In The High Place

Ep.6 - The 1st 'Real' Encounter

**Antonia's POV -- Back to the present**

  I look at my watch, Danny's watch to be exact, to realize that it almost midnight by now. I rub my eyes tiredly as I couldn't sleep. This insomnia of mine starts since Danny and our mother passed away several years ago.

    "What a night"

  I mumble to myself. Many sleepless nights have drive me crazy. Actually, if it wasn't for my friends and father, I might really lose it by now.

    "Argh! Where's it?"

    "Start talking to yourself now, Antonia?"

  Unexpectedly, father walks through my bedroom door with kitchen staff in tow. He gesture her to left a tray of chamomile tea on the table next to us then leaves.

    "Don't just stand there--Come here"

  He draws me into his huge bear hug. We stay like that for a brief then break apart. I let him sits first, serve him a cup, then pour one for myself. I sniff its aroma to relax before take a sip.

    "Good?"

    "Try Perfect--Thank you, father"

    "You're welcome. I've heard that chamomile could help one's sleep"

  I give him tired but grateful smile instead of word. Even his duty as a king takes most of his time, yet he still manages some for me.

  We share comfortable silent over aromatic tea for several moments. I run my fingers against north star pendant on my neck and ask father a question.

    "Did you ever miss them?--Mother and Daniel?"

    "How could I not? They're part of royal family--"

    "I MEAN mom and Danny. Not the late queen, Vivian,and the late crown prince, Daniel"

  He smile ruefully even I was mean toward him. Placed his cup on the table, father walks to sits next to me. He squeezes my hand firmly.

    "Danny is...was my son and Vivian was my wife, furthermore my fated pair"

  There was like all emotional choke up my throat. I swallow it and wait for him to go on.

    "They were, still are and always will be...our family. Not even a single day that I am not missing that. aren't you?"

    "Me neither, father--Me neither"

  We don't say anything more, just share a comfortable atmosphere together. After almost half an hour, father sends me back to my accommodation then leaves to his. I stumble on my bed and drift to sleep.

    **Antonia's Dream**

    '*Huff* *Huff* W-Where...where're my children?'

    '*Beep* *Beep*'

    'Ann...*Huff* Wake up--'

    "Ahh!"

  I woke up screaming uncontrollably. Look around in panic, my heart's racing and my breath's so fast. Samathat swiftly moves through the door to my side.

    "Your Highness!"

    "Sam*Huff* *Huff*"

    "Try to match my breath. Easy..."

  She grabs my hands with one of hers and handles my face with another while kneels in front of me. Her posture's calm and stoic which helps soothing my nerve. Gradually, I try to take longer breath until I can do it normally.

    "Yes. Just like that, your highness"

    "...Thank you, Sam"

    "I'll contact Dr. Sanchez to check on you once more--"

    "No. I'm fine, now"

    "But--"

  I softly grab her hand on my face, guide it down and give it a light press. She signs before bows and leaves me to continue her guarding duty. I knew she meant well, I'm just not ready for it right now.

  Next morning, Sam drives me to school as usual. After study for 4 hours straight with half-conscious body, it's finally lunch break. My friends invite me for lunch.

    "Thanks, guys. But I'll have to pass"

    "But today they have special treat of the week! We could--"

    "I seriously need some sleep before this afternoon test, Zack"

    "Wait. What test now?"

    "You do know we have biology lab test, right?"

  Abbie asked Zack when he gave us the most frightened look he could mustered. Smile slyly, I pat him on his shoulder.

    "Best luck, buddy--You're gonna need that"

  It's like he forgot how to say a word when he starts moaning sobbingly. We laugh while see him begs Brandon for an instant lesson. I thank the guys for the invitation then retreat to my favorite napping spot--Building D rooftop.

  Actually this building belongs to grade 10 students and today's also their orientation day, but this spot somehow feel untouched from the outside world. I lay myself against the wall. With fresh cold breeze, it easily put me asleep. After what felt like several blissful moments, I woke up to the sound of the door swings opened.

    "Whoops, sorry. I didn't know this spot was taken"

  Still a little dazed, I rub my eyes and look at the girl in blue dress. When our eyes met, it's like the clock stops ticking. She has remarkable dark hazel eyes and long sleek wavy brunette hair. Her cheek turns slightly red and she tries to hide those beautiful doe eyes away from me. Maybe I stare at her too long. So I clears my throat politely and start talking.

