CHAPTER ONE

I WANT TO GO HOME, Anthony thought.

He was so tired from working last night, thinking about new drinks and desserts for the cafe. He was tired enough from the start of the day and now that the cafe was closing for the night, he held out a few more hours until he could reach his cozy bed.

"See you tomorrow Anthony", switching the sign from 'OPENED' to 'CLOSED', Alejandro waved goodbye to his boss. "Eric, hurry already."

"Yes, Yes, see you, boss." Eric waved goodbye and ran towards Alejandro and left.

Silence filled the room as the music in the cafe died down. Anthony hated listening to music when he was alone. He pulled a custodian's cart and scurried to the tables.

Anthony sighed at the thought of having to clean late was exhausting. He was lucky enough that he wouldn't need to work tomorrow, it was a Sunday after all.

"Excuse me, may I order a coffee?", a voice spoke from behind him. Anthony hadn't heard the door chime move.

He was a bit startled by the person, but he was suspicious of him too. It was already late when they closed the cafe and a sign had been put out and yet the person still came in.

"Um, I'm sorry but we are closed for the night." The sign already said it.

Anthony thought to himself. He continued to clean the table he was in. It was silent for a moment, and then the footsteps of the person turned towards the door. Thank goodness, I am not in the mood for making coffee right now, Anthony felt relieved.

The sound of the door chime moving comes about, and the small sound of tap when the door closes. Something large falls making a resounding sound, catching the attention of both Anthony and the person. He turned to where the sound had happened.

A tall blonde-haired man, dressed in a tiger jacket, dark brown cargo pants with brandless shoes, 2 chains hanging from one belt holder to the other, and he's smoking.

The man breathed in the nicotine from his cigarette, it's cigarette butt's ash falling onto the newly cleaned floor. The man then exhaled as he took out the cigarette from his mouth and spoke.

"Long time no see, Anthony." He grinned.

Anthony was confused. He was not good at remembering faces, but he was good at remembering names. "Who are you again?"

"Don't tell me you forgot all about me," the man ruffled his head, clearly annoyed at Anthony. "It's me, Brandon, your old pal."

Then it hit him.

All those years of painful wounds, endless tears, abusive words, the person who ruined his life years ago.

He mustered up all the courage to look terrifying to him and manage to keep up his act even though it was clear he was scared, and spoke, "What are you doing here?".

Anthony hadn't noticed the person that was there earlier. It seemed like no matter what he did, he could not leave now.

Brandon was taken aback by his hostility, "Now, now, no need to get so hostile towards me. I'm only here to tell you something."

He glared at Anthony. Grabbing a chair close by, he threw it everywhere, anywhere he could throw it, clearly trying to intimidate Anthony.

Then he hit the lights, lights from the cafe died. It was late so it was dark out, the only thing lighting up the inside was coming from outside. The street lamp and the moon.

"What is it?", He held his whimper. Even with the light from outside the cafe, it was enough to see the eyes of Brandon. Eyes like a tiger eyeing its prey, the light that revealed them. Anthony began to pray.

"Come back to me."

He hadn't understood why Brandon would want him back, but it's not like he would go back to him either way. Right before Anthony spoke, Brandon had already gone.

Anthony dropped to his knees, scared. What is he planning? He clenched his chest, finding a way to breathe.

"Hey, are you okay?".

He looked at the guy. He was from earlier.

"I'm oka-----".

...

How troublesome, Henry thought.

A bunch of questions came to his mind, but knowing better than to pry, he didn't try to ask. The man called Anthony was on the floor and passed out.

Was it fear? The guy named Brandon was scary. Well, it's not really any of my business to know any of it.

Henry stood up, not knowing what to do next. "Man, the coffee here is really good. I'll just come here another time." A tug on his leg stopped him.

"Don't leave...please".

What now?

I took him home.

Henry placed Anthony on his bed and sat on the couch beside him.

Why was he doing this? Free coffee? Even a Prince doesn't get any privilege not to pay. No, that wasn't it. He just felt like it. Felt like saving someone, hoping he'd save him back.

He doesn't look too bad though. Will he be angry at me?, Henry thought.

Henry left the cafe in its state after the guy named Brandon trashed it. The place was vintage. There were tables outside the shop each with a brown vintage style umbrella. It also had a book corner on the left side of the shop where people could buy books. The place was ideal for students and employees to release their stress and chill.

Henry had only visited the cafe three times. The first time he went there was the most memorable memory he had.

