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His majesty R.E.C. and I watched Emilia Morte and Esteban Gonçalez as they headed towards the Tower of Hercules, enjoying their last minutes in Coruña before they eloped for a long time from the city.

I smiled in their direction, noticing the relatively few number of early tourists were actually admiring them with happiness.

A crying bride and her flute prince. Wow.

I kept on observing them, as I eyed how they ascended up the tower towards the last floor where they both stood out, observing the beauteous ocean of Coruña under the effect of the sunlight. 

"Weird, are they permitted to go up there?" I found myself mumbling to myself. I mean, it's a historical monument after all. 

In a second, I felt a warm, vibrantly impactful presence so close to me from behind, and yet I turned not, as the hair at the back of my neck stood up erect.

"As Emilia used to come here a lot, I am assuming she has some paid connections from the security team." His cold and composed voice came from behind me. 

I fidgeted, not turning around, as I eyed the couple up in the tower again. 

And my heart warmed up. A lot. 

My cheeks flushed, as I bit my lips in... affection, observing Emilia's bright smile as she kissed Esteban while wrapping her hands around his neck. 

Her bridal veil swayed with the wind, and I could see Esteban's smile as well, as he tightened his hands around her. 

A quick recap of all the incidents of the past twenty four hours shot to my mind, and I suddenly found myself tearing up. 

Wow, it's been a long time since I'd gotten such a feelings from observing a couple... 

But somehow I couldn't help it...

This particular thought lingering at the back of my head...

...that such a connection to another person seemed... nice? 

To have someone willing to go with you to the end of the world... Someone who'd give up everything for your happiness... And someone who... is your happiness itself. 

I leaned back against him, sticking myself against him shamelessly. 

He didn't seem to mind that. 

No, not at all if anything. 

His hands moved up, as they rested on either sides of my shoulders. 

It didn't escape me that he looked left and right, careful if we were being watched. 

"You do realize we might be under supervision," His lips came close to my ear, and his warm breath sent shivers across my skin. "Hm?" 

My tummy clenched at his throaty hum, and to the mere listener, his tone would almost be mistaken for someone who's actually bothered by our position.

And yet, his hands only gripped tighter on my shoulders.

I wet my lips, still eyeing the couple up as they kissed passionately. "Hey, Mr. Ellington," I whispered peacefully, "Do you have any idea what they might be talking?" 

From over my ear, his lips, for a second, went a mild spasm, as he hummed seductively, again. "Why are you interested?" 

I flushed at his cold, arrogant, yet slightly amused tone. "I-I'm just curious if things worked out! That's all!" I uncomfortably blabbered.

A few moments of silence passed, and I just relaxed slightly in his arms, as I eyed the ecstatic couple at the top of the tower.

"Mi brújula va siempre dirige mi a tu."

I froze at the sentence which had escaped the handsome adam behind me. Wanting to shift and turn to eye him and ask him what it means, his grip on either my shoulders froze me.

This... This sentence...

And he kept his lips against my ear.

"My compass," He paused, and that pushed me to subconsciously look at the compass we were standing on, only to notice we were actually standing at the center. "Will always lead me to you."

My eyes widened at his words, and I felt my heart warm up like some mad forest fire, as I gulped softly.

This...

Why does it feel so weird in my... chest?

Why is it clenching so hard...?

And what did he just... say?

"That's what Esteban is probably saying." He mouthed, cutting my series of thoughts, as he kept his tight grip over either my shoulders.

"Do you have any idea what Emilia might be saying back, Charlotte?"

My eyes widened at his haughty, freezing, yet astonishingly captivating tone. 

Slowly, as I eyed Emilia's smile, and remembered what I told Esteban earlier about her happiness, my heart clenched in a weird mixture of... emotions. 

Subconsciously, I found my right hand moving up towards his face at my right ear. 

My fingers, as gently as possible, made contact with his jaw, and angled cheekbones, as they ran over his skin very softly, like a cherry blossom petal.

