Time Heals Everything

Abbie endured the nerve-wracking dinner under the watchful gazes of everyone inside the restaurant. Alice, on the other hand, felt at home and engaged Abbie in random conversations. The chubby girl was almost at her wits end before Alice decided to call the waiter to ask for their bill.

A few minutes later, the group of four exited the restaurant and headed straight for Alice's room. Hannah could only watch Alex's back as he left the restaurant with Abbie. Adam was deep in thought as he watched Alice's figure disappear through the glass door.

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Inside Alice's room…

"Ok. Tell me everything," Abbie said as she sat on the couch beside Alex. "Since when did Alex become 'His Highness'? Also, who's getting married to whom?"

Alice chuckled as she made a gesture to Aiden to get some refreshments for the chubby girl. She had already planned to explain a few things to Abbie, but she decided to not tell her anything about what was currently happening on the world-wide-web.

"Alright. Let's start with Alex being 'His Highness' first," Alice started her explanation. "Alex is currently a Crown Prince."

"Haha, nice try. If he's a Crown Prince then I'm a Crown Princess."

"Who said that you're not?"

"Eh?" Abbie was taken aback with Alice's retort.

Alice propped her head up with the palm of her hand as she laid on the couch. She was looking at Abbie with a mischievous grin which made the latter feel as if something was not quite right.

"Since Alex is the Crown Prince, that would naturally make you his Crown Princess," Alice continued her explanation.

"Huh?" Abbie "What the f*ck are you talking about? Are you pulling my leg or something?"

"I'm not forcing you to believe it. Whether you believe it or not doesn't matter. All you have to know is that right now, Alex has the status of a real Crown Prince."

Abbie was still confused, but she reluctantly accepted Alice's explanation. Although Alice had an eccentric personality, Abbie knew that the blonde beauty wouldn't lie to her regarding matters that concerned Alex.

"Then what about the wedding preparations?" Abbie asked. "Are you going to tell me that those are real, too?"

"I'll let Alex explain that part," Alice answered as she shifted her attention to Alex. "After all, it was his idea."

Abbie glanced at the young man sitting beside her. Alex was looking at her with a devilish smile which made Abbie feel like she was a fat sheep being preyed upon by the big bad wolf.

"Abbie, I know that this may sound sudden, but I want you to know that I am very serious," Alex said as his playful expression turned into a serious one. "In the future, I plan to marry you."

"Huh? Are you on drugs?" Abbie snorted. "Even though you're grown up right now, after the potion loses its effect you'll return to being an eight-year-old. You won't even remember what we've talked about, so what's the point in telling me that you plan to marry me?"

Although Abbie was berating Alex, her heart was wildly beating inside her chest. She knew she may not be the brightest of women, but she could tell if a person was being serious or not. She had no doubt in her mind that Alex was being serious when he said that he planned to marry her.

"Abbie, whether it's the current me or the eight-year-old me, one thing remains unchanged," Alex said as she stared into Abbie's eyes. The chubby girl was mesmerized by the light-green eyes that seemed to see right through her soul.

She could see her own reflection within their depths and it gave her a warm and fuzzy feeling inside her chest. Alex held Abbie's hand and placed it over his chest. Although Alex's suit was in the way, she could still feel his strong heartbeat under the palm of her hand.

"Do you feel it?"

"Yes."

"This is the one thing that remains unchanged," Alex said softly. "Do you understand, Abbie?"

Abbie bit her lip as she lowered her head to look at her hand lying on top of Alex's chest. How could she not understand the meaning behind his words? In truth, Abbie was afraid. She was afraid to have any expectations. The heartbreak she had suffered was still fresh in her memory.

Adam's hateful words had traumatized her. The humiliation and pain she suffered became a seed that had burrowed deep inside her heart. That same seed was now making it hard for her to hope for a happy ending. She was afraid to fall in love, just to fall out of love again.

A tear slid down the side of Abbie's face followed by another. Abbie was unaware of what was happening. The only thing she knew was that the pain she had buried deep inside her heart resurfaced once again after hearing Alex's passionate words.

Alex pulled his Master closer and rested her head on his chest. Abbie broke out of her daze as she felt a pair of strong arms enclosing her in a warm embrace.

"Even if the world turns its back on you, remember, I alone won't abandon you," Alex said in a soothing voice. "I'll always be by your side whether you like it or not."

Abbie's body shuddered. Alex's words were like the final nail on the coffin which broke the dam that held back all her pent up hurt and frustrations. The tears she had been holding back flowed freely like a raging river. She held unto Alex as if he was a lifeline that would prevent her from drowning in her sorrows.

Alice stood up and left the room with Aiden. Words did not need to be spoken. As she closed the door, only the sound of a girl crying her heart out was heard within the quiet room.

Alex held unto Abbie with a pained heart. He didn't know if he should curse or thank Adam for what he did to Abbie. He wanted to curse him for hurting the girl he loved the most, yet thank him for allowing the two of them to meet.

Abbie cried until there were no more tears to be shed. She leaned on Alex and the latter held her in a protective embrace. If possible, he would like to shield her from all the hurt in the world. However, he knew that he couldn't do that. His master was the type of person that would face everything head on.

"Abbie, I love you."

"..."

"You don't have to give me an answer right now, but promise me that you will think about it."

Abbie didn't give any answer, but she buried her head deeper into the young man's chest. Alex smiled and kissed her forehead. He was not in a hurry. He knew that his Master was still hurting.

Time heals everything and, right now, the young lady in his arms needed time to heal her wounded heart.