat." I told him. "Wanna head to the square?" I asked.

He shook his head.

"Well then, I'll just cook for us." I stood up and headed for the kitchen.

I smiled at the maids and they helped me get the ingredients, I started to reach for the cooking oil when a hand got it before me.

I arched my brow at Blake, while he had the cooking oil in his hand.

"Can you please." He looked at me shyly. "Teach me?"

I turned to him with shock. "You wanna learn how to cook?" The maids turned to us in shock as well.

He nodded tentatively.

I laughed. "Wow, this is new." I cracked my knuckles. "Lets start shall we?"

It wasn't that hard teaching him, he seemed oddly eager to learn all of a sudden. "Just put a little." I told him while he poured some ingredients into our dish. The maids kept peeking at us, looks like they couldn't believe their eyes, seeing Blake trying to cook.

"I think that's done." I reached for a spoon to try it.

I brought the spoon to my mouth leaving Blake eyeing my nervously.

I eyed him.

"It's bad, I know." He tried taking the spoon away from me but I moved it away.

"You know." I laughed. "It's actually pretty good." I said the truth.

He raised his brow. "You're bluffing."

"No I'm not." I took another spoonful and brought it to his mouth. "Try it."

He slowly took a bite off the spoon.

"See." I smiled.

He kept quiet but his expression looked satisfied.

An idea suddenly came into my head. "Why don't we eat this outside?"

He immediately agreed, so the maids helped us pack our food inside containers and afterwards, we left the house leaving our maids with food. I held our food containers in a paper bag and we hopped on his motor bike.

He placed the helmet on me and as usual, Screech the AI greeted me. I encircled my arms on his waist while securing the paper bag between my arms and we rode.

The afternoon breeze welcomed us as it brushed against my skin. That breeze that sets your spirit free, I can never get enough of it. Blake parked his bike on our usual spot, on the bench under the tree overlooking the plains and fields of Eres, the sun was fading behind the mountains making it such a wonderful scene as it's faded rays of light reflected the ponds nearby.

I sighed at the view and pulled out a blanket before spreading it on the grass. Blake handed me the paper bag and I took out our food sand we started eating.

"Why do you suddenly become interested in cooking?" I wondered.

"Well." He crossed his arms and leaned his back on the tree trunk. "So that I could cook for you someday."

I chuckled. "That won't be necessary, besides, I can cook for myself."

He raised his brow. "We'll see about that."

After we placed back our food containers inside the paper bag, we both stood up and walked to the bridge.

Night has fallen on Eres and everything was peaceful. I sighed when I rested my arms on the side of the bridge. I could see the river deep down bellow and from here I could see the lights from the busy streets of Elite square. The wind was blowing gently and everything was perfect.

"The school year's almost over." I broke the silence. "I wonder what I'd be doing by this time next year." I sighed. "Will I be focusing on studying to make a business? Or will I be in some different profession?"

"Whatever you choose, make sure you follow your heart." He looked at me. "Chase your dreams."

I chuckled. "All that is easier said than done."

"Hey." He held my chin and made me face him. "I believe in you, that you will get to achieve many more as the years pass by, so." He locked his eyes on mine. "You have to believe in yourself."

His words were empowering. I suddenly felt confidence light up inside me, but along with it was anxiety, he believes in me. That's an addition to the people I might end up disappointing if I fail.

"Thankyou." I formed a smile. When then became quiet again. I just watched the river down below as the water ran.

"Blake." I faced him. "I have a question."

"What is it?" He asked curiously.

"Why did you decline the internship?" I looked into his eyes questioningly. "Why don't you want go?"

His expression seemed shocked. "How did you know?"

"That's not what's important." I crossed my arms. "Why would you turn it down?"

"Paige, that's England." He said. "And a whole month away from everyone, including you."

I rolled my eyes. "Blake, were talking about your future here." I rubbed my head. "You should start thinking about what's important."

"To me you're important." He looked me in the eyes. "That's why I'm not going."

"Look." I crossed my arms. "We all have dreams, goals, ambitions. Our paths maybe different, but they'll lead us to the right direction."

He kept silent.

"You wanted the internship." I said. "Don't delay your opportunities or your dreams for me, ok?"

He sighed and nodded.

"Do the internship," I looked back at the river. "It'll make you a step closer to your dream."

"You sure?" He asked.

"I'll be fine here, I'll be chasing my own dream." I smiled at him. "So go chase yours."