    "It's alright--There're plenty space for us to share"

  The way she smile...how could I explain it--It's like a kid in the candy store. Thinking back, she had got a pretty close look to my face, but she didn't seem to know who I am at all. It's...very surprise to me. I don't even remember the last time I wasn't being recognized in the public. Anyway, where is my manner? Introduce yourself!

    "I'm Ann--Ann Casnia"

    "Nice to meet you, Ann. I'm Kaitlyn--Kaitlyn Sanchez"

  We shook hand. I realized suddenly after heard her last name. She's Dr. Merlin Sanchez's step-daughter! And moreover, the girl I saved her life! She still wears an innocent smile on her pretty face when she says.

    "Sorry to bother you, Ann. After the orientation's done, I just...want to find some place quiet to unwind myself. Well, until get-to-know event this afternoon anyway"

  Seriously? Does she didn't really know who I am? Have TV channels these days stopped reporting about us royalty? Heh, I could only guess. Shake my head a little, I reply.

    "Don't worry about it"

    "Not so much of a talk, do you?"

    "Nah, not really"

  Such an interesting lady she has grew up to be. And the fact she didn't recognize me made me even happier. Because I can get to know the real her as she gets to know mine.

  Apart from my closed friends, nobody ever be their true self around me. The only focus on impressing us,  royalty, but they neglect to really get to know us. The only advantage I could guarantee from this kind of friendship is that I got to see the kind of people they are. And that made me getting better on seeing through people.

    "Anyway, where have you been this morning?"

    "Hmm?"

    "I haven't seen you during the orientation"

  I should stop and tell her who I really am. I know that, but still, I continue making up my story as a grade 10 student--the same grade as hers. How could I restrain myself? Her curious round eyes and honest company like this is very rare to find now a day. I don't want to lose it just yet.

    "I...had some business to conduct, so I was kinda running late and they sorted me into the last group by the entrance of the hall."

  Hope they didn't already changed the orientation protocol from the time I attended. Kaitlyn lost in her thoughts for a bit then continues.

    "That makes sense. 'Cause of my excitement earlier this morning, I arrived much early. So I was sort in the 1st group--That's why I might not see you"

    "Yeah"

  Phew. Dodged the bullet there, I thought to myself. She giggles as  I yawn from tiredness. I say to her in embarrassing.

    "Excuse me. I didn't sleep well last night"

    "Hey, it's okay. I'm not gonna judge you"

    "Heh. Thanks"

    "Anyway, sorry that I woke you up. Can I do anything to make it up to you?"

    "It's alright. I should wake up at some point--"

    "Oh, please--Anything"

  It seems like a big deal for her. Damm, I love that pretty eyes of hers. It shows her emotions so clearly like a crystal. And now, it told me that she won't accept any answer beside 'Yes'.

    "Well...there's one thing"

    "Which is?"

    "Would you like to go grab a coffee with me? I'm kinda needed that right now"

  No. Not that kid in the candy store's smile again. I quickly turn away from her because I feel that my face became hot from turning red.

  So we agreed on buying cups of coffee and get back to the rooftop since it's almost half an hour away form OUR afternoon event. I sniff coffee aromatic in the air and start asking.

    "What's your poison? Espresso?"

    "Just Cafe Latte, yours?"

    "Cappuccino, of course"

    "I thought you might be an Espresso girl"

    "How so?"

    "Because while we chat, you sounded like...puzzle--Mysterious, and depth, somehow"

    "Oh?"

    "But Cappuccino also suits you-- You both got layers. Soft foam and delish coffee"

    "Delish?"

    "Short from delicious"

  Not many day people told you that you shared some common ground with coffee. I chuckle and reply.

    "Then that'll make you a perfect combination--Sweet, milky and delish coffee"

    "Well, thank you"

  We smile and laugh. It had been awhile since the last time I have lively conversation with someone beside my closed friends. We continue the chat until we ran out of time. Then I come up with an excuse to split away from her, so I don't really have to join her afternoon event instead of taking my lab test. Deep down, I wish for a second chance to meet her again this soon.

**Continue on the next episode**