The Crown Prince (Reino de Filipinas Series)

Chapter 27

GEN’S POV

“WALANG UNREACHABLE na crown prince sa persistent at witty-ng alalay!” Itinuwid ko ang likod, I let out a heavy sigh.

My fingers went to my pulled hair, inayos ko iyon. Pang isang daang beses ko na yatang ginawa iyon simula pa kaninang naglalakad ako paakyat rito sa opisina ni Prince Liam. Kinapa ko muna ang kanang bulsa ko kung saan naroon ang isang bagay na matagal ko ng dapat naisauli kay Kamahalan.

It’s now or never. Die in humiliation or with regrets.

With that resolve, I raised my right hand. Akmang kakatok pa lang ako'y, bumukas na ang pinto. Gwapong mukha ni Jaques ang sumalubong sa kin. Alanganin akong ngumiti.

"Good morning, Jaques. I-is V here?"

Shocks. Ba’t ang aga yata nito ngayon? Normally, dumarating ito around 9:30 kasama ng amo namin. Pasimple kong sinipat ang relong pambisig, quarter to nine pa lang. Ba’t narito na sa opisna si Jaques? Ibig sabihin ‘di ko maisasakatuparan ang balak ko. I’m planning to place the pendant together with a note on his table. Na-imagine ko na kagabi ang magiging reaction ni Kamahalan. Tatawagin ako nito, he’ll probe. I’ll tell him the truth and the rest? We’ll I’ll let fate decide for it.

Shuta. Abort mission.

"Morning, Gen. He's inside. I was about to call you. Prince Liam wants your presence."Ngumiti ito at iginiya ako papunta sa main office ni Prince Liam.

Kinakabahang sumunod ako kay Jaques. ‘Di ko kasi alam kung galit pa din ba si Kamahalan sa ‘kin o kung may toyo pa din ba. Naabutan ko itong nakaupo sa may reading area niya malapit sa fire place kausap si V, mukhang may ibinibilin ito sa stoic na royal guard.

Wordlessly, I tucked some loose tendrils of my hair as I drank his royal highness’ appearance. Para itong pandesal sa umaga, fresh at mainit. Nakakatakam. His white dress shirt was crisp as ever and he's immaculately gorgeous. He is a sight to behold, one you can't miss or ignore.

The moment he felt my presence, he stopped talking with V.

"Good morning, Your Royal Highness.” I curtsy, silently wishing na ‘di niya napansin ang pagba-blush ko.

Tilting his head on the left, he gave me a once over. It’s not a sensual one, far from it. More on he’s scrutinizing me like I’m some fine specimen under a microscope. I virtually squirmed ‘cause of how that innocent stare. s**t. Ba’t tila nahubad yata ang suot kong suit pants sa tingin na iyon kasama na pati katinuan ko?

Self, behave!

An appreciative smile was plastered on his face when our gaze met after the short internal debate I had.

"Morning. Sit down, Genessia." He then pointed at the seat right across him. Nakayukong inukopa ko iyon, pinagsalikop ang mga kamay at matamang nakinig sa kanila.

"Call Yñaki. You and Jaques should coordinate everything to the Controls." Utos nito kay V na agad tumango. Tinapunan lang ako nito ng tingin ng damuho’t umalis na.

Pesteng V! 'Yung laptop ko tuluyan ng kinalimutan.

"How are you feeling today, Genessia?"

Napapitlag ako’t maang na nilingon ang prinsipe sa tapat ko. Those intense dark eyes are piercing through my soul, I think my heart melt. Lalo pa nang mabanaag ko ang pag-aalaa roon.

"I feel better now, Your Highness. Thank you." Kiming sagot ko. I twirl my index finger absentmindedly. Iyong may pink band-aid with little hearts na inilagay niya kahapon. Biniro ako ni Donna about that. Balak ko raw bang patagalin ng isang linggo. Siyempre ang sagot ko hindi. Mga one year then ipapa-laminate ko na. For the record, I covered it with plastic noong naligo ako kanina. Balak ko namang palitan iyon mamaya.

I saw Prince Liam’s eyes landed on my lap. Sinundan nito ng tingin ang ginawa ko’t sumilay ang matamis na ngiti sa labi niya.

"Good,” he said then his eyes darted back on my face."How're your knees?"

Nagulat ako. Hindi ko maalalang nag komento ito sa pasa ko kahapon. Hinipo ko ang tuhod, alanganing ngumiti.

"It's fine, Your Highness. A little black and blue but I'm good. Malayo ho sa bituka,” I shrugged my shoulders.

Umarko ang isang kilay nito, telling me that he's not convinced with my answer.

"Our definition of fine is slightly different, Genessia." He started with a smile, looked at my flushed face then his eyes darted back on my hand. Kusang huminto ang palad ko sa ginagawa.

He knew I’m lying. s**t.

Tumuwid ito nang upo. Dahil doon, mas lumiit ang distans’ya naming dalawa. His sexy musky scent attacked my senses and it took all the willpower in the world for me to stay focus. Tila challenge lagi ang paghaharap namin ni Kamahalan. Nias kong ipikit ang mga mata, singhutin ang kaiga-igayang amoy niya. Pray that it stays on my lungs and merge with my insides. Okay, creepy but damn it’s the freaking crown prince’s scent we’re talking about.

Nang mapansin kong kuminang ang mga mata nito na tila ba nababasa ang nasa isip ko, lihim kong kinurot ang hita. I thank the table that’s between us. Kung wala iyon, I will be caged and crowded by him.

Tumikhim ito.

"Next time you tell me that you're fine, I'll rush you to the infirmary. I don't care if I'm going to drag you or throw you over my shoulders. I’ll let the doctor check you. Maybe, just then you'll know the true meaning of the word fine."

I just sat there, gaping and totally dumbfounded by the things he said. Nang unti-unting mag sink-in sa akin ang sinabi nito hindi ko napigilang mapalunok. That's the sexiest threat I've received. And just now, my stupid heart wants to test his words. I want to defy him in any chance I can. A picture of me on his shoulders invaded my hazy brain.

Hormones, jeez!

"Let's eat."

Nagulat ako sa sinabi niya. ‘Di ko namalayan na nasa harap na pala namin ang isa sa mga royal maids na may dalang freshly brewed coffee at pancakes. Nag paalam din ito agad matapos ilapag ang mga dalang pagkain. I was left agitated in front of the crown prince.

"We've got a long day ahead of us, Genessia. So eat." Anito habang dinadampot ang umuusok na kape. He tilted his head towards the food, urging me to dig in.

Ibubuka ko pa lang ang bibig upang umangal nang itaas ni Kamahalan ang kanang kamay. I pursed my lips.

"Save it later, Genessia. Now, let's eat and that's an oder. Defying me will do you no good, Genessia. I hope by now alam mo na 'yon." Balewalang ipinagpatuloy niya ang paghigop sa kape.

Ako? Tulala, ‘di alam kung ano ba ang uunahin ko. Ang kakaibang kabang nararamdaman ko, ang kilig o ang masarap na blueberry pancake with matching hot coffee.

Or the most delectable and sensible choice of all. The smoking hot as sin royal prince who’s now sipping his coffee while reading the newspaper.

Why am I here in the first place?

Mamaya ko na iisipin ang kung anuman, tiyan ko na ang sumagot para sa’kin kaya dinampot ko ang tinidor at tahimik na kumain. Sa gilid ng mga mata ko, palihim akong numanakaw ng tingin sa amo. He’s lost in the business section of the broadsheet, I on the other hand, was lost on him.

Hmp, sarap niyang almusalin!