Chapter 21

Nessa's performance was exceptional, everyone was awed and some were even brought to their tears. Then there was Lucas, his complicated emotions played on his face; regret, guilt, and amazement. I kept my mouth shut the whole time.

When the realization of Lucas' scheme hit me like a bitch slap in the face, I couldn't think of a thing to say. It was as if I looked at Medusa in the eye which in result turned me into stone. And I bet Medusa doesn't just stone the outer body, she freaking turns your heart like a rock too. So that was what I felt at the moment, like the lone Statue of Liberty-hard and cold.

Fortunately Prince Jarvis took my mind off for a while. He went on stage without a shirt on, revealing some of his enticing tattoos, then carelessly he pulled the mike from its stand, making the stand fall with a big clank. The judges didn't look impressed. But he ignored them, still smiling like a creep, he put the mike near his mouth.

"I have a bomb that will blow in a minute," he said, then revealed a small, shining, silver ball in his hand.

The judges stood up, the participants gasped, while I just stared, my mind already thinking of ways to leave the room.

"45. .42," Jarvis began the countdown, while everyone looked at each other with a panicked look. "25. .Haha," Jarvis laughed, enjoying skipping the numbers, "9. . 2. .1. .Beep! Beep!"

Someone screamed, and I stood still, wide-eyed. Beside me, Lucas seemed unfazed.

Then the most beautiful thing happened. As Jarvis threw the bomb in the air, it burst midair, revealing millions of small pieces of glitters and some confetti. While the decorations rained on him, he took two sticks from behind his back which ends burst into flames. Like an expert he twirled the sticks which were blazing hot around, throwing them in the air while doing some back flips, cartwheels and three sixties.

The audience and judges couldn't take their eyes off him, hell, I didn't even want to blink my eyes. It was that amazing. After his performance he kicked the stand of the mike, caught it and put the mike back. Everyone clapped, some whistled, girls swooned.

"Thanks." He smirked and turned his back to leave.

"Jarvis finally took our advice," Lucas chuckled but I ignored him. Yeah, I'm being mean, I know.

I felt nervous and jittery because the next performer would be Ria. She told me before that she had failed to pass this challenge because she wasn't able to impress the judges. I was worried but then realized I didn't have to.

Ria, with her usual bored expression stopped walking when she reached the mike. She was dressed in black skinny jeans and a long light blue, long sleeve, polo shirt. A white apron tied tightly around her thin waist, making her outfit look cool.

"Hello, my talent is painting. Give me five minutes tops to paint this room and its people," she said as two men brought in cans of paints, rolled a medium-sized carpet on the floor, settled the big canvass on its stand, then gave her a palette and different sizes of brushes.

The two men haven't even left yet, Ria already started painting, her first action: throwing a can of paint on the canvass. Classy.

No wonder there was a carpet, it was there to make sure the paint didn't go on the marble tiled floor. Afterwards, Ria would occasionally dip her paintbrush in paint and make big and small strokes, sometimes pour some paint again on the canvass.

Everyone was curious to see the painting, seeing how Ria seemed to be just carelessly throwing some paint on the canvass, but we were all mistaken.

5 minutes was up and slowly she turned her painting to the audience. Seeing that she was able to make an outline of the room and everyone in just 5 minutes was impressive. There were even vague images of chandeliers on the ceiling, realistic looking fire lighting them up, tables with white tablecloths, critical looking judges, and of course us. It was beautiful. Ria should be put in World History, the Mona Lisa painting would be put to shame.

Everyone obviously applauded. Eric even whistled. "That's my girl!"

Ria apparently heard this and discreetly threw him the middle finger as she was bowing down to the audience. Eric, amused, only winked back.

I could see Nessa jumping up and down as she hugged Ria. They spotted me and beckoned me to come but for some reason I didn't want to go. I gave them the double thumbs up in return.

"That was spectacular," Lucas tried to talk again to me, "Your roommates are really talented."

"Of course, but you already knew that," I replied sarcastically. Shit. I bit my tongue hard. Jeez, why can't I just shut up?

Lucas was taken aback, he scrunched his eyebrows, as he turned his attention towards me.

"Clarissa, are you mad at me?"

"Maybe," I replied honestly.

"Why?"

We looked at each other for a long time, him reading my eyes, as I glared at him. "Don't fool me Lucas, I know what you're up to."

"I don't understand." He looked genuinely confused, but I wasn't going to be fooled again.

"Nessa," I said, giving him a clue, "Nessa, your best friend since childhood."

It must have hit him hard because he breathed in sharply. Then with a solemn look, he took my wrist and pulled me outside. He let go of me when we arrived at an empty balcony, immediately turning his back to me, his hands clutched on the railings hard.

