"..."

I hesitated. I just dialed Zhane's number without even knowing how to ask him!

"Princess?"

"T-the news..."

"What about the news?" Zhane chuckled.

"Y-you know..."

"Sorry, what I know is that, you don't make any sense right now. Are you drunk?"

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

"WhendidCainbrokeoffhisengagement?!"

.....

.....

"Okaaaay...."

I could sense that Zhane was trying to held his laughter.

"Answering to your Highness's question, it was the first day that you've met. He asked me to take care of any leak at that time 'cause he doesn't want any paparazzi the following day." He paused, and then chuckled.

"Ehehehe, now I know. It turns out, he didn't want anyone to disturb your date. Tell me what happened that day! I'm dying of curiosity here!"

.....

.....

"h.e.l.lo? Princess? Are you still the----?!"

I ended the call.

I stared absentmindedly at the phone.

I closed my eyes and calmed my ragged breathing before I strode out of the toilet.

When I got out, I didn't notice a group of black-suit men, ten meters away from me, trying to barged the hallway. Not letting anyone from the main room to enter the hall going in the direction towards the toilet.

I was walking in a daze, my eyes glued on the floor, making my way back towards the main room when suddenly – warm strong arms circled my waist, hugging me from behind.

"Leanna."

I froze. The whole world seemed to have stopped.

"Come with me."

I felt his warm breath fanning behind my ears as I swallowed hard.

I s.h.i.+vered.

Before my mind could process what was happening – I nodded.

Cain made me turn around to face him.

"Put this on."

He gave me a sweats.h.i.+rt.

I felt like I was in a trance being hypnotized by him. I silently put on the s.h.i.+rt.

Cain smiled and raised the hoodie, completely covering my face before putting his hand on my shoulder and guided me towards the fire exit opposite from the main room.

Before climbing the stairs, I turned around to take a peek at that charming young lady, leaning against the wall in front of the toilet, teasingly smiling and winking at us – waving us goodbye.

----?----

We ascended our way towards the rooftop where a helicopter was prettily waiting for us.

"Are you alright?" Cain asked when the helicopter took off and flew to who knows where.

I didn't answer and continued to keep quiet, seemingly lost in a daze. I didn't even notice that his hand was still on my shoulder, holding me close against his body.

I may look silent on the outside, but my mind, heart, body, and soul are in chaos right now.

I closed my eyes to blocked out my surroundings so I could focus on my thoughts.

What the h.e.l.l are you doing?! Did you forget your lesson already?!

I didn't forget. Cain is not like him.

How do you even know? He's a man. Men's love only lies three inches below their belly b.u.t.ton!

He's as.e.xual?!

He has gotten interested in you. He'll get interested in s.e.x. Once he has taken a bite of that forbidden fruit, he'll search for it again and again after he has gotten bored with you.

I'll just make sure he won't get bored with me then.

You're crazy! Do you want to get hurt?! Again?!

If I imprisoned my feelings for the reason that I'm scared to get hurt, I'd end up hurt anyway.

No! You can't trust him! You barely even know him!

If I give him my trust, I'll end up either hurt or happy. It'll all be up to me whether I 'am willing to take that risk...

.... and I 'AM willing to take that risk!

I want to know him better!

I gradually opened my eyes.

I felt light and refreshed.

It felt like the burdens of the world no longer existed. Only this man, sitting beside me, holding me tightly – was real.