Zane: The Atlantean Prince

CHAPTER 32: NEW COUPLE

Aera was sitting on the long bench outside the house. She could not sleep. She didn't know if it was because she was in a different house or because of what happened earlier. Looking up at the dark sky full of stars, she was thinking about what's happening in Olympus now, and recalling all the hardships she had during her training. She remembered how they taught her to use her electricity, wind and teleport powers. She also discovered her healing power on her own. A lot has happened to her in eight years.

The moon is full and red, a sign that there were supernatural, weird things happening somewhere. She remembered the task Zeus ordered her to find the young man and eliminate him; the one who was destined to kill the king of the gods. "Where can I find him? I want to fulfil my task so I can start my own life, too."

"Aera," Zane called her attention. "Are you feeling okay? You can't sleep?" He sat beside her, a few inches away from her.

She nodded. "Sort of. My mind is just occupied with a lot of things. I think it's a good decision that I went back here and I was able to talk to her," she said, referring to her estranged mother. "I just feel sad because I thought all along that she's my real mother, and I always did my best in the past to be the ideal daughter to her... to please her."

"I don't know what to say to comfort you. Just remember I am here if you need someone to talk to, whatever it is."

"Just always be there for me, Zane." She gave him a sincere smile. "That's more than enough to make me feel better."

"I will always be here for you, Aera. You can always run to me every time you feel down or you need someone to vent out your anger. You can also use me as your punching bag." He laughed.

"Thank you," she said while laughing. "I envy you for having a great mom and dad. They also did well in raising you. You are so lucky to have them."

"I am lucky, yes. I don't know what I did in my past life to be blessed with such great, loving parents. If I am born again, I'd love them to be my parents again in my next hundred lives."

"I hope I could say the same for my real Mom. I want to get to know her and meet her soon." She looked down and kicked the small stone near her foot. "I just don't think she's as warm as your mother. Immortals are different from humans. Showing feelings and emotions between families does not exist."

"Your father is nice and warm. He is the kindest person I have ever met next to my family. I'm sure your real mother is the same," he said. "You will meet her soon. Eurus is considerate. He is probably

just protecting you and your mom that's why he hasn't told you yet about your real mother's identity."

"Glad you know my father so well." She laughed. "I really could not imagine up to now how you two became close."

"He's my saviour, my trainer, my comrade and my friend. He's like a second father to me." Zane could not imagine what would have happened to him if he had never met Eurus. "I am grateful I met your father." He stared at her deep blue eyes. He felt like he was looking at the blue sky. "You have a perfect set of eyes. I love staring at them." He could not stop admiring her, from her inner beauty to her physical look. He suddenly bit his tongue, unable to take back what he said.

His ears and face turned red. "I-I'm s-sorry."

Her forehead wrinkled. "Are you saying sorry because you think my eyes aren't perfect?"

"N-no, it's not that." He shook his head and opened his palm with his fingers slightly apart, extending his arm to his front. "I-I mean... I-I'm sorry if I made you feel awkward with what I said..." He cleared his throat.

"Do you like me, Zane?" she asked.

His face felt hot. He could not say it, but he didn't know how to tell a lie. "I-I do... I'm sorry. Please, don't get mad at me. I-I'm not taking advantage of our friendship."

"I like you, too, Zane," she said without hesitation.

"I-I'm sorry if... wait... what?!" His heart could not stop beating fast. It was like a dream of hearing those words from her. "D-did I hear it right? Y-you like me, too?"

Aera sweetly smiled and nodded in confirmation. "Yes, I do, Zane. I like you a lot."

He could not say a word while trying to contain his happiness. He attempted to hold Aera's hand, but he was afraid to scare her. Aera raised her hand and offered it to Zane. He held her hand carefully.

"Aera..."

"I'm an immortal, Zane. I say what I feel, regardless of the situation. I like you."

"I like you even more, Aera, since eight years ago." He held her hand close to his mouth and kissed it. "I am the happiest person in the world today. A-are you my girlfriend now?"

Aera laughed and smiled. "If you like to be my boyfriend, why not."

"Aera... I'd love to be your boyfriend. I'd be the luckiest man ever. You're my goddess."

They gazed at each other's eyes, expressing their strong emotions without words. Only feeling their racing heartbeats. Zane felt the world stop revolving while staring at his goddess' eyes.

"Hold on, "Aera called his attention. "Is your sister already sleeping? We can try to use my power to cure her."

"Oh, yeah, right." He smiled awkwardly and scratched his head. He almost forgot the reason why he looked for Aera and he almost cursed at himself for that. They were planning to heal her while sleeping. "Let's go to her room. My parents are already sleeping, too."

They both stood up and went inside the house, carefully sneaking into Anne's room. Zane opened the door and peeked inside. Anne was snoring. "She's sleeping," he whispered. They both entered the room and closed the door.