'So, now that, that sc**bag has gone.. Shall we go continue our precious date..? Anastasia-chan?'
That's what Zeno said cheerfully at the crowded streets.
But, how Zeno behaved as we were riding the car was..
I looked at Zeno from the side anxiously.
He was totally giving out a dark scary aura that had spread all around the car. He looked so mad like a ferocious bloodthirsty dragon living in the depths of the underworld. And, the usually divine angelic aura of his body had suddenly become so delicate as a sharp ice that, with his current temper he might kill anyone who even made an attempt to talk to him.
Kuro was so scared that he looked like he was actually holding his breath on the driver seat and the other guard, Gerold who accompanied us on the front passenger seat did no good either.
The entire atmosphere was deadly silent.
And, one was afraid if anyone dares to break it they couldn't survive the next day.
"Zeno... "
I muttered softly when Zeno pressed my palms more tighter to his.
"That, son of ****. How dare he touch your head like that..? Anastasia, the minute we go to the restaurant, you are to go to the reserved room and wipe all those disgusting traces off your hair, immediately, okay..?
I heard our community has been infected with many germs recently..."
"Zeno..." I muttered again softly.
"And, thinking you might be hurt because of-"
"Zeno, Stop panicking..!"
I literally yelled at him this time completely startling Kuro and the other guy in the front at my daring guts.
I let out a soft sigh.
"Will you be like this everytime I associate with another guy..?" I asked him frankly.
"..."
He didn't reply me immediately but, then yelled.
"B-But, he was looking at you with those googlie eyes..! He clearly likes you and even I can see that, Anastasia."
I was so amused with what Zeno had just said.
Bluebeard.. ? Ha, B-Bluebeard.. likes me..??
I laughed out loud at the entire thought.
"Hahaha!! Are you crazy..?? That.. Guy..? You think, that foul mouthed jerk likes me that way..? What kinda logic is that..?"
"..."
Zeno didn't say anything to me. But, he was still not convinced that I had to assure him.
"Zeno.. Look here, with my ugly looks and horrible villainess personality the only mentally retarded person who says he likes me in this world, is you.. Alright? Besides, you have never seen how much that nasty jerk insults me on daily basis as though, it's his natural language.. If you were to hear all that you could clearly see that he doesn't even see me as a girl.. Much less like me that way.. "
I tried convincing him still bewildered of Zeno's incredulous idea.
"T-Then, you do not l-like him..?"
He asked hesitately looking at the window, still avoiding eye contact.
"Of course not."
I peeked my face with a bright grin before the brat throwing tautrum and gave him an instant reply.
Just, then I noticed Zeno's cheeks tint red ever so mildly. And, he let out a deep sigh lightly loosening the tight grip he had while holding my palms.
Aha, so the sulking kitten has finally calmed down again...
I think the storm has cooled down a bit for now. I felt a little relaxed and so did the men in black suits sitting on the front.
"B-But.. Anastasia.. "
Zeno pouted again looking back at the beautiful night view outside.
"I cannot agree the fact that I am mentally retarded for liking you.."
"Huh..? Oh, it's-.."
I chuckled thinking how this exceptionally smart yet narcissist probably got insulted by my unintentional teasing.
But, his words next stopped me speecheless.
"You are the most amazing girl, I know. You are sweet. You're kind, strong and certainly the most adorable person I had ever met in the entire world. I am just so afraid the other guys might discover this too. "
He said with such a serious expression that hearing this almost immediately made my face turn beet red and my heart beat a hundred times more faster.
"S-Shut-Up..! B-Baka!!! "
I squeaked abruptly averting my head to the opposite side.
I felt my head sending smoke signals and indicate it's current mental explosions.
I-Idiot...!! Zeno's a-a total idiot!??!
J-Just how can he say those flirty lines with such a straight face..??
I-Isn't he j-j-just too brazen!!!?"
I focused hard on the view from the window to distract my mind of from his innocent critical attack. But, failed miserably when the guards sitting before us laughed at our silly interactions.
"My, Kuro.. Isn't boss being too active with, Rottenstein-Samma..? I have noticed he has always been a bit passive when the other girls flirt with him.."
"Oh, yes. He has always been active around her.. Unlike the others.. You haven't seen it all.. "
Though a little slab covered the front and backseats, their interactions weren't inaudible to the two of us.
And, I was confused by their conversations.
"Active..? Passive..? What do you mean.. Kuro..?"
