Taming A Billionaire

The third point of view:

Of course, Anika knew what Akim was talking about and she knew as well that he didn't hold any evidence, just facts. He was only trying to snatch the truth from her lips and the only way to get out of this was to pretend to be ignorant.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Akim. I intentionally got close to you because I wanted to be your friend. A girl got to dream and it's not every day one gets to see the mysterious prince of Lincolnshire," Anika managed to say amid the difficulty.

However, Akim still didn't let go and it wasn't until tears rolled down her face and fell on his hand that he withdrew abruptly as if he was electrocuted.

Anika fell on the floor coughing the entire time till Akim left with his security details. As soon as they left, the fragile look in Anika's eyes vanished at once, hardening instead. Akim shouldn't blame her for this, he brought it upon himself. She has been treating him well all this while he treats her as the enemy? Fiona was right, the royal family was all the same. Selfish, controlling bastards.

At once, Anika stood and made a call at once with an unempathetic look. She was done playing games. 

Meanwhile, Pedro was feeling guilty back in class. He had hurt Anika badly and had seen it in her eyes when those tears touched him. God, he fucked up real bad.

He was just confused! His parents couldn't lie to him and he would be a fool not to have seen the signs as well. Anika had his eyes on him from the very start, it had to be something or else he had just broken the heart of an innocent girl who genuinely liked him. 

His guilt became worse when Anika came into the class and he saw her swollen eyes. Had she been crying? However, that was the last exchange they had because Anika wouldn't even look him in the eyes and had her back turned to him the entire time. 

They had just one single class throughout the rest of the day and it was the last period. Anika avoided him even when he sat down beside her; she took a seat far away from him. 

However, it came as a huge surprise to Akim when the class dismissed, someone slipped a note into his hand. Before he could glance up at who did that, Anika had already walked out of the class. 

With his brows furrowed, Akim opened the squeezed note and read, 

"Meet me at the place where we first met. I'll explain everything to you, tonight ~ Yours, Anika," 

She would explain everything to him tonight? Was she acknowledging the fact that she was part of the rebels? Could it be she had been forced to join against her wish and she was trying to get him to help her out? After all, he heard that the children of the rebels were coerced to join Fiona, deceived by her sugar-coated lies. Was that the same for Anika? Does she want a way out? 

What if this is a trap? The thought chilled him to the bone. What if this was another trap to get him alone, leaving him vulnerable to their attacks or whatever else they plan to do with him. 

Moreover, if he was going to meet her today, that meant using the secret hallway. The first place they met was the town square and although the place was a hubbub of activities, it was still easier for anyone with evil intentions to capture him easily. 

Or what if he was just making a big deal out of nothing. Anika said he was going to tell her the truth, what if the truth had nothing to even do with the rebels or the royal family? What if Anika was just an ordinary girl who fell for his charm? 

But Anika couldn't be ordinary, she was very smart and just seemed designed for a greater purpose. However, even with those cautious thoughts in his head, Akim made up his mind to go. He had to know the truth and Anika was willing to give him one. He just had to trust her blindly the same way he had trusted her at the beach. 

Akim got rid of the note before he got out of the class to his guards who were waiting right outside for him. Anika was really smart to keep that away from them. He followed them home and acted as if nothing happened at all. 

Even back at the palace, Akim acted responsibly. Although he was unusually quiet at dinner, his parents took it that he was still brooding over the fact they had him grounded for a week. Hence, no one suspected of the escape he was planning tonight. 

Well all except his sister, Jasmine, because when he anticipated everyone had gone to bed and was ready to unlock the secret hallway, a voice said from behind him, "Where are you going?" 

Akim was startled out of his mind and turned around to see that it was no one but his sister.

"Thank God," He breathed, hand on his chest. 

"Why are you thanking God?" Little Jasmine frowned, with her arms crossed over her chest. 

"For the fact that it is you and you alone," Akim said. If it had been his parents, he would have died on the spot from fright. 

"You are leaving? Where to?" 

"Anika wants us to see," 

"Anika? The one who daddy said was an enemy?" 

Akim turned sharply, so she heard their argument. 

"Well, yes. Actually, she wants to confess to me," Akim confessed to her. 

"And what if it's a trap, Akim. Father already said she must have intentionally approached you," She came to hug his waist, "I don't want to lose you like grandma," 

Akim's heart stopped for a moment and he wondered why he was taking this risk in the first place. 

"Don't worry, you won't lose me, "He assured her," And I'm happy that you're here because you'd be the one to inform mommy and daddy that I'm gone," Akim told her and then searched around for a stopwatch he gave to her. 

"You see that? Once it's thirty minutes gone, inform daddy that I'm in the town square and they will come to find me and keep me safe," Akim smiled at her causing Jasmine to smile back. 

As much as Akim trusted Anika, every prince went into war with reinforcement.