I never want to experience anything like before anymore. It was a horrible experience. Now, I will turn a new page in my life and throw away the past.

     Running a cafe should be fine. I have the knowledge to create my business. And lastly, I will never fall in love ever again.

   Being a prince really is different. All those lessons and meetings are tiring. People praise me for my good looks, clothes, and status. Even my **** buddies only want to do it for the money. Will there ever be someone?

   Someone I would protect? Love? Have a happy ending together?

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. 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 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 at the left side of the shop where people could buy books. The place was ideal for students and employees to release stress.

  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 darted his eyes to 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, line 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 a fact 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 coffee?"

  Anthony raised his head in confusion, but agreed anyways.

  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. He told his butler 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 coffee 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 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."

HENRY RECEIVED a message from Jim, his butler.

  Jim had run a background check on Anthony. It was protocol and inevitable to anyone who meets the royal family.

...12:10 AM...

Sir, I ran the background check.

^^^What came out?^^^

He's clean, sir.

Nothing out of the ordinary.

  Tragic huh. Henry looked at Anthony. The man before him was someone he never was. Timid, shy, and just what he likes.

  Black hair untidy but beautiful. Breathtaking black eyes yet magnetic, it's what drew Henry to him. Full and red lips, sharp jawline. Henry shuddered.

  It's not like him to be attracted to someone, well, someone like Anthony.

...12:014 AM...

Would you like me to send you

the report, sir?

  Henry thought about what his report would be like. Taking a glance at Anthony he thought, "I'll discover it myself".

^^^No need^^^

^^^Thanks again Jim^^^

Anytime, sir.

  Henry shut his phone in time for Anthony's pancake. Anthony had stacked 4 pancakes on the plate with syrup on the side. He placed another plate and sat down handing out a fork and knife to Henry.

  Henry poured syrup atop the pancakes. Slicing the pancakes, Henry glanced at the extra plate of pancakes. "You, what's with the second plate?"

  "It's yours," Anthony looked away.

  "It's okay, you can have that."

  "Really?"

  "Sure, go ahead."

  Anthony hesitated for a moment but got up and took a fork from the drawer. He poured the syrup on the pancakes and poked the fork on the top pancake and ate it a whole.

  "Whoa, eat slowly" Henry chuckled.

  "I'm sorry I usually eat like this." Anthony wiped the syrup from his mouth.

  It quickly became awkward while both of them ate. Well, it was expected. They were eating pancakes at dawn.

  Henry brought up one of his awkward-talk-topics.

  It usually made people leave or excuse themselves, leaving Henry all alone, not like Henry minded. He hated the crowds of people who praised their family as if they were special or unique.

  It ended up being a talk of his family's background.

  They were unique, just not what Henry wanted. He wanted to live freely. No rules, protocols, and what-not. It has always been like this for their bloodline. No one wanted to be royal.

  The first king in their line became a king because of the people. He was inspirational, open-minded, trustworthy, and hated war. We, the successors, whose fate cannot be changed were bad mouthed by everyone we knew or not. Henry thought.

  Anthony was understanding. He asked questions that would lead to more answers and meaning he would know more about Henry than anyone would.

  He'd be mesmerized at some stories Henry heard, the different people who were amusing to their family, the food he hated. It was a continuous conversation. No cuts or dead air.

  Munching down to both their last pancakes, they both realized they were different from each other. One did not like what the other did.

  Henry stood up and took their plates to the sink. He suggested that they talk to each other a bit more on the couch. Henry took his dark choco and placed it on the coffee table in between the couch and television. They were clearly drawn to each other, not that Henry would admit it.

.........

  The time passed by so quickly. It was already 4 am. Anthony shared some recent happenings in my life. Told him about Alejandro, Eric and about the cafe, about how he got the cafe.

  He still had so much to ask and to share. It was all good, he felt connected with Henry despite their different tastes.

  Sitting on the couch, watching television. He felt safe and even comfortable. Even though they just met and considering what had happened, he didn't expect that we would click.

  It felt right. Felt nice. Just a few hours with this ma--prince, made him think that not every royal is bad. He was a good one.

  The door at the end of the hallway creaked open.

  We both froze. Henry placed his cup of dark choco down. And stood up from the couch.

  The sound of footsteps got louder as it got closer. It reached to a halt when it reached the kitchen.

  "Who's here?" the voice said.

  "Oh, it's just you Elijah." Henry sighed.

  "Duh, of course, it's me, who else would be here?" Elijah rolled his eyes. "And who is this and why are you here?"

  "Um..." Henry hesitated.

  "I'm Anthony, I own the cafe The Split Bean." Anthony offered a handshake.

  "Of course you are, that doesn't answer my second question." Elijah glanced at his hand and ignored it. He crossed both his arms and released his strength on the left leg, leaning on the wall.

  "I-uh--"

  "He was beaten up, I had to help." For some reason, Anthony was upset but didn't show it on his face. Did he want to be more than a beaten person? Someone closer but no, that's impossible.

