Chapter 168 - 166 - Catherine

"Benjamin was like Chris. A foreign student. He met your mother outside the palace. I know it was love at first sight for him but Catherine only sees him as a friend. When I met your mom, I remember it was the day I started avoiding Chris and Lucia."

FLASHBACK MATTHEW POV

I wanted to be alone in a quiet place but my father ordered some of his men's sons who were also studying in this school to guard me. They were always following me, not even giving me any space. I felt so suffocated.

I wanted to talk to Chris and Lucia but my father's eyes were always following me. I couldn't even check my phone to see their messages or answer their calls because those scumbags would tell father about it and he would definitely check my phone. He could even replace my number. I couldn't allow that.. Every time my phone beeps, I know it's either Chris or Lucia. That was the only thing I needed to feel that they were still with me.

I thought of a way to at least distance myself from my father's reach. I'm not hundred percent sure that it would actually work but I have to try. I took some books from one of my classmates and told him that I would return them myself to the library. He just agreed out of fear of course.

When I told those guys that I will be going to the library, they left me alone. I knew it. They hated the library. They were good in fighting but not in studies.

I felt relieved when I finally found a spot to be alone. It was in the corner of the third floor. No one goes there because the books on that area were old and dusty.

I sat on the floor and leaned my back on the book shelves. As I closed my eyes and rested my head, I sighed deeply. I needed this. To get some air for a moment, to have some peace and to be alone. I wanted to run away from my father a hundred times but I couldn't do it. I am a coward.

"What's that sigh for?"

I was startled when I heard a girl's voice. I opened my eyes and turned to her. My eyes widened when I saw how close her face was. She was also surprised when she met my gaze. We suddenly got embarrassed and looked away.

Then I heard her giggled. I was confused and looked at her, frowning.

"I thought I'm the only one who found this place. So who are you running away from?" She asked.

She has straight long brown hair with gold ornaments on the side. Her lips were not red but pink, her skin was flawless white and her eyes were brown like chocolate.

"You're the silent type. I liked that. I'm Catherine." She introduced herself while reaching out her hand.

Catherine? Then I realized who she was. The rumored rebellious princess of Flousia.

"Matthew." I reached out my hand to shake her hand.

I wasn't really interested in her. She was a princess and a stubborn one. She was the only heir of the king of Flousia, yet she seemed not interested in taking the throne. She was always running away from the royal guards and there were a lot of rumors about her.

"Are you Matthew Forelli?" She asked.

I didn't answer but my silence already means yes. She didn't ask further after. We sat on that small corner quietly. For some reason, I think I understand her for a moment.

She was like me. We were both running away from the responsibility that our parents bestowed upon us on the day that we were born.

"Today, I have to forget my friends. They were the only people that truly understood me. My best friend, Lucia, was like my little sister. She was with me when I was lonely when my mom left me. Chris, even though we were friends for just a couple of years, I felt like I knew him for a long time."

I don't know why I suddenly started telling her what's on my mind. I wasn't really sure if she was listening but I still continued.

"Father threatened me that if I stayed with them, he would kill them. I can't allow him to hurt the two important people in my life. I'm here because I felt suffocated. His men were always following me. I couldn't even go to the bathroom alone. I just wanted to have some space and breathe some air. I wanted to check my phone and read their messages."

I wasn't expecting a reply or any reaction from her but it was a good thing that I have someone to talk to. Even though she was a stranger.

"Then do it. Check your phone. I won't tell anyone." She blurted.

I was surprised by her reaction. She didn't judge me from abandoning my friends or scolded me for being a coward, she sat there and listened.

She took my phone from my pocket when I didn't move and opened it. She was bold enough to look at the messages on my phone.

"Matthew, are you okay? Lucia and I were worried." She read the message from Chris.

"Matt, I'm sorry for not being with you today. I know your father asked something you don't really want to do. Please remember I am always here for you. Chris and I will always be here." It was from Lucia.

She read a lot of messages and all of them were from Chris and Lucia, asking me if I'm okay and that they're waiting for me.

"Matthew, I want to ask if I can court Lucia. I know she's like your little sister so I wanted to ask your permission."

I chuckled. I knew from the very first time we met Chris that he liked Lucia but he never took a step forward maybe because he thought I wouldn't allow it.

I didn't realize that I was crying. Who would have thought that the Forelli heir was a crybaby just from reading his friends' messages?

Catherine didn't say a word and let me cry. She leaned her head on my shoulder, her way of consoling me.

"Can I see you again?" I asked her before she left.

She nodded and smiled at me. As she turned around and walked away, I suddenly felt my heart was beating loudly. It was finally beating for someone and I knew at that very moment, I fell in love with her.