Chapter 2

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE LIAM'S POV

January 19, 2020

Sinulog Festival Grand Parade

10:00AM/ Alcala de Escolta Real Cebu City

"Your Royal Highness, this will be the parade's schedule today," Jaques walked toward me and put the iPad on top of my table. "But it's not yet final. We're still firm with our decision, Sir."

I nodded at him. Naiintindihan ko ang sentemiyento ng mga tao ko at ng palacio.

"Duration?" I asked while scanning the gadget. Hindi pa man nagsisimula, pagod na ko sa nakikitang schedules.

"About an hour. Depends on the crowd."

I grunt.

"Tell the boys to coordinate with the city council. I can't be delayed for my flight later this evening. You have to fix this, now. I can do the opening for the program at the plaza."

"Noted Sir. I'll call the organizer and the office of the Mayor. I'll get back to you, ASAP."

I nod and Jaques went outside of my room here on the estate to do his thing.

Namasahe ko ang sentido. Hindi pa man ako nakaka dalawang oras sa Cebu, pinutakte na ko ng sangkaterbang meetings at engagements. I was supposed to ride in a bulletproof SUV, wave to the waiting crowd for an hour. With my patented I'm-your-crown-prince smile, followed by the compendious speech my staff prepared.

But the Controls and my security team were against it. Up to the last minute, there's been a deliberation whether I'll get be part of the parade not. It's getting on my nerves.

Nahahapong napasandal ako sa upuan at tulalang tumitig sa family portrait na nakasabit sa gitna ng maluwag na opisina.

It was us, the Royal Family. Nasa gitna ang abuelo't abuela ko habang nasa kanan ako't napapalibutan ng mga pinsan ko't kapatid. Picture perfect, right?

I'll say that it's bullshit.

My life is an endless engagement, complex protocols, strict traditions, and injunctions. Sa kabila ng karangyaan na nakikita ng lahat, hindi nila batid kung ano-anong mga kailangan naming gawin. Kung ano ang mga bagay na dapat isakripisyo para sa trono.

The Crown and the Family will always come first.

Kaya kahit gusto kong magpahinga hindi maaari. This parade or whatever schedule they have for me is part of my duty as the nation's crown prince. The heir apparent who's always expected to be wise all smiles for the camera and be a role model to all our subjects.

We can't really have it all,I thought. May kaniya-kaniya tayong mga sakripisyong dapat ibigay sa buhay.Naiiling na napatayo ako't lumakad patungo sa bintana.

Tanaw mula sa kinaroroonan ko ang malawak na lupain na sakop ng pinakamaliit na kastilyong pag mamay-ari ng pamilya namin. The Alcala de Escolta Real, a sprawling Baroque castle sitting in 2, 000 sqm of land. It's magnificent and speaks opulence just like the rest of the castles and estates we have across the country.

Abruptly, I felt a pang that leaves a bitter taste in my mouth as memories of my childhood poked my brain. Fuck! When will I move on? Dalawang dekada na ang nakakalipas pero bakit ganoon pa din ang kirot kapag naaalala ko ang mga magulang ko?

Shit. Get a grip, fool!

But unlike El Estio, this place is tolerable for me. Isa pa, hindi naman ako mag tatagal dito sa Cebu, mamayang gabi lilipad rin kami pabalik ni Yñaki sa Manila. There are some Japanese delegates waiting for me tomorrow, so I better stop sulking and work my ass off so that I'm over and done here.

"Hey, pretty boy! Zupp?" Yñaki's voice cut me off my musings. He's my cousin and best friend. As if I have lots of them, friends.

I turned and saw him striding in my direction, grinning. Lalong lumalim ang gitla sa noo ko. Ano na naman kayang katarantaduhan ang nasa isip nito?

"Same old, same old."

"You look like shit, Liam!" He exclaimed then laugh.

"Joder! What do you expect? I only have 3 hours of sleep. I really want to hit the bed and hibernate for God knows how long!"

