Chapter 20: CHAPTER 18.0: Lunch Break

“I’m glad you enjoyed your classes so much,” Lexus replied after I went on and on telling him about how much I loved them and everything I learned today. “You were really focused on our piano lesson.”

“Yeah, I was hyper focused…” I mumbled. “It was exciting. I haven’t learned a new instrument for a while.”

He looked concerned. “Hyper focused? Did you take your meds this morning?”

I looked away nervously. “No… I was so excited for the day I forgot to but it’s fine. Hyper focusing isn’t the worst thing.”

“It was hard to get you to want to leave, the lesson went on for another twenty minutes. You must be hungry right?” It wasn’t like he was my boyfriend so it was hard seeing him care so much when he would only be my boss or something like that.

“That’s because time went too fast.” I sighed. “Yeah, I am hungry... I’ve been hungry for a while. I’m supposed to be the one looking after you, it’s my job.”

Lexus rolled his eyes. “That doesn’t mean anything Aqua. If I have to remind you every morning to take your meds, then I will.”

I looked at Arma who was staring at us as she slowly walked. “Arma, hey are you hungry?” I asked.

Arma stopped and walked in our direction. “Yeah, and I just got off, why?”

I looked at Lexus. “I’m going to get a bite to eat with Arma. Is that okay or are you going to need me?”

Lexus stuffed his hands in his pocket. “You can go, I don’t have much to do today so I’ll be fine on my own until you’re done with your lunch break.”

I walked off with Arma. “You too are getting pretty close right?”

“As close as we need to be. Cade was close to Lexus when he was his full-time aid, they still are close.

Plus, Konn is close with the king, isn’t he?” I didn’t want to give her any reason to be suspicious of us.

Arma nodded. “Of course, they’re close, when you spend that much time together it’s gonna happen.

Prince Lexus and Cade grew up together and so did the king and Konn. I didn’t expect you to be getting close with the prince so soon, that’s all. What’s it like being close with him anyway?”

We walked into the public cafeteria that was for workers. The great hall was for the royal family, whoever was with them or had permission by them. “I’m not sure if I’d say we were all that close.

There’s a lot that I don’t know about him but we’re comfortable with each other. It’s almost like he’s just another co-worker.” A co-worker I was sexually active with. One who I opened up to and who opened up to me back. I wasn’t being nearly as truthful as I could have been. I think me and Lexus are close, and it’s only been a few weeks.

We stood in a short line. “That makes sense, I couldn’t imagine feeling like the Prince or the Princess were co-workers.” She made it seem like she thought I was lucky. “That’s pretty cool when you think about it.”

“What’s pretty cool?” Vella asked after getting in line right behind us.

Arma looked annoyed. “We were talking about how it’s like for her to be Prince Lexus’ full-time aid.”

Vella looked at me with wide eyes. “You’re his full-time aid now? Cade didn’t mention that at all.” Her expression softened. “So, what is that like Aqua?”

I shrugged. “It just feels like he’s another co-worker,” I repeated myself. “One I work under,” I clarified.

“Really? It doesn’t feel like anything special?” Vella asked while Arma bought her meal.

“Not really, I know I’m doing important work, so I guess that’s special, but Prince Lexus is just another person. I wasn’t raised in this kingdom so it’s probably not the same for you guys.” I bought my meal when Arma was done.

I followed Arma to a table and sat down. Vella followed us after she got her food, then sat beside Arma and across from me. “I’ll be back,” Arma said then stood up and walked in the direction of the restrooms.

Vella looked at me with a fake smile. “You don’t have to lie to me, has the Prince come on to you?”

I wasn’t ready to be asked blunt questions. “I’m his aid, why would he?” It was better to play dumb.

Vella’s smile dropped. “Because that’s what he’s like. If he hasn’t yet he will because that’s what he does. Don’t tell anyone that I’m warning you. Arma would just assume the worse and tell Cade. I just wanted to tell you to be careful. Lexus doesn’t care about anyone; he’ll just make you think he does.”

She got up with her food and moved to a different table before Arma came back.

“What was that about? Why’d she move?” Arma sat down. “Not that I’m complaining.” She chuckled.

I stared down at my food. “She just wanted to know more about me that’s all. I guess she was done so she left.” I thought I knew what kind of relationship Vella had with Lexus but maybe I didn’t. I trusted Lexus but what if there was more? I answered my phone when it rang. “Calvin?”

I didn’t think I’d hear from him after his and the rest of the werewolves who were causing trouble’s fight with Lexus. “Hey, I was wondering if you knew about the festival happening tomorrow night in the city?”

“I didn’t know about it,” I answered.

“Great so you don’t have any plans to go with anyone else? How about we go together, like a date?”

He suggested.

I thought about it for a little while, and it wasn’t like I could go with Lexus. “Okay that sounds good.”

“Great.”

I sighed before I apologized for the other day, “I’m sorry about not checking up with you after you got hurt the last time, we saw each other. I should have called or something.” I thought about calling a few times, but I couldn’t gather the courage.

“No, you were right, we were wrong for messing with that village. We deserved what Lexus did to us.

It’s hard to do the right thing when you have to stand with your pack. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

“Okay, bye.” I hung up and Arma was staring at me. She obviously wanted to know the details. “Calvin is a member of the local werewolf pack and he just asked me on a date to the festival tomorrow.” If I caught feelings for Calvin, it wouldn't be so hard when Lexus rejects me in a week and a half on the full moon.

Arma gasped. “That’s great, so you’re over your ex and you’re ready to move on?”

“Yeah, I’m ready to move on. Are you going to the festival?” I wanted to move the attention off me.

Arma nodded. “I’m going with my family who I go with every year…” She didn’t sound excited.

“Is there anyone you’d rather go with?” I started to eat my food.

Arma held back a smile. “Yeah, some of the workers asked me to come along and I was hoping I could go with them. It would be so much fun, but I have to go along with the same old tradition.” She started eating.

I thought about what she said a lot as we ate. When we were done eating, I broke the silence. “You should tell your family how you feel. Have you done that?”

Arma sighed. “I’m afraid they’ll get the wrong idea, but I really want to experience something new by going with my friends. I don’t want them to think I don’t want to spend time with them.”

We stood up and walked in the direction of the cafeteria exit. “How about you go with your family then ask them if it will be okay to meet up with your friends halfway through.”

“That doesn’t sound terrible, I’ll try it if I find the courage.” She watched as Gray, and his two friends ran around the castle. “Another thing I really want to do is live here.” She craved new experiences. “I’ve worked here long enough for Konn to offer me a live-in position, but my family wouldn’t be ready for me to move out just yet. I want to deal with the festival thing before trying to deal with moving out because baby steps.” I thought that was a good plan for her.