Kiss Me Not

Will looked uncomprehendingly at the Prince.

"I already told you, it's love at first sight. Some think it is an absurd concept and it's just infatuation. How could anyone fall in love, so easily with a stranger you just randomly saw?" the Prince whispered.

"Precisely! So let's be rational here, Your Highness. Look at how ridiculous you seem right now… you are a Prince for goodness sake!"

Cedric ignored Will's nagging as usual.

As strange as it might sound, yes, he planned everything just to meet Brione Yu and spend some time with her.

He was brought out of his stupor when he heard Will ask, "Did you do what I told you to do? Why did she leave in such haste? And she seemed really pissed off from the way she left you."

"I saw an opportunity so I decided to not waste any more time and asked her to be my woman…" Cedric answered slowly with a blank expression.

"You told her that? Like you declared a freaking decree? Geez, she hasn't even seen your face and you say those words out of nowhere? She probably thinks you're a crazy and arrogant Prince… with loose threads… and..."

Will suddenly gulped and sealed his mouth when the Prince turned his deadly glare towards him.

Cedric was an only child, the only heir of the King, thus, he had grown up getting everything he wanted and some more. The word 'impossible' was simply not in his vocabulary. He was short-tempered and he hated wasting time following the long procedure when he could simply skip those steps and get what he wants. He was always very direct and straightforward when it came to expressing himself regardless of whom he was talking to.

The Prince turned to Manager Ruth and instructed, "Arrange a breakfast for me and Brione.."

"But… Your Highness, one of the staff just informed me now that Miss Brione has requested for a change of room. Tonight she plans to sleep in her personal assistant's room. I think she was alarmed that she was staying on the same floor as you with nobody else.."

"Tell the staff not to approve her request. Tell her that she has to come and talk to me about that matter since I was the one who decided to put her there," Cedric commanded.

Will's shoulder dropped. Cedric was always like this. He always makes sure that he gets whatever it is that he wants. He was very stubborn and very aggressive with his approach to things ever since they were young!

He had thought that Cedric had changed his ways and grown a bit patient when he returned six months ago after recuperating from his accident.

He noted some changes in him that he thought were a good thing. Especially with how he listened and respected other's opinions pertaining to business and politics, considering the pros and cons before making a decision.

However, one thing that hadn't changed was Cedric's stubbornness and aggressiveness. Especially when it came to the woman he liked… He almost forgot, the Prince assumed it as love already - love at first sight.

"She cannot leave this island until I make her fall in love with me…" the Prince declared, full of conviction.

Will and Manager Ruth exchanged meaningful glances, wondering why the Prince looked so desperate.

*****

The next morning, Brione woke up early. Last night, she slept with Berry on her bed but she deeply regretted it because she barely slept throughout the whole night due to Berry's loud snoring.

Berry was still sleeping soundly when she woke up so she quietly and carefully went out of the bed to go back to her own room. She sighed as she was inside the spacious room assigned for her. Last night just proved that it was far more comfortable sleeping alone.

She realized that she probably over-reacted by not sleeping in her own room when she could have locked it from the inside.

'The Prince is not bad enough to invade her own privacy inside her room. Is he?'

Last night she requested for a change of room but the Manager said that there were no rooms available anymore. Manager Ruth feared that the Prince might get offended if he found out about her request so Manager Ruth advised that she better ask the Prince about it personally since he was the one who personally chose it to give her the best room during her stay.

Her room was indeed really nice. It had a balcony and a personal jacuzzi bathtub. It was so spacious that she even had her own living area. It would be such a waste of all these if she insisted on changing her room so she decided she would just stay here.

She opened the cupboard and grabbed her running shoes and sportswear. She would love to stroll around and run around the area while watching the wonderful sunrise.

She excitedly changed her outfit, wore her running shoes, tied her hair up, and put on her running gears like arm pockets for her mobile phone and water bottle. She put on her earbuds and played her favorite playlist since she loved listening to music while she ran.

She headed outside and closed her eyes as she let the morning breeze graze her bare skin. The temperature was neither too chilly nor too hot since the sun was rising already. She began running as her eyes feasted upon the beautiful sight surrounding her.

It was too overwhelming running on the side of the road which had the greenest pine forests, large marshes, and lush forests. She was so busy admiring the sides of the road that she failed to see a rock causing her to trip and fall on the ground.

"Ouch!" she cried. Sitting like a kid, she removed her earbuds and breathed shakily, seeing a wound on her knee. Mitch would scold her big time if she saw it asking her why she wore shorts. It was because she wanted to feel the air brushing against her skin.

She was about to get up when she saw someone bend down before her. The person suddenly lifted her and carried her in his arms, bridal style.