The Crown Prince (Reino de Filipinas Series)

Chapter 15.

GEN'S POV

"Gen, this will be Prince Liam's proposed engagement for this month. He wants to review them. Do you think you can discuss it with him later? May meeting pa ko with Protocols about the upcoming trip."

Isang black leather folder ang sumalubong sa 'kin nang mag angat ko ng tingin. Kung tao lang ang bagay na 'yon, syinota ko na. Paanong hindi? Parating nasa line of vision ko at kamuntik-muntikan kong mahalikan lagi.

Sighing, I offer a smile to Carlotta. She's one my teammates. Nakagaanan ko na rin ng loob ang dalaga sa loob ng limang araw kong pag pasok sa opisina ni Prince Liam.

"Sure. I've got this."

"Thanks. He's expecting you," anito at inginuso ang pinto ng opisina ng prinsipe bago tumalikod.

Agad-agad? Dinaga na naman tuloy ang dibdib ko. Sa sobrang kaba, inabot ko ang bote ng mineral water at tinungga iyon.

Keep your s**t, Gen. Kaya mo 'to.

Halos mag iisang linggo na simula ng mag trabaho ako directly under him pero parating naroon ang kaba. Hindi ko alam kung kailan ako masasanay sa presensiya ng mahal na prinsipe. Maybe never. I shook my head, steel my back ang grabbed the folder. Itinabi ko muna si fidgety Gen and unleash the inner working Gen who's more feisty and bad ass.

Work ,Gen. Saka na ang landi.

I slowly walked towards the door of his office that I really admire. Nang una kong nakita iyon ay napanganga ako.His office reflects so much on him, it's classic and masculine. Dark woods, squared patterns, sexy leather furniture, wild animal prints for rug, paintings, and books...lots of books or thousands of them make up his whole lair.

Para itong gentleman's library. But my fave spot will be the fireplace na nasa tabi ng rustic window that overlooks the garden in the palace. Yes, may fireplace si Kamahalan kahit wala namang winter sa Pilipinas at milya-milya ang layo ng Manila sa Bagiuo.

After four knocks which is a signal to Jacques and V that I'm the one behind the doors,it opened. Seryosong mukha ni V ang bumati sa 'kin. Ewan ko ba dito pero never pa itong ngumiti sa 'kin.Madalang din sa patak ng ulan kung magsalita. Muntik ko na ngang pagkamalang pipi ang isang 'to noong una.

I sighed, ba't ba ang suplado ng mga hot na guys?

"I'll be discussing Prince Liam's proposed engagements," sabay turo ko sa hawak na folder.

He just nod. Niluwagan nito ang bukas ng pinto't inilahad ang kamay, senyales na maaari na 'kong pumasok sa main office ng prinsipe. Tumayo ako sa gitna't hinintay ang senyas ni V kung maaari na ba kong pumasok sa opisina ni Prince Liam.

"What do you want for lunch?"

Nagulat ako sa atnong nito kaya't ilang segundo akong nakatunganga sa kanya. Ano raw?

"Sorry?"

"Lunch,ano daw ang gusto mo.I'll be calling the kitchen now," tila napipikong sagot ng kalbong royal guard.

Okay, gwapo s'ya and a hot. The kinds of Jason Statham or Colin Farell, but still he's scary as f**k and there's an aura around him that tells you, V's not someone you want to mess up with.

"I don't know V. Chef's special?" Alanganing sagot ko dito na tinaguan lang nito.

"He's waiting."

Hindi na ko naghintay pang sabihan ulit nito, mabilis akong humakbang patungo sa pribadong opisina ni Prince Liam. Ilang saglit lang after ko kumatok ay narinig ko ang boses nito giving me permission to enter.

"Good morning,Your Royal Highness," magalang kong bati at yumukod.

Saglit na dumapo ang mga mata nito sa 'kin bago muling ibinalik sa screen.

"Sit."

Lumapit ako't inokopa ang upuan sa harap niya.It's in dark brown plush at ang pinaka komportableng silya na naupuan ko sa tanang buhay ko.

