Chapter 22

Chapter 22

I woke up the following morning to find Troy not by my side. I glanced around his room and heard the sound of the shower running in the bathroom. It seemed like he was already in there. I checked the clock on the wall and was surprised to see that it was six in the morning. We only had an hour to get ready for work. Hastily, I picked up my clothes from the floor and quickly got dressed. As I emerged from the room, I was taken aback to see that someone has already set the food out on the table.

Maybe Troy had woken up early to cook breakfast, so I went to make him some coffee. However, as I prepared the coffee, thoughts of John and the events of the previous night raced through my mind. It felt like I had seen him before, but it couldn't be possible as I had never left the palace in our kingdom before. My mind was troubled by the thought that John might actually live in Tyreese. But... does John really live here? Something is bothering me.

I was on the brink of my thoughts when Troy surprised me with a kiss on the cheek, "What are you thinking? You didn't even feel me approach you," he chuckled.

I playfully pushed him away, but he persistently showered me with kisses. "Nothing. Stop kissing me, Troy! I haven't showered yet!” I made excuses to avoid him, focusing on bringing the coffee to the table.

Troy looked so charming in the morning, and if it wasn't for work, I might have kissed him then and there. Instead of giving me space, he sat close and drew me near. My heart raced as he moved in for a kiss, causing me to blush. Despite my nerves, I managed to push him away, "We already kissed so many times but you're still nervous?" he taunted. I pushed him a bit and tried to evade his eyes.

"Stop seducing me Troy, we still have work to do," I said. He chuckled and pulled me closer to him. If I gave in to his advances now, I knew I wouldn't be able to resist him.

"Let's be quick," he whispered in a seductive tone, causing me to nearly shriek as he lifted me and settled me onto his lap. Our kisses were passionate as we hurriedly undressed each other. I felt a rush of pleasure as he entered me, our bodies moving in sync with each other. Barely able to catch our breaths, we continued to kiss fervently, his hand exploring under my dress while I moved on top of him. It was a moment of pure bliss that left me feeling content.

Despite the rush, Troy and I managed to make it to work on time. Putting aside any worries, I focused on the present moment and the happiness I felt with Troy. The future was uncertain, but I had no regrets knowing the joy I felt now. My smile widened when I saw Troy at lunch, and we enjoyed a meal together. Engineer Nath continued to avoid me, but I knew eventually he would come to understand me. Mary and Aleth teased me playfully, making me laugh at their antics.

"Do you want to go somewhere after work?" Troy asked as we left the cafeteria. I looked at him. "What do you mean?" I asked, confused. "We'll go out, on a date." He said directly. I was a little surprised by that. I've never experienced a date so something in me got so excited!

"Of course! But I don't know any place here," I said sadly. If we were in Urzua Kingdom I might even tell him that I want to go to Urzua Falls. I heard it's beautiful there but I still haven't been there because my brother was so strict to let me go out! "I'll take care of it," Troy said and winked at me. That's why I'm motivated to work. I am so excited that I did almost as much work as Aleth and Mary! I was filled with anticipation for our date, eagerly looking forward to the new experience.

I had a big smile when I saw Troy waiting for me outside so I said goodbye to Aleth and Mary when I finished my work. Troy held my hand and clasped it together with his. I can't help but smile at his move. We walked out of the site hand in hand and got into a taxi.

"Where are we going?" I asked excitedly.

"You'll see," he said as if he really wanted to make my whole soul jump. I was even more excited when the taxi stopped and was so surprised when I finally saw the place. It was a beach. There were a few people and all I could hear was the chirping of the birds and the lapping of the waves on the beach. The setting sun added to the beauty of the place.

"Let's go," Troy pulled my hand and I didn't hesitate to go with him. The way my foot made a print on the sand felt so overwhelming.

"Is this your first time coming to the beach?" he asked. I quickly nodded at him and smiled. His eyes were serious. I don't know what he's thinking but this time I don't want to lie to him. I want him to know that this is my first time walking to a sand and seeing the sea waters.

"Can I... touch the water?" I asked, hopeful. He stared at me for a long while before nodding. I quickly broke away from his hold and ran towards the beach. I took off my shoes and let my feet get wet in the sea. I smiled so wide when the sea water touched my foot. It was warm and cold. Every time the water touches my skin it feels warm but every time it leaves it leaves my skin feeling cold. I felt Troy's presence behind me so I spoke.

