The time passed so quickly. Two days here with Augustus may seem short, but the days I had with him were so magical that they filled my heart with happiness, which was already enough. That's the most time I've spent with him since he was introduced to take the throne. I'll forever treasure this moment with him.
I was wandering around before we finally left this place, asking myself, will I be able to be back here in the future?
He was waving his hand in the air, signaling to me that it was time to leave the place. My face may seem so pleased, but inside I was preparing to say goodbye to him.
"Don't worry, we'll be back here soon," he said coyly.
"Hmm-mm," I said, nodding. My heart was on fire, as if it would soon be consumed. None of what the prince said would come true because I lied for the entire two days. I was guilty but was more broken.
Augustus couldn’t take his hand off mine while he was driving back to Manila as if he had predicted that I was planning to leave.
I awoke not in the palace; Augustus had come to a halt over his grandfather, Prince George. I got out of the car, and not that far, I saw the grandfather and grandson happily passing the ball. They stopped when they saw me. Prince Augustus approached me, pulling me close to Prince George. Even though he hasn't been a prince for a long time, I still don't forget to bow my head as a sign of respect. And like before, he lifted it, because Prince George wasn't used to people bowing their heads.
"I let you two talk, I'll just get something inside," he said, putting his hand above my head. "Don't miss me, okay?"
I chuckled. "Okay, I won't," he turned his back on me, from here I watched him walk away little by little. Don't look back, because I don't know what to do if you do.
“Is this the time?” Prince George asked as if he knew everything. “Well, I should thank you for giving him the photo.”
“Perhaps I’m not as bold as you, Prince George. I couldn’t sacrifice my family over the love I had for him.”
Prince George pats my shoulder. “You are more than a brave woman for putting aside the man you love to save your family. You’re altruistic, Gemma, and that’s the thing Sebastian loves about you. I’m sure he’ll understand,”
I glanced down, clenching my fist because I was struck with guilt. “C- can you do something for me, Prince George?” I took the paper I wrote for the prince in my pocket. “King Lucien will be here any minute. This was the only thing I thought of to properly say goodbye to Augustus. I can’t say goodbye to him because I think if I do it, he will just stop me from leaving. So, please, please, do give it to him.” My eyes were filling with tears, and I didn't want him to see.
“I had your location when you turned on your GPS. I trust you will do what I ask because I know you want your father back. I’ll wait for your location,” the king said. “End things with him, Gemma.”
Before we leave, I turn on the GPS, even if I’m against it.
I handed him the letter and turned around.
“Goodbye… Prince Augustus Cynfael Clemente, my Sebastian," I kept walking, never looking back until I was a long way.
I dropped to my knees and sobbed into my hands, with pain, sadness, exhaustion, and frustration bubbling uncontrollably. By tried to hit my chest many times to make the pain go away, but it was useless.
“Gemma, Gemma! This isn't funny, please show yourself. Where the hell are you?” I stopped, wiping away my tears, as I heard that familiar voice. He was calling my name many times, and I was trying my best to control myself. “Gemma!” But he started begging, begging more than I did before, making me bawl my eyes out. His voice started to sound hoarse. I couldn't stand it any longer and was about to come out of my hiding place when I heard footsteps approaching.
“W- what are you doing here?”
“I’m taking you home.”
“No, without Gemma. She's not my maid, she's my girlfriend, and I'm not leaving without her."
"Girlfriend? Don't be ridiculous," said another voice that I think belongs to the queen. "Gemma knows where her place is. She's your personal maid, and a maid like her will never be the girl you will marry."
“I assume Gemma never relies on my message to you. I ask her to tell you that you’re marrying Felicity. Before you know it I told her first that you are set to marry Felicity… Augustus, Gemma was not the girl the world wanted for you. A prince like you was meant to marry a girl like Felicity who was part of a royal family.”
“Who cares about the world? I want her… I want her back!”
"No, Gemma already chooses the moment she turns on the GPS. She chose to fix things for his father rather than continue to be with you. It was painful, but Gemma had no other option, and neither did you.”
“Gemma I know you are hiding somewhere. I told you I’m gonna help you; we are going to take your father out of jail. Just wait for me to be the king. So, why can’t you... WHY CAN’T YOU TRUST ME? YOU STUPID NEGIE YOU’RE ABANDONING ME AS RAEANNA DID!” His voice was trembling, and following his trembling voice was his loud cry.
I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I ended up like Raeanna...
The voice was gone; I couldn’t hear anything except my cries. Out of nowhere, someone showed up. Standing as he watches me sob in despair, his hand begins to pat my head. But those hands had done nothing to ease the pain. I cried until I was too tired to cry more and drifted into a vision, reliving the few moments I spent with Prince Augustus.