The Crown Prince (Reino de Filipinas Series)

Chapter 22

GEN'S POV

"GOOD morning, Gen. You look so tired."

"Good morning, Your Highness. Medyo sinumpong lang po ng insomnia."

Ngumiti ako sa fourth prince saka muling ibinalik ang atensiyon sa reports na tinatapos ko. Nasa sala kami ng villa at dahil maaga pa'y inayos ko muna ang ilang paper works na isa-submit bukas. My collegaues will do the rest tomorrow since I was granted a day off by the crown prince.

The sound of the couch being occupied on my right traveled to my ear but I refused to look at him. Mahirap na baka makahalata pa itong nagsisinungaling ako about my insomnia. Ang totoo kasi pinsan nito ang 'di nag patulog sa akin.

Wala 'kong nagawa kagabi kung hindi ang isipin ang binatang prinsipe and the kiss we shared. His warm mouth and those panty-melting eyes invaded my brain like how the Romans conquered the rest of the world before— savagely. The thought puts everything else is trivial and the world around me starts to fade. What's left was me and him. Hindi na ako magtataka kung may nabuo akong pattern sa carpet sa kakaparoo't parito ko.

There's even a time that I'm inclined to knock on his door and demand an explanation as to why he did that and what are we. In the end, nagkasya na lang ako sa pag o-overthink hanggang sa lamunin na ako ng antok.

"That's bad. I have melatonin, I'll give you later," nakangiting alok pa nito.

"Thank you, Prince Lachlan."

"Don't mention it."

Saglit kong sinipat ang binata't nakita itong kinuha ang phone mula sa bulsa ng jogger na. Just like Prince Lazlo, he's also rocking a medium-long locks that was pulled back giving him the surfer kinda look. Though malaki ang pagkakahawig ng dalawa, mas prominent ang jaw ni Prince Lachlan compare sa second prince. But they both exude the bad boy cuteness cuteness that the ladies find hard to resist.

"Gen, accept me on your IG. Now."

Pano niya nalaman ang IG ko?

I remembered 'yung inuungot niya sa plane last time na na-interupt ng crown prince. Akala ko nakalimutan na nito pero mukhang pursigido talaga siyang i-follow ako sa IG. The inner b***h in me jump in joy habang ako'y tila nakakita ng multong nakatitig sa binatang ngayon ay balewalang nakasanadal sa magarang couch, staring at me expectantly.

"Gen?"

Shit. Anong isasagot ko? Nakakahiyang tumanggi rito or rather 'di ako dapat tumanggi rito 'cause he's a freaking royal prince. Isa lang akong hamak na empleyado nila, a commoner. I should be over the moon, right?

"Prince Lachlan, how did you know my account? If you don't mind me asking."

"Oh, you're the admin of the official IG account of the Crown Prince, right? Saw your profile there. I put two and two together."

"Figures," I whispered to myself.

"I like your username though '@geniesiya'. Very creative," naaaliw na anito, "Don't tell me tatanggihan mo ko?"

Nahihiyang umiling ako rito.

"Apologies, Your Highness. Wait po..." sabi ko't hinanap ang telepono. Swiping my phone, I went straight to the said app and accepted his request.

Shemay. Donna and Chardii will freak out when they heard the news.

"Aight!" He said then put his feet on top of the coffee table giving me a glimpse of his happy-go-lucky nature."This is the only social I'm allowed to have but you know that already."

"Yes, Your Highness. It's a fact the whole country knows. But may I ask why?"

Ngumisi ito pero hindi nag abalang mag-angat ng tingin mula sa screen ng phone.

"Baka lang needed kong ma-contact ka in the future. I'm no stalker," anito na sinabayan pa ng tawa.

Napailing na lang ako sa kalokohan nito. Lahat kasi sila bawal mag social media though katulad ng sinabi ng prinsipe minsan may mga rules ang royal family na binali just to adopt the ever changing technology.

"I can give you my number if err- you want, Prince Lachlan."

Saglit itong natigilan at napakamot sa batok. Tila may gustong sabihin but decided not to.

"Nope. IG's fine with me."

Ibinalik ko na lang ang atensyon sa ginagawa.Tahimik kaming dalawa sa living room, tanging ingay lang ng pagtitipa ko sa keyboard ng laptop ang maririnig at ang manaka-nakang pag buntong hininga ng katabi ko.

"Damn! You're so gor-fuckin'-geous here,Gen."