  "I-um, I'm sorry for taking up your time. I think I'll take my leave. Thank you again for helping me, Your Highness." He stood up from the couch. Despite what Henry said about bowing he did it anyway. He didn't spare a glance at Henry.

  He came there without anything and left with nothing but feelings of hope and despair. He had caught feelings for Henry.

  Henry called out just before Anthony left. "Wait, you probably don't know where this is. I'll take you back."

  "I'll have to reject your offer" Anthony turned the doorknob and left. It was true that he didn't know where he was but any more time with the Prince and he'll have thoughts. Even worse than his feelings.

  Wanting to be with him. Spend time with him. Hug him.

  No, stop this Anthony. You guys just met, it's not right. You promised not to fall in love again. Anthony buried his new feelings for someone not right for him.

  The skies lightened signaling the end of the night and the start of the morning. It was a chilly morning The birds were chirping. people came out of their homes to gaze at the morning rays.

  It wasn't a day to be broken-hearted nor depressed.

 "NO, I AM NOT BROKEN HEARTED".

.........

  "What are you talking about?"

  Anthony turned around to look at Henry. His face flushed and he ran fast. Away from me.

  "I was just trying to thank you for today though, you didn't have to run from me." Henry sighed.

  "It seemed like I was disturbing you." Elijah walked towards Henry, a piece of bread hanging on his mouth.

  "You think?"

  "Well if he liked you back, he'd come back" Elijah nonchalantly spoke.

  "I do not like him that way." Elijah raised an eyebrow. "I just enjoy his company."

  "Well, it's not really my business." Elijah walked back into the house. Henry followed.

  He didn't know what was special about Anthony but with him, he felt good or even better about himself.

  Upon entering the house, Jim sat on a chair. Henry guessed he wanted to check up on him or Elijah. He acknowledged Jim's presence. Jim kept glancing over one corner and to the other. Like he was looking for something.

  Elijah asked if he left something while he visited yesterday morning. Henry was surprised when Jim wanted to talk to Anthony. Both of them knew nothing of each other until today.

  Whatever it was he wanted to talk to Anthony about Henry set aside the topic and talk about what was happening in the palace.

  "Yes sir, it still seems like you both will have to stay here until everything calms down." Elijah slumped against the couch, thinking about the additional days he'll have to live with me in this house.

  "We won't know when this'll end but after it ends you'll have to buy me food Jim." Elijah huffed, clearly not liking the idea but doesn't refuse it. He hated my company.

  Henry's vision starts to double. He'd been up since yesterday morning. He excused himself, walking unsteadily towards his room.

  Lying down on the side of his bed, he pulls the sheets up until it covers up everything except his face. His sheets smelled like Anthony and slowly closed his eyes.

.........

  Anthony felt refreshed after having showered when he arrived home. He turned on his television, switching onto the news channel. He imagined how early news reporters woke up and placed himself in their shoes. He felt tired thinking about it.

  He got his coffee from the table and took a sip.

  The news highlighted said, "WILL THE WARES FAMILY HAVE A SUCCESSOR OR NOT?" Everything was a topic on the family's only son. No one from the media had talked to the Royal Family. Seemed like they had nothing to say.

Sipping his coffee a buzz sound came from Anthony's phone. It was Alejandro.

...6:12 AM...

Why in the world is the cafe trashed?

^^^Huh? What do you mean?^^^

You closed the cafe yesterday right?

^^^Yes, of course.^^^

Well maybe it was your sad energy or

the fact that it looked like someone

trashed our lights.

  Anthony had forgotten about his cafe. He quickly realized when Alejandro said lights.

^^^I'll be there in 5.^^^

^^^And it wasn't my bad energy.^^^

Hurry it up.

  Alejandro had called the repairman when I arrived.

  "What happened here?" Alejandro asked while picking up glass shards on the floor. "Was there a bat?!"

  "Of course not, it was just..." Anthony hesitated.

  "You can tell me when you feel like it but we need to clean up this mess quickly."

  Someone so adaptable, gentle, kind, and helpful. Anthony smiled at the thought of how lucky he was to have a friend like him.

  The repairman had replaced all the lights by the time Eric came.

  "Luckily we didn't have work today." Eric heaved a sigh of relief.

  "True, it's our rare day off." Alejandro proudly exclaimed.

  "How are you guys going to spend it? Together?"

  "Yeah, Eric and I are going to the newly opened carnival," Eric nodded contentedly. "I heard there are mango shakes there, wanna come Anthony?"

  "Ah, I've had my fun for today. I'm just gonna do some shopping."

  "What fun? The day just started." Alejandro asked.

  "Well as long as you shop for yourself and not for the cafe this time. You are such a workaholic, live a little Anthony." Eric noted.

  "Yes yes, I'll lock up you guys can go now." Anthony already had fun. Just chatting to Henry about anything and everything was the first time he had fun. He'd wish for that to happen again but it would be impossible.

  Because Henry had a boyfriend.

  After locking up, Henry made his way towards the supermarket.