"Give me three minutes,Genessia," anito't tumango lang ako.

One of this days I'll ask him ba't di niya ko tinatawag na Gen.Though I like my name so much 'pag siya ang bumibigkas.

With that in mind, I brace my self for his questions. Sa loob ng isang linggo, nalaman ko kung gaano kadetalye ang prinsipe. He likes to know every thing, from the preparations of the meeting, to when it will happen down to the whos, wheres and whys.

I admire his professionalism and the dedication he has for the throne and the country.

"Did V ask you for your lunch?"

Pukaw nito sa 'kin. Nang mag-angat ako ng mukha nasalubong ko ang matiim nitong mga tingin. Hands steepled on top of his desk, his gaze never leaving my face and it made my heart erratic.

"Genessia?"

"Y-yes, Your Highness. Nakasalubong ko s'ya. Pero nakakahiya ho, I can go to the cafeteria after this so I don–"

"No buts. You and I have to finish lots today and prepare for the endless trips I have next month. By the time we're done, it's dark. So, no buts," sansala nito sa anumang sasabihin ko.

"O-of course, Sir."

"What do you have for me, Genessia?"

That's my cue. I handed him the folder na galing sa Royal Secretariat and I open my iPad to take notes.

Tahimik nitong binasa isa-isa ang mga nakalagay sa report habang ako'y tahimik na pinagmamasdan lang ito. Binubusog ang mga mata ko sa kakisigan niya.

Can't blame me though. Ang yummy kasi niya sa light blue dress shirt na bukas ang tatlong butones, that's why my eyes were blessed with his sexy corder throat.

"How many charity events I have this month?" Matipinong boses nito ang pumukaw sa pag papantasya ko.

"You have 8, Your Highness."

"Cut it to 6 then."

"Dully noted, Your Highness." Sabi ko at agad na nag type sa ipad ko. Kailangan kong i-coordinate iyon mamaya kina Carlota at sa Royal Secretariat's Office.

"Prince Liam, you have to attend the Annual Cancer Society Gala 2 weeks from now," paalala ko sa kanya nang madaanan ng mata ko ang nasabing event at may red line sa ilalim noon, meaning it's a priority for him.

After a few seconds of scrolling wala pa rin akong nakuhang sagot mula sa prinsipe kaya't puno ng pagtatakang nag angat ako ng mukha.

Blangkong ekspresyon ang sumalubong sa 'kin na lalong ikinakunot ng noo ko. Nakatitig lang ito sa 'kin na tila ba namamalikmata. Okay lang ba 'to? Do I need to call Jaques or the royal doctor?

"Your Highness?" Tawag ko rito na medyo nababahala. Any moment from now pipindutin ko na ang speed dial to call his loyal guards.

"Say it again," walang kakurap-kurap na utos nito

"Ahm...'yung Annual Gala p–"

He shook his head vehemently.

"No. Not that one."

Naguguluhang inalala ko ang sinabi ko kanina.

"Say it again Genessia," may diin na sa boses nito pero 'di naman galit.

Alin ba sa mga sinabi ko ang kailangan kong ulitin? Dahil hindi ko alam kung alin sa mga binigkas ko ang gusto niyang marinig ulit, I decided na magsimula sa naalala kong nabanggit kong una. I cleared my throat.

"Ahm...Prince Liam you–"

"Stop!" He raised his right hand and cut me off.

I was taken aback. Salubong ang kilay at puno ng pagtatakang nakatitig lang ako sa kanya. He smirked, pinched the bridge of his nose with his left hand and his face was wistful.

"Prince Liam...?"

"Perfect."

Bulong lang iyon pero malinaw kong narinig ang ngiti sa boses nito and it made my heart skipped a beat. I felt so stupid by reacting this way but I can't help it. It's as if we were in a trance, we're both reminiscing something happy and nostalgic. I don't know what's his memory is but mine involved a dark alley and a handsome stranger who's not so stranger no more.

Bago pa man ako makapagsalita muli, tumayo na ito at umikot sa lamesa. He perched himself on the edge of the table facing me. His expression was unreadable.

