HENRY RECEIVED a message from Jim, his butler.
Jim had run a background check on Anthony. It was protocol and inevitable to anyone who meets the royal family.
12:10 AM
Sir, I ran the background check.
What came out?
He's clean, sir.
Nothing out of the ordinary.
Tragic huh. Henry looked at Anthony. The man before him was someone he never was. Timid, shy, and just what he likes.
Black hair untidy but beautiful. Breathtaking black eyes yet magnetic, it's what drew Henry to him. Full and red lips, sharp jawline. Henry shuddered.
It's not like him to be attracted to someone, well, someone like Anthony.
12:014 AM
Would you like me to send you
the report, sir?
Henry thought about what his report would be like. Taking a glance at Anthony he thought, "I'll discover it myself".
No need
Thanks again Jim
Anytime, sir.
Henry shut his phone in time for Anthony's pancake. Anthony had stacked 4 pancakes on the plate with syrup on the side. He placed another plate and sat down handing out a fork and knife to Henry.
Henry poured syrup atop the pancakes. Slicing the pancakes, Henry glanced at the extra plate of pancakes. "You, what's with the second plate?"
"It's yours," Anthony looked away.
"It's okay, you can have that."
"Really?"
"Sure, go ahead."
Anthony hesitated for a moment but got up and took a fork from the drawer. He poured the syrup on the pancakes and poked the fork on the top pancake and ate it a whole.
"Whoa, eat slowly" Henry chuckled.
"I'm sorry I usually eat like this." Anthony wiped the syrup from his mouth.
It quickly became awkward while both of them ate. Well it was expected. They were eating pancakes at dawn.
Henry brought up one of his awkward-talk-topics.
It usually made people leave or excuse themselves, leaving Henry all alone, not like Henry minded. He hated the crowds of people who praised their family as if they were special or unique.
It ended up being a talk of his family's background.
They were unique, just not what Henry wanted. He wanted to live freely. No rules, protocols, and what-not. It has always been like this for their bloodline. No one wanted to be royal.
The first king in their line became a king because of the people. He was inspirational, open-minded, trustworthy, and hated war. We, the successors, whose fate cannot be changed were bad mouthed by everyone we knew or not. Henry thought.
Anthony was understanding. He asked questions that would lead to more answers and meaning he would know more about Henry than anyone would.
He'd be mesmerized at some stories Henry heard, the different people who were amusing to their family, the food he hated. It was a continuous conversation. No cuts or dead air.
Munching down to both their last pancakes, they both realized they were different from each other. One did not like what the other did.
Henry stood up and took their plates to the sink. He suggested that they talk to each other a bit more on the couch. Henry took his dark choco and placed it on the coffee table in between the couch and television. They were clearly drawn to each other, not that Henry would admit it.
The time passed by so quickly. It was already 4 am. Anthony shared some recent happenings in my life. Told him about Alejandro, Eric and about the cafe, about how he got the cafe.
He still had so much to ask and to share. It was all good, he felt connected with Henry despite their different tastes.
Sitting on the couch, watching television. He felt safe and even comfortable. Even though they just met and considering what had happened, he didn't expect that we would click.
It felt right. Felt nice. Just a few hours with this ma--prince, made him think that not every royal is bad. He was a good one.
The door at the end of the hallway creaked open.
We both froze. Henry placed his cup of dark choco down. And stood up from the couch.
The sound of footsteps got louder as it got closer. It reached a halt when it reached the kitchen.
"Who's here?" the voice said.
"Oh, it's just you Elijah." Henry sighed.
"Duh, of course, it's me, who else would be here?" Elijah rolled his eyes. "And who is this and why are you here?"
"Um…" Henry hesitated.
"I'm Anthony, I own the cafe The Split Bean." Anthony offered a handshake.
"Of course you are, that doesn't answer my second question." Elijah glanced at his hand and ignored it. He crossed both his arms and released his strength on the left leg, leaning on the wall.
"I-uh--"
"He was beaten up, I had to help." For some reason, Anthony was upset but didn't show it on his face. Did he want to be more than a beaten person? Someone closer but no, that's impossible.
"I-um, I'm sorry for taking up your time. I think I'll take my leave. Thank you again for helping me, Your Highness." He stood up from the couch. Despite what Henry said about bowing he did it anyway. He didn't spare a glance at Henry.
He came there without anything and left with nothing but feelings of hope and despair. He had caught feelings for Henry.
Henry called out just before Anthony left. "Wait, you probably don't know where this is. I'll take you back."
