My Evil Crown Prince-Chapter 75: What If

Three days after her encounter with Caden in the music room, he didn’t return to school. She was worried, of course. But she had no right to ask anyone about him. Phoenix and the others were nowhere to be seen, and she guessed their job to protect her was over before it even started.

The rumor about their engagement was still a hot topic among the students and she was still being stared at every time she passed by the hallway. It was hard for her to attend school every day because she was still in grave sadness. But she couldn’t let his parents and Lucas to worry about her.

She had an expression of sad confusion on her face every time she entered the classroom. Seeing Caden’s abandoned seat only added to her heartache.

"Alira, tomorrow is your date with Zen, right?" Samantha asked.

She nodded. "Oh, yeah."

She honestly forgot about it because her mind was filled with Caden’s face. She badly wanted to see him and hold him. If only she could do it so easily.

"Well, good luck!" Samantha smiled.

She just smiled and walked out of the classroom when Lucas came to pick her up. For some reason, her twin brother started taking her to school and picking her up after class. She knew he was just worried, so she didn’t bother to complain.

"Where’s Brie?" She asked.

"Library. She said she had to join a group project and would be home by nine."

She frowned. "And you let her?"

"Is there a reason I shouldn’t? It’s for school and I know how important it is for her." Lucas said.

"You will support her with all your heart?" She asked.

Lucas glared at her. "Look, I don’t see anything wrong in supporting her with her dreams."

"I’m just asking. What if she decides to help with the mafia? Will you still support her?"

Lucas let out a deep breath. "I already thought about it. She was born and raised with the Santelmo Clan. There’s a mafia part of her. And I know she wanted to catch Benjamin, so if she decided to help Caden, I’ll support her and protect her."

"I hope I can make a decision like you." She said.

"You’re still hesitating?" Lucas asked.

She nodded. "I want to be by his side. But I have a lot of what ifs."

"Like what?"

"What if something bad happened to him? What if he dies before catching his grandfather? Or what if the police catch him? Or the government? What if he comes home with blood all over him? What if he got shot or stabbed? I don’t think I can bear it." She said.

Lucas chuckled. "Obviously, you care for him more than anyone. You don’t want to lose him. But do you think breaking up with him is really for the best? Don’t tell me you’re not worried about him. He’s been absent for three days and no one knows where he is."

"W-What? What do you mean, no one knows?" Her heart pounded.

"Elisia and the others had no idea where he went. Elijah called Rock, but they also didn’t know. They said he came to Willow Green three days ago, and he was in a very bad mood. Then he took his car and drove off."

"Did anyone try calling him?" She asked in a worried tone.

Lucas nodded. "I tried. But-" He paused, then dialed Caden’s number.

’The subscriber cannot be reached.’

"His phone was off for three days now. Did something happen?"

Lucas knew that something indeed happened, so she couldn’t lie to him.

She nodded and told Lucas about Zen and her encounter with Caden in the music room.

"Alira, you know he loves you and he was also hurt with your breakup."

"But I was pissed because he was flirting with a girl. So if he’s the one who will flirt and go on a date, that’s okay? But if it’s me, I’m heartless?" She pouted.

"I didn’t say you’re heartless. But you already know the pain of seeing him with another girl. Why would you do the same? Just to prove to him that you can easily find another guy? I’m not siding with him or you. You’re both stupid and childish. Your pride won’t take you anywhere." Lucas scolded her.

Her brother had a point. There’s no doubt that they deeply love each other, but they were both being stubborn. Still, she already agreed meeting with Zen and came to Record Cafe.

"It’s my first time in this cafe." She said.

"Do you like the place? It’s not crowded and got a different ambience than other cafes. It’s called Record cafe because they have a karaoke room here." Zen said.

She saw excitement in his eyes and couldn’t let his mood get ruined. She planned on rejecting him and leave, but seeing how happy he was, she couldn’t do it.

"So you can sing and record your song?" She asked, curiosity piqued.

Zen nodded. "You can sing, you can shout, you can dance, curse, yell. You can do everything, let out your frustrations, your sadness or you can even cry."

She was surprised. Did he bring her there so she could let her emotions out? She thought inwardly.

They rented one of the rooms and decided to sing. Zen had a great voice, and he was fun to be with. But she couldn’t forget about Caden. She thought she could force herself to not think about him just for a while, but she couldn’t.

When she started singing a song by Lady Gaga from the movie, The Star Is Born, she cried.

Lovers in the night

Poets tryin’ to write

We don’t know how to rhyme

But, damn, we try

But all I really know

You’re where I wanna go

The part of me that’s you will never die.

Her voice became heavy with emotion and tears brimmed her eyes.

"I’m sorry. I’m sorry." She sobbed.

Zen quickly supported her to sit on the couch. "Hey, it’s okay. I brought you here so you could cry. I’m sorry. I thought it would lessen the burden in your heart."

"I can’t forget him. I loved him since we were six. I was the one who asked for the breakup and he agreed because he said he didn’t want to force me."

"If you don’t mind, what’s the reason you want to break up with him?" Zen asked.

"I can’t tell you. But I was scared to lose him and I can’t bear to see him hurt."

"So you would rather break up with him and let him marry someone else? Would that really make you happy?"

She didn’t answer because it was obvious she would never accept it.

Zen sighed. "I was supposed to take you away from him. But looking at you, I don’t think you will be taken by any man but him. I don’t know the prince personally and I don’t know the reason for your breakup, but I think you have to make up your mind and talk to him. It’s not too late, Alira. Just think about what you like about him. If you’re scared, tell him. Maybe he just wants you to be true to your feelings."

Her date with Zen ended, and she was embarrassed because all she did was cry. Before she stepped inside the car, Zen confessed to her and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"I’ve been in love with you for two years. I know I have no chance at all, but I don’t want to have any regret. That way, I can move forward without what ifs." Zen said before leaving.

That night, she thought about everything again. She still had a lot of what ifs, but it changed and she only had one answer.

What if Caden found another girl? Will she be happy? Her answer was definitely no. What if she stay with him and he got hurt? Will she not worry? Of course she will, but at least she’s there for him to take the pain away. What if one day he came with blood all over him? She’ll be scared, but at least she’ll be there to clean the stench of blood.

Staying with him would be better than living without him and keep on worrying. Her heart was more painful without him and it’s making her crazy. She felt like losing half of her life without Caden around.

She took her phone and dialed Rock’s number.

"Where is he?" She asked.

"No one knows. And his phone is off." Rock answered on the other line.

"Are you not worried? He’s your boss and no one even tried to look for him? I don’t buy it, Rock. Where the hell is he?" She almost yelled.

Rock was quiet for a moment, then she heard him sigh.

"I’m dead if I tell you, but I’m worried. He’s a mess. He’s here in Willow Green, but I don’t think you should come here."

"And why is that?" She frowned.

"He’s been training with the men for three days straight. He beat them all and I couldn’t stop him. No one could. He’s letting out his anger to everyone." Rock said.