Inis na lumakad ako pabalik sa gitna ng kwarto at huminto sa tapat ng mesa ko.

"What you need is a little inspiration.  Perhaps, pop some cherry and paint the town red, old man," he said sarcastically, assuming my lack of social life.

"Gago. I'm just busy, not celibate," inihagis ko sa kanya ang papel na nadampot. Ang loko mabilis na nakailag sa ginawa ko.

"Busy? Por dios por santo. Malapit mo ng makapalitan ng mukha yung computer at ipad mo. Get a life, cousin. Sayang ang genes natin."

"Siraulo ka talaga. Lakas mo mang asar. Alam mo namang wala ang hari't reyna eh,"natigilan ako nang makita ang nakakalokong tawa nito. I groaned, praying to the holy for some more patience for my jerk cousin.

"M****a. Why are you grinning like a fool? Are we having a contest with that two horny young rebels? Hindi ka pa nadala, Yñaki. Pang three years dating history mo. Two days lang kay Lachlan."

"At least ako may dating history. Eh ikaw?"

Mabilis kong dinampot ang pen holder ko at ibinato iyon sa kanya. Tarantado talaga 'to. Anong akala nilang lahat sa 'kin, mongha?

"Fuck. Liam!"

I smirk. Tumama kasi sa braso ng pinsan ko ang pen holder na yari sa brass, lightweight man iyon but still it can do some damage to my prying royal cousin.

"I have! You fucking know that, prick!"

"Yeah. Kung counted yung date mo with some models before when we were studying abroad and some hanky-panky side flings na sa pagkaka alala ko, maswerte nang maka-date mo ng dalawang ulit."

I shoot him daggers. Are we comparing dates and bed experiences now?

I'm not like the two rebellious and naughty royal princes, a.k.a. Lazlo and Lachlan. But I'm no saint either. I date several women, even flirt some, and have my fair share of fuck-me-now and leave-me -when morning comes kind of relationships. But my sexual endeavors combined with Yñaki will pale in comparison with Lachlan's. And as much as possible, I do my monkey business privately.

Besides, I'm not the show and tell type. My libido, my business. Period.

I narrowed my eyes at him, I know where this is going.

"Are you on a truce with that two idiots? I swear, pag uumpugin ko ang mga ulo n'yong tatlo once na malaman kong pinagpupustahan n'yo na naman ang sex life ko!"

"Cool, Liam. I'm just merely stating some facts and putting some sense to that robot-like brain of yours."

Ilang minuto ko siyang pinagmasdan bago ko itinuon ang atensyon sa speech na kailangan kong i-deliver mamaya.

"You really need to get laid, Liam. Masyadong mainitin ang ulo mo, napapansin namin. At least kapag ka nailabas mo 'yung init sa isang ulo," he grinned and eyed at my crotch.

"Hindi na sobrang hot tempered 'don sa isa. Nakasingaw na eh!"

"Fuck off!" Galit na itinuro ko ang pinto.

"Si," ani to at tumalikod pero biglang huminto.

"Speaking of truce. Have you read the GC? Nag aaya 'yung dalawa. Your horse and my car. Against...anything we want from those two assholes. I said yes. Thirty minutes tops. We need to win this."

"I never said yes."

"Oh, you will. I know it, 'wag kang killjoy. I'll text you later. Hahanap lang ako ng chance na mailigaw yung mga boys."

"Fine. Go!"

I motioned him to go out as I fetch my phone. Yñaki was right. Our two younger brothers put a wager on us. Kailangan naming mailigaw sila Jaques at ang ibang mga royal guards sa loob ng kalahating oras. It's our version of hide and seek.

Damn it! Aren't we old for this kind of game?

I heaved a sigh as I recall all the nasty things we did when we were teens just to avoid our guards. Lahat kami may mga kalokohan at ngayon mukhang balak i-revive ng dalawang pasaway ang gawain naming iyon noong kabataan namin.