Napapitlag ako sa biglang pagsasalita nito with matching sipol pa. Tinapunan ito nang nagtatakang tingin. What's wrong with him? When my gaze landed on his gadget, I grow two heads. s**t. Ang beach photos ko. I totally forgot kung gaano ako kakalat sa i********:. Gusto kong lumubog sa kinauupuan lalo pa nang mag scroll down ito.

"No wonder," makahulugang sabi nito habang hinihimas ang baba.

Nagkukumahog nadumukwang ako, tangka kong agawin ang cell phone sa kamay ng binatang nakangisi na tila demonyo ngayon sa akin. But before my fingers touched it a big one beats me to it, grabbing the offending phone. Nanlalaki ang matang sinundan ko ng tingin ang kung sino mang may-ari ng nasabing kamay.

"P-prince Liam.."

Nag sala-salabat na naman ang kilay nito dahil sa pagkaka kunot ng noo at ilang sandaling natigilan. Titig na totig ito sa screen ng phone habang nagtatagis ang bagang. Kung may buhay lang ang telepono baka kanina pa iyon nalagutan ng hininga sa higpit nang pagkakahawak ng prinsipe dito. His prominent adam's apple moved as he swallowed several times which I find sexy as hell despite the fact that he's seething with anger.

"Leave us, Genessia," he's surprisingly calm when he said those words to me without chancing me a glance. His tone is almost menacing and the little hairs on my arms stood up. There's something in his tone that tells me he's furious and I'll be stupid if I denied him.

"Y-your Royal Highness..."

"I said leave us."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. Inuutusan ko ang mga paa na gumalaw pero tila ako ipinako sa kinatatayuan.

"Give me back my phone,Your Highness," singit ng pang-apat na prinsipe na tila 'di apektado sa galit ng nakatatandang pinsan.

"No. You and I need to talk. Ipapaintindi ko d'yan sa kukute mo ang mga sinabi ko sayo last time."

"Akina muna ang phone ko. Hindi pa ako tapos i-check ang mga pictures ni Genessia."

"She's Miss Rodriguez or Gen to you, fool. At anong photos ang pinagsasabi mo? Nobody's checking a freaking photo," galit na singhal nito at halos ipagduldulan sa mukha ni Prince Lachlan ang sariling telepono. "You want this? Kunin mo," without a warning he smashed the phone and angrily stepped on it.

"f**k! You're crazy!"

"Ngayon pwede mo ng damputin ang hinayupak mong telepono."

Tumayo ang batang prinsipe, matalim ang mga matang nakipagsukatan ng tingin sa pinsan.

"Huwag na. Marami akong pamalit d'yan. Grow some pair, napaghahalataan ka," padabog na tumayo't nilayasan kami ng pang-apat na prinsipe.

Matagal nang naka alis si Prince Lachlan pero nasa gitna pa rin ako ng sala't tulalang nakatitig sa wasak na iPhone 13.

"Shit."

"Jesus!" Napatalon ako't sinapo ang dibdib sa gulat ng marinig ang pagtama ng glass sa bakal.

By all accounts, the crown prince is not yet finished with the poor gadget. Sinipa nito iyon at tumama sa malapit na side table. When my eyes meet the vexed feature of the crown prince, my knees slightly wobble while my brain tries to gather all my thoughts.

"I will not eat you, for Pete's sake," singhal nito.

I'm in deep s**t, I thought as I toyed my shirt.

"Where's your phone?"

"S-sorry?"

"Phone."

Mula sa madilim nitong mukha bumaba ang mga mata ko sa maugat nitong mga kamay na nakalahad sa harapan ko. I blinked several times then absentmindedly gave him the business phone.

"Not this one, Genessia.Your phone," galit na anito emphasizing the word 'your' at ibinalik sa kin ang iPhone 11.

Nagkukumahog na hinahilap ko ang iPhone 6plus ko't inabot sa amo. He's grinding his teeth and having that look on his eyes that says he's about to lose his s**t.

"Ow. Ahm...here," medyo nanginig pa ang kamay ko lalo na't hindi sinasadyang dumantay ang balat nito sa mga daliri ko.

But before I could even grab my bearings, hinablot na nito ang telepono sa 'kin.

"Sir?"

Imbes na sagutin ako, hinila nito ang kanang kamay ko't walang imik na inilagay ang right thumb ko sa home button ng phone.

"Fuckin' security."