"Please never let me go, for my own safety," My voice came low, yet as ingenious and genuine as possible, "Because that would only make me miserable."

He stiffened under my touch and words, yet didn't move an inch.

"And because I know for sure, that it is beside you where I feel the safest."

The words had escaped me in the most raw and vulnerable tone I've ever had. They were straight from my heart, as I eyed Emilia's tearful smile while she hugged Esteban, tight enough as though she's never going to let him go.

From above my ear, the Adam's lips moved slightly, as though he wanted to retort with anything. And yet he had no particular vocab on mind. I could tell he hadn't seen such an answer coming.

If anything, I didn't expect such an answer myself, as for a second, it seemed to represent me more than Emilia herself. 

Silence fell on us at this, and I fidgeted. Did-Did I get Emilia's response wrong for him to go silent? 

"U-Um, won't Esteban answer anything to this?" I mumbled in a flush. 

His right hand moved from my shoulder at this, as it extended across my chest and towards my other shoulder. 

And he pinned me back towards him, clearly hugging me tightly from behind.

"You're such a fool." He mumbled, his tone freezing.

I gasped, "Huh?!" Moving fast, I turned towards him, "That's really what he'd be saying?!" I frowned. And at this, I realized how near our lips were because of our position. 

I gasped, remembering his words about someone possibly watching us. 

Fidgeting, I directly moved to turn back, "Uh, s-sor-"

My words disappeared, as his hand moved from my shoulder and towards my face.

As he whipped it in his direction, slightly forcefully.

"I bet that is what he would say."

His words had come out concise, authoritative, and absolute.

And his lips captured mine, in one deep and dominantly raw kiss.

It was a weird kiss.

Not our usual pecks. Neither one that deepened gradually.

It was a hungry one.

One that wanted to claim my lips here and now.

Regardless of all the tourists around us.

Or all the possible stalkers that were watching us.

"Because Emilia would veraciously be a fool if she thought he'd ever release her so simply."

He didn't give me the chance to gasp, as he kissed again. Deeply.

And this time, I was no longer surprised.

But rather drugged, as I moved my hands up, wrapping them around his neck so tightly. Closing my eyes, I kissed him back with everything I knew. Like there was no tomorrow.

I did not know what it was about this kiss that was different.

The intensity, the possessiveness, the depth, the rawness, or the... raving yen it held.

In every single inch of my body, every single corner of my soul, I had felt it all.

What he had been concealing for the past two weeks.

All sorts of overthought, plans, strategies, details, schemes, scenarios, standpoints, and even... uncertainties the almighty he might have had...

They were all showing in how frantically he was kissing me, and how fiercely his tongue was moving to... devour me.

I was thankful we didn't look as odd or standing out, because we were rather surrounded by couples taking pictures, and we looked like a casual couple among them.

My eyes snapped slightly open at my own thought.

Couple...

A thought occurred to me at this, one more random and unexpected than I've ever thought was possible for me.

Somehow, it was as though I was becoming involved in this Emilia and Esteban impersonation a bit too much.

And weirdly enough, I didn't... dislike it?!

What the hell?!?!

I pulled back slightly, and he fixed me with his complex, sharp, and glacial orbs, as he gave me a centimeter of space between our lips.

Letting out a shaking breath, I fixed his gaze back, aware that my look mirrored all the conflicting and... craving emotions that were dancing within me.

"I think we're forgetting something," I panted, laying my forehead against his, intentionally brushing my lips against his as I spoke, "Something Emilia or Esteban should have told the other countlessly by now..."

Wait, what... was I saying?

The hell was I even talking about?!!

What more did Emilia or Esteban has to say?!!!

I mean, they have been separated for a month, they saw each other again, about to elope, they're telling each other they won't give up on one another anymore, what more would they say to show each other how much they loved-

My thoughts halted, as a blink escaped me at my own thoughts.

Could I be...

