Chapter 7 HUNG OUT

CHAPTER SEVEN: FRIEND REQUEST

"No blind date. how can an outstanding lady like you do a blind date?" Haley said.

"It was a silly question Haley." Cher laughed as they stepped out of the elevator and into the private room.

After settling besides each other, a young man walked in with a menu but first dropped it when he saw the two girls.

"Umm... am sorry." He said picking up the menu. "What can I get for you two? Handing over the menu, he asked.

"Why not start with juice for a little freshening Haley?" Cher skimmed through the menu.

"Give it to me." Haley snatched it. "Get us juice first." She agreed.

After the juice was served, they started drinking after cheers.

"Umm... actually Cher, aside from the fact that so much missed hanging out with my very best friend, I have something I need to talk to you about."

"Something? Is it good or bad news?" Cher's hand stopped midair with the glass.

"I don't know." Haley placed the glass down. "I have a crush on someone."

Cher first laughed. "Haley, since I knew you, it's the first time..."

"I know, that's why I had to share everything with you first." Haley said.

"Before I know who has melted my friend's heart, I want to know if you ever met him before." Cher sipped.

"Actually, now that is where the bad news come in." Haley said. "I just saw his pictures online, I've been reading about him and his family on newspapers and recent updates." Haley said.

"And? Is it just a secret crush?" Cher asked.

"Actually yes, but I send him a friend request yesterday he hasn't replied." Haley curved her mouth. "I feel bad."

"Who is that?" Cher asked.

"Declan..."

"What? What did you say? The Declan I know, or someone else?" Cher asked.

"Declan Wessel, the prince." Haley sighed.

"What? That's an expensive taste dear." Cher sighed. "Be serious for once Haley. How many high-class ladies have approached him? He's a prince for heaven's sake!"

"Am not a low-class lady Cher. What shows I can't have it?" Haley asked.

"Success in that Haley..." Cher leaned over. "Whatever came over you must be strange."

"Nothing came over me Cher. Am beautiful, I have my own money..." Haley said. "Don't success me please, I told you because I need you to advice me."

"Ooh... sorry sweetie." Cher stood up and hugged her lightly. "Take it as a shock from my poor heart please. Of course, we're talking."

PORT PRIME COUNTRY PALACE

For two days, Declan has been following closely the issue of Helion uproar. That only means he hasn't been available as before.

Today, he decided to walk around the palace after his meal. It was midday when he got out of the study room.

"Prince..." Cruz, his personal firsthand man called. "Two days."

"How is everything?" Declan asked.

"Very fine." Cruz handed him his phone.

Being a prince, a superman and charming as he was, notifications from different people with different interest started flowing in. as usual, he would even go through them

Beep... a new friend request from Haley Jenna. Except for the profile picture of a lady with a sunny smile, no bio attached, no other pictures, no qualifications, just one friend on her account, the advocate of peace Cher Lucille.

Why did this particular girl attract the prince's attention? He remained standing at the same spot until the restless Cruz got suspicious.

"Prince, is there something wrong with the screen of your phone or it's what you're reading from the phone itself?" Cruz asked not moving a step but stretching his neck.

"Nothing is wrong." Declan replied. Before Cruz could see anything, the screen went dark. He simply hung his tongue. "Can I talk to you?"

"yes, my prince."

The wo walked a few distance into the rich garden in the backyard. Declan plucked a flower and planted it in his thick hair before sighing.

"My prince, you're planting flowers in your hair? Let me take that photo of a beautiful lady in a man's clothes." Cruz was about to take the phone when Declan simply kicked the phone away.

"We're here on a serious talk." He said.

"Since when did you start decorating yourself on serious talks?" Cruz asked. Of course, he was among the few lucky who would simply joke around with the prince.

"Forget that." Declan pulled the flower and crushed it.

"Am listening my prince."

"Have you ever been in a relationship?" Declan asked with a trembling tone.

"My wife ran away with my son. Are you into someone?" Cruz looked at Declan's face closely.

"Not really." Declan said. "I just think am running out of age." He shrug.

"See what money and power has done to you my prince. You're only twenty-two. Which age are you talking about?" Cruz shook his head.

"Are you..." Declan looked up at him.

"Of course, not my prince..." Cruz gave a fake stupid smile. "How can I do that? You have all the ladies of Port Prime at your foot, both the beautiful angels and the ugly survivors."

Instead of getting angrier, Declan simply smiled politely as ever.

...

Where Cher and Haley went, no one knew, but they didn't come back that night. Viole was all over the house how Rollis gave her headache on their way home. She had expected either Cher will pick Rollis up on their way back or their dad would do that. Gavin hadn't gone to work because he got stressed with the lack of peace in Helion.

Talia simply celled her and asked her to come earlier and pick up her brother who had demanded for a walk in town picking this and that.

"No one is saying anything mom, Cher isn't here yet." Viole said.

"What are we supposed to say? Or go out and look for her?" Talia asked.

"Viole, is Cher the same age as you?" Gavin asked. "She left with Haley, and you know those two meets after a long time. Besides, she is no baby to follow around anymore."

"But daddy, I just didn't expect a call to pick Rollis from school in the evening." Viole said.

"What is wrong with picking me up? Someone else also picked you up." Rollis piped making the complaining Viole frown.

Viole would always complain and Rollis would be there to reply. The two parents already knew this.

"And... Cher has a something dropped for her. She might not be around for days." Gavin said.

"For days?" Viole asked.

"Sweetheart, call her. Let er pin her location. We need her to get this before it's late." Gavin said.

"OK dear."

Morning...

DAN STAR HOTEL

Haley woke up earlier and sat by the bed checking any notifications from Declan Wessel, just got angry the very moment she realized there was no reply.