CHAPTER FIVE

"Hey dear" take a little water and feel alright, I felt a cold object on my lips as I open my eyes slightly. My stomach rumbled as I had just drunk too much water.

I finally looked around as I was on a cushion facing the dining. "The food is ready, come and help yourself out, cassie" 

You are at my house, you don't need to be afraid, he said as he brought more plates to the table. I stood up and headed for the dining table while leaning against the wall.

I held the dining chair as I sat slowly, still feeling the ache in my stomach. It felt as if I just did a hundred push-ups.

Mr. Gregory sat opposite me and stared intently into my eyes. I felt he wanted to say a lot of things but doesn't know where to bring up the questions from.

Do you remember what happened today at the gym? I almost said no.

I almost shook my head in denial, not wanting to make things more complicated as they were already complicated.

I nearly ignored that there was a problem on the ground that needed to be addressed.

"What did you do Cassie? That you've prompted the attention of king Jade.

What offense have you committed? He stammered as his body began to tremble in fear, he was slowly giving in, to fear. The courage he portrayed earlier broke. 

King Jade. That name sounded familiar as if I had heard the name before, I reasoned I should act calm so that he would do the same.

"How come you don't know the royal family and your king?" He asked looking surprised.

I think I remember now. I said. king Jade the Alpha and ruler in Bloomsville. I remembered I had read about the royal family in the school library before.

"What has he come to do with a commoner?" How comes he came alone? So many questions kept popping into my head.

"Be lucid to me, a royal blood coming to see you is probably the most terrific thing I have ever seen. I know you have trust issues, but if there is anyone you should trust and tell your secret to, is me.

I understand your fears, but I seriously want to help you. His face was earnest with me, his breath was a bit dense.

I looked at his face to search for a clue that will tell me he was lying.

I couldn't find any clue on his face, not that I would know if he wasn't earnest. I had never had anyone to share or confide with. It has just been me and the asset my parent left for me to take care of myself.

I never had to worry about money to take care of myself, I just worried about not being killed before I found the answers I was looking for.

I never had to worry about intimacy with anyone because people were just the same. I only trusted myself and no one else.

"I will tell you about myself, only because I know you are truthful about helping me. He sat upright as he listened to my speech, I was glad as I was about to take him off his feet.

There, I have told someone every dark and dangerous thing I have ever done.

The room was grave silent, as Mr. Gregory stared blankly at me. I didn't think this situation was that bad to warrant the reaction he was giving me.

He look shocked as if he wasn't breathing. 

I moved forward to touch him, he was beginning to startle me a bit.

He moved backward instead, dashing away from my sight, his breathing strategy couldn't help him as he kept breathing without control. He moved so fast as he slammed the door against me while entering the bedroom.

I sat for a long time waiting for him to come out of the room, his place was a luxury he had lived a good life that many other bachelors couldn't live.

Everything from the kitchen, the air conditioner, television, and dining table were much more expensive for someone collecting a teacher's salary.

I took my time looking at the variety of food he had in the kitchen, I couldn't help my thirst for good food. I quickly prepared another delicious meal for myself.

After eating I thought about knocking at his door to explain everything to him. It seemed it wasn't necessary, I took my school bag as I walk out of his house, me alone and my dangerous beast. His voice got to me as I turned and stared at him nervously. He was holding a cell phone in one arm and several other files in the other.

"Come inside and relax. I think we still have a clue about winning the competition". He added.

He ignored me as he began to unfold the files one after the another". Close the door behind you he yelled" as he was still unfolding the files while speaking through the phone.

I took one step inside and I closed the door. Two men squad I said while glancing at him.

This was the fifth time this month that I have been running. The first time was because I was afraid and the second one was because I wasn't scared anymore. I never wanted to look down on myself again.

It had been a month since I and Mr Gregory decided to become a team. It was also about three weeks before the competition began.

"If I reach there before you, you are running another lap" yelled Mr. Gregory.

I immediately gulped down the supplement I was drinking as I picked up to my heels. I will be starting without you then, Mr. Gregory smiled.

I now had a routine, something I had stuck to for a month now, which Mr. Gregory made sure I was punctual at it.

I needed to be in a ready condition as I was getting set for the trials I would be facing, and he was making sure I was at my two hundred percent.

I could see the end of the finish line as I was running from the distance getting closer to it. The buddy I called my couch was running right beside me on the trial, spraying water on me, calling me ridiculous names, and trying to confuse and derail me from the sprint.

I got to the finish line and I shouted, "make me run another lap" your legs won't hold you up for more than two minutes, he said as if he was being sarcastic.

Stop running like a handicapped chicken, put in more effort to cover up a large space in a few minutes.

As I tried running again, everything happened too fast and the next second I was face flat on the floor, very well convinced that I had sprained my ankle.

Mr. Gregory came laughing as he halted beside me, helping me to massage my leg. He couldn't help to stop laughing at me.

I slowly limped as I stood erect, I wanted to hit him hard as he stared back at me. 

Can you run again? Don't break your head this time he said while blowing the whistle.