Charlie watched as Levi’s eyes widened as the man on the next house performed a magic trick. Her little boy clapped his way to amazement after the trick, so as the other kids.“Those men are professional magicians. Mabuti na lang at nakumpleto silang lahat on the last minute,” sabi ni Gael.Her brows furrowed instantly. “You mean to say hindi sila ang may-ari ng mga bahay dito?” Umiling si Gael. “Who owned the houses then? Buti pumayag silang ipagamit ngayon para sa trick or treat ni Levi,” tanong niya, habang patuloy sila sa paglalakad na dalawa.“Us.”“What?”“We owned the houses here on this street, love. I bought them all just for this.”Napahinto na siya sa paglalakad, bumaling sa asawa. “What did you say? W-we owned all of these houses?” Kalmadong tumango si Gael. Lalo siyang napanganga. “You cannot just buy a whole street, Gael! Saan natin gagamitin ang mga bahay na ‘to pagkatapos? We cannot live in all of these 12 houses!” she said, incredulous.She’s not knew in splurging. O
“Here, have some coffee,” ani Charlie habang ibinababa sa harap ni Gael ang tasa ng kape na siya rin ang may gawa.Nag-angat ng tingin si Gael sa kanya. His eyes, just like the few days that have passed, was distant—gloomy. It was as if she's not there. O mas tamang sabihin na nasa iba ang isip nito. He forced a smile. “Thanks, love,” anito bago tahimik na dinala ang tasa sa bibig nito.She released a slow breath and sat on the chair in front of her husband. They were at the balcony of the Bernstein mansion. It was already late afternoon and the sun was beginning to set on the horizon. But she feels like Gael’s day was just about to start.Ito kasi ang nagbabantay sa lolo nito sa gabi. Mula nang dumating silang mag-anak sa Germany halos tatlong araw na ang nakararaan, hindi na natigil sa pag-aalala si Gael sa lolo nito. Why wouldn’t he? The old man was shot on the chest by one of the three butlers in the mansion, whom, they had found out later on, had been working for Alaric for the
“Des Auge (Eyes).” “D-des Auge.” “Die Nase (Nose).” “Die N-nashie.” “No, schatzi. It’s die Nase.” “Die N-nase.” “Very good, Levi! You are a fast learner just like your Dad.” Nagmamadaling lumingon si Levi kay Charlie. Her son’s eyes were sparkling with pride. “You heard that, Mommy? Grampy said I learn fast like Dadddy!” Charlie chuckled and walked over at the bed where Levi and Aksel were. She reached for her son’s cheeks and gave it a gentle pinch. “I heard that, sweetheart. Now why don’t you go with Jacob for a while and let me help Grampy with his food,” aniya. Mabilis na ibinalik ni Levi ang mata kay Aksel at nagmano sa matanda. “Bis später, Grampy! (See you later, Grampy!)” bibong sabi ni Levi bago lumabas sa silid ni Aksel. “You raised a really smart boy, Charlie,” ani Aksel nang sila na lang dalawa ang naiwan sa silid nito. "That's because you are a great teacher, Aksel. Don't you agree?" she said as she helped Aksel sit on the bed. The old man chuckle
Nilingon ni Charlie ang tinuro ng matanda bago tumayo at humakbang patungo sa lumang bureau na sinasabi nito. On top of it were the Bernstein family pictures from decades long ago.. She carefully pulled the topmost drawer and took out from it a small box that was made of wood. Carved on top of it was an ornate letter B, probably symbolizing the family’s surname. She walked back over at the bed and gently placed the box on Aksel’s waiting hand. He stayed silent for a while, just eyeing the box in his hand. His eyes were glazing with unshed tears, like he had been recalling a distant memory. Ilang sandali pa, hinamig ng matanda ang sarili at nagsimulang magsalita. “I promised my late wife to give this to the next Bernstein lady-of-the-house.” Nag-angat ito ng tingin sa kanya at inabot ang kanyang kamay. “That’s you, Charlie,” anito bago tuluyang inilagay sa palad niya ang maliit na kahon. “Go ahead. Open it.” She slowly did and she gasped when she saw a beautiful vintage emerald
“You did what?” hindi na napigilan pa ni Charlie ang magtaas ng boses dahil sa sinabi ni Tala.They were at the private office of her husband. Doon niya ito dinala upang makapag-usap silang dalawa ng pinsan nang masinsinan. Kaya lang, ilang minuto pa lang tumatakbo ang usapan nila, pakiramdam niya gusto na niyang sumuko. “I got married,” pag-uulit ni Tala. “H-he's a prince," alanganing dugtong nito, namumutla.Her eyes widened even more. Did she hear her right?"I’m sorry, what?"Tala released a slow breath. She looks flustered as she was. "Knoxx is a prince of a small country called Maritria. It’s somewhere in the Mediterranean. I don’t know more than that. I stopped my research the minute I’ve learned that his family was related to the British royals.”She paled and gasped aloud. "You married into royalty?!" she asked in disbelief, her voice a notch higher.She had always known her cousin to be troublemaker, wild like how the world put it. But Tala really outdid herself this time.