I quickly asked them leaning on to the front.
"Oh it's nothing, Anastasia-samma. You must know, boss used to change many girlfriends repeatedly in the past. It's just that, he always had his dignity as a prince when he associates with them. Though he's tolerant, boss can be kinda pretty scary at times. So, the girls don't usually cross their lines.
But, It's kinda strange around you, really. Boss, almost turns into a tamed puppy when you are around. And, we are so happy see him like that. "
"Hehe.. More like safer.. Really.. " the youngster sitting beside Kuro squeaked with a grin.
Hearing all this Zeno smiled softly with his crossed arms.
"Gerold, Kuro."
"A-Ah.. Ah.. Yes boss..?"
"Zip your lips and drive."
A low mellow voice echoed beside me as his blue eyes glistened in the dark with a scary glare.
The guards spines immediately became erect and they answered in unition.
"Yes, boss."
Aha, it might not look like it but, Zeno really has a short temper.
I was right about warning. Bluebeard to not mess with him. But, still..
Zeno doesn't behave the same way he does around the other girls..
Why..? And.. How..?
B-By.. All this.. Can I hope that.. I am actually a bit more special to him than his girlfriends..?
Oh please, let my fantasies be real•~
I couldn't help squealing to myself, when I gradually felt Zeno's palms clench mine again. He wasn't looking at me and seemingly even this guesture of his seemed to be done by him, subconsciously.
And, though I did manage calming him down, the traces of the initial fear Zeno had on his face, a few minutes back had still not disappeared from him completely.
I sighed and reassured him.
"Zeno, there is no way I would ever come to like Bluebeard or any other guy for that matter.. alright? You must have known that by now.. So, why do you keep-.. "
"Then.. what assurance do I have for that, Anastasia? How can I be sure that you will not leave me anytime in the future..? "
Zeno asked airily while looking at the window.
"W-What..? " My voice broke down.
"I.. It's.. not like you have given me an answer to my confession either..? So, How can I trust you..?"
Zeno said expressionlessly as though they do not mean much to him at all.
But, I know they did. They equally did for both of us..
And, He was right.
He didn't have any assurance that I wouldn't leave him.
I was the villainous step sister of my fairytale and as a prince, Zeno might probably the Male Lead with his own fated woman on his story..
My departure from his life is inevitable if he meets his true heroine like the usual norm of our world. And, He would forget all about me then, and all the feelings he confesses to me would cease to exist when she appears..
But, other than all this... I know, I would never be the person who leaves him voluntarily from his life and the reason is..
I looked at the front abruptly and bit my lips hard in extreme awkwardness.
"Z-Z-Zeno, you can trust me.. because.."
I love you. Idiot.
I love you so much that, I just cannot see another guy other than you on this life. Don't you know that..?
"It's because.."
I love you. Can't you see the way I look at you..? Can't you just open your ears and hear the sound my heart flutters for you..?
"It's because.. "
"...?"
Zeno now, turned looked at me with his blue jewel eyes with his brows raised in question mark.
I love you Zenon Charming!.. I love you so much, you ignorant rock..!
"It's because ... I.. l-l-love... my mom.. Zeno.. "
I spilled breaking out into a awkward chuckle.
"Y-You must remember that our mothers had wanted us to get engaged, remember..? I really love my mom.. So much.. And, I want to honour her by accepting her words.. Ha.. Ha.. "
I managed to squeak to Zeno my 'horrible' excuse when he blinked at me.
"Our childhood.. Engagement..? " He questioned.
"Ha.. Ha..! Yes.! Our childhood informal engagement.. !"
I laughed awkwardly and banged Zeno's broad shoulders loudly.
"Geez, you know.. my mother .. How she's too overbearing and always forces things unto me, right.?..B-But.. Whatever. I still love her, after all. So, I-I have to put up with you, whether I like it or not, I-Idiot!
I might have warned you to not call me as your 'fiancee' in front of others. But, that doesn't mean, I am not one.. Right..?At least in name.." I said pouting and then stammered.
"S-So, of course, I wouldn't leave you.. Well, a-at least you until y-you meet your true fated w-woman.."
"R-Really..?"
"Hmm." I nodded.
"Never..?"
I nodded again hesitatedly.
Though I told him all these things as though I was forced into this agreement, 'unwillingly'.. A bright smile still came over Zeno's face when he heard it.
