Me and Galina (2nd Edition)

VI

Galina shoved her folded clothes in the luggage. She piled them according to her Grandmother’s rule. Do not crumple. As she finished arranging them, Galina zipped the luggage and bumped herself on her bed. The morning is still dark. She only slept for three and a half hours. Messy would be the word to describe her hair. The problem is that Thea disappeared two weeks after her first day of work. Galina took her comb from the desk and ran it on her hair strands. She sighed, thinking about Thea been disappeared and how to reheat the muffin without a microwave.

A house without a microwave? Galina palmed her forehead, realizing that she’d been eating delivered foods from some commercial restaurants. “I never thought of living in a house without a microwave!”

Yet an idea came out. Galina rushed downstairs, got the hairdryer, and tore the plastic package of her muffin. The plug and the socket met, giving life to that dryer. She shoves her hand into a cooking mitten, smiling at its floral decorations. Then Galina heated the muffin after turning on the hairdryer. “Well, that works!” She smirked as she looked at her muffin. After eating her breakfast, Galina heard a knock on her door.

Her hands clutched the knob and wove the door wide, meeting a tall, fine fifty-year-old man in a black suit. He smiled like the morning was going to rise. At his back parked a magnificent carriage. “Good day, Miss Ponce. His Majesty the King has ordered you as his daughter’s orthopedic nurse in his court. I am Patrick Cranberry, The King’s equerry.”

“Yes, uh sir, who will carry my luggage?”

“The butler can help.”

As he snapped his fingers, a ginger young man, much younger than her, came into the house. When the butler carried the luggage, he groaned at its heaviness as he hardly came to the carriage. Galina grinned at Patrick. Patrick has just raised his eyebrows at Galina. The limo shook itself when the butler accidentally bumped the luggage on the board. He opens the door, revealing the luxurious style of the passenger seat with hanging wine glasses and a bottle of gin. Galina then locked up the flat.

She was overwhelmed at the design when she came into the limo. Patrick was the last who sat on the long L-shaped couch with the butler. Galina guessed Patrick was over thirty or something. He caught Galina staring at him. Patrick began asking a question, licking his lips. “Miss, I don’t want to offend your with this. Is there something you brought inside your luggage?”

“I brought 50 pairs of garments including panties, bras, and even menstrual pads.” The butler’s cheeks crept with a pink blush. Hearing those words, she emphasized. “I even brought diapers and tampons.” Galina looked at them. The butler became redder but eyed strictly by Patrick. Patrick responded to Galina’s worry-driven curious face with a smile. “By the way, Miss. This is Justin, the king’s butler.” Patrick pointed at Justin while Justin nodded. Patrick chuckled silently at Galina’s blunt answers.

Galina lifted her gaze on the shelf. Alcohols lined up in alphabetical order: from beer to whiskey. Patrick glances at the shelf, then at her. “Do you want to drink, miss?” Galina shook her head in agreement. Patrick devilishly grinned and nudged Justin to give a shot for her. But to her, she felt uncertain way of drinking such alcohols. “What do you want, beer or gin or?” Justin rubbed his chin while reading the bottles. “Vodka please… just a bottle.”

The two men exchanged glances. They’re shocked and what if she will might be too high when greeting the sovereigns? The driver also took a hasty look in the rear-view mirror. “What is going on?”

“Maybe you’ll be too high to meet the sovereigns, miss.” Patrick winked at Justin, who understood his gesture and returned the bottle of vodka to the shelf. Galina widened her eyes. “Oh yes, I forgot.” She nearly forgot that she’s going to be with the sovereigns. Patrick gazed at her fingers, fidgeting with the keys. “You may be nervous to meet them. Have you seen them on the TV?”

“Just recently, yes, but in my country, uh no.” she pressed her lips together. Justin took a bottle of vodka again and drank it straight, leaving Patrick and Galina stunned. Patrick shook his head and huffed. “We’ll expect what’ll happen soon.” Justin placed the empty bottle on the desk. He leaned back on the couch and mumbled. Patrick was just watching at him as his voice became louder with some drunken melody.

“Accept me, Olivia… Accept me, Olivia.” Justin repeated his words. But the equerry finds it too annoying to his ears. He pinched his eyes close as Justin reached to his high note. “Accept me, Oh Olivia!”

“Does he had a heartbreak or a toothache?” Galina asked, lowering her voice to Patrick. Patrick was used to Justin’s mood in high spirits, calmly spoke. “No… that’s his favorite song.”

“Oh.” She shook her head. An overwhelming situation makes her see a drunk man singing for the first time. “I thought he has a stomachache.”

The Elizabeth Tower—internationally known as the Big Ben she saw, stood magnificently alongside the Parliament Building. Through the tinted window, Galina could see some tourists with diverse cultures who were taking some pictures of that famous landmark. A few blocks went by, Galina’s jaw dropped when the limousine drew towards the palace. The Victoria statue was enormous for her. The palace was a breath-taker type of residence with royal guards standing in every corner… to her.

Then Patrick, on the other side, bent down his body and searched for a long piece of cloth to cover Justin’s noisy mouth. He pulled out the drawer while still listening to Justin’s weird song. Sighed when he finds nothing, then closed back the drawer, straightened up his back, and thought of Justin’s talent as a total nightmare for him. No other idea than to slap Justin’s face, waking him up from his drunk dreams.

And he did.

When the vehicle parked in front of the palace. Justin wobbled as he stepped out, followed by Patrick with his signature stiff-neck pose than the lively Galina. Her eyes widened with awe and her gaze rushed towards the lady in her forties, who strode downstairs with a bronze envelope. She’s somewhere of a Greek-descent. The two men: Patrick and Justin, carried the luggage with some other servants to the palace. But Galina was distracted by the lady who was walking before her. “Good day, Miss Ponce. Welcome to the Buckingham Palace. Well, the princess sends you the letter.” She handed her the letter. The envelope bored some black-inked calligraphy, bearing the official royal house.

