Mico woke up from a bad dream. Why does he always have to dream about where he came from? He tried to run away from it but it seems that he can never escape from his destiny.
Where am I? What happened to my arm? How did I get here?

There were so many questions that linger on his mind. He looked around the room and according to his instincts, it belongs to a girl. The colors were bright and lively and the furniture in the bedroom was intricate, petite and elegant.

He got up from the bed and went to the corner where the pictures stand. He saw a family picture of four. A woman holds their son of about five or six and a man carries their daughter of about three or four.

But the picture that caught his attention was a picture of a lady. He finds her so beautiful and so elegant. Her smile could melt him to his toes. She looks like an angel.
Wait! She is the lady who helped me! The lady whose name I forgot to ask, the lady who caught my heart at first sight. I thought I could never see her again after I sent her away.
I should go even before I totally fall for her. I don’t even know her. And she will not fall for a stranger like me. I must escape!

On the other hand, Anathea was sitting on a bench in their garden. She is so confused. The king and queen want her to be their successor in spite of the fact that they have many nephews and nieces more qualified than her to handle the position. Ever since she lost her mother, the queen, her godmother, became the mother image to her. She always finds time for her no matter what happens. They may not be fortunate enough because they don’t have any children but then they were happy when Anathea came into their lives.

If the king and queen want her to be their successor, Earl Vincent, her father also wants her to take after him. She doesn’t know who she will please. All her life, her only wish is to have a simple life. She’s always envious of the children she sees every Christmas playing in the snow, she had never done that. For once, she wants to be just her and not anybody she is now.
Then, she suddenly remembers the stranger in her room. The first time she saw him, she knows that she was attracted to him. There was something different in him, something that makes her feel different. Impossible but she thinks she is beginning to like him like love at first sight or rather like at first sight?

She knows that this man is really mysterious. Even if he seems like an ordinary person, she doesn’t think she is. He looks like someone who receives special care. She knows very well how to tell apart royal people to those who are not and she’s pretty sure that Mico belongs to the earlier group. But how come he’s wandering if he has a better life behind him? Could there be something about Mico she has to discover? Something that will drive away the strange side of Mico and will introduce to her a totally different person…

A servant informed her that dinner is already served. She suddenly realized that she will eat alone. Her older brother is so busy in front of his painting materials while her father eats his dinner in his room because he is already half paralyzed. But although he is paralyzed, his ability and capacity hasn’t changed a bit.
She was a bit shock to find two plates in the dining table.
Anathea: Excuse me, for who is the other plate?
Servant: For your visitor, Lady Anathea.
Anathea: The butler told you about him?
Servant: No, your father did. He said it will be rude if you will not invite your visitor.
Anathea: Okay, I’ll just call him.
Servant: Lady Anathea, I’ll do it for you.
Anathea: No, thanks. I’ll just do it myself.
At the same time, Miico was trying to escape. He carefully tiptoed downstairs but on his way down, he met Anathea. He can’t move or say anything. He was just there like a big block of ice doing nothing.

Anathea: Hi! I was about to go and get you in my room. It’s a good thing that I’ve met you along the way.
Mico: Really? Why?
Anathea: Um, it’s just that dinner is ready and I want you to join me.
Mico: Me?
Anathea: Yes, I usually eat alone so I thought I could invite you for a change. Only if you like, if you don’t want to I’ll send you dinner upstairs.
Mico: Sure.

Mico’s heart was already beating very fast. It’s cold but still he feels like he’s on an oven. He doesn’t know why he feels like this. He feels really weird.

At the dining area, Mico acted as a real gentleman. He pulled the chair for Anathea to sit in. Of course, any girl would be flattered and so as Anathea. Silence was all over the place while they were eating. No one has the enough courage to start a conversation. Both of them were stealing glances at each other.

After the meal, Anathea decided at last to start the conversation.
Anathea: I just want to thank you for risking your life for us.
Mico: I did that to repay your kindness.
Anathea: Anything you want to do when we met at the stairs?
Mico: Um, just want to have fresh air.
Anathea: Fresh air? Come with me… I’ll bring you to where you can get it.
Mico: Where?
Anathea: Just come with me.

Together, they went to her favorite spot in the house. She opens a large glass door and alas there was the garden she was very proud of… her garden.
Anathea: We’re here.
Mico: It’s… beautiful.
Anathea: Thank you. We can sit over that bench.
Mico: Do you often go here?
Anathea: Well, I was the one who grew those plants. I take care of them because of my mother.
Mico: For your mother?
Anathea: She was the one who taught me this craft.
Mico: Where is she?
Anathea: She’s gone.
Mico: I’m sorry.
Anathea: It’s all right.
Mico: Look! A shooting star…
Anathea: I’ll make a wish.

Anathea closed her eyes. Put her hands together. Mumbled something only she can hear and opened her eyes again.
Mico: Do you believe that shooting stars can make wishes come true?
Anathea: You’ll lose nothing if you do.
Mico: You have a point.
Anathea: Look another shooting star! Why don’t you make a wish?

Mico did not close his eyes nor did he put his hands together. His heart was the one who whispered his wish to the shooting star.
Anathea: Did you make a wish?
Mico: Yes.
Anathea: Really?
Mico: I let my heart be the one to tell it to the star.
And for some reason, they both laughed.

Anathea and Mico had a good time that night. They enjoyed each other’s company. They’ve talked about the stars and anything that they can talk about.

On that night, Anathea was introduced to the other side of Mico, the funny type. He is the guy who has a extraordinary sense of humor. At first, you can mistake him as a serious type but as you go along, you will see that he is the total opposite of what you’re thinking.

First impressions don’t last. He does have manners. In fact, she saw him as a perfect gentleman that night.

Chapter 4 »