“Daddy!” ani Levi nang makita ang pagsulpot ng ama sa may dinning roomAgad na pabaling si Charlie sa direksyon ng asawa and there he saw Gael walking towards them with a smile on his face. “Tala?” anito nang tuluyang mapansin ang pinsan niya nasa kabilang bahagi ng mesa. “Hi, Gael. Nice to finally see in person after a long long time,” umpisa ni Tala. “Hope you’re not too angry with our family and allow me to stay in your house for a while. Please," dire-diretsong sabi ng pinsan niya, Worry written on her face. Mabilis na bumaling sa kanya si Gael, sandaling nangunot noo subalit sa huli ay ngumiti rin. “Stay as long as you'd like,Tala. Our doors will always be open for you,” sabi ni Gael bago tumabi sa kanya. Her husband looked a little bit more relaxed today. She surmised he had a good day at work. Maya-maya pa natigilan ito, ang mga mata nasa kamay niya. “You’re wearing it.” She looked down on her hand and saw the ring Aksel had given her. She forgot to take it off while s
Lena was in the bathtub for hours now. She was watching the tiny drops of water coming out of the faucet as they join the already cold water she was soaking her body in. On the background, she can hear the news from the old TV— the dreadful news she had been hearing for her entire week now. Gael is getting married again… to his wife Charlize. When Gael broke up with her more than a month ago after he had learned about her deceit, she had always been on the run since. Her father and the authorities were after her. She cannot afford to get caught. Especially not by her father. She just knew that when her father would find her, he’ll punish her for ruining his plans. And with her state right now, she knew she'd die with just one blow. Tears fell from her eyes as her heart wracked with pain. She remembered the days when her life was better, when she had so much hope, and when she was still loved. Oh how she wished she could go back. For now, she had lost all of those and slowly lo
Tala rolled her eyes as she entered Charlie’s room. She suppressed a laugh for she just knew her cousin was annoyed again for the nth time. “Ugh! So, annoying,” reklamo nito bago padabog na naglakad patungo sa kama kung saan siya nakaupo. “What?” “Alam mo na ‘yon,” iritableng sagot nito, tuluyang nahiga sa tabi niya at tumitig sa kisame. “I can’t guess. Everything is annoying to you, Tala.” Tala scoffed and began mumbling again. “Did Uncle Josh try to talk to you again?” Dumating na kahapon ang ilan sa mga miyembro ng pamilya nila para sa kasal nila ni Gael bukas. And while some of them still do not approve of her marrying Gael again at that time because of security issues, they arrived anyway to join them. Hindi nga lang lahat sa angkan. It was just her parents, her brother, Uncle Josh, Uncle Kiel, and Uncle Lucas. But she’s more than grateful that they are there. “Yeah, he keeps bringing up the issue of me running away again from Paris and all those other stuff I did years