'Our childhood engagement.. '
"Yes, you are right! That's still the assurance I have to be with you. Though, you might still not be in love with me.. You are still bonded with me through their promise, right..? Oh my.. How could I forget this thing..? This is one of the very few best things my mother had done for me. I am so happy, you are my informal fiancee, Anastasia."
He smiled happily like a kid and, at his cute innocent denseness, I couldn't help but chuckle at him.
My.. Zeno's just so sweet.
His fated woman is really such a lucky girl..
"We are here, master."
Kuro informed from the front seat. And, we soon stop before a tall multifloored building.
We exit the car and looking at the unfamiliar setting around us, I soon remove the thick hood I was wearing just as Zeno who does the same.
Unlike the last time, when I was bearly able to look at his tuxedo with all the crowd and all, this time I was blessed to notice how finely he had dressed up for this date, just like he did at the Spring Festival.
His tux was dark purplish black, in the color of a expensive rum. His milky white shirt peeked in the middle revealing his velvet dark purple tie. His sleeved were lightly rolled up revealing his fair muscular arms and with the naughty smirk he had on his thin lips, Zeno definitely looked like a magnificent dark angel spreading his black wings.
He looked so freaking handsome that, I couldn't even look at him in the eye..!
But, apparently it didn't matter all that then because, the moment I had removed my hood revealing my own luxurious dress, Zeno wasn't exactly looking at me either.
He just quickly averted his eyes to the front and mumbled softly.
"Y-You actually w-wore a pretty gown this time... Huh..? "
I blushed and nodded my head awkwardly.
"Hmm.. Ya.. "
Zeno, then slowly stretched his arm probably for escorting me inside while he rubbed his mouth to cover his light blush.
"Gosh.. If I had known before.. I would have prepared m-my heart more.. "
"What..? "
"Let's get in, Anastasia-chan."
I bit my lips to hide that crazy grin coming up on my face and happily twirl my hand inside Zeno's arm.
I hit his arm playfully after I did that.
"Stop being so cliché, Zeno. You are embarrassing me."
"But, you are still holding my arm right?"
"Shut up and just walk."
"Yes princess.. "
He said laughing and we soon entered the giant reception hall with enormous golden lights.
And... People.. This is what you call as happiness...
_________
Wrong. This is certainly not called happiness.
Though Zeno and I were in a really great mood because of this date and all, everything excalated quickly when, we were met with a group of girls, Zeno's friends. A. K. A. Former girlfriends who had come to the restaurant probably for a girls night out.
"Aaaw!! Are my eyes deceiving me.. Or is it, really Prince Zeno!!?"
"It is! Zeno-chan!!"
"Zeno-samma! Do you remember me!?Ahhh!!"
Four to five group of female friends rushed towards us in a hurry and in a blink of a second I was pushed on the back.
"Wait. What..? "
I blinked in confution at the fast pace everything happened.
But, Zeno was crowded miserably as though he was a celebrity just like how he was admist the crowds and the market place.
"Zeno. Seeing you makes our gathering so fulfilling. Do you wanna play with us! "
"Ha.. Ha.. No. I am kinda in a-.. " Zeno tried rejecting.
"We were planning to go for a karaoke! Wanna join? "
"No. Girls.. I-"
"Zeno, who's that person with you? Your new girlfriend..? It's alright we can join her too."
"......?" I don't need your pity, okay?
They said looking at me with few pitiful as though they were throwing a straydog a few bread crumbs.
I was completely infuriated by all this.
Zeno's palms were still clenching mine and I was namely his date tonight. But, like all the other days, he never bothered to mind me and was more interested in maintaining his image as a player, though even he doesn't look all happy with this interupption either.
This player jerk..
I sneered and rolled my eyes at the sight.
Fed up with the usual routine, I agressively shook my palms from his and walked away towards the car frowning.
Noticing this, Zeno quickly rushed towards me in an alarm.
He then, boldly hug my waist like he was gonna introduce me as his girlfriend and pushed me towards them ignoring all my physical protests.
"Girls, I am already out with this person. So it's a no-no policy. And, you know that."
"You are dating her?"
"B-But... She isn't exactly beautiful.."
"Is she really your girl friend Zeno..? "
They asked me eyeing my entire appearance when, Zeno excitedly opened his mouth in complete agreement of their words.
"Woah! Do we actually look like that..? I mean, for real? Well, in that case..
Yes, she is..!"
"No.I am not."