Akala ko pa naman sasawayin ni Yñaki 'yun dalawa pero umayon pa ito. Ako na lang ba ang matino sa 'ming apat? Or is it the other way around? They're the normals and I'm being me, control freak, and serious.

6:25 PM

"Liam, I'm here at the back alley of the hotel. I'll wait for you, be quick."

"Fine!" I snapped at Yñaki and end the call. Sa service elevator ako sumakay magmula sa 28th-floor ng hotel pababa ng lobby.

After the program, we checked in on a nearby hotel at Cebu IT Park as part of security precautions. Jaques and the rest of the boys we're at one of the rooms on the top floor of the hotel, taking their rest.

Walang kaalam-alam ang mga 'to sa balak namin ni Yñaki. All along they thought we're taking our much-needed rest given that we'll have a flight at 11 in the evening.

Matapos kong makalabas sa service elevator, nakayukong nilakad ko ang malaking lobby ng hotel. Nagtungo ako sa lugar na sinabi ni Yñaki at naabutan itong nakasandal sa pader. Like me, he's also wearing a dark hoodie and a baseball cap. We're trying to look normal and blend in.

"Let's go. I heard there are several street parties happening now, don tayo pupunta."

"Isn't it too risky? If we're spotted there, it will be catastrophic," I gazed at him. Of all people, Yñaki must know the magnitude of the scenario I'm trying to paint for him.

Nagkibit balikat lang ito. "We'll stay low-key. Don't worry, we're good."

"Okay. Let's do this shit before the boys have our balls."

Natawa nang malakas ang pinsan ko bago sabay naming binagtas ang kahabaan ng Salinas Drive. Muntik kong batukan ang pinsan ko ng bigla itong pumara mg taxi.

"Tonto! Anong low-key d'yan!"

"Trust me okay? Basta wag kang iimik masyado and avoid eye contact, we're safe. Hanggang sa may Fuente Osmeña lang naman tayo. Heard that they opened and ease some roadblocks," paliwanag nito habang hawak ang pinto.

"Sakay."

I groaned and slowly get inside the small cab. I hate this kind of vehicle. It's suffocating and I can't move my legs.

"Fuente Osmeña, Bai."

Yñaki instructed the cab driver while I silently watched the people across the street, happy and enjoying the festival.

"Did you off your phone?"

"Yes. But it's useless. You know the caliber of those scorpions."

Mahinang natawa si Yñaki sa sinabi ko.

"Your number 2 will go definitely go batshit crazy. It's a sight to behold."

"Hindi kita maintindidan kung bakit ka pumayag sa dalawa. Matanda na tayo para sa ganito," galit na bulong ko sa pinsan.

Mabuti na lang at abala ang driver sa pakikinig sa balita sa radyo kaya di kami nito masyadong binibigyan ng pansin.

"Because you need to loosen up a bit. Tatanda kang wala sa oras sa ginagawa mo. Chill, man!"

I sighed and exasperatedly turn my attention to the road. Annoyed and I'm close to strangling my cousin, so I better concentrate on other things.

"Ser, excuse me ho? Pero parang pamilyar ho kayong dalawa."

Pareho kaming napaigtad ni Yñaki ng marinig ang sinabing iyon ng driver.

"H-ha? Naku kamukha lang namin 'yon, Tang," ani Yñaki habang hinihila pababa ang suot na baseball cap.

"Hindi ko ho alam, Ser. Pero para talagang nakita ko na kayo, eh."

Shit!

I eyed Yñaki and I mouthed him to tell stop. We have to get off this cab as quickly as we can before things turned south.

"Ay tama ho! Naalala ko na. Kamukha n'yo 'yong kras ng anak kong mga artistang Koryano."

I sagged at my seat and Yñaki laughed at the old man's remark. Fuck! I nearly had a coronary.