"Let's have an agreement here. When it's just you and me stop calling me Your Highness 'cause honestly it sounds somewhat pretentious to me."

Bahagyang bumuka ang bibig ko upang sumara lang ulit. Ano raw? Anong gusto n'yang itawag ko sa kanya?

Baby or love? Nabatukan ko ang haliparot kong inner b***h sa biglang pag singit nito. Napaka lantod talaga kahit kailan.

"B-but–"

"That's an order, Genessia," taas ang kamay na utos nito. "We've been working for almost a week now. Napapansin ko pa rin na masyado kang aloof sa 'kin. Being here in the palace 24/7 is kinda suffocating, don't you think? I want my staff to feel they're coming in a cordial environment."

"Y-yes, Your.. I mean Prince Liam," tila namamalik-matang sang-ayon ko sa among ngayon ay matipid na nakangiti.

"Good. I'm not a traditionalist, breaking the status quo is always my goal," tumayo na ito pero bigla ring huminto na tila may naalala.

" You can call me Kamahalan if you like, I wouldn't mind. It's better and kinda cute."

Nalaglag ang puso, panga at balun-balunan ko sa kilig. Kamahalan 'wag naman masyado. 'Di na kinakaya ng puso ko.

"GENESSIA, are you all ready for next week?"

Mula sa binabasa, nag-angat ako ng mga mata't sinalubong ang tingin ng prinsipe na prenteng nakaupo sa tapat ko. Kasalukuyan kaming nasa sitting room sa loob ng opisina niya't sa harapan namin ay nakalatag ang mga papeles na kailangan niyang aralin. As his personal aide, I was tasked to list all the necessary changes he wants or kung may mga ibang bilin pa siya.

Saglit akong nag-isip kung ano nga bang tanong niya bago marahang tumango. Hindi talaga nakakatulong sa wisyo ko ang lapit naming dalawa. Amoy na amoy ko ang pabango nito na humalo sa after shave. He's so manly, sexy and I want to bottle his scent.

Naipilig ko ang ulo. Yes, the question. He's referring to the upcoming trip in Catbalogan Samar kasama ang nakakabatang kapatid at ang pinsang si Prince Lachlan.

"Yes,P-prince Liam.Nai- ready na po namin nila Carlota ang mga kailangan n'yo for the trip.We called the office of the Mayor and the school board.The Enciñas called this morning confirming the scheduled dinner with them," pag bibigay alam ko sa kanya. Sinasanay ko na ang sarili ko na tawagin siyang Prince Liam. Nakakailang but honestly I kinda like it.

Tumango-tango ito at sumandal sa upuan, he put his right legs over the other. I followed his fluid movement and I bet I looked like a starstruck teenager, ogling her crush.

Why so sexy Kamahalan?

Gosh! It's hot as hell and extremely attractive. Dati I find that gesture not manly and for the girl's lang but after seeing him like this,nagbago na pananaw ko. Men who crossed their legs are sexy.

"Good. Did you infrom Prince Lazlo's office?" Tanong pa ulit niya na ang mga kamay ay nasa arm rest ng upuan.

"Yes we did, Prince Liam," sagot ko at agad na yumuko.

Naiilang pa rin ako kapag binabanggit ko ang pangalan niya kasi naman bigla itong ngingiti at may kung anong kislap ang naglalaro sa mga mata nito.

"Hmm...very well."

Inabala ko na lang ang sarili ko sa 'sang katerbang gawain sa harapan namin. I was wondering kung anong oras kami matatapos dito, nag aaya pa naman si Donna na lumabas. Maybe I 'll just send a quick text to her later, she'll understand if I'm gonna rain check.

Muntik akong mapatili nang pabalyang bumukas ang pinto sa opisina ni Kamahalan. Nalingunan ko ang galit na galit na mukha ni Prince Lazlo ang nakita ko at sa likod nito'y nakatayo si Jaques. Agad akong tumayo ng makabawi upang magbigay galang sa batang prinsipe na mukhang lalamunin kami ng buo sa ibinabadyang poot sa mga mata.

