Wild Ride

"Please ride with us."

Before I could finish my sentence, Robert interrupts me and looks at me with his soft gaze yet it also held a certain degree of urgency.

As to not dwell into any further discussion, I agree to his request and follow behind both Prince Elijah and Robert towards the enormous underground parking lot.

Robert walks up to the red car parked in the reserved parking space. I quickly scan the model only to realize he owns yet another expensive car; Bentley Continental GT, popular among the CEO's everywhere. I could tell it was kept in high maintenance, I was afraid to touch it, scared that I might dirty it.

Prince Elijah walked forward and opened the door signalling for me to enter. I do and he does the same, joining me in at the back seat. I stay still as my heart pounds faster by the second, I would much rather prefer him to take the passenger seat next to Robert, at least that would save me from getting a heart attack soon.

He silently gazes forward as he instructs Robert to start driving. I sit back and relax, gazing out the tinted window.

"Prince Elijah?" I nervously call out to him when we come near halfway to my apartment.

"Yes." He replies.

"Thank you for taking care of me today, however, you still haven't given me any timetable that I should follow.."

"Don't worry about that just yet," he says in his reassuring voice.

"Before we get into your responsibilities, I'd like to show you something but only if I find you capable. Until then just do as I say." He tells me with a hint of a smile forming around his lips but even so, my question still remained unanswered.

"I'll do my best." I reply with optimism as my mind clouds with uncertainties.

Soon we arrived outside my apartment, where the cityscape was nowhere in sight, just a warm and fuzzy environment welcoming all that entered.

"I'll get going now." I tell them both with a slight bow and a wave.

Once they were out of sight I enter my apartment, finding it empty. Since there was nothing better to do I decided to go for a run. I change into my black sports wear, consisting of a pair of black leggings, black top and my worn out black shoes. I tie my hair up in a ponytail and leave my face makeup free. Outside; joined by the smokers, the runners and the mix of rich kids. I run faster as I pass building after building, I run past high end designer clothing stores to stores selling street foods. I don't stop my legs from moving as I concentrate hard on moving faster, with each new step I tell myself just a few more blocks. Just another five minutes and I'll be done. Running makes me feel better because it's the only time I can be openly free, no obstacles and no disappointments. I can forget about everything else and be lost within the wonders of the outdoors.

Just as I'm beginning to slow down my pace, a honking sound stops me. I look towards the sound to find a luxurious sports car parked on the side, uniquely situated on this rundown street.

The left front window of the car winds down, revealing a person covered with a face mask and dark sunglasses.

"Fancy seeing you here Miss Hayley." He says and takes off his disguise, revealing a face that I had least expected to meet in such a place.

"Shouldn't I be asking you this?"

"What are you doing in a place like this?" I ask him once the shock leaves my body.

"A prince needs a break once in a while, even if he is the crown prince." He replies.

"Wanna Join me for a ride?"

"No, thank you for the offer." I answer him and start moving back.

"I'll be nicer to you at work." He says cheekily and so I had to unwillingly agree, or at least that's what I tell myself.

I walk inside, wondering how many more cars he owns. This car was no less than all his other cars, the interior was fitted with the latest upgrades.

"This is my favourite ride, although it is the cheapest of my collection, it never fails to impress me." He suddenly says, full of admiration.

"I don't know much about cars but I am interested to know your reason behind such praise."

"This baby was with me through my darkest times. Let's just say it has saved me more than a couple of times and driving this gives me a feeling of fulfilment." He says, his grin wide and laugh louder.

"So you do know how to laugh too." I quietly speak to myself but his exceptional hearing catches me off guard.

"Am I so uptight in your eyes, Hayley?" He speaks more firmly and looks at me closely, his face only inches away from me.

"I..No..that's not what I mean, Prince Elijah." I stammer as I feel my face growing hotter by the second. Realization soon hits me, I was talking to the crown Prince.

The sweet twinkle in his eyes suddenly vanishes and replaces with his distant cold self.

"I have said this to you before, just call me Elijah when we're alone." He says, staring deep into my eyes as though he was reading every single one of my expressions.

"I..Alright...Elijah." I say anxiously and stare back into his deep eyes. At this moment, somehow, I felt much more closer to him. It was the kind of feeling, a longing someone has for something they cannot achieve.

He breaks away our staring contest and smiles, the sweet gleam returns.

"Are you ready?"

"Hold on tight!" He says and starts the engine.

"I think so…" I say, a sudden fear surpassing my excitement.

He zoomed past the street and up into the highway, where the lights decorated the roads. I enjoyed the ride together with him after some heart chilling experience. The views flashing before my eyes as the lights made an endless amount of art. The sun soon started leaving us and so did the wild ride. He stopped just outside my apartment and helped me unbuckle my complicated seatbelt, almost hugging me in the process.

"Thank you Elijah, I really did enjoy it." I tell him, happy and surprised at how different he was outside his work mode.

"Don't mention it. We should do this again."

"Maybe...just that the problem is I may not survive the next one of your wild ride." I reply jokingly and he laughs along with me. His face morphing into a perfect shape, no imperfections in sight and when he laughs it's easy to mistake him for a god.

"I should go now, it's getting late." I say and climb out of his luxurious car.

"See you tomorrow Hayley." He says and drives off.

I watch till his car disappears through the empty road, with warm tenderness overtaking me. I smile up into the darkening sky, at the beautifully painted clouds with all shades of orange and yellow. The sweet feeling it gives me was enough, maybe; hopefully my days will be filled with utmost satisfaction. Where I don't have to worry about the things that do not concern me anymore but once I'm stronger I must learn to face my fears. Until then...I will keep smiling and savour every bit of bliss this world has to offer.

*

"She just returned."

"It's just Prince Elijah's butler."

"Yes, he left. If that's all I'm hanging up, she's coming."

She threw her phone onto her bed as she stepped away from the window.

She tried to convince herself, what she was doing can not fully be that cruel because she only had herself to depend on. She only wished it didn't have to be her best friend.