Two completely contradicting words came from the two of us at the same time. And, resulted with a face slapped look on one person and an utterly bored, 'I am used to this' look on the other.
Zeno's face looked so slouched like a disappointed kid who had expected a giant car toy but, got a boring encyclopedia book instead from his parents for Christmas.
But, unfortunately I was too irritated having to put up all this drama every single time I hang out with Zeno.
So, I repeated again.
"I am not like you, girls. I am not dating this jerk at all. Gosh, I am so hungry. I still haven't had my dinner. So, if you excuse me, I have to go in for our meal which some idiot seemed to have forgotten. So goodbye and have a pleasant day."
I told them with a blank look in a cold nonchalant tone before stalking inside the restaurant without looking back.
"Oh my gosh. Did you just see her arrogance..? "
"She humiliated Zeno-chan!"
"And, she's so ugly like that. Does she thinks she's all beautiful just because she's with Prince Zeno..!? "
"Ugh..my entire day is ruined because of her."
Soon, I overhear tons of complains being flogged at me for being like that. And, Zeno who had no clue why I suddenly became a 'diva' before everyone, rushed back towards me inside the door.
"Anastasia. Wait..! Wait up..! Hua.. Hua.. " Zeno stopped before me huffing and puffing. "What happened? why.. did you just leave me like that so suddenly..?"
"It's because I am hungry. Are you deaf?"
I looked at him with a straight face.
"Ha.. Really..? Anastasia..What happened ..?" He asked more sternly. "Why did you go all weird out there..?" Zeno looked so puzzled at that.
"Weird..?" I stared at him straight in the eye with a blank expression again. "This is the new, me. Get used to it or get lost, you stupid mudhead."
"But-.." I immediately placed my palms on Zeno's mouth.
"Don't talk more, your voice is super annoying."
I said expressionlessly slowly taking away my hands from his mouth and look away.
There was no smile on my face, no frown, my tone remained the same as before, nonchalant. But, yet rude words just wouldn't stop leaving my mouth.
At this, Zeno looked more confused than before.
" 'M-Mudhead'..? 'Get lost'? What's got into you, Anastasia..? You are more rude than usual. Is everything really alright?"
"Yes. I am just hungry, Zeno. Can we get in or should I just leave and get something from the street shops..?"
I stated impatiently.
"Hmm.. Anastasia,... Anastasia.. Wait.. Let me think why you are like this by myself..." He mumbled to himselves and started.
"Anastasia.. You hate crowdy places.. You pout when you are trying to hide something.. You bite your lips when you are shy.. You hate the numbers 5, 6 and 9 because you think they are creepy. You get easily scared of the dark. But, a hug calms you down. Your hair bang points towards the sky when you are alertive and droops when you are sad... You love animals especially cats to an extent that you sometimes behave like one.. And-"
He was still listing the hidden characteristic features even I didn't know, I had in me that, I was completely shocked by all this.
"Idiot! How do you know so much about me..? Are you a stalker-"
I exclaimed abruptly feeling completely creeped out by then, when Zeno stared at me with his bright blue eyes and held my wrist that was warming up to hit his face in embarrassment.
"And, ..You often feel hungry when you are stressed..right?.."
"....."
I blinked but then blushed.
"S-S-Shut up.."
I confess I am honestly very surprised to realize how much he has noticed about me.
"But, you weren't like this at the car. Meaning something happened 'here' that.. "
Zeno soon, dropped my wrist and placed his finger on his chin poundering the events as though he was in serious thinking.
"Wait.. Ah.. "
A completely astonished yet mind blown expression suddenly came over Zeno's face..
"No.. Way..! Don't tell me you were angry with those girls talking with me..!? "
A new understanding dawn unto him.
At this, I smiled at him gently.
It was fortunate for Zeno that, Kuro and Gerold were still watching us from a distance, cause.. at that time, I literally wanted to throw this jerk's head inside the trashcan.
Oh for the love of-
Just how dense will you be Zeno..?!?
And you know about my behavior and habits so well.. But.. Yet, you've found about my feelings related to you only now!!!?
"What?! Never. They are your former friends. Why should I get angry, Zeno..? Are you crazy..?"
I told him looking away abruptly.
"Ya.. But, it didn't seem like you were just simply angry.. As a matter of fact.. "
He started leaning towards me as though he was examining my frowning face and then pointed out with his finger.
".. It.. actually seems like you were jealous that I was with them.." he accused me.
