Secret Revealed

The city’s square was pure bedlam, and so was Mia’s head at this moment.

“Once known as the Golden Prince, he commanded the sky itself with a brilliance that ignited an ancient celestial war…” the narrator went on while the screens showed Wes clad in radiant armor atop a throne, sunlight bending around him like a crown before flaring and fracturing into a classroom scene where he reincarnated as an honor student in the modern world.

The movie teaser continued to show Keith and the rest of the cast, but Mia was fixated on Wes, who looked so natural in the spotlight it’s like he was born for it. She felt dizzy as pieces of memory collided in her mind—how vague his answers were whenever she asked personal questions, how he appeared when she least expected him to, how he wore a mask whenever they're outside, just like now.

‘How could I not figure it out? He’s…’

‘WES ASHTHORNE,’ the screens flashed in bold text, finishing her thought.

Despite all the noise and movement, her everything went silent still. She covered her mouth, her throat constricting. Her knees went weak, and she had to will herself to stay upright.

Suddenly, she became aware of the weight and warmth that fell on her back. Before she could react, a strong pair of arms firmly wrapped around her shoulders, grounding her even as she remained conflicted within.

“Mia,” Wes whispered softly. “Please don’t leave.”

Her chest burned as if the air had been squeezed out of it. The screens overhead showed his face once more, staggeringly vivid and larger than life. At the same time, he himself stood behind her, still close and intimately familiar.

“W-Why didn’t you tell me?” she managed to voice out, though she didn’t look at him.

“You’re afraid of people.” He paused, hesitating. “And I have to be around people all the time.”

“Even so, s-something like t-this…” Her lips were quivering, hands clenching.

“I just don't want to scare you away.” His grip around her tightened, and he buried his face in her neck. “I should've told you, I know, and I wanted to—every single day.”

For a fraction of time, the city's square felt suspended between sound and silence, between who he was to the world and who he was to her.

She inhaled and stepped out of his arms, then she turned to him. Without a word, she reached up to move his shades onto his head, and he let her. Her breathing slowed, her eyes steady as she searched for the whole truth in his own.

Maybe she knew deep down that he’s no ordinary person. He did seem so perfect in her eyes that it’s almost unreal, but being in love could do that. Never did she imagine he’s set apart from other people in this way.

Like the screens up there, he shone so brightly she's left in the shadows.

‘Is that it? Is it because I’m lacking? Is it because I’m inadequate? Compared to him, I…’ Honestly, all she knew about Wes Ashthorne was that he’s rich and popular, but that’s also everything she’s not and couldn’t be. ‘Such a gap between us…’

“What if he is actually someone famous, wealthy, influential, and all that stuff you only see in movies?”

Now, Mia understood why Claire had asked her that question. Those around them were aware all along. Perhaps, even Jenny was since she already met Wes. They must have kept it from her for the same reason —

Mia, as she was now, couldn't stand beside Wes.

‘But still, I…’

She raised both her hands with helpless longing, like she was reaching for the stars. He looked on with bated breath as she held his face and gave a self-deprecating smile.

“Wes, I appreciate you caring so much about me, but… I wish you'll also trust me.”

---

Wes felt his heart drop at Mia's words.

He had faith in her, and he never intended to make her think otherwise. This wasn't what he expected when he decided he'd confess. He had braced himself to see her disappointed and indignant, to hear her call him the liar that he was.

But as it turned out, she’s nothing but sad that he didn't confide in her.

“I do trust you, Mia,” he said, placing his hands above hers. “I'm proud of how brave and strong you are. Of course, I believe in you.”

“Tell me, then,” she murmured, “Wes, what will…happen to us from now on?

“That's…” he trailed off, faltering as his mind conjured up scenarios that immediately evoked his protective instincts. ‘First, the fans and the paparazzi—they'll be coming after her. There's my family too, more particularly the elders. Then, those who hold a grudge against me—I attract quite a lot even by existing.’

“You’re scowling.”

He sighed, “Just worried.”

“Right, that's what I mean.”

“Mia, I'll be completely honest with you,” he told her in all seriousness. “The world I’m in—even I think it's cruel. Lives get ruined because of one mistake that makes headlines, of public expectations that only reward them with more, of attention both unwarranted and inescapable. I can't subject you to any of that, and you've been through so much already.”

Mia regarded Wes in ponderous silence for a moment. Her gaze held a different kind of sadness from earlier, leaning more to concern, as well as a curiosity seemingly borne by those emotions. She stroked his cheeks soothingly, an earnest smile now on her expression, and he couldn't help but be captivated.

“You've been through so much yourself,” she said, almost as though she had a glimpse of his past in the last seconds.

He glanced away, feeling inclined to deny that, but he swore to be truthful. “It’s definitely lonely, but… I have you now.”

“And you always will, so please wait for me, Wes.”

He blinked, puzzled. “What?”

“It’s scary, and I don't think I'm ready at all, but still…”

She stood on her tiptoes and suddenly kissed him on the lips, though they were covered by his mask. His heart pounded loudly in his chest, a curl of heat surging from inside out while he savored as much of the sensation as he could. It's light and brief, barely a touch, but it lingered.

“F-For you, I-I-I will do my b-best!” Though she's the one who initiated it, she got all flushed and flustered. “I-I will study and work harder to pass the university exam, or better yet, land a scholarship to afford a fashion degree! Then, I will…”

From there, Mia rambled on and on about her plans for the future.

It's always a joy to see her so passionate and committed, but the timing was a bit off. He wasn't sure why disclosing he's a billionaire celebrity would put more pressure on her rather than provide her a sense of security. If she asked him, he could give her all that she desired and much more, and she didn't ever have to lift a finger.

Perhaps, as much as Mia wanted him to trust her, Wes also wanted her to depend on him.

“My fair and pure-hearted princess,” he exhaled softly, clasping her hands with his and pressing them against his chest. “I love how you adorably recite your life aspirations like a mantra…”

“I-I do?!”

“... However, I must ask how you wish for us to proceed. Shall we let word of our love spread far and wide or keep it behind closed doors? Fret not, for I respect whatever you choose. Rest assured that nothing and no one shall get in between us.”

Now that she declared her resolve to stay with him, he's more determined than ever to make this work. He'd already predicted the aftermath and calculated his next course of action while mustering the courage to confess last night. To ensure her light would never wane, he'd be willing to bear the darkness that awaited.

“I-I don't m-mind,” Mia stammered out, smiling despite her apparent nervousness. “That e-everyone knows, I mean.”

His brows raised in awed surprise. “Are you sure?”

“B-Because if they find out some other way, it m-might become a…s-s-scandal. Jenny told me about that.”

“Ahh… Ms. Jenny…”

“Yes, Jenny s-said people would c-come up with all s-sorts of stuff online, and… Well, um, it's best not to l-lie.”

‘Must be her way of warning her about me,’ he thought with a wry smile.

“P-Personally, I… I hope to get to know each other more. If doing this will make me closer to Wes, then I… I want to see for myself how it will turn out.”

'Very well, my love.'

Having finally reached the breaking point, Wes tugged the mask off his face and wrapped his arms around Mia’s waist, then he leaned down to capture her lips with his own.