Hunter rubbed his temples. It was eight o'clock in the morning and he hadn't had any sleep. Even though his love had told him to stop looking for him, he wouldn't stop. He wouldn't give up. He was going to make the little minx fall in love with him if it was the last thing that he did. Hunter looked up as someone was entering his office. It was Bret.
Bret looked just as tired as he felt. He had large bags and dark circles under his eyes. Bret had told Hunter about the visit from his angel last night and Hunter told him of his similar experience.
"Hey." Hunter grunted
"Hey." Bret sighed. "Any clues."
"No none." Hunter answered.
"What are you doing?"
"Burying myself in work." Hunter said and Bret scoffed. "Takes my mind off everything."
"Well, I'm going for a walk." Bret said and turned around. "Call me if you need me."
"Shawn." Shawn turned towards the voice.
"Yes sir." Shawn said as Wade Barrett approached him.
"Justin fell ill so I'm going to need you to go into the farmer's market and make sure all of our food orders are correct." Wade said and held out a piece of paper.
Shawn took the paper. "OK." Shawn sighed.
"Hey, are you OK?" Wade asked, noticing Shawn's depressed demeanor.
"Yeah, I'm just a bit tired. Can I take Brian with me?"
"Yeah, go ahead. You'll get done faster that way." Wade said and Shawn thanked him as he walked off. Shawn turned around walked over to Brian.
"Come on."
"Where are we going?"
"Farmer's market." Shawn said and walked off. Brian caught up to him and sighed. Shawn put his arm around him as they walked. Nothing needed to be said, they could tell by their body language.
"Come in." Hunter said when he heard a knock on his door. He looked up and held back a sigh. It was Stephanie. He really hoped she didn't come here to hit on him again. He really wasn't in the mood for being fake.
"Your majesty." Stephanie said and bowed.
"Stephanie, sit." Stephanie sat down in one of the plush chairs. "What can I do for you?"
"Oh nothing. I heard you weren't feeling well. I just wanted to see how you were doing."
"I'm doing well Steph." Hunter answered. "You could have just called."
"Yeah, well." Stephanie trailed off.
"Look Steph." Hunter started. "You're a great girl and you're going to make some guy or girl very happy one day but I'm not that guy."
Stephanie smiled and sighed in relief. "I know. I'm just doing this to please my dad. I mean, you're an attractive guy, but I see you more as my older brother than a lover." Stephanie said. "Besides, I like some else."
"So we're cool?"
"Yeah, we're cool." Stephanie said. "So, are you still searching for that pretty boy in the mask?"
"Yeah, he said he wasn't from here. He wasn't of my world." Hunter started. "So we've been looking into other kingdoms."
"Not of your world." Stephanie repeats. "That doesn't necessarily mean that he's from another kingdom."
Hunter scrunches up his eyebrows. "What do you mean?"
"He could be of a lower class."
Hunter rubbed his eyes. "Stephanie."
"Hm."
"You are a genius." Stephanie giggled and got up.
"I know and I expect a birthday present, if you find him because of me."
"Don't worry, you'll get whatever you want."
Bret walked around the marketplace. He watched as people ran past him, trying to buy groceries for their family. He watched as the kids played tag, they were so carefree. He would give anything to go back to those days of being free. He watched as an older couple walked past him. They were well past their golden years but they were still moving around. They held hands as the walked from stall to stall, smiling brightly. Would he ever have that? The love of his life didn't want to be found, didn't want him. Would he grow old and alone?
Bret walked a little further until he heard a voice that made him stop in his tracks. That-that voice. He knew that voice. Bret looked around but couldn't spot the body that went with the voice because of the crowd of people. Was he just imagining the voice?
Bret shook his head. "I gotta get some sleep." Bret turned around and went to the palace.
"Bret, I have a good idea." Hunter said as he bottle of whiskey to Bret.
Bret accepted the bottle. "What is it?" Bret said and took a shot of whiskey.
"I'm gonna throw another masquerade." Hunter said as Bret passed the bottle back.
"Are you drunk?"
"No." Hunter said. "Look, they wear mask so we throw another masquerade, they'll come and then we can see them again and this time they won't be able to leave."
"How so?"
"We'll convince them some how."
"Some way." Bret finished. "Alright, lets do it."
Brian and Shawn walked into the palace after their afternoon out. They felt a bit better, being out in the fresh air, but they still were a little sad.
"What's going on here?" Brian asked as he watched two servants break out some round tables.
"Hey, what's going on?" Shawn asked Heath.
"King is having another masquerade tomorrow night."
"What?" Brian questions.
"Yep, he's really trying to impress who ever he fell for." Heath said and walked off.
Brian smiled and turned to Shawn. "One more time wouldn't hurt."
"Not at all." Shawn responded.
"But, this is the last time." Brian said. "For real."
"Yeah, of course." Shawn agreed. "For real."
Brian grabbed Shawn and they ran off to their room. They had to make their outfits for tomorrow.
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YoominC16
