The Explosion

Screaming of congratulations and clapping of the hand from the event happening at the place near the central park, brought me back from reality. Before I forgot again the real reason why I am here, I freed myself from his embrace. "I have to go," I said looking down, avoiding his eyes. I can't bring myself to meet his gaze.

He slowly let go of the book from his hold. No words came out from him, the same goes for me. We both know what might happen if one of us dare to speak. To speak the words we want to say and want to know but dared not to.

I stood in front of him silently while lowering my head for a few minutes. Then, I turn around and walk away without a word and without looking back. I can feel his stares burning my back while I slowly walk away from him.

"I love you, Shan. I will, as long as I live. Whatever happens," Chase whispered.

I was a few steps away but I still heard what he says and that made me stop in an instant. And again, my tears started to fall. I wipe the tears on my face and composed myself. "And I love you too, Chase. Always will. Wherever I am," I replied in a whisper too. Even though I'm not sure if he can hear it. Without another word, I ran towards the crowd hoping to hide from him, although I know he won't try to follow me.

Crying silently, I walk back to the hotel where we were staying while looking down, not minding the crowd around me. I did not notice the person running fast in my direction. A strong impact made fall to the cemented road. I can feel the pain caused by the fall and it gives me a reason to finally let out a sob.

"Hey, are you okay?" someone asks, might be the person that bumps into me.

I ignored the questions but continued crying while still on the ground. I force myself to stop when I notice him panicking trying to stop me from crying. When I look up, I gasp when I saw his face. "Prinsipe Daisuke?" I murmured quietly.

"What did you say?" He asks. It seems like he didn't hear what I said.

I sigh and wipe my tears away. I stood up and shake off the dirt from my jeans. "I said, I'm fine," I give him a small smile before walking away. I stopped when someone holds my arms to stop me from leaving. I turn around to see Prince Daisuke holding my arms. He let go and put his hands in his jeans pocket.

"I'm sorry, but it's not every day that I got a chance to encounter a pretty girl like you," he said causing me to raise my eyebrow with him. He just give me a charming smile, "So, I won't let this chance slip away. My name is Hideki," he introduced. "May I know your name?" He offers his hands for a handshake. I stand there not knowing how to react. It's just that -- I'm not expecting something like this coming from the youngest Prince.

"Uhm," I composed myself and give him a faint smile. "My name is Shandra. Please to meet you Hideki," I accepted his hand and shake it, pretending that I didn't know him and just meet him today. I made that he won't notice that I knew who he is.

Instead of letting my hand go after shaking it, he brought it to his lips and kiss the back of my hand. A small tint of pink crept to my cheeks. It's not everyday to experience this kind of chivalry, not even in the Imperial Palace or in our Kingdom. "The pleasure is mine, my lady," he said before letting my hands go.

I was about to say something when we heard an explosion. We both look in the direction of the arena where the event was held. It seems like the explosion is coming in that way. We exchange looks and we run in the direction of the arena at the same time. You can see the intense worry on his face. People know that the Crown Prince, his brother is in the arena together with Princess Yuki, which is actually Yoshie in disguise.

I breathe a sigh of relief when I saw the imperial guards crowding at the side a little far away from the arena, keeping the Crown Prince safe. Even Yoshie, disguised as me, and Shuji are with the crown prince. I saw one of the Royal Guards guiding them towards the car not so far from where they are. My eyes widened when I realize something. If the explosion was meant for the Prince, there is a possibility that the car has explosives.

I unconsciously reach out Prince Daisuke's arm and hold it while looking at him wide eye. "The car --," I stuttered while the Prince look at me with a frown. "Don't let the Prince get on the car!" I almost shouted. My heart is beating wildly in my chest in nervousness.

"Shit!" Prince Daisuke cursed. He understand what I meant. He was about to run when we heard another explosion again. We look at the car in horror. It was engulfed with strong fire and smoke. I am right all along.

