Chapter 33: Chapter 33

Vida

Outside Burn’s, New York City

It had been a tiring shift, but work was over nonetheless. Vida and Tessa walked out of Burn’s, their tiredness showing on their faces but they were smiling because they finally had free time. But Colter had been missing for a while now, he had left work earlier to do something and Peter just smiled and let him do so because he was bringing in more customers than ever.

“Where’d the gorgeous, homeless man go?” Tessa asked Vida as they walked towards the bus stop, Vida frowned at Tessa’s comments and smacked her in the arm.

“He has a name you know!” she said protectively and Tessa rolled her eyes.

“Alright, alright, where did Colter the gorgeous, homeless man go? He doesn’t even have a phone or any kind of device that we can reach him with.”

“He said he was going to do something” Vida pouted with a shrug, already missing Colter’s warming presence around her.

“Well, hopefully he comes around soon and he’s not passed out at another busy street” Tessa joked with a laugh and it was Vida’s turn to roll her eyes.

They arrived at the bus stop and Vida felt forlorn, Colter was not there either. As she resigned herself to getting on the bus without Colter to talk to, they saw him approaching and she could not contain herself. She smiled and waved and Colter returned it excitedly. In his hand was a bouquet of tulips.

“Where the hell have you been?!” Tessa said in an accusatory tone as Colter came close, “You had us worried that you were passed out on another innocent sidewalk.”

Vida smiled at Tessa’s words, clearly, she was worried about this man too.

“Sorry!” Colter said cheerfully to Tessa and looked at Vida who was staring at the flowers in his hand, “A nice old man helped me with them. I got them for you.”

Vida’s heart burst at the exact moment he said ‘you’ while Tessa rolled her eyes, but smiling at her friend’s happiness. Tessa was used to seeing her disconnected from the world, stuck in a fantasy location and just ignoring everything happening around her.

“Thanks!” Vida told him with a sweet smile, taking the flowers and breathing them in. Tessa was grinning now and nudged her with an elbow.

“So, you guys going to do it in here or nah? It’s a bit shameless to have sex out in public. You two have the weirdest kinks! Hey, I’m not kink shaming, okay?”

“TESSA!” Vida and Colter said together, and the sidewalk was filled with her childish laughter.

Colter

New York City

It took him all his courage and bravery to muster enough strength for this moment. He, Colter Howard, a prince of the Kingdom of Howard, experienced fighter and adventurer extraordinaire. He had dated women in his time but it was with this woman that he experienced fear.

“Uhm, Vida” Colter said as quietly as possible, not wanting Tessa to overhear him, “Would you go out on a date with me today?”

Vida had gasped at the words and Tessa’s eyes automatically zoomed in on him, hearing what he said clearly.

“Hey, uhm, Tessa, don’t worry. I’ll bring her back in one piece.” Colter said trying to placate Vida’s overprotective best friend, “So Vida, will you go out with me?”

Vida blushed furiously, her hands shook and the flowers in them shook as well, some of their petals had fallen to the ground but she nodded quickly and said “Yes. It would be nice to go out tonight.”

Tessa groaned at the two, then she tapped Colter on the shoulder “Make sure she gets home safe, if not I’ll have your left ear!” she warned Colter, hanging her hand over his left ear threateningly.

“Yes. You don’t have to worry” Colter answered while at the same time Vida had said

“I’m an adult, Tess!”

“Yes, an adult in age honey. But you are a kid in heart. I just want you to be safe, okay?”

Vida turned to Colter this time, she was still faintly blushing but smiling, “So where should we go?”

Colter felt his heart beat race as he stared straight into her amber eyes, “I found a park where we could frolic if that’s okay with you.” Vida nodded her agreement.

They then turned towards Tessa who was fidgeting around in her bag, “Wait. Don’t go yet. I have something for you guys.”

Colter’s curiosity was piqued but Vida who had a bad feeling tried to turn Colter away and start walking in a direction opposite from her best friend.

“Don’t you walk away from me yet, Vida Vance!” Tessa roared at her and with a triumphant cheer “Yes!” she tossed a small thing towards Colter who had caught it absentmindedly. It was a box of some sort, and there were fruits printed on it.

“TESSA!!!!!!” Vida shrieked at Tessa hitting her rapidly with her fists as Tessa had just tossed a box of condoms at Colter, who had no idea what they were for.

“Make sure to grab a bite to eat!” Tessa told them later as they entered a cab that Colter had hailed, he could have traveled by himself via flight but that would freak Vida out, “Also Colter, make sure she still walks straight after!” Vida was frowning again, “Don’t get her pregnant! Use the condoms I gave you, okay?”

The cab was now starting to leave, when Tessa banged at the window with an evil grin, “Vida, make sure to give him the best head, okay?!”

