Chapter 689 - Six Hundred And Eighty-nine: Get Burned By Her Fire
Music recommendation for this chapter: Lewis Capaldi - hold me while you wait.
The third point of view:
And that was it, Akim was done waiting. However, the instant he turned around, lo and behold, Anika was staring back at him.
He was stunned, had she been there watching him all this while? What kind of person was she? Anytime it seems that he was close to figuring her out, she just keeps puzzling and surprising him the more.
Akim came out of the phone booth to stop right in front of her. The whole time she hadn't said a word, just kept staring at him. He wondered if something was interesting about his face.
"You're late," Akim was the first to speak up.
"And you couldn't have more patience, oh you of little faith," she smirked at him.
"I thought you stood me up," Was his excuse.
"And I told you to trust me," She countered.
"I'm sorry," He apologized.
"I'm sorry for being late as well," She apologized, taking gradual steps towards him with Akim doing the same till they were standing right in front of each other.
"So now that we are done with the soapy apologies, are you ready to explore your kingdom, your highness?" she teased him, stretching out her hand for him to take.
"Of course," He took her hand in his, "And you do know the life of the prince of Lincolnshire is in your hands?" he reminded her.
"Don't worry, I'm ready to lay down my life for you,"
Akim laughed at that comment thinking that Anika was pulling his leg, if only he knew that she was dead serious.
"However, before we leave, we have to make sure our camouflage is complete. Imagine your guards catching onto us and cutting our fun short," Anika said to him.
"Oh," He understood her point.
"But don't worry," She patted him on the chest, "I've got you covered. Now come on!" Anika pulled on his arms and took off while Akim followed her sheepishly.
Anika wasn't kidding when she said she had a photographic memory. They forsake the main roads since it was easier to track them down through the cameras, choosing to go through the streets instead.
"Here," Anika led him into a wig store and there, proceeded to camouflage their appearances.
"What do you think about this?" Akim asked, putting on a hipster blonde hair, amused. He had never been this happy and he didn't hold back in expressing it. He never knew freedom was this exhilarating until now.
Turning, Anika burst into laughter upon seeing him," Don't be hilarious," She shook her head in disagreement albeit still laughing, "We don't want to draw attention to ourselves. But stay still," She pulled out her phone and took a snap.
Akim was dazed, he didn't expect that.
"I'll send the picture to you later. That way you can have a memory of this moment and look back to it anytime you feel lonely," she told him.
Akim stared at Anika dumbfounded, how could she read him perfectly? He smiled appreciatively at her and continued his shopping.
Because Akim got his wig first, he spent the rest of his time helping Anika choose a suitable choice. Women are unbelievable, he thought as Anika went over one wig and the other. On the bright side, it gave him more opportunities to take pictures of her. It was fun.
And she was beautiful.
A-hem.
The next store they went into was a clothing line. The clothes sold there were of lower quality yet Akim didn't mind. The experience was exhilarating and he loved every minute he spent there until...
"How do I look?" Anika asked, twirling in front of him.
Akim's eyes scanned her from her head and went down only to rest on her bare thighs and his face heated up immediately. She was wearing bum short.
He cleared his throat, drawing his sinful gaze away from her toned thighs, "You should go change,"
"Why?" She glanced down and saw nothing wrong with her appearance, "What's wrong with it?"
"You just look horrible," He said with no concrete reason.
Anika frowned, "Horrible? How?"
But Akim immediately held her by the shoulder, saying, "You ask too many questions, just go and change," He gently pushed her back to where she came from.
As soon as Anika was out of sight, Akim leaned against the wall, his hand on his chest because his heart was beating too fast.
"What the hell?" he sighed with his eyes closed. Akim ran his hand through his hair, he had to get a grip of himself.
This time Anika came out looking moderate in her off-shoulder top and jeans. He beamed a smile at her with a thumbs up while she rolled her eyes yet had a trace of a smile tugging her lips.
"Where do you want to go first? You should know that we have a limited time before nightfall so you have to choose your priority," She advised him.
"Amusement park," He answered immediately.
"What?"
"I've always wanted to go to an amusement park. It looks fun on television," He said, biting on his lips awkwardly.
"Amusement park it is then," Anika decided, showing no trace of pity for him knowing he was a prideful prince.
This time they were not afraid to step outside since they've altered their appearance.
"Taxi!" Anika flagged down one and entered with Akim glancing down at their intertwined hands tentatively. He pressed his lips together and didn't say anything, letting her do anything she wanted.
For the first time, it was a silent ride with their hands still intertwined. He intentionally stared out the window, lost in his own and trying not to read much meaning into the gesture.
Honestly, he was unsure of his relationship with Anika. The girl was a wildfire that cannot be controlled and that was what he was afraid of - being rejected.
Anika was the first girl he had ever been this close with. One moment it's as if he could sense she's into him and the next he's utterly confused. But then do platonic friends hold hands like this? Akim just prayed he wouldn't get burned by her fire.
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