The House of Edsworth

“I’m Dame Avril Mahler, The Queen’s lady-in-waiting and the Lady of Sheffield.” She smiled at her but clinched her face when they both hear shattering glass. She shook her head and sighed. “Barbie’s making some mess.”

Galina gave her a questioning look. Barbie? Who’s that? A human-size doll making a mess around the palace. That sounds creepy.

“Anyway, you’ll see her later. You must follow me. Your friend is waiting at the Drawing Room.” Avril turned on her heels and lead her inside. The Palace was rich in plated gold ornaments and marble statues along the way. Paintings hung on the walls, displayed each royal member of the family in every generation. Galina clutched the letter while admiring the beauty of the interior. “Nikolas is his name, right?”

“Yes.” Galina pressed her lips as they headed towards the door.

“I heard about something from him but… I couldn’t say that it’s true or fake.” Avril stopped on her track and reached out for the doorknob. “Well, this is the Drawing Room.”

The doors slid open. Her eyes drifted not only to two hundreds of majestic paintings, but a painter himself. He’s now more formal than he used to be. His blonde hair was cropped into a curtain haircut with a clean-shaven face. His shirt was tight to show off his toned body. But he’s wearing a black suit with sleeves pulled to his elbows. His daring eyes darted to Galina, who’s just wearing an office uniform, red slacks, fitting long sleeves, and black pumps.

“Hello milady, Good morning.”

“Gents will do that?”

“Of course, why not?” He licked his lips and caught her staring at him. “Are you lost, Milady?”

“I’m not. What did you think of me? Transparent?”

He bit his lips and stood up. “I’m just trying to impress you with a joke.”

“A joke? How come?”

Nikolas mentally facepalmed and crossed his arms over his chest. Studying Galina’s facial expressions. She’s alright. But there’s a thing that makes her like a different person. “Never mind. Sit here.” Nikolas motions her to sit on the yellow couch beside him. They both placed their butts on the couch and looked into each other’s eyes.

Galina tore off her gaze and opened the envelope. “The princess is sending me a letter.” Nikolas stayed quiet as he gazes at Galina, opening the letter. The letter was written with clean penmanship and designated fonts. When she read it, her eyes stretched wide, and she gasped,

Feeling horrified, Nikolas tilted a little to her, placing his hand on her back. She relaxed while reading the letter from an unexpected person.

Dear Galina Salvatore Ponce, my dearest friend.

Having you was a blessing. Though I spent years hiding my identity from you, you bring so much joy and memories. I remember you driving with a motorcycle backward and me falling from the buffalo’s back. I also remember that I accidentally kissed a traffic enforcer when he points out the directions with his pouting lips. So much fun in the Philippines!

But pardon me if I didn’t tell you I’m a princess. I can’t tell you for my mother’s sake. I hope you’ll understand the family situation out there. The reason you’re hired because I want you to know my other side of life. So please take care of my mother.

Aside from that, I heard Nikolas is going to paint Grandfather’s portrait. Is he really a painter? Please send him apologies for judging his past. I hope Grandfather will admire his God-giving talents. Will you both forgive me? I hope you both know the truth from my family. I’m now in Spain with this hot prince, yay!

Love,

Athena Louise Jane, Princess of Scotland.

P.S.

Find a man and date! You’re now twenty-five, bruh!

“Your friends with Princess Athena?” Nikolas asked, after giving a peek at the letter.

“Yes… that’s why she disappeared two weeks ago. She went to Spain!” Galina lifted her head up, seeing the sparkling chandelier on the ceiling. Nikolas stared at her face like a slow-motion scene in most romantic movies. Her eye dazzled as she looked at the chandelier. She’s quite a typical Filipina. But to him, she’s—

The door opens in a rush as Patrick and Justin burst in. A man came in with a pale blue uniform and red sash pinned with medals. Followed by a woman in a yellow suit dress with a hat on her head. This is definitely King Albion and his wife, Queen Pauline. The king was expected to be fierce because of his lion-like eyes, but his smile was genuine when Galina and Nikolas stood up. And so was the Queen.

“Good morning, it’s good to meet both of you here.” The king placed both hands on his back. The queen hurriedly came to them and shook Galina’s hand. Her smile was filled with something that can be called “Joy”.

“So Galina.” Pauline sat on the opposite couch, facing to the couple. “I heard you’re from the Philippines. I heard Filipinos were caring and smart, weren’t they?”

“Yes we are, but it depends on a situation.” She glanced at Nikolas. Nikolas returned his glance at her, then smiled. The king sat beside the queen, draping his arm over the couch and folding his legs. He had a greyish beard with a pompadour haircut.

“My granddaughter told me about you, now I could see you as a lovely lady.” Albion complimented, as he looked at her appearance. The queen agreed by nodding.

“Yes, she is.”

Galina whipped her head to Nikolas. Her eyes widened at his agreement. And her cheeks turned scarlet. That was the second time. She could feel her stomach crunched with butterflies fluttering inside. The queen caught her looking at Nikolas and spoke. “Are you both dating?”

The two switched their gazes on the queen. “No, we aren’t dating. We’re just friends.” Nikolas defended themselves with that response. He knows that the royal couple saw the news of his past scandals. “I’m still trying to change into a better version of myself, His Majesty.”

“I saw your past situations on the news. Well, remember… “Albion rested his elbows on his knees as he leaned forward. His eyes weren’t dreaded yet filled with mercy.

“Old has gone, the new has come.”