"I'll have to reject your offer" Anthony turned the doorknob and left. It was true that he didn't know where he was but any more time with the Prince and he'll have thoughts. Even worse than his feelings.
Wanting to be with him. Spend time with him. Hug him.
No, stop this Anthony. You guys just met, it's not right. You promised not to fall in love again. Anthony buried his new feelings for someone not right for him.
The skies lightened signaling the end of the night and the start of the morning. It was a chilly morning The birds were chirping. people came out of their homes to gaze at the morning rays.
It wasn't a day to be broken-hearted nor depressed.
"NO, I AM NOT BROKEN HEARTED".
...
"What are you talking about?"
Anthony turned around to look at Henry. His face flushed and he ran fast. Away from me.
"I was just trying to thank you for today though, you didn't have to run from me." Henry sighed.
"It seemed like I was disturbing you." Elijah walked towards Henry, a piece of bread hanging on his mouth.
"You think?"
"Well if he liked you back, he'd come back" Elijah nonchalantly spoke.
"I do not like him that way." Elijah raised an eyebrow. "I just enjoy his company."
"Well, it's not really my business." Elijah walked back into the house. Henry followed.
He didn't know what was special about Anthony but with him, he felt good or even better about himself.
Upon entering the house, Jim sat on a chair. Henry guessed he wanted to check up on him or Elijah. He acknowledged Jim's presence. Jim kept glancing over one corner and to the other. Like he was looking for something.
Elijah asked if he left something while he visited yesterday morning. Henry was surprised when Jim wanted to talk to Anthony. Both of them knew nothing of each other until today.
Whatever it was he wanted to talk to Anthony about Henry set aside the topic and talk about what was happening in the palace.
"Yes sir, it still seems like you both will have to stay here until everything calms down." Elijah slumped against the couch, thinking about the additional days he'll have to live with me in this house.
"We won't know when this'll end but after it ends you'll have to buy me food Jim." Elijah huffed, clearly not liking the idea but doesn't refuse it. He hated my company.
Henry's vision starts to double. He'd been up since yesterday morning. He excused himself, walking unsteadily towards his room.
Lying down on the side of his bed, he pulls the sheets up until it covers up everything except his face. His sheets smelled like Anthony and slowly closed his eyes.
...
Anthony felt refreshed after having showered when he arrived home. He turned on his television, switching onto the news channel. He imagined how early news reporters woke up and placed himself in their shoes. He felt tired thinking about it.
He got his coffee from the table and took a sip.
The news highlighted said, "WILL THE WARES FAMILY HAVE A SUCCESSOR OR NOT?" Everything was a topic on the family's only son. No one from the media had talked to the Royal Family. Seemed like they had nothing to say.
Sipping his coffee a buzzing sound came from Anthony's phone. It was Alejandro.
6:12 AM
Why in the world is the cafe trashed?
Huh? What do you mean?
You closed the cafe yesterday right?
Yes, of course.
Well maybe it was your sad energy or
the fact that it looked like someone
trashed our lights.
Anthony had forgotten about his cafe. He quickly realized when Alejandro said lights.
I'll be there in 5.
And it wasn't my bad energy.
Hurry it up.
Alejandro had called the repairman when I arrived.
"What happened here?" Alejandro asked while picking up glass shards on the floor. "Was there a bat?!"
"Of course not, it was just..." Anthony hesitated.
"You can tell me when you feel like it but we need to clean up this mess quickly."
Someone so adaptable, gentle, kind, and helpful. Anthony smiled at the thought of how lucky he was to have a friend like him.
The repairman had replaced all the lights by the time Eric came.
"Luckily we didn't have work today." Eric heaved a sigh of relief.
"True, it's our rare day off." Alejandro proudly exclaimed.
"How are you guys going to spend it? Together?"
"Yeah, Eric and I are going to the newly opened carnival," Eric nodded contentedly. "I heard there are mango shakes there, wanna come Anthony?"
"Ah, I've had my fun for today. I'm just gonna do some shopping."
"What fun? The day just started." Alejandro asked.
"Well as long as you shop for yourself and not for the cafe this time. You are such a workaholic, live a little Anthony." Eric noted.
"Yes yes, I'll lock up you guys can go now." Anthony already had fun. Just chatting to Henry about anything and everything was the first time he had fun. He'd wish for that to happen again but it would be impossible.
Because Henry had a boyfriend.
After locking up, Henry made his way towards the supermarket.