The Crown Prince (Reino de Filipinas Series)

Chapter 12

HRH Prince Liam

THE STROBE OF LIGHTS from my office made me edgy and relieved at the same time. He came, thank God. Pushing the door, I was welcomed by one of my most trusted people in this freaking world– Yñaki.

"You better have a good reason to c**k-block me, Liam. My god. Hindi mo ba alam ang salitang tulog?"

"Stop whining. Sit down," I shoot him daggers as I walked in the middle of the office at my private residence.

My cousin huffed, still wearing that damn smug look I hate. But Yñaki knew better than to argue with me not when it's emergency, and not when it is me that summons him. A perk of being the second most important person in this country.

He deposited his sorry ass on the chair next to mine.

"Elvira's livid. Iniwan ko–"

"We have a situation," I cut him off and pushed the red envelope on top of the table. It's been heavy

on my hand since I got it before leaving MinX.

He snatched it from me and with eager fingers, pulled out the lone sheet that made my head swirl. Apparently, him as well. Nakita ko ang pagkatulala ng pinsan at ang galit na ngayon ay ibinubuga ng mga mata nito.

"Mierda! Who the f**k sent this?"

"Now...that is our problem, Yñaki. Figuring out the who," wika ko't nagtungo sa mini bar sa loob ng opinisna. "Next, the whys and whats. You and I both know that skeletons are to be buried. Deep. Unearthing one especially this kind is out of the question."

"Yet, here we are holding one."

"Si," inisang lagok ko ang laman ng baso't tumitig sa papel na hawak ng pinsan. If burning that insulting paper would make the rage within me subside, kanina ko pa ginawa.

"Whoever sent that s**t knows what they are saying. They mean business."

"And they got your full attention. Ours. I need that drink, damn it!"

Tumayo ito't nagsalin ng whiskey para sa aming dalawa. Hindi kami parehong lasenggero ni Yñaki pero mukhang maitutumba namin ang bote ng Macallan ngayong gabi. Ilang saglit na namayani ang katahimikan sa pagitan namin ng pinsan, panay marahas na buntong-hininga lang ang maririnig.

Parehonng tinitimbang ang kahihinatnan ng lahat kung lalabas ang katotohanan sa likod ng kapirasong papel na 'yon. Being part of my family—royal family, is not easy. Everything in our world has a price. Dugo, pawis at kung minsan sariling kaligayahan ang hinihingi sa 'min ng trono.

We're all willing to do it for the sake of the family and the nation. Pero ngayon, sa harap ng nagbabantang unos 'di ko na alam ang gagawin at iisipin.

"You think this has something to do with your–parents' death?"

Huminto sa ere ang kamay ko bago ko hinayaang bumaba iyon sa buhok. I want to pull my hairs from their roots if it means getting some damn answers. I didn't miss the pause when Yñaki mentioned my parents. It still hurts like b***h kahit gaano pa katagal iyon. Maybe the ache will never disappear, I'll just learn to live with the pain.

"I don't believe in coincidence, Yñaki. Being lax in our world means danger. Sometimes, death."

"What's the plan?"

"Reinforcement," I said while sipping my whiskey.

"We can't just roam around the palace, waving that damn note without causing a big f*****g fuss. Malalaman nila abuelo and God knows kung paano n'ya tatanggapin ang balita."

Tumalim ang mga mata ko sa pabalang na sagot ng pinsan.

"You think I didn't know that? I'm not talking about the secret service and geeks we have here," kinuha ko ang telepono't bago pa makapagsalita si Yñaki idinayal ko na ang isang numerong alam kong makakatulong sa 'min sa ganitong sitwasyon.

Though, I don't like asking for a favor from him. He's so arrogant and will rub it off my face. But damn, in this kind of situation I am not a crown prince. I'm the f*****g beggar and I can't be a chooser. He's family after all.

"Punyeta, Liam. Anong oras na, ba't gising ka pa?"

Naipikit ko ang mata't bahagyang inilayo sa tainga ang telepono.

"I miss you too, Siete. How's married life?"

My third cousin groaned and I hear Otto on the background yelling about Seven being p***y whipped. Kung sa ibang pagkakataon, katakot-takot na pang-aasar ang aabutin sa 'kin ng hambog na 'to. Sinong mag aakalang ang isang Seven Torrevillas na commitment-phobe, papatali at ngayo'y umiikot ang ulo dahil sa isang babae? That is indeed a great news but that can wait. Priorities, I have a kingdom to run.

"Malapit na 'kong magbigti. King ina."

Natawa ko nang pagak sa nahimigan kong frustration sa boses nito.