"My brother never let me go outside," I said even though I knew I was almost revealing my personality to him. “My last memory of being out in the world was when my parents were still alive. We went to a hill to play that time," I said while remembering the times when my parents were still alive. I can't stop being emotional.

"Where are they now?" Troy asked behind me. I took a deep breath and sat down to feel the soft sand on the beach in my palm. The wind blew on our skin. "They were killed," I said. I gritted my teeth as I remembered how the death of my parents brought chaos to our kingdom. I remembered the chaos that ensued after my parents' murder and the burden my brother carried as he tried to keep us safe.

"We never caught the villain but we have a suspect. But that man was strong, my brother couldn't defeat him. Or maybe because my brother doesn't have any proof that he killed our parents. That's why since our parents died, my brother forbids me to go out of our... house," I told him, feeling a mix of relief and sadness at the memories that flooded back. My brother even arranged my marriage to the Alpha King of North Snow Kingdom! I was thankful that it didn't go through.

I turned towards him, his blonde hair blowing in the wind as his green eyes gazed deeply into mine. "That’s why… thank you… for bringing me here and showing me the real world," I expressed appreciatively. His eyes sparkled as I spoke, and I saw the surprised expression on his face. Moving closer, I hugged him and rested my head on his chest, feeling his arm wrap around my waist.

"When I first met you, I thought you were a disaster... but the truth is, you were my savior," I declared passionately, tears welling up in my eyes. He kissed the top of my head as we strolled along the beach hand in hand, watching the sunset in each other's arms. The happiness I felt was palpable as we headed back home, still holding hands.

However, my joy faded when I noticed Margarette waiting for us outside the house. Margarette seemed taken aback when she saw us holding hands. Troy swiftly put me on his back as Margarette approached.

"I knew it!" Margarette exclaimed loudly. Troy's tone was cold as he asked, "What are you doing here?" I felt a tight grip from Troy as Margarette heatedly accused, "She's not your cousin! She's your other whore!”

Troy's voice carried a restrained warning, "Leave before I have to fucking force you out, Margarette."

"Is that why you don't want me to come here because of her? And is that why you don't want me anymore because you've found someone new?!” Margarette spat. I can feel the pain in Margarette's voice. I don't know what she has with Troy and why Margarette is so eager to pursue Troy. I can't help feeling sorry for Margarette somehow.

“Leave—”

Margarette's voice trembled as she confessed, "You told me that I'll be your woman before you find your fucking girl whom you need to marry! I accepted that, Troy! Even though it hurts that you have a woman you're waiting for and you're just using me to satisfy your needs, I accepted because... I love you!" My heart broke for her as she struggled with her emotions.

"But seeing you with someone else... I can't bear it, Troy," Margarette added, her voice filled with pain.

"I clearly told you that that's all I can give you. I never ask you to love me," Troy said coldly. My lips parted at what Troy said.

His words struck me deeply, causing a chill to run through me as I saw a reflection of myself in Margarette. I couldn't help but fear the day when he would find the woman he truly wanted, leaving me in tears just like her.

"Y-You're so cruel..." Margarette sobbed. Margarette just shook her head and was about to leave when she stopped and looked at me. "Remember this. He will not be yours, like what happened to me... Troy will leave you too because he has someone he should marry, I heard that from him clearly," Margarette said before she left.

As she left, Troy tried to reach out to me but I pulled away, sensing a flicker of fear in his eyes. I entered the house with him following closely behind, almost bringing tears to my eyes. "Was she telling the truth?" my voice trembled. Despite his silence, I could see the fear lingering in his eyes. It was hard for me to believe that someone like Troy could be scared, but a part of me couldn't shake off the possibility of him hurting me in the same way.

"Tell me... are you going to leave me too after you find the girl you're going to marry?" I asked painfully.

To this day I still don't understand who he really is. I want to forget everything. I don't want to think about the day he might leave me. I accepted it already that Troy will never be mine because just like what Margarette said... Troy is searching for someone to marry. Maybe the woman he was searching for was his first love or something and he just uses girls to satisfy his needs. I accepted the truth but when I saw how Margarette cried for Troy, I couldn’t help but imagine myself in her shoes. Will the same happen to me? Would Troy say the same hurtful words to me?

I looked at Troy. He remained silent. I know he won't talk. This is how he really is. He will never open himself to you. He will make you feel special and loved but he will never... open his mind to you... his heart and his soul will never be mine... or maybe there is someone who owns it... maybe the true owner of his heart is the woman he was looking for.

"I hate you..." I mumbled before leaving him there and locking myself to the bathroom and there I cried all my heart's content.