He chuckled for a while. "Of course you know. I was hoping you would figure it out later though."

"Why Lucas? Why do this to Nessa?" I gritted my teeth as I demanded for answers.

"I'm protecting her."

"From who?"

"Anastasia."

From then I finally understood. He was blackmailed by the daughter of the witch. It all made sense now and it made me feel relieved. Relieved that Lucas wasn't evil.

"And you think Nessa would want this?" I asked and crossed my arms. "You think it's best to suddenly leave her side? And for how long? Forever?"

Lucas turned around, his face cold. "You don't understand. If I didn't leave her, Anastasia would have done worse. You probably heard how Anastasia hurt her. I never want to see her that way again."

I glared at him, shocked at how stupid and gullible he could be. "The only reason why she was devastated was because you left her! She thought you believed the rumors and suddenly didn't want to be friends with her anymore!"

Lucas eyes widened, then for a brief moment confusion etched on his face until he composed himself again. "I still can't be with her. You see Clarissa, I was trained to be the perfect prince. Every fucking single day, I wake up early to do my duties and it had to be perfectly done. I'm dictated what to do by my father and I do his wishes like a dog. They want me to marry Anastasia then I'll fucking marry her because I was told to. Why? Because my father is someone you would not want to mess with. Therefore my life is like hell, non-different from a robot. I-"He hit a fist on his chest hard, looking at me intensely. "I don't have a fucking choice."

I stared back at him shocked. I never thought he was unhappy with his life. He was always smiling like a charming perfect prince, and it had looked real.

But I couldn't show pity on him now. It was for his sake.

"You're a coward," I said as strongly as I could.

Hurt flashed in his eyes, shocked by my hostility after he pretty much confessed to me his personal life.

"So you'd be a dog for the rest of your life? You think Nessa wouldn't marry someone else other than you? You're a fucking coward"

Lucas was angry now, his fists were balled at his sides because I said the truth but being the gentleman that he was, he fortunately didn't punch me, he punched the wall instead. It cracked and I could see blood flowing from his knuckles.

"It's not that easy Clarissa-"

"Don't talk to me, I'm done with this." I turned around, my heart clenching with hurt.

"Why are you doing this?" His voice was pained. "After what I just told you-"

I turned around quickly as I snatched a knife that was strapped on my thigh and threw it at him. It missed his head by half an inch and engraved itself deeply on the wall. His eyes widened, and he remained stoned.

"Don't speak to me ever again, you coward."

I turned my heels fast, I had to go before he sees my tears. Being a bitch really was hard but I was acting like this for him. Lucas had been my good friend. He was probably using me, but I knew that all of those weren't exactly lies. He was a good person. A good person that deserved a good life. He should realize that he'd only be miserable for the rest of his life if he didn't confront his dad.

I paused against a railing, breathing hard, my heart still aching. There were footsteps, particularly heels clicking towards me but I didn't look up until they talked to me.

"What were you doing with my fiancé earlier?" Anastasia asked, her arms crossed over her chest. Her two friends with caked make-up did the same, looking at me with suspicious eyes.

I stood up, ready to leave. I'm afraid that if I'd stay there any longer, I would really kill her.

"I'm not in the mood for a bitchy fight. Leave me alone." I started walking away.

I should have known that Anastasia wouldn't leave me alone that easily. I screamed as I felt my hair being tugged backwards.

"Don't you dare disrespect me you peasant!" She pulled on my hair harshly and I immediately clutched back on her wrist hard turning it, making her scream and let go.

Bitch, you're really asking for it.

I jumped on her furiously and we rolled on the ground, screaming at each other ill names, scratching, punching, and kicking one another. The bitch was strong but I was stronger. I was about to break her nose when someone lifted my arms and carried me away, holding tightly on my waist.

I struggled to break free, not knowing who was holding me. "You fake looking barbie bitch!! I'm going t-"

I felt a stinging pain on my arm. I glanced at the syringe that was punctured on my shoulder before my eyes rolled back, darkness engulfing me.

***
"When will she wake up? You put too much sedative Tom!" A familiar voice chided.

"I'm sorry your majesty, but I'm pretty sure she'll wake up anytime now."

I groaned, slowly opening my eyes. I felt pain all around my body, especially my head. What happened again?

Right, I was drugged.

I bolted upright and took in my surroundings. I was in a small room, sitting on a comfortable sofa, but what I didn't expect was a queen sitting across me.

"Queen Dianne," I gasped.

Her eyes snapped towards me worriedly, "You're finally awake Clarissa, I'm sorry that you have to wake up in such an uncomfortable room and scenario."