Bravo detective. He's too fast for someone with so much IQ.
This guy definitely deserves a medal.
"Whattt!! No wayy. I-I .. Am actually jealous of you...? A brat..? Are you crazy..?"
I denied immediately with puckered cheeks.
But, Zeno didn't listen to my denials at all.
He immediately grabbed my pouting cheeks and pinched them while, casually turning my head in that position.
"Eh,.. But, you are not looking at me now. So doesn't this mean my suspections are correct..
Anastasia..? Is it really true that you were actually jealous of those girls..?"
He asked curiously playing with my cheeks with a bright smile still lingering behind his lighthearted deamenor.
Ay, why do I feel like this jerk is actually enjoying this..?
My nerve flicked on my forehead and I clenched my fist preparing for another knock on his head when we suddenly heard an elderly voice call us in.
"Your majesty..? Is that you..? "
A very stern yet professional looking old man who was supposedly the manager of the entire restaurant walked out towards us.
He had probably come here personally to honour Zeno, since he's the prince and all. Though his judging eyes bugged me a lot when he noticed me standing beside him holding hands.
"Welcome, your majesty. We have reserved the most luxurious part of the restaurant for you and had made sure none of the other customers are seated close to your seats, just as you have ordered us. As a matter of fact, we have even reduced the number of customers we have today, your majesty."
"Thank-you, Mr Flint. It's a honor for you to do all these things for us. "
"No. No. It's a great honour to share your great merciful's presence, your majesty."
Both Zeno and the manager shared their normal lip services and I on my part smiled my best though, I could feel many angry,
disapproving and disgusted glares on me from the back probably from the waitresses.
They don't even know how I am considering how far we were from hometown. But, I am still treated the same place because of how contrasting I look, in terms of my appearances with this pretty boy.
Well, hmp. I am not there for them anyway.
I thought and walked behind them.
When we got to our reserved table, I noticed a neat round table with two elegant candle lights lit beside a bouquet of flowers.
Luxurious giant red curtains hanging beside us and behind the window glass lied a beautiful view of our glorious town that glimmered like little stars in all the street lights.
The waiter brought us the menu card and we looked into the food list. At this time, The two of us were left alone to ourselves again while Kuro and Gerold stood by the door waiting for us.
"Anastasia-chan.." Zeno grinned holding his menu card while wagging his legs excitedly.
I glared at him not looking up from my own menu card.
"What..?"
"I love you."
He said surprising me when a thick blush quickly gathered around entire face till my neck.
"S-Shut up. Idiot."
I hushed him banging the menu card on the table lightly.
"But, I really do love you, though."
He teased me again pouting.
"I-I know. Shut up now." I repeated.
But, Zeno just wouldn't stop grinning as though he had won a big lottery.
"So, what I mean is.. Don't get jealous of other girls, okay? You are really the only girl who matters the most to me. I would do anything for you, Anastasia. And, you are the only future I could think about on this life. Because.. I.. love.. You.. Anastasia-chan. "
He flirted again as I pressed my forehead in frustration.
Gosh, why is this idiot blabbering like this..?
And, apart from the fact that my cheeks has still not calmed down..
Damn..
Just how can he say all this just like that.. When I am struggling to even say a 'yes' to his confession...
I cursed myself hiding my face with the menu card as a waitress approched towards our table.
Zeno ordered the kind of food the two of us liked personally including the dishes with more sweets for him and the dishes with extra spice for me.
After that, he slowly revealed his face from the menu card, and this was when the waitress who was serving us abruptly dropped the note she was holding in utter shock, surprise and embarrassment.
"Z-Zeno..? P-Prince Zeno.. Is this really you..? "
She said with a flushed face when I rolled my eyes for another drama.
The waitress is probably his ex-girlfriend too.
Ha.. Ha.. How unusual and surprising... Note the sarcasm.
The blank expression I had before sat on my face again. And, I looked at the awkward couple with two exes gazing into each other.
Zeno's girlfriends really are like a bacteria.
They are everywhere!
***
A/N: I know, I took this chapter very humorous because I thought, my story was going through series of drama and pain.
But, like the previous chapters, the concept I included here is not simple nor shallow. The couple are slowly facing a serious issue on their relationship.
And , seeing this illustration on instagram.. I couldn't help posting it here.
This is the kind of relationship the two currently have and.. Just looking how fickle the relationship looks.. It makes no wonder why it might break soon.