"Pero 'di rin ho ako sigurado. Di ko kasi kayo mabistahang mabuti dahil sa suot n'yo. Taga Maynila ho kayo?" Usisa pa rin nito.

Tumango si Yñaki at bumaling sa 'kin. Alam marahil nito na napipikon na ko sa sobrang pagiging usisero ng lalake.

"Sa tabi na lang kami. Hetong bayad. Keep the change."

"Ay naku salamat ng marami Ser. Ingat ho kayo at enjoy," malaki ang ngiting anito habang hawak ang one thousand bill na may naka imprintang mukha ng abuelo namin. Ang hari.

"M****a! Akala ko namukhaan tayo," bulong ni Yñaki ng nasa gilid na kami ng kalsada at nag lalakad.

"Gusto kong tapalan ang bibig 'non."

"You really need to get laid. Umakyat na sa bumbunan mo 'yung init."

"Fuck you!" At nagpatiuna akong maglakad sa kanya.

"Hey! Stop."

"What?!" I barked, my voice lower than usual. Ayokong maka attract ng atensyon ng ibang tao.

"Let's meet her after 25 minutes. Okay?"

"Okay. Hasta luego, prick!"

"Si, dick head!"

7:05 PM

Around Fuente Osmeña Street

I glanced around and stared back at my Rolex. It's past 7 and I have to be back on the street that Yñaki and I agreed to meet. By now, I know that the royal guards together with the secret service, are combing the whole city, searching for us. We need to get back to the hotel.

Kapag kasi lumipas ang mahigit isang oras at isa sa amin ay 'di makita nila Jaques, it will be catastrophic. A state of emergency will be raised around the city or worse in the whole Reino.

Tinahak ko ang daan kung saan ako nanggaling kanina pero bigla akong napahinto ng makitang nag sasanga iyon.

Fuck, is it right or left?

Dahil halos nakayuko ako habang binabagtas ang kahabaan ng Fuente Osmeña, hindi ko maalala kung sa kanan ba ko lumiko kanina o sa kaliwa?

"Shit. Bahala na," mabilis akong lumiko pakananan.

Mahaba-haba na din ang nilakad ko sa madilim na eskinitang iyon ng matigilan ako. May isang street party na nagaganap sa dulo ng daan. Kung mamalasin ka nga naman. Mali ang desisyon kong lumiko pakanan. I should've turned to my left.

I looked at my watch one more time. I'm guessing that Yñaki's already at our meeting place, nose flaring and bored. I weigh my options, it's either I walked back to the other side of this street or open the cellphone I have inside my pocket. I think my best option now is the second one.

I decided to walk a little more and stand beside a paramedic van that was parked along the curb. Sighing, my hands fished for my phone but I was stunned when a soft warm hand grabbed my free hand, pulling me.

What the hell?

"OMG!Something like this..tara!"

I flinched as I felt a sudden electrical charge creeping from my arms and quickly like a wildfire, consumed my whole system. Leaving me astounded.

What was that?

Gaping at the stranger who had my hand, I wonder where's my voice and sanity. Dapat ay pumapalag ako ngayon at umalis na palayo sa babaeng 'to. But why am I following her lead?

"Tara na, bilisan mo! Andon si Donna. I love that song and I want to dance."

The profanities that I'm about to throw at the insolent stranger who snatches my hand, hang in the air, as the light from the lampost shined on her delicate feature. I think my world just turned into a-flame.

Sweet Jesus! Am I dreaming?

Hindi ko malaman kung bakit at paano, pero biglang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko. All my senses came alive and I became conscious of the stranger. For the first time in my life, I'm nervous. The stupid muscle inside my chest is rapidly beating and it annoys me. Why am I nervous in the first place?

Iniiwas ko ang tingin sa mukha niya at dumapo iyon sa kamay kong hawak n'ya, para kong nahihipnotismong pinagsalikop ang mga iyon at marahang pinisil ang pinakamalambot na palad na nahawakan ko. Napakislot ang estranghera sa kapangahasan ko. Lihim akong napangiti.