Okay, that's it. I shake my head, square my shoulders, and reached for my phone.

"Cellphone ko ito. Last time I check, labas sa work ko ang mga laman nitong aparato ko," my voice is low but the edge and silent warning was there. Ang kapal ng mukha ko't itinaas ko pa ang baba ko para lang mapipi nang makitang nagbabaga ang mga mata ng amo.

"Ho- labas ho sa work ang laman ng aparato ko," sarcasm was dripping in my tone. Binigyan ko ng diin ang salitang ho.

Tumaas ang isang kilay nito't humalukipkip. His biceps flexed because of that. Gosh, my rage-filled brain is now torn between salivating at those impressive muscles that are shown in his white t-shirt and being mad at his demeanor.

"It is when I say so. Go to that f*****g i********: and block that pervert cousin of mine. Now, Genessia."

Wait? Ano daw? Nose flaring, I balled my fist and face him. Nakipagsukatan ako ng tingin sa kanya. Alam kong siya ang tagapag mana ng korona and he's my boss but that doesn't give him the right to dictate me on who to accept or not on my social media.Thats the operative word,my.

"It's mine, Your Royal Highness. Capital A-k-i-n. Akin. Sanay kayong makatanggap ng yes mula sa amin but not this one. A big fat no."

"You what, Genessia?"

"I'm afraid I can't do what you're asking of me," itinaas ko ang baba't matapang na sinalubong ang mga mata nito, " Walang batas sa bansa na nagsasasabing kailangan ko ng approval ng King or ninyo para sa kung sino ang dapat at 'di ko dapat tanggapin na followers sa i********:. It's my private life and unless it affcets my work or my efficiency, I don't see the need to bow to your bizarre request."

He was flabbergasted with my display of audacity but I couldn't care less. Right now, I'm a mere woman who's angry with an impossible and spoiled as f**k man.

"If you'll excuse me, may tatapusin pa ho ako," paalam ko't yumuko rito. Pumihit ako para sana talikuran na 'to pero malabakal na kamay nito ang pumigil sa braso ko.

"Stay."

Ipiniksi ko ang mga braso.

"Your Royal Highness, again, no. You're my boss and this nation's heir apparent but I'm taught to never bend to any man be it my father, husband, or the King himself. My phone, my business. My rules."

"HUWAG na, V. I can book a Grab from here," tanggi ko sa pag aalok ni V na ihatid ako sa bahay namin. Nakalapag na kami sa Manila't sa bahay namin ang uwi ko. Na-miss ko nang sobra ang mga magulang ko't ang kwarto ko.

"No, Gen.Sumakay ka na," matigas na tanggi nito at inagaw sa kin ang maliit kong luggage at ilang mga paper bags na naglalaman ng mga nabili kong pasalubong at ang bigay ni Lady Lola.

"Pero V mal—"

"Why are you still here, V? I told you to take her home kanina pa, di ba?"

That thunderous voice made me straigthen my back. Kanina pa puno na ng tensiyon sa eroplano habang nasa biyahe kami. My boss was on his best brooding mood while I don the unbothered b***h mask. Nagkulong ito sa private room nito while I busy myself in talking to Jaques and Brix. I talked to everyone else except him. And I'm not changing that now.

"We're on our way there, Your Royal Highness," it was V.

I rolled my eyes. Wordlessly, I snatched my bags from V. Dahil nagulat nabawi ko agad ang mga gamit mula sa skinhead na royal guard. Diretso ang tingin sa kalasada na inihakbang ko ang mga paa, ready na akong pumila sa taxi bay nang marinig ang sumunod na sinabi ng maty topak na prinsipe.

"You better drive her home, V, or look for another job effective tomorrow."

Shit.

Ang malapd at seksing likod na lang ni Prince Liam ang nakita ko nang humarap akong muli sa direksiyon ni V. Gusto kong magprotesta at habulin ang amo bago ito tuluyang sumakay sa naghihintay na Mercedes Maybach pero alam kong magka-clash lang kami. He's so furious and I'm so stubborn. Isa lang ang kahihinatnan noon, me losing this job that I love so much.

"Gen."

Letting out a sigh, I let V carry my things onto the waiting Lincoln Navigator. Silently, I deposited my ass into the shotgun while the royal guard pull the SUV into the night traffic.

Inihilig ko ang ulo sa salamin at pinagmasdan ang nagtatayugang gusali. It pains me na bigla'y naging cold ang amo ko sa akin. Part of me wanted to go to him and offer an explanation as to why I said those things earlier but also there's this voice inside that tells me I just did what should have done.