"It's okay, your majesty," I replied, blinking my eyes. Damn, my head hurts. "Is there a reason why I'm here?"

Personally I thought I'd wake up in Carlos' room and get scolded.

"Yes," she answered then looked at her servants, "Tom and the rest of you. You may leave now."

They left after bowing their heads.

I studied her expressions and body language. She was nervous.

"I need you to do me a favor and it's something only you can do."

This got me curious. What could Gavier's mother possibly want from me?

I nodded seriously for her to go on.

"I need you to make Gavier consider talking to me," she said almost quietly.

"W-why? Why can't you just talk to him?" Then I remembered when we last met. She told me Gavier hates her.

"I-it's my fault," she answered, covering her mouth with her long fingers. Tears began flowing from her eyes. "I broke him. He would never forgive me for what I've done. But it's been 10 years since I've talked to him. I'm desperate."

"I don't understand," I quickly said, panicking. I wasn't sure if I should comfort her or not since she was a freaking queen.

She looked at me in the eyes. "Promise me, you'll hear through the whole story."

I nodded slowly. "I promise."

She wiped her tears with a handkerchief then cleared her throat. "Years ago, when Gavier was five I had a baby girl, we named her Cecilia. She was adorable, everyone loved her, Gavier especially got attached to her. He would always go to her room and watch her then sometimes play with her. He was such a sweet brother, he would sing until she falls asleep. Cecilia wasn't a timid baby, she would always be crawling around, spill stiff and break things. She was a curious little thing, and I've always thought she'd be an intelligent and adventurous woman when she grows up."

"O-one day though I left her on a chair, in my haste to go somewhere," her mouth quivered as she said this, tears began forming in her blue eyes again. "I was having an affair with my husband's friend, then while I was kissing him, little did I know what I could have prevented from happening then."

My fists clenched. How could she do this to Gavier?

She must have felt my animosity, because she reached to hold my hand. "You have to know that my husband and I had been fighting then. I also saw him hugging another woman. And it made me mad but unfortunately also made me stupid."

Yes, at least you know.

"The next thing I know was Gavier rushing to me, carrying Cecilia in his arms, with blood running down from her head. He was panicking because he didn't know what to do. He was only eight, in need of my help. And there he was desperately crying when I saw him, while I was enjoying being in another man's arms. I could never forget the look in his eyes. Oh my god, I scarred him for life. We rushed to Cecilia but it was too late, she lost too much b-blood from the crack from her head. Gavier said he h-heard a cry and that she had f-fallen from the chair."

I took my hand from her grasp and stood up while she bawled. "I-it's my fault! My fault. But Gavier. . Gavier still blames himself till today. From that day on, he never spoke to me, he also never spoke a word of what he saw to his father. Everyone knew it was just an accident."

I couldn't take it anymore. "Why? Why are you telling this to me?" I asked angrily.

She finally looked at me. "Because you're the first woman he ever talked to since that incident."

I closed my eyes, feeling hurt and angry at the same time. How much pain did Gavier go through when he saw his sister die? How much tears did he shed? How hurt must he have felt when he saw his mother with another man? How? How was he able to live on?

I just want to go run to him right now and hug him.

I gave Gavier's mother one disgusted look before I walked towards the door. I hate her.

She caught hold of my arm. "Please Clarissa, please convince him to talk to me. I beg you," she cried.

Is she nuts? Why would I do that?

"If I have to kneel down then I would do so. Please, I've suffered enough. I want to talk to my son." Her voice cracked.

She kneeled. The beautiful queen kneeled down to me. For some people, it would make them feel glorious or accomplished. For me, it only made me feel guilt and pity.

I pulled her up. "Fine, I will do it. I'll do my best. But it will still be his choice."

"Thank you!" She pulled me in a tight hug. "You don't know how much this means to me. If it's you, he'll definitely agree."

I gave her a small smile. "We'll see about that. Now if you excuse me."

"Thank you again Clarissa. You're a wonderful girl."

I didn't look back. Before I know it, I was running desperately, almost as if I needed air. I barged in a familiar door without even knocking.

"To what pleasure do I owe to see you, Clarissa? I could have been naked, for god sake, or perhaps you'd like to see me with nothing on."

Gavier barely finished his sentence when I ran into his arms to hug him tightly. And for some reason, I really didn't want to let go.

Sorry for the late update again guys. I'm apparently really sick. Like sick as in Bronchitis and even the doctor said it might be even worse: pneumonia. Don't worry I think I'm getting better though.

What do you guys think of this chappy? Vote and comment away! Love ya, and stay tuned for the next chapter, don't worry I won't make you guys wait long. ;)