In a full alert, I look around. I surveyed the crown looking for a suspicious person. My eyes stop at the person standing under the thick tree. He's wearing an all-black suit, black sunglasses with no expression at all. I made sure not to miss a single detail about the guy. But I saw his lips twitch upward, looking somewhere.

I followed where he's looking at and found the Prince getting on another car. I sigh in relief and calm myself, I am glad the Crown Prince is okay and safe. I small smile crept into my lips, the Crown Prince personal guard, Captain Kizu shouldn't be underestimated, after all, he is experienced and smart.

"I need to go, Shandra," I heard Prince Daisuke say.

I look at him. I know that he's planning to follow his brother to the hotel. But I don't think it is safe to do that. The Hotel is also not a safe place. "The hotel where the crown prince I think is going is not safe too, Hideki," I muttered, making sure that no one can hear but him. He looks at me with an obvious questioning look. "The crown prince might be the target of whoever caused these explosions. I'm sure that they know the hotel where the crown prince and his entourage are staying. I don't know, but my instinct told me that something bad will also happen in the hotel," I explained.

"You have a point," he nodded. "People are busy with the things here and the hotel might slip away from their mind. Other people will not think ahead but not Captian Kizu. I bet he's thinking the same."

"But still, we have to do something," I said looking at him seriously.

"I know," he agreed, his face becoming dark. "Let's go?"

I nodded and we both run towards the hotel. Using the short way we'll be the first one to reach the Hotel since the crown prince will be stuck in the traffic. We agreed that I will be the one to talk with the reception and he will be the one to inform the hotel security. We need to alert the management of the hotel of what might possibly happen. I was about to talk to the receptionist when I saw the prince car park in front of the hotel. Then, another explosion happened just like what I speculate of but this time it is the hotel where I am in.

********************************

I stand there for I don't know how long. I can't see her in the crowd anymore. The horde of people hide her from my sight after she ran away from me. But still, I'm able to hear what she whisper, her reply with what I said.

"And I love you too, Chase. Always will. Wherever I am."

A bittersweet smile crept onto my lips. We both love each other but why we can't be together? Screw, responsibility. Why Shandra can't be selfish and choose her happiness over her responsibilities? I sigh and shook my head. Why am I thinking stupid and nonsense things?

I turned around and walk towards the hotel where I am staying. The hotel is already in view when I heard a strong explosion. I quickly turned to look in the direction of the arena where the explosion that I heard came from.

Is Shandra going to the arena? I asked myself frowning and thinking for a moment. "Damn!" I growled. Without another thought, I sprinted towards the arena. I'm pretty sure Shandra is heading there after our meeting, her subordinate is there.

I was near the arena when I heard another strong explosion. Just like a while ago, it also came from the direction of the arena. The nervousness in my chest grew stronger. God, don't let anything bad happen to the girl I love so much.

The arena is within my sight, a big part of it is already destroyed because of the explosion. From the corner of my eyes, I caught Shandra running away together with a guy I'm not familiar with. Before following her, I reported first the situation to DC Org and ask them to investigate the situation. I received a prompt stating an order from the DC Org. that men who are near the place will gather and investigate.

I run fast towards the direction that I saw Shandra run to. I want to make sure that she is safe. I've seen her entering the hotel. I was about to follow when I saw the cars stop in front of the said hotel. And by the look of it, it is the Crown Prince convoy. I stopped and observe the surrounding. If I enter the hotel now, I might be suspected.

Another explosion happened. This time it is in front of me, the hotel where Shandra is. I look at the hotel in horror, it was covered with thick smoke. "Shandra!" I shouted. I ran towards the building without minding the danger and the authorities starting to surround the place.

Some parts of the hotel are already falling. The ground floor is already in a mess. "Shan, where are you?" I called to her. My chest is about to burst in nervousness. "Answer me," my voice is now shaky. I called to her again and again. No answer. The only thing I heard is the debris falling and the reception is gradually consumed by fire.