Hinting at that sentence?

One that declared the feelings straight out without the need for any other actions...?

Was this what I... had at the back of my mind...?

From before me, the man of steel neared me a spec of a millimeter, as though asserting his dominance as he spoke.

"Is that so?" He let his full lips brush against mine casually, "Do enlighten me what we have missed out."

I gulped, feeling myself drown in his gaze, as his warm touch caressed my heart.

Wetting my lips, my tongue brushed against his lips in the process, and his eyes darkened at this, as I parted my lips. "I... I-"

Before I could continue my sentence, my employer's gaze shifted to our right, and we straightened, seeing Emilia and Esteban were coming in our direction at this.

I flushed, as I avoided their happy looks at us. Goodness, just now... what... was I going to say...?

"Señorita!" Another voice came from behind me at this, and turning, I saw it was Alba with relief all over her face. 

Grinning, I hugged her softly as she approached me, "Alba!" 

"I am very sorry for being late, Señor Ellington. It took me some time to get Señor Morte's men lost after noticing they're following me." She reported seriously. 

My employer nodded silently, keeping his poker face as the couple reached us by now. 

"We're ready to go!" Emilia announced, "Alba, did you get me my papers and important documents?" 

Alba nodded, handing Emilia a handbag, as she moved to hug her tightly. "Estoy mucho contenta por tu, Emilia. Te queiro mucho, cariña. Permaneces segura, por favor."

**Estoy mucho contenta por tu, Emilia. Te queiro mucho, cariña. Permaneces segura, por favor.: I am very happy for you, Emilia. I love you a lot, darling. Stay safe please.**

Emilia smiled wholeheartedly, as she tightened her grip around Alba. "Graçias de mi y mama, Alba. Permaneces segura tu también, eh?"

**Graçias de mi y mama, Alba. Permaneces segura tu también, eh?: Thanks from me and mom, Alba. You stay safe too, eh?**

Alba nodded, and at this, Emilia turned towards me, as she hugged me tightly, taking me by surprise a bit. "And you. I might have not known you for long, but I already like you so much from what Esteban told me." She smiled at me, as she neared my ear at this.

"Oh, and I am rooting for you, si?"

I blinked, flushing as she winked at me while straightening.

Turning towards my employer, she grinned at him. "So, shall we go, mi amigo?"

Rickard Ellington shot her a freezing look, and Esteban just smiled at his lady's reckless attitude, as they moved.

"I'll be ensuring a safe elopement of Emilia and Esteban," His majesty announced, as he shot Alba and I a glance, "You may wait for me here or do some sightseeing. Stay cautious, though."

Alba and I nodded, as we eyed them leaving.

Smiling gently, I let out a long sigh as I stretched, eyeing the pacific ocean before us. "Phew!!! Our third shareholder so far! This is amazing!" I cheered.

From beside me, Alba nodded silently, and at this, I eyed her gloomy expression, seeing she was eyeing the compass beneath us. "Um, Alba?"

She shifted, letting out a breath as she moved on the compass slowly.

"This place was where Filberto told me he loved me years ago, and where he proposed to me last year."

I blinked, my eyes widening.

Filberto...?

I remembered Alba's earlier talk about the love of her life, and how nostalgic she seemed as she eyed images of him in Esmeralda's household.

Her beautiful jades shone under the sun, and I could see a clear tear layer fogging them slowly, as she eyed nothing in particular.

"This compass is known as Rosa Dos Ventos, or Compass Rose..." Her full, red-lipstick colored lips quivered, as she moved to stand at one of the compass needles, which was directly pointing at the ocean. "So somehow, after he told me he loved me, we came up with this thing where he would call me the..."

Her voice broke at this, and I saw a small smile crossing her lips, as a tear strolled down her face, yet she attempted holding it back.

"The rose to his compass."

My heart sank at this, as I eyed her in sadness. "Alba..."