____________________________

As everyday passes, we're all getting closer to the end of the school year. I became even more focused with my academics and on weekends I'd hang out with Blake. Sometimes we'd study together, other times we'd just ride on his motorbike and take rest on the bench under the tree. Weeks passed until it was finally time for Blake to leave for England.

I helped him pack the night before his flight, and I woke up early the next day to join Ram in sending him to the airport. I ran outside my dormitory towards Ram's gold sports car parked in the parking lot. I spotted Blake in his black coat and white sweater inside. All dressed for the airport. He welcomed me in a hug before opening the door to the back seat of Ram's car. I sat inside and we drove to the airport.

When Ram parked his car in the airport's parking lot he sighed. "Why are you and Kile leaving me like this." He sighed and acted as if he was about to cry.

"Cut the crap out, don't act as if you wouldn't be following me there in two weeks." Blake rolled his eyes.

"Oh yeah." Ram chuckled. "How could I forget."

Blake got out the car with his suitcase, I followed him out.

"So this is it." He held the handle of his suitcase. "I won't see you in a month."

I rolled my eyes. "Stop being so dramatic." As if we don't have high technology.

"Well." He looked at his watch. "My Dad's probably waiting for me inside."

I nodded. "Take care." I smiled at him.

He nodded and turned his back on me. I was about to go back inside the car when he suddenly turned around and strode back to me.

"I thought you were goin-"

I was cut off when he pulled me into his arms and kissed me. My back was leaning at the side of Ram's car while his hands were on my waist. "I love you." He whispered.

"I love you too." I said when he let me go. "Now get going, you might miss your flight." I pushed him slightly away. "Don't forget to enjoy England." I laughed. "Bye Jerk." I chuckled.

He chuckled a bit as well. "Bye Puppy." He then started walking away again. This time he didn't come back.

I sighed and went back inside Ram's car.

"Did you guys really have to do the smooching beside my car?" He asked teasingly. I just laughed, and just as we came, we drove away.

______________________________

The weeks went by and I became even more busy with my school works. I even found it hard to communicate with Blake since England is 8 hours ahead of California. When he's free, I'm either asleep or studying, when I'm free, he'll be the one busy making our communication unstable but were still fine, we can cope with this.

I started doing balancing my studies and projects with my track team. I even started looking for local internships for the next school year.

"Damn. All these projects are killing me." Aicko complained.

We were drinking coffee in the cafeteria while studying.

"I had to drink 3 mugs of coffee to keep me awake last night to finish mine." Shari yawned. "Eloise can you help me with my report?"

"Sure." Eloise answered. Even she was looking groggy.

"Ugh." I rubbed my eyes. I only got 2 hours sleep last night and I still haven't finished my report paper and my project, all of these things are stressing me out. But what's worse is that, if we fail and not hit the Eresian grade standard then we'd be kicked out. Which cannot happen to me.

"Hi girls!" Nile waved at us as she, Bellona, Diana, and Isabel where walking past us. Diana and Isabel waved at us and Bellona managed a nod at me.

We waved back at them and went back to what we were doing while they went to form a line in the food stalls. Even they seemed stressed by all of the academic requirements and projects well except for Bellona who's looking emotionless as ever.

I went back to my books trying my best to not fall asleep.

"Why is this happening? First Kile leaves, now Blake? What? I Ram going to leave next?" A group of girls from a different year level gossiped a bit loudly making me hear them all the way form here. I rolled my eyes and went back to studying.

_____________________

"Congrats Peggy! You survived." Aiden cheered when I walked out the door of my classroom. I just survive the whole week of stacking projects.

"Haven't seen you around lately." I punched his shoulder playfully.

"Maybe that's because you got your eyes stuck to your books for the past few weeks." He laughed.

I scratched my head. "Sorry bout that."

"It's ok." He chuckled. "Seems like you were hit by a tornado, is that how stressed you are?" He chuckled and started patting my head.

I then realized that my hair was a mess, I took a step away from him and fixed it into a high bun. When I finished tying my hair I got shocked when he suddenly chocked me using his arm wrapped around my neck.

"Hey!" I shouted struggling to get out of his arm.

"Loosen up you grumpy old troll." He laughed and flicked his finger on my head.

"Let me go!" I said annoyed, before he could say anything else, I stomped hard on his foot making him immediately let go of my neck.

"Ah!" He exclaimed and crouched to the floor caressing his foot. "That hurts." He complained.

"Serves you right." I laughed and walked away from him.

"Hey Peggy!" He called but I didn't look back.