Is she somehow, feeling this awkward tension between us?

"Dito na lang tayo," her saccharine voice traveled to my ears. Napahinto ito malapit sa stage at inilibot ang paningin sa paligid.

Mula sa kinatatayuan ko, malaya kong napagmasdan ang mukha niya. I'll commend the city mayor for installing countless street lights in this area.

I gulped as I drank her beauty.

She's the kind that'll make you stop and just stare. Gawk at her and think of a million ways on how can you please her. Long black hair, lithe, and willowy features. Black eyes, flawless skin, and a body that made me almost drop on my knees. Fine small tits, a flat stomach, and an ass perfectly made for grabbing.  My Monstrous was suddenly awoke. Curious.

Joder! Yñaki's right, I need to get laid. I'm acting stupid and having dirty thoughts with some random lass. Looking at her again, I can't blame myself. She's exquisite, the kind that made you think angels are real and you want to convert on whatever belief she has.

If I'm a sinner, I want to renounce my faith and vow to my newfound religion. Her.

Fuck! That's sappy and a bit gross. What's wrong with me?

"Tumulo laway mo ha? I know maganda ko but really, Karlo? 'Di ka pa ba nag sasawa dito."

M****a! I clenched my fist as I glare down at her. She's laughing nervously as she pointed her index finger to her face. Hindi ko maintindihan ang nararamdaman ko sa babaeng kaharap. One minute I'm calm then brutal and on the verge of murdering that bastard name Karlo.

An audible gasp escaped from my mouth when I saw her take a swig of whatever was on the cup she's holding. What a hot sight! My friend down there was pleased and I silently castigate myself. Kailan pa ko naging pangahas ng ganito?

"Where's your beer?mandaraya ka talaga eh kalalaki mong tao!'' She looked up and handed me her cup.

"Inom!"

Lost in trance and mesmerized, I took it from her and hastily drink its content. God, it's awful! Why is she drinking this disgusting beer? Bagay sa kanya ang Moet o Dom Pérignon.

I shook my head. I should end this craziness and leave.

Akma kong ibabalik ang baso sa kanya para umalis na sa lugar na iyon ng biglang magsiksikan ang mga tao at madikdik kaming dalawa. Instinctively, I protectively wrapped my arms around her small waist and pressed her against me.

I heard her gasped and my whole body froze because of the contact. I caught a whiff of the destructive yet most seductive concoction that teased my olfactory. Vanilla, floral with a hint of fruity scent wafted on my nose.

Damn. She smells so fucking good.

"Wow! Nag change ka ng perfume?Ang bango-bango mo ngayon Karlo," she muttered.

Awtomatikong nag tagis ang bagang ko ng marining na binanggit n'ya na naman ang nakakairitang pangalan na 'yon. Karlo. Karlo. Puro Karlo! Boyfriend n'ya ba 'yon? Shit. I don't share but most importantly I don't steal other man's girls.

Fuck. I have to get out of here.

Subalit lahat ng plano ko naglaho ng bigla n'yang pisilin ang dibdib ko. Kung marahil walang nakatabing na sombrero sa ulo ko'y makikita ng pangahas na babaeng 'to ang pagkatigalgal ko.

"Sorry. Ang tigas eh. Dinama ko lang," nahihiyang anito at nakita kong bahagyang namula ang makinis nitong pisngi.

I was fascinated by her flushed face. She's prettier when she blushed.

Hindi pa man ako nakakabawi'y muli na naman akong nagulat sa ginawa n'ya. Marahan nitong iniyakap ang mga braso sa leeg ko't hinila ako palapit sa kanya. Slowly, her hips began to sway and as if hyptotized, I followed suit.

Who is this lady and what kind of spell did she put on me?