She tried composing herself, as she turned towards the ocean, and the intermix of the sun, the ocean, and her eyes reflected ultimate perfection.

"He would always tell me that this is where he first found me, his rose, here." Her voice shook, and yet my heart sank further at the fact that she was smiling throughout all the pain in her heart, as though she was remembering her memories with her love here. "And that he always will."

For some reason, my brain on its own remembered Emilia's words. Woah... So for Emilia, she was among the roses that found their compass today, eh...?

Alba chuckled softly at this, catching my attention again, as I saw she was genuinely smiling through her tears at the ocean before us.

"Ah, Filberto, he... was such a weird guy..." She eyed nothing in particular, and I saw how she just wanted to speak in this spot which meant a lot for her.

"He used to bring us here during midnight to eat burgers, even though we would actually be trespassing..." She shook her head. 

"On days where we would have dangerous missions, he would bring us here in the morning to train because he called this place our 'power couple spot'..." she chuckled, and yet another tear strolled down her cheek. "Oh, and... after a long tiring day, he'd just bring me here on sunset, make me sit down between tourists, and just sleep on my lap!" She chuckled again, as more tears came down, "And I would have tourists approach ask me if he's okay while he acted as though he needed care... The devil..."

I eyed her silently, as I saw her figure quiver in agony, as though she was trying so hard not to break down.

I looked around, wanting to get a tissue or something to cheer her up.

I found none, and I frowned, realizing there wasn't much tourists around us, and all that were existent, were at a far circumference from us. Weird, although the time was nearing noon...

Alba shifted again at this, as she looked at her legs, as though eyeing the tip of the needle she was standing on.

"Oh and he always insisted we stand on either sides of this needle," she gestured at the other side, which was pointing towards the land.

Closing her eyes, she turned, as she placed her hand on her heart, pressing there.

As tears starting falling down softly over her cheeks.

"Because he would say that one tip of the needle pointed at the sea, while the other at the land." She tried forcing a soft smile while she kept her eyes shut, as though she was trying to relive the memory. "And that was our relationship resembled most, according to him."

I blinked, as for a second, the crowd around us seemed to be getting more distant.

"W-We fought a lot sometimes," She sniffed, still closing her eyes, and her smile remained, "But we always made up because we were mad about each other." Her lips quivered, and my heart ached as I saw she was pressing her hand to her chest in so much pain.

I bit my lips, attempting to hold my tears in.

Alba... this pain you hold is so heartbreaking, my God...

"Just like the sea shot a lot of waves at the shore, and the shore rejected the sea a lot..." Her expression crumbled at this.

Alba's voice snapped me back to her, as I saw her tears were strolling down and she was shaking.

"Yet at the end of the day, both could not exist separately..."

She sniffed helplessly, and my heart just sank. 

As it just occurred to me how love stories existed in different and unique forms.

And how they had the power to manifest themselves in us, so deeply, to the point that they'd invade our consciousness and soul. 

How vividly Alba was reminiscing on every detail of every memory she had with Filberto, how... deeply she seemed to feel every word, and how... engraved every sentence seemed in her soul... 

It all broke my heart, as I moved towards her.

And yet, a second before I reached her, my attention was caught from somewhere afar.

At a particular scene.

And I halted my pace at this.

A silhouette was approaching us from between all the distant crowd around us.

Apparently Alba had noticed my sudden stop, and her crying abruptly ceased, as she followed my gaze.

Milliseconds felt like decades at this particular moment.

And a mad shudder crossed her.

As he approached us.

And my eyes widened, as his features started matching those of another man's in my memory.

Blond hair.

Tanned skin.

Bright green-hazel greens.

Impressive figure and height.

This... no way...

A memory of Alba Graçia, months ago, as she hugged her phone while crying, shot to my mind.

Particularly, the picture on her phone back then.

My phone suddenly buzzed in my pocket at this. 

Pulling it out, I gulped at the caller's ID as I picked up, keeping my eyes pinned at