He made his way in. A blanket of warm air hit him and the rich aroma of coffee was delectable. He had met the barista. He gave a charming smile and asked for his order. He had ordered a dark chocolate drink.

He also got his favorite book there. It was the only one that caught his eye. He paid for it and continued to drink his drink. And after the third day of coming to the store, he was busy. Like crazy busy.

Henry leaned back, relaxed his muscles, and sighed. What a day.

If only I had known Unc-- Lord Timothy would be there, I would've stayed at home. How bothersome. Just because he didn't get to marry someone, doesn't mean he had to order me to.

Henry clenched his fist, burying up all his anger towards his uncle. It was not worth it. He closed his eyes.

Even if he was only a lord, the person still had lots of connections and of course, money.

"People really would do anything for money, don't they?"

...

Hmm? Where am I? What happened?

Anthony stood up. He squinted his eyes slightly and glanced at the person on the couch. He pulled up the blanket, searching his pockets.

"Where is my phone?"

His eyes snapped open.

"Oh, um, how are you feeling?", the guy asked.

"I'm feeling okay now", Anthony ruffled his hair, confused about what happened. "What time is it now!?".

"Oh, it's already 12 am. You only slept for an hour, you can continue sleeping." The man grabbed a blanket from a cabinet and positioned himself to sleep on the couch.

"Wait," He held out a hand. "Nice to meet you, I'm Anthony." The guy was stunned by what Anthony did. "Can I ask for your name?".

The guy laughed as if it was something so funny. Was the question that amusing that he held his stomach?

"I apologize," the man spoke, "I am Prince Henry of the Kingdom of Wares." He shocked Anthony's hand as he processed what he was saying.

Is this guy serious?

"You're just joking" Anthony spoke out loud.

Now the guy was laughing way too much. He looks extremely amused. Closed eyelids, lines forming at the side of his eyes. Lines form around his mouth, cheeks dimpled. Anthony was flabbergasted by his smile. He never saw anyone who looked so attractive and amused by a question. It looked contagious.

Cheeks raising slowly, Anthony smiled. He had caught Henry's attention. Anthony chuckled and Henry stared at him.

"Your smile is lovely," Henry spoke, still staring at Anthony.

"And you're rude," Anthony stopped laughing, "All I said was something true and you laughed at it." Anthony crossed his arms.

Henry lightly chuckled.

"That's because I am the Prince." Anthony dropped his jaw. He never once thought he would meet someone as royal as him. Anthony stood up from the bed, awkwardly lowered his head, and bowed.

Henry laughed at the sight of Anthony. "There's no need to bow down."

"Can I do anything in return for letting me sleep at your house, your Royal Highness?" Anthony still kept his bow despite what the Prince said.

"Hmm," Henry thought for a moment, "Can you make me a drink?"

Anthony raised his head in confusion but agreed anyway.

...

Hmm, this guy seemed to not know me. I'm quite popular though, doesn't he have a television? Maybe cafe workers earn less.

"Um so," Anthony hesitated.

"What is it?" Henry scrolled through his phone. He had told his butler about Anthony. His butler wanted to take a background check on Anthony.

"What's your family name by the way?"

"It's Tuffin."

"Mm, so what is it? You haven't moved at all". Henry sent his family name to his butler and turned his phone off, and focused on Anthony.

"What kind of drink would you like?"

"Just a Dark Chocolate drink please."

"Oh," Anthony paused for a while to think.

"What's the matter?"

"No, it's nothing."

...

Dark chocolate huh. Seems familiar.

"So Anthony Tuffin," Henry spoke, "who was that Brandon guy?". Anthony paused. He had completely forgotten what happened. That guy.

Anthony swiftly turned to Henry. "What happened to the cafe?! Is it still trashed?!"

Henry stepped back. "It's still messy, but nothing else was trashed beside the lights. I'm sorry I didn't tidy up the place and took you to my house."

"No, it's all fine. I'll call in the repairmen tomorrow." Anthony sighed. He didn't think Brandon would show up randomly.

"So about that guy," Henry probed.

"He's just someone from my past which I wouldn't agree to talking about right now." Anthony continued to make the dark choco drink.

Henry clearly had sensed that it was a sensitive topic. He knew better than to bring up sensitive topics forcefully. He patiently waited for his drink to be finished and continued to ask him some other questions.

The Royal Guards were told to investigate anyone who knew the Royal Family. For safety reasons.

Henry sighed and plopped down his head on the table. "Do you want me to cook anything? Think of it as a thank you."

"Yes please, pancakes please," Henry pleaded.

"Got it."