"Abuelo will be mad when he hears your word. That's an attack against the crown."

"f**k you! 'Di emperor ng ina kung hindi pwede ang king."

Tuluyan na 'kong natawa nang malakas sa sagot nito. Saglit kong nakalimutan ang alalahanin.

Trust Seven to be playful with words. Puro kabalbalan ang lumalabas sa bibig nito at wala 'kong ideya kung saan n'ya kinukuha ang mga 'yon.

"Tumawag ka lang bang siraulo ka para maaliw? I'm not your girl Friday at lalong hindi ako clown."

"I don't have girl Fridays, coño."

Pumalatak ito at si Yñaki na nasa likuran ko.

"Yeah. Cause you don't have a life outside that boring seat of yours. Kawawa ka naman."

"Hey, man! How are you? Pasensiya ka na sa crown prince. Siya lang 'tong tigang pati tayo idinamay," sigaw ni Yñaki na kasalukyang nagsasalin ulit ng alak sa baso n'ya. Nakisawsaw pa ang gago. But this reminds me of our days when we're still in boarding school.

Inilapag ko ang telepono sa mesa't inilagay iyon sa loud speaker mode, unbothered by their words.

"This will be quick, Seven."

"Culo. I'm in a middle of a meeting. And for f**k's sake, alas tres na ng madaling araw, Liam. This better be world war three emergency or I swear, pasasabugin ko ang mga kotse n'yong dalawa bukas na bukas din."

"Meeting ba talaga?" Natatawang pang-aasar pang lalo ni Yñaki kay Seven.

"We have a situation, Seven. I need your help."

Natahimik ito sa kabilang linya bago ko narinig ang utos nito sa kapatid na 'di sya pwedeng maistorbo.

He cleared his throat, I could picture Seven pouring himself with his fave cognac and a grim expression on his arrogant face.

"I'm all ears now. Spit it out."

"El reglamento royale," nahahapong lumapit ako sa upuan at pagal na idineposito ang katawan roon at pumikit.

"You've got to be shitting me, Liam. Alam nating pareho na ibinaon na ng mga ninuno natin ang hinayupak na multong 'yan!"

"I, of all people know that. But some skeletons are hard to be concealed. Especially this one. It's reeking danger, Seven."

Narinig ko ang marahas na pagmumura ng kaibigan.

"You think they really have the missing pages of that stupid rules of yours?"

"Hindi ko masabi pero ayaw kong pakampante."

"Ba't kasi 'di na lang sinunog ng lolo mo ang hinayupak na librong yan para tapos na ang problema," himutok nito na sinang ayunan ng rebeldeng parte ng utak ko.

"That would mean war. The king's hands are tied when it comes to this. We have rules to follow, Seven. We might have the crown but the real power lies within the General Courts."

"Useless hypocrites! Kung ako masusunod matagal ko ng ginilitan isa-isa ang mga buwakang inang mga tuso na 'yon."

"Sample nga, Pito."

"Putla, tantanan mo 'ko hetong mainit ang ulo ko baka ikaw masampolan ko."

Malakas na tawa ang isinagot ni Yñaki kay Seven habang panay ang saway ko. Never pang nangyari na maging seryoso ang usapan at walang halong kagaguhan kapag 'tong dalawa ang involve.

"Boys, focus!"

"Damn it! Okay, going back to your s**t. Don't tell me the king will follow that stupid boom and its rules, Liam?"

"They will," I admit with a dread on my undertone. Dati naman wala akong probleam tungkol doon pero ngayon, 'di ko na alam. Gulong-gulo na 'ko.

"Pati rin ikaw. Santo ka pa naman."

"It's expected of me–"

"Before he'll say yes but now... I doubt it," singit ni Yñaki bago pa ko makasagot kay Seven.

"Wait? Are you...?"

Irritated, I groaned and take my glass. Bwesit talaga 'tong si Yñaki, he'll never miss the chance to annoy me especially now that I took an interest in a particular raven hair woman who's sleeping in one of my rooms upstairs.

"Si, amigo. He got it bad. Mukhang 'di ka nag-iisa, Siete."

"Stop it both of you!"

"Well. Well. Akalain mo. The almighty crown prince is now restless because of a woman. I never thought I'd see the day you'll break a rule for someone. You righteous prick!"

"I'm not breaking any rule, fool. Pwede bang sumeryoso kayo? Hindi iyon ang itinawag ko sa'yo. Mierda. We have a threat and if this f*****g goes out... this will bring chaos to the freaking country!"

"Why? Aren't we now in total chaos?"