Hindi porket isa siyang dugong bughaw ay pwede n'ya ng gawin ang ganoon sa kahit na sino. It might be petty to some but for me— an ordinary girl who always wear her heart on her sleeve, that's a lot.

Privacy is everything to me and it's a thing na akala ko ay batid niya since they put value to it. I always believe that kahit mag kaibigang matalik kayo or in a relationship, there are certain things na di dapat pinakikialaman o pinanghihimasukan. Ika nga, respect begets respect.

Napabuntong hininga ako nang malalim at 'di ko namalayan na napaungol na pala ko sa inis.

"He'll come around. Trust me," biglang saad ni V na mataman pala 'kong pinagmamasdan sa rearview mirror.

"How do you know?" I asked him habang minamasahe ang sentido ko.Bigla, para kong susumpungin ng migraine.

"I've been around him since he's in middle school. Ngayon ko lang nakitang naputol ang pisi ng mahal na prinsipe. Whatever it is that's conflicting him, it's something big."

"What he did...it's uncalled for."

"He knows that. Out of the four princes, siya ang pinaka socially inept. He may be easy on the eyes but he's a bit handful in some departments. Please be patient with him."

I groan but nod my agreement with V. Silent fell around us in the few minutes kaya't ipinikit ko anv mga mata hoping to get some shut eye. Siyempre kabaliktaran ang nangyari. Mas lalo yatang nabuhay ang diwa ko't lumipad iyon sa gawi ng prinsipeng malamang ngayon ay nasa loob na ng palasyo.

Narinig ko pa nga ng may tumawag kay V pero siyempre coded ang sagot nito like 10-4 which I know,it means OK or to acknowledge the message.I also heard him say 'sack' and 'Starlight' or something.

"Gen, we're here," V announced.

Nang magmulat ako ng mga mata, tumambad sa akin ang maroon na gate ng bahay namin. Hindi na ako naghintay pang pagbuksan nito ng pinto, mabilis akong umibis ng sasakyan.

"10-24," he said curtly over his earpiece then handed me my things.

"Thank you,V. Tara sa loob, mag kape o mag-snack ka muna."

"Hindi na. I need to get back, may meeting pa kami with the controls. Get inside."

"Are you sure? Sakto baka nakaluto na ang parents ko, you can join for dinner."

"I'm positive, Gen. Go," he jerked his chin.

"Okay. Ingat at salamat ulit," wala akong nagawa kung hindi ang sundin ito.

Hindi alam ng parents ko na uuwi ako ngayon kaya't 'di ba ako nagtaka na walang sumalubong sa akin nang makapasok na ako ng gate.

Malayo pa lang ay dinig ko na ang lakas ng television namin, mukhang nagma-marathon na naman ng Goblin ang nanay ko. I smile and with hurried steps, I walked towards the large mahogany door.

"I'm home!" I happily announced when I pushed open our main door.

Tuwang napatalon ang mama ko't mabilis akong niyakap.

"Gen! Anak, na-miss kita."

"I miss you too, ma," nakangiting gumanti ako ng yakap sa ina habang lihim na hinahanap ang papa ko.

"May biglang bumisita, ah. How's the trip?Kumain kna ba?"

Napangisi ako nang makita ang ama na matamang nakatayo sa pintuan ng dining at may hawak na sandok.

"Okay naman po,nakakapagod. Hindi pa ako kumain kasi nire-ready ko ang tiyan ko sa luto mo."

"Asus. Nambola pa. Magbihis ka na't para maka kain na tayo ng hapunan."

Mabilis akong kumalas sa yakap ng ina't sa papa ko naglambing.

"Amoy adobo ka," aniko matapos magmano rito.

"Adobo? Sinigang ang niluluto kong bata ka. Hala layas na. Maghahain na si Ading."

I gave him a toothy grin then took my leave. Magaan ang mga hakbang na nagtungo ako sa itaas ng bahay kung saan naroon ang kwarto ko.

This is what I missed the most, being with my parents, eating my father's home-cooked meals whilst he will tirelessly talk about his days on Mindy's or what team made it to the NBA conference. Then I and my mother will tease him cause he picked up the losing team.

Sighing with relief, I pushed the door into my room and sauntered in the middle. I let my body fall, my arms wide open.

"What a day it was!"