"G-good afternoon, Your Highness."

"Out!"

I shuddered at the thunderous voice. Hindi ko malaman kung paanong yuko ang gagawin. Tarantang kinuha ko ang journal at iPad na nasa ibabaw ng mesa't parang baliw na yumuko ulit.

"Y-yes,Your Highness. E-excuse me, Sir," nauutal na paalam ko kay Prince Liam. Sa gilid ng mga mata ko, kita ko ang pagapalitan ng nagbabagang mga tingin ng magkapatid. The crown prince's face was void of any emotions but his eyes were a balzing inferno. Jaw clenching, he balled his fist.

"Stay, Genessia. Finish everything here."

Wala akong nagawa kung 'di ang tumango't panoorin ang amo na maglakad patungo pribadong silid sa opisina nito. I ehard from Jaques that it's where Prince Liam nap or stay if he wants some privacy. Kasunod nito ang kapatid na nagpupuyos sa galit na pabalibag isinara ang pinto.

Shit! I winced.

"Coffee?"

Ngumiti ako ng alanganin kay Jaques na 'di pala umalis mula sa pagkakasandal sa may main door. Mariin itong nakatitig sa pintong pinasukan ng magkapatid pero 'di ko mabasa kung anong iniisip niya. Is he worried about Prince Liam?

"Yes please. Salamat, Jaques."

Saglit na nawala ang binata at nang bumalik, may dala na itong tray na may lamang freshly brewed coffee. Kipkip sa kili-kili ang iPad nito. He took the seat on my right at tahimik akong pinanood sa ginagawa ko.

"Wala ka pa namang naririnig na lumilipad or something?"

Bahagya kong natawa bago humigop ng kape sabay tingin sa nakasaradong pintuan. I shook my ehad and I heard him let out a sigh of relief.

"So far tahimik naman sila. Are you here to make sure that Prince Liam is safe from Prince Lazlo's rage?"

Jaques' thick eyebrows waggled, he smirked, and with so much amusement in his eyes, he regards me as if I am a clueless five-year-old.

"It's the other way around, Gen."

He grabbed his cup and we sat there in silent, waitimg for flying shits or paper weighs. Manaka-naka pareho kaming napapa bunting-hininga ni Jaques kapag may naririnig kaming bahagyang pagtaas ng boses.

Kinakabahan ako na 'di ko mawari. Siguro dahil hindi naman ako galing sa malaking pamilya at lumaki akong bihirang naririnig na magtalo ang parents ko. Perks of being a solo child. A part of me is also curious as to how the prominent family of the country settle their conflicts. Walang pamilyang perpekto 'yon ang napatunayan ko ngayon habang tahimik na humihigop ng kape.

Naituwid ko ang likod nang marinig ang pagbukas ng pinto, iniluwa noon ang mala tigreng hitusra ni Prince Lazlo. Para kaming multong nilagpasan lang nito't lumabas ng opisina. Again, he slammed the door much louder and forceful this time.

Prince Liam's impassive face came from my peripheral. He walked towards us and took his seat earlier .Tahimik nitong itin uloy ang binabasa na tila ba walang nangyaring pagtatalo sa pagitan nila ng nakababatang kapatid.

"Where are we?"

"Ahm...sa preparations pi ng trip n'yo sa Region 8, Your Highness."

Nag anat ito ng mukha, I felt chills down my spine seeing the anger that's swirling in his eyes. He's scary as hell. I swallowed the ball of anxiety that clogged my throat.

"Let's continue and finish this today. I'm counting on you to finish all the necessary preparations until tomorrow."

"Y-yes, Your Highness."

"Jaques, wheels up on Thursday," baling nito sa kanang-kamay.

"Gladly, Your Highness," mabilis namang sagot ni Jaques na agad tumayo't nagpaalam.

Naiwan akong parang sinisilihan ang pwet kasama ang prinsipeng napaka tahimik.

"You can relax. I don't bite."

"Apologies, Sir."

