CHAPTER 22: THE PRINCE WHO WILL HELP ME GET HIM BACK

CHAPTER 22: THE PRINCE WHO WILL HELP ME GET HIM BACK
REINA’S POV

I was sipping coffee in the kitchen when I heard a knock at the door.

My heart jumped, thinking maybe it was him. The handsome prince who's gonna help me take Jake back to me.

I quickly set my cup down and hurried to the door. Luckily it's already finished. The moment I opened it, my eyes landed on a man who looked even better in person than in the pictures.

He wore a white polo shirt, the first few buttons left undone, paired with neat formal pants. His hair was styled just right, and his hazel eyes seemed brighter in the daylight.

I froze for a second, trying not to stare too much. He was even more handsome than I imagined.

He's the perfect one.

“Hi, miss. I’m Gavin—”

“Reina,” I cut in quickly, reaching out to shake his hand.

The move felt a little too fast, maybe even awkward, but I hoped he didn’t notice. Or worse, get turned off by it.

“Please, come in,” I said, stepping aside and gesturing for him to enter.

I tried to keep my voice calm and tried not to fidget, but inside I was praying I didn’t look like a fool.

I hoped I didn’t make things awkward.

Gavin followed me into the kitchen, his steps was slow like he wasn’t sure what he had gotten himself into. I tossed an apron toward him, and he caught it clumsily.

“Wait, what’s with cooking? I thought—”

“I don’t know how to cook, so you have to,” I cut him off, raising my brow. “Didn’t you get the information I sent to your management?”

He looked at me with a twisted expression, holding the apron like it was some kind of insult.
“What? To act like your assistant?” he asked in disgust. “Well, did my management also tell you that I didn’t agree?”

His words were sharp, but I refused to flinch. Instead, I leaned against the chair, crossed my legs, and gave him a commanding look.

“Unfortunately, no. And I picked you. So just be lucky, okay?” I rolled my eyes, flicking my hand at him. “What are you looking at? Start now.”

Gavin stared at me with clear irritation before scoffing.
“Now that proves it. All kids born and raised into rich families who never worked for anything end up spoiled brats.”

The words stung like a slap, but I didn’t let it show.

“And everyone judges too fast,” I replied calmly, though my smile was forced. “And when I say everyone, I mean no exceptions.”

For the first time, he looked caught off guard. But I didn’t give him the chance to answer. I stood up and turned my back to him.

“I’ll just be in the garden.”

“Wait.” His voice stopped me mid-step.

I glanced over my shoulder.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll steal something in your house? I’m just a stranger,” he said.

For a second, I thought he would apologize. But no.

I shrugged lightly, forcing another bitter smile.
“I’m a stranger in this house too.”

And without explaining further, I left him standing in confusion.

I walked slowly through the garden. The moment I sat down on the bench, memories rushed back, heavy and familiar. I could almost feel Jake beside me again—laughing, teasing, treating me like a little kid even when I pretended to hate it.

My eyes drifted to the empty patch of grass where he used to lay out a picnic blanket, filled with food and books. Now it was just bare ground. Empty, just like me.

Was I wrong? For acting the way I did? Instead of swallowing my pride and apologizing for being immature, I went and hired another guy just to make him jealous. To make him come back.

All I did was try to solve a problem by making another one.

I let out a long breath, tilting my head up to the old tree nearby—the same tree Jake once climbed when I refused to let him inside. He always found a way to be near me, even when I tried to push him away.

Minutes slipped by while I sat there, lost in thoughts of him. Gavin still wasn’t done. What was taking him so long? If it were Jake, the table would’ve been ready by now.

I shook my head hard, trying to chase away the thoughts, but no matter what I did, they always circled back to him. Always Jake.

I didn’t wait for Gavin to call me. I went inside on my own. But just as I stood up, I saw him leaning against the entrance door, arms crossed, eyes on me. The moment our gazes met, he smiled and gave me a small wave.

I quickly changed my face into my usual stubborn look and walked toward him.

The moment I got close, I tried to hit his head, but he dodged easily. He was so tall, I couldn’t even reach him.

“Oops. You missed,” he teased me while grinning.

I rolled my eyes and brushed past him, stepping inside. His soft chuckle followed me.

When I sat down at the table, he pulled the chair out for me like a gentleman.

“I guess you already accepted it, huh,” I said, stabbing my fork into the steak before smirking.

“To help you deal with… whatever made you act like that, yes. To be your assistant? Definitely not.” He replied, taking a bite of his own food.

Just then, his phone lit up with a notification. But he ignored it completely.

“Your phone,” I pointed out, raising a brow.

“Let it be.” He kept eating, savoring each bite.

“You’re not gonna pick it up?” I asked, a bit surprised. With Jake, he would’ve excused himself, left his food, and answered right away.

“It’s disrespectful,” Gavin said without looking up. “Both to the food… and to the person you’re eating with.”

That made me smile, even just a little.

I stood up to make some coffee. He didn’t know my taste, so I preferred doing it myself.

It wasn’t that bad at all. For the first time, I felt more comfortable sitting with him than I did with Jake. But still… my thoughts wandered. Where was Jake now?

GAVIN’S POV

I watched her carefully as she made her coffee, measuring everything the way she wanted.

I wanted to apologize for what I said earlier, but the words stuck in my throat. Saying sorry to her… it would feel like I was also apologizing to my older brother. And I couldn’t bring myself to do that.

Still, something about her felt familiar. Why did it feel like I already knew this woman?

“Was it good?” she asked suddenly, turning to me with a smile.

She looked prettier when she smiled, though I didn’t say it out loud.

“Of course. Because I’m the one who cooked it,” I said instead.

She chuckled softly. “But not the one who marinated it.”

My brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“Jake marinated it. He said the meat should sit long enough so it absorbs all the flavor. He’s my former private professor—the one my parents arranged for me, if you’re curious who he is.”

Jake? Professor?