Shit. May point ang animal. With the rift between the monarchy and the parliament hurt the economy. God knows how many rallies I've witnessed at ilang mga interviews na rin ang iniwasan ko upang makatiyak na hindi malalagay sa alanganin ang posisyon ng palasyo.

"Damn you, Seven. Are you going to help us or not?"

Nagpakawala ito nang nakakairitang tawa bago ako sinagot.

"The hell I will. Hindi ko palalagpasin ang chance na 'to. The crown prince indebted with me. Heaven!"

"Shrewd and ruthless."

"Dagdag mong gwapo," biro nito na ikinabunghalit ng tawa ng gagong si Yñaki.

"Siete, hindi mo ba nabasa ang issue ng Times magazine Asia this year? You only ranked 4th. Liam's 1st and Iam on the 3rd spot."

Pagyayabang ng pinsan kay Seven. I saw that damn magazine at hindi ako natuwa. Those are so pretentious kung 'di lang dahil sa usapan namin ng editor in chief noon hindi ako magpapa unlak na mag pose for them. It's for my cause, period.

"Nagpapaniwala kayo don? Kahit mag survey tayo ngayon, mananalo 'ko laban sa inyong dalawa."

"Enough of nonsense," slamming my hands on the table, I narrowed my eyes on my cousin.

Heto ako, 'di malaman ang gagawin dahil sa pesteng pagbabanta ng kung sino tapos sila panay lang tawa at pagiging vain ang inaatupag. I gues its high time to pick another set of family and friends.

"Fire away, Kamahalan."

Nagtagis ang bagang ko sa pag gamit ni Yñaki sa nickname na iyon. Kuyom ang kamaong nag focus ako kay Seven.

"Seven, can your men do wonders for this one?"

"Don't insult me, Liam. It shouldn't be a question."

Yñaki rolled his eyes and mouthed 'Told you."

"I want a full report by the end of the month. This is confidential. Highly."

"I know the drill. Kapag kumalat, you'll have my head on the pike. You have my word on this one. My mouth is zip."

"Let me know if you have anything," I dismiss him to which he groaned in response.

"Ayun lang? Come on. Alam kong may gusto ka pang hinging pabor. Kahit vital stats n'yan mahahalungkat ko. Sino ba 'to? Model ba? Do I know her? Spill it or forever hold your peace," malokong anito.

"Nothing. I have to go," singhal ko pero ang gagong si Yñaki mabilis na sumigaw.

"Maria Genessia Rodriguez. FEU grad!"

"Back off, Yñaki!" Nang-gigigil na ani ko. Kung di lang masamang pumatay ng kadugo kanina ko pa pinilipit ang leeg ng hayup na kasama sa silid.

"Got it, Yñaki boy."

"Quezon City. I'll email you her credentials," he ends the call before I can even tell Seven to ignore this madness.

"Mierda. You're playing cupid now?" I snatched my phone and shove it inside my pocket.

Balewalang itinaas nito ang paa sa ibabaw ng mesa ko't tumitig sa 'kin. Walang bakas ng pagsisisi ang mukha nito.

"Kailangan mo nang kaunting push. Masyado kang torpe."

"Hindi ako torpe."

Yñaki burst into laughter that makes me grind my teeth and see red.

"Really? Kaya ba panay nakaw na tingin lang ang kaya mong ibigay kahit ang totoo gusto mong gilitan ng leeg 'yung mukhang tukmol na taga PR na dikit nang dikit kay Gen kanina?"

I heaved a sigh, willing the heavens to give me much patience for the man across me.

"Get out. You can go back to your girlfriend, I don't need you here anymore," pagtataboy ko rito bago 'ko magsisi ang tuluyan.

"f**k you! Manahimik ka nga. Hindi mo ko madadaan sa pag ganyan-ganyan mo. Let's drink. Tigang ako, pwes dapat ganon ka din," galit na inilapag nito ang baso kong halos mapuno na ng alak.

"My s*x life, my business," I grabbed the glass and took a swig.

It's a 40-year-old whiskey but why does my tongue remember the taste of the beer I drank months ago in Cebu? To that time in a dark alleyway when I forgot who I was and let a beautiful nymph kiss me and dragged me into her world.

My mind is plagued by her since that night. Just like now, I was supposed to strategize and come up with a sound plan for this mess we're about to face. No. My mind wandered to the time when I saw her earlier. She's the most gorgeous sight I've seen in my life. I'm on my feet, turning around. Christ. Hindi ko ma-recall ang saktong time ng pagtayo't pag-ikot ko.