Vida stuck her tongue out immaturely as Tessa watched them disappear beyond the street, laughing her eyes out.

---

Vida

Central Park, New York City

“Colter must be a nature buff” Vida thought to herself as they arrived in Central Park, she noticed that his eyes were filled with wonder and a childlike longing to climb trees. They walked along the dirt paths, taking in the sights as Vida observed Colter as his eyes flickered all over the place with a smile on his face.

“You must love nature that much, huh?” Vida asked him and he turned to her with a gaze that would melt anyone’s heart.

“Yeah, I used to climb trees, go on adventures in a forest and just mess around.” He replied with a sigh, remembering the places he used to go to in the kingdom of Howard.

“It’s a good thing that Central Park is still intact” Vida commented as she watched a bunch of children playing catch, “Maybe one day we can go to a nature reserve and you’ll see even more of these kinds of stuff”

“Yeah…?” Colter asked her, wondering what a nature reserve was. “I did see this tree, it was quite enchanting that it caught my eye. Come on!” he grabbed her hand and hurried into the direction of the said tree.

Vida’s heart and mind exploded as their hands locked, he had smooth hands that were unmarred by work and time. He looked so strong yet his grip was soft and caring. He had brought about with him, an aura of warmth that made Vida feel at home.

“Over there!” Colter said suddenly, and she saw it. Her heart had stopped, it was an Evodia tree. The last one in Central Park. It stood strong and beautiful, overshadowing every other tree nearby.

“How did you find this?” Vida asked amazed at how imposing and beautiful the Evodia tree was.

“I just saw it while I was looking around New York…” Colter said sheepishly and vaguely, not lying but not also being truthful. He had flown over this place multiple times while he learned about human culture.

“When I saw it, I felt like I was not alone” Colter said serenely, gazing at the Evodia tree, still holding on to Vida’s hand. He reached into his jacket and pulled out a blanket for them to sit at, and so the duo sat. Staring at the tree while speaking about small nothings.

“So, did you feel alone all your life?” Vida asked Colter, staring at him while he was fixated on the tree.

“Most of my life, yes.” Colter answered sadly, “I had to learn about life the hard way, I felt like I was unwanted by my own family. I had to make a hideout in a forest just to feel at peace, away from my brother and father.”

Vida’s heart ached as he talked about the struggles he endured back home, how could someone treat a gentle person like this?

“They expected me to act like them, but I never did. I only wanted to do what I want and not what they had planned for me.” Colter muttered and Vida simply rested her head on his arms, Colter jumped slightly then calmed down as he noticed that Vida was very comfortable around him.

So, they let time pass by. Almost two hours later, the darkness came and the lights started to flicker on around Central Park. Most of the people started to leave as the crime rates in the park were high during dark hours.

“Look.” Colter whispered to her and Vida shifted her gaze on the tree.

The Evodia tree that looked old and weathered was now alight with fireflies, thousands and thousands of them had gathered all over the top of the tree, giving it a mystifying glow. They danced around it, flickering lights circling its branches, leaves and trunk as if doing a beautiful ritual.

“Amazing” Vida said, her breath caught up and her eyes watering at this beautiful sight before them. Colter had noticed this and smiled kindly at her.

“Thank you, Vida” the man murmured to her, putting his hand in her chin and lifting it up, to stare at her more intently. “You gave this stranger the trust and care I feel like I do not deserve.”

Her heart beat skyrocketed as she stared into his emerald eyes that were somehow enhanced by the fireflies, “I know in my heart, stranger or not, I can feel that you are a great person, Colter”

The fireflies started to make their way towards them, making the ambiance more romantic, they looked eyes with fear as the moment built. Their hearts were racing, their blood ran hot and his thoughts were scattered by the dreams he had of Vida, so was she. They both lingered on the realistic dreams they had and Vida closed her eyes and moved her face closer for a kiss.

Colter chuckled darkly and removed his hand from her face and turned away, Vida felt dejected at this and noticed that Colter was blushing and frowning hard.

“It’s uh…” Colter started, stammering and shaking, trying his hardest to pull out words, “It’s getting late. We should get a bite to eat and then head home, if that’s okay?”

Vida felt sad and rejected, but she put up her best face, smiled and replied “Yeah, I’m feeling really hungry. What do you feel like eating tonight, Colter?”

Colter’s thoughts had prevented him from kissing Vida, his heart and soul were still restricted by the rules planted by his father, the king. It ached him to see the pained look on Vida as he stopped their kiss but he knew that it would only hurt her in the long run. His heart yearned for her, but at what cost? Would this prince truly fall in love with a human that haunted his dreams and potentially make her endanger her own life?