Chapter 226 - After Twelve Years

ALIRA POV

Twelve years had passed since I got engaged to the crown prince of Flousia, Caden Hulls Richards.

We were six when we agreed with our parents to have an engagement. Caden's mother, Aunt Peggy, decided to keep us apart until we reached eighteen.

We didn't deny the idea and just went with the flow. That time, Caden promised that he would never forget about me. And that he would marry me someday.

In the first few months, we were allowed to call and text each other. But things got complicated when we were caught talking until midnight. My grades went down, and dad wondered why.

My twin brother Lucas was the one who told my parents about me talking to Caden until midnight. Mom got mad and took my phone away from me.

Then, we were just allowed to send emails and letters to each other. For five years, I continuously received one every day from Caden. I was happy that he was keeping his promise.

In the sixth to the tenth year of being apart from each other, the emails and letters became fewer. I would sometimes receive one or two in a week. Dad said that Caden started his prince's lessons, and he was just busy.

So I waited. But from fewer letters and emails, it went to zero. I have never received anything from him for the past two years. It made me wonder if he changed his mind and decided not to continue with the marriage.

I sighed. The class was already over, and I was preparing to leave when Lucas came to pick me up.

When he went inside the classroom, my classmates were drooling over him. We were twins, but he looked more like dad, and I looked more like mom.

"Are you ready?" He asked.

"I just have to give this to the professor. Can you wait for me in the parking lot?" I said.

He nodded, then left.

"Your brother's so hot. Does he have a girlfriend?" It was Lea, one of my friends.

"I don't know. He never told me he has one." I answered.

Lucas was so protective of me, so I don't think he had the time to have a girlfriend. But I sometimes wonder if he like someone.

"What about you, Alira? Are you still waiting for that prince? It's been what? Twelve years? Are you sure he's still single?" Cassy asked.

I sighed and decided not to answer the questions.

"I don't even get what's the purpose of getting engaged then keeping you apart after. Your parents were really weird. Alira, you're pretty and too damn hot. A lot of guys were already waiting for you. You just keep on distancing yourself because of a stupid promise from a six-year-old boy." Samantha ranted.

My friends were always like this if the topic was Caden. Maybe I was foolish to believe in him. We were just kids back then. I shouldn't have expected that he would be the same after twelve years.

"How about we go to a dating party?" Cassy suggested.

"W-What?" I was surprised.

The girls got excited and waited for my decision.

"Come on, Alira! Aren't you tired of waiting? What if he was already enjoying himself in the arms of another woman? Don't be stupid." Lea frowned.

I sighed. I know they have a point. The engagement happened a long time ago, and I have never heard anything from Caden for two years now. His parents were on vacation, so I didn't have a way to ask about him.

"Fine. But just this once. You know I hate doing something like that." I answered.

We went to a karaoke bar after class. I told Lucas that my friends and I had decided to have some fun since exams were over. He hesitated at first, but I promised him that I would call one of our drivers to pick me up after we were done.

When we came into one of the rooms, there were already four guys inside. They were from a different school, and one of them was Samantha's boyfriend. 

"Guys, this is Alira Wilson. She would be joining us today." Samantha introduced me.

The guys looked decent and nice, so I casually sat down and started chatting with them.

"Are you the daughter of Luke and Alora Wilson?" One of them asked.

I nodded and smiled.

"Wow! You're an heiress! My name's Ace. I'm not an heir to some rich clan, though." He said while reaching out his hand.

Ace looked like a younger version of Tom Cruise. He was friendly and talked to me like I was not someone from a wealthy clan. I actually like people who never treated me like an heiress.

I reached out my hand to his and gave a sweet smile. I don't know why I suddenly felt at ease chatting with him, maybe because he was fun to be with.

"So Alira, do you have plans on Saturday? We were planning to go to Northbay City Mall and just look around. You want to join us?" Samantha's boyfriend asked.

"Ahm, I'm not sure. I have to ask permission from my parents." I answered.

Mom would let me, but dad and Lucas would definitely disagree with it.

"Come on! Ace would be happy if you were there." Lea teased.

I blushed, then glanced at Ace. I was surprised that he was also staring at me.

"I'm not forcing you. But I would be glad if you would join us." He murmured.

"O-Okay. Then, I'll join you on Saturday." I answered.

Ace and the others screamed with joy when I agreed to come with them. We continued to enjoy our little party and decided to have a drink. We're already eighteen, and mom allowed me to have only one shot every time I'm with my friends.

I enjoyed the company of my friends and Ace; I didn't realize I had more than one drink. I started to feel dizzy, and my head felt so light.

"Alira, are you okay?" Ace asked.

"I don't think I could stand up. I need to go to the bathroom." I said in a raspy voice.

Ace stood up and leaned forward to hold my waist to support me. But before he could touch me, we were startled when a man with a dark expression on his face suddenly barged into the room. 

"Try touching her, and I swear you'll be dead." The man said with gritted teeth.

My eyes widened when I saw who it was. 

"C-Caden?" That was the last thing I said before I lost consciousness.