Tilting his head on the right, he scratched his chin lightly staring at me for a scant second.

"I thought we had an agreement, Genessia."

"Agreement? About saan ho—"natutop ko ang bibig nang maalala ang bilin nito kanina. " Sorry, Your I mean Prince Liam. Old habits."

He waved his right hand in a dismissive way. Balik sa pagiging seryoso ang ekspresyon ng mukha nito.

"That'll change after 21 days."

"21 days ho?" I'm confused now. "Ang alin, Kamahalan?"

The smile that appears on his lips can rival the seven wonders of the world. I sigh. He's beautiful.

"For you to break a habit. Be it good or bad, that's according to the survey."

Kimi akong napangiti sa huling sinabi tinuran nito. If there's one thing the media got right in this country, it's about the crown prince's love for knowledge, logic, and anything rational.

He's a complex man. Intelligent, dignified, and articulate.

"That long? Sinong tao naman ho ang gugustuhing tigilan ang isang napaka gandang habit, Prince Liam?" I challenged him.

Tumingala ito't saglit na nag-isip.

"No one," he lowered his gaze and met mine with an intensity that made the butterflies in my stomach fly like crazy. "Even some are not willing to let go of their bad habit.”

“Have you, Prince Liam?”

His left eyebrow raised upon hearing my daring question. I cleared my throat, fixed my eyes on the paper that I'm holding feigning disinterest.

“Experience difficulty on letting something go,” I added.

"Yes. In here," sabay turo nito sa sentido. Kumunot ang noo ko at mukhang nabasa naman nito ang pagkalito sa mukha ko. He pulled a long air filling his lungs then offer me a placid smile.

"Got a very bad photographic memory. You see, there's been a moment that's kept on repeating inside my head quite for some time now. It's like a plague, an earworm."

"LSS."

"What?"

"Last song syndrome,” I supplied, smiling at him. Bahagya akong sumandal sa kinauupuan at ipinako ang buong atensiyon sa gwapong prinsipe.

"Ever so witty, Genessia. I guess you're right. Sa kaso ko, it's the last scene syndrome."

I want to ask him what particular scene or event made him looked like this as he stare at me, longing and regretful. But I'm in no position to pry. Hamak na empleyado lang ako ng palasyo at siya ang amo ko. Maging masaya na dapat akong may ganitong pribelohiyo ang tulad kong ordinaryong mamamayan. Expecting some more would be suicide.

"I guess we all have that kind of moment, Sir."

"I suppose we do. Just be careful with yours. In anything, there's a thin line between good and bad," paalala nito't muling kinuha sa mga nakasalansang folder ang kanina'y binabasa. Binuklat iyon pero alam kong wala sa mga letra sa hawak na papeles ang atensiyon nito. He's smiling and I saw a hint of something mischievous at the end of his lips, it's there hanging and teasing me.

"W-why, Prince Liam?"

"Baka matulad ka sa 'kin. I give my all to battle this–whatever this is but I failed. I loose myself into something I don't want to ever break free from,” mainit ang mga tingin na ipinukol nito sa ‘kin at ‘di ko napigilan ang mag blush.

“You.”

Shuta! Ano raw? Napasinghap ako’t awtomatikong lumipad ang kamay sa dibdib ko.

"A-ako ho?"

This is really it? Forget the butterflies in my belly. Hell, it's the entire zoo right now.

"Yes. You? I'm asking your bad habits, if there's any," aliw na aliw ito habang ako'y 'di malaman kung paano itatago ang mukha ko sa kahihiyan.

Nag assume na naman ako. Hayup na life 'to. Tanong pala kasi 'yon, Gen. Lesson learned. Sa panahon ngayon ‘di lang label ang dapat hanapin, look out for punctuation marks as well nang ‘di napapaihiya.

"Marami ho. Coffee for a start. Binge watching Kdramas or any movie na mapag tripan ko. The list goes on, Your Highness. Guess I’m a walking bad habit myself. It's a question of who's brave enough to make me their favorite."

"It shouldn't be a question. Good or bad, you must always be the fave, Genessia. Remember that."