Nanatili kaming ganoon sa loob ng ilang minuto, nakatitig ako sa kanya, tulala. Habang siya'y nakasandal ang ulo sa ibabaw ng dibdib ko. I wonder, naririnig kaya n'ya ang mabilis na tibok ng puso ko?

"You feel so right...I can't explain it! You're like my Je ne sais quoi."

My steps faltered not just because of her comment but due to the fact that I spotted some of the royal guards scanning the area. M****a! This is not good. Maraming tao ang nakapaligid sa 'min at kapag nalaman ng mga taong narito, kasama na ang kaharap ko, kung sino ako. Tiyak malaking gulo.

Walang imik na hinablot ko ang kamay n'ya at hinila siya palayo sa lugar na iyon. Alam kong nagtaka ang dalaga sa ginawa ko pero laking pasalamat kong pinili nitong 'di umumik. Tahimik lang na sumunod ito sa akin.

"Karlo, wait..." anito sabay hila sa 'kin. Napahinto kami sa gilid ng kalsada.

"Ano bang ginawa mo ha? Tell m-"

Hindi ko s'ya sinagot dahil nahagip ng mga mata ko ang papalapit na bulto ni Jaques. Nalilito pa rin ako kung bakit ganito ang reaksyon ko. I can just drop her hands and leave.

I don't have any obligation to her–or to anyone for that matter, to explain myself. She doesn't need to know who am I but somehow there's a tiny voice within me that is compelled to do so. I shook my head. No, this is just pure concern.

Madilim sa parteng iyon at 'di kaya ng konsensiya ko na bigla na lang siyang iwan. Isa pa, alam kong malalagay siya sa alanganing sitwasyon kapag naabutan kami nila Jaques. She'll be in custody and the Secret Service will grill her for God knows how long, just to make sure that she's not a threat of spy. Surprisingly, that thought infuriates me.

SOP and security shits.

"Karlo ano ba malapit na sila," natatarantang sabi nito. "Hayup ka talaga. Nangutang ka na naman ba sa 5'6, ha? Sabing tigilan mo na ang pagtaya sa casino, eh!"

She's right, Jaques and Jordan were a few meters away from us and all of a sudden my mind went blank. My calm and calculated nature was nowhere to be found. Hindi ko na nga initindi kung anuman ang sinasabi niyang utang.

Holy shit.

Iniisip ko pa lang kung anong kalye ang lilikuan namin ay hinatak ako nang malakas ng estrangherang kasama ko sa isang madilim at makitid na eskinita. Nanlalaki ang mga matang napatingin ako sa kanya.

Round, big piercing brown eyes are studying me and I think someone gutted me. It's the most beautiful eyes that my eyes meet. It's a unique combination of honey and nature. The darkness only made her orbs shine brightly and I'm mesmerized. Lost in her eyes and the warmth it gives to my soul. What's with this woman and her fucking brown eyes?

"Oh my God!"

I was startled by her voice. Shit. I know that by now she figured out that I'm not that damn guy named Karlo. I could feel her panic and before she could bolt or scream, I lean forward, grabbed her nape and slammed my eager lips to her shock, and parted one.

Just once, I thought. I'm only doing this to keep her quiet but damn, I'm not prepared for the effect her lips have on me. She tastes divine. The sweet taste of her mouth unfurls all my senses, intoxicating me to the point of near brain death.

Holy shit. I want to claim her, now. Against the wall of this filthy alleyway but my logical mind gets the better of me. The voice reminded me to go and get a grip of my rational self. The odd feeling that this beautiful stranger in my arms evokes is short-lived. She's just an ephemeral flower passing by, confusing me. And I hate it.

Bago pa ko malunod ng tuluyan, umahon na ko't bumitaw. May kung anong kahungkagan akong naramdaman habang pinagmamasdan s'ya pero isinantabi ko iyon.

"Damn! Lo siento, Senorita."

Without hesitation, I turned my back, leaving the woman who piqued my interest and in some ways, beguiled me.

Oh, what a chance encounter! I'll move on, I know.