The whole world went into a blur, all I see was her. Radiant and ravishing. Sexy yet so innocent. She's stunning in every way possible. The kind of beauty that other women would love and hate at the same time. The kind of beauty that can put any king or in my case any prince to his knees.

She's wearing a black dress that clings to her body like dear life and it made her flawless skin glow. My palms itched at the thought. The warmth of her skin under my touch was still fresh. God, I'm craving to touch her.

How I envy that dress! In an instant, I want to trade places to that dress.

Parang mas masarap maging damit sa mga ganitong panahon .

"Taragis. Ang layo na ng narating mo, Kamahalan."

"Stop calling me that. Isa na lang talaga."

Lalo akong napikon nang makitang ngumisi lang ang hayup, hindi alintana ang galit ko.

"Bakit? Anong gagawin mo? Papatapon mo ko sa bundok Tralala?"

"No, but I might slice you in million pieces."

Namutla ito. Huli na para mabawi ko ang sinabi.

"Lo siento."

"F-fine. Ang pikon mong kupal ka," naiiling na tumawa ito.

Bigla akong nakaramdam ng guilt. Of all people, I should know not to use that joke on him. Yñaki's very sensitive on that part.

"Look, I didn't mean it."

"I know. We're old enough for that, Liam. I'm good, swear," blangko ang mga matang paliwanag nito.

I want to press about this matter him but I too have bigger things to consider. Maybe, one of these days uungkatin ko ang pinsan sa napapansin kong pagbabago ng mood nito lately. Also, I will ask him about this Elvira girl he keeps on seeing. Hindi maganda ang imahe na nililikha ng on and off relationship status nilang dalawa. Bago pa makarating sa hari, Yñaki should put a stop on this.

"Now what?"

"We wait."

"Gago. I'm not talking about that annoying envelope. I'm talking about her."

Alamo kong lumalim ang gatla sa noo ko nang marinig kung sino ang tinutukoy niya.

"She's wasted. Her drink was spiked, I'm hoping that she'll be better tomorrow," tumayo ako't akmang kukunin ang laptop ko nang masalita ito muli.

"You don't think she was targeted?"

Nilinhon ko ang pinsan pero tumatagos sa naka upo niyang katawan ang tingin ko. Truth is, I consider that idea no matter how far fetch it might be. Pero hangga't walang result ang inutos kong pag iimbestiga kina V, hindi ako makakagalaw. Being impulsive was not part of my traits. I love planning, strategizing before taking necessary steps. My position required me to be logical and rational at all times.

"And why you think is that?"

"Leverage. Liam, 'di bulag ang mga tao sa palasyo at lalong 'di bingi ang mga dingding na nakapaligid sa 'tin."

"It's a fact I know since we were five. Stop being redundant."

"All I'm saying is that you're too obvious. Your interest with her. Kahit pa anong pilit mong itago, kita naman 'yon. Bulag lang ang 'di makakapansin."

"Walang akong ginawa pa–"

"You don't need to. Eyes don't lie. I'm just thinking, whoever sent that envelope might be behind Gen's predicament. Call it a hunch."

I stayed quiet, contemplating his words.

"Got to go. Sort this problem of yours with that amazing woman,"tumayo ito mula sa kinauupuan, mariin akong tinitigan. "Deny all you want but she made you smile and laugh. The first genuine one after the tragic death of your parents. We've been living with this gilded cage for too long, Liam. Baka panahon na para tumalon. Who knows, jumping at the end of the precipe would guarantee happiness than staying at your gold towers."

I snort which made my cousin grin. It's very un-royal,our grandmother will have my head kung maririnig n'ya ko.

"Masyadong malaks ang tama ng alak sa'yo. Naging henyo ka na. We only live once, I know that but if we do it right its enough. I can't afford mistake now, Yñaki."

He shrugged his shoulders at my words but turn to look at me when he's on the threshold.

"It's your life, your happiness. But I beg to disagree. One life is not enough especially if you're with the right person. Don't make a fool of yourself, not all things happen twice."

Ilang saglit na nag dumaan pero nanatili ako sa kinatatayuan. My cousin's words gnawing on my bones like a disease.

Not all things happen twice.

Before I knew it, I'm seeing her face right before me. Her soft and warm body is against mine and I'm devouring the sweetest lips I ever tasted. She tastes like honey and smells of spring flowers in mid-September, of reckless abandon and sweet surrender. Truly, she filled my autumn heart with gifts.

Perhaps, Yñaki's right. You can't have twice a shot at everything nice and spectacular.

Not all things happen twice. She's one of them.

"f**k being logical, I want my fix. Her."