Winning The Magnate's Heart (#LTNI Book 2)

#WTMH Roll 9: The 'PAWN' versus The 'Queen' (pt.III)

THE NEXT MORNING | PHILIPPINES

Hinubad ni Lizbeth ang kaniyang sombrerong gawa sa dahon ng niyog at pinatong iyon sa lamesa ng kusina. "Pea!" Binaba na rin niya ang hawak na basket na puno ng okra at kamatis. "Pea! Peashooter!!" Lingon niya ang paligid ng tahimik na kusina. "Peashooter!" Kinuha niya ang isang lata ng cat food at binuhos ang loob niyon sa bowl nito sa sahig. "Pea!! Kain na!" Wala ni anino ng pusa. "Saan na naman ba yun humaharot? Ang aga-aga pa 'ah."

Nakita niyang pumasok ang walang balahibong pusa sa kusina. "Andyan ka pala!!" Binuhat niya ito. "Kagabi, matapos mong kumain... agad kang umalis na naman. Naku! Pag ikaw mapagtripan sa labas, wag kang sisigaw ng Mama. Kain na --- " Natigilan siya nang maramdaman ang pagbigat ng katawan ng pusa. "Bumigat ka --- BUNTIS KA PEASHOOTER?!!!"

Dinidilaan lang ni Pea ang isang paa nito.

"SUMAGOT KANG PUSA KA!!! BUNTIS KA BA?!" Yugyog ni Liz rito.

Matalim ang mata ni Pea na tiningnan ang matanda. 'Bobong hukluban... nakakapagsalita ba ang pusa??!'

"ISUSUMBONG KITA SA TATAY MO!! ISUSUMBONG KITA!" Binaba ni Liz ang pusa at d-in-ial ang numero ni Isaiah.

CAMP | SCOTLAND

It was dawn when Marga exits their tent. She blows and a fog exits her mouth. Niyakap niya ang sarili. Kumirot kasi uli ang sugat niya kaya di mabalik-balik ang antok niya. The mint ointment did help soothe the pain – temporarily. Nilingon niya ang mga kababaihan na noo'y naghahanda ng agahan. Sa umuusok pang bonfire, nakapalibot naman roon ang mga trabahante na umiinom ng kape.

Yumukod ang iilang geologists na dumaan sa harap niya. "Good morning." Ngiting bati niya.

Her red hair was left loose on her shoulders. She pins it behind her ear and when she was about to look on the other side, her nose hits a naked chest. "What ----" Pagtingala niya ay sumalubong sa kaniya ang asul nitong mata. His chest rises and falls as he catches his breath from his morning jog. "I-Isaiah?" 'Okay, Marga. This it. Wag na wag ibaba ang mata sa hubad niyang pang-itaas. Eyes on his sweaty neck... and his collar bone... and chest...'

"Y-Your finger." He looks down on her hand.

"F-Finger?" Tinaas niya ang kamay.

He holds her hand gently and checks her wound.

Was it sexy? That every time a fog exits his mouth, she inhales it. And when she exhales, he breathes it in. They are too dangerously --- close. She can feel the heat emanating from his body.

Aside from the beeping sound on his armband, she's pretty sure she can hear his heartbeat. [A/N: Armband – is a band with a gadget wrapped around the upper arm to measure steps, calories and heart rate] Dahan-dahan niya tinaas ang isang kamay para sana damhin ang dibdib nito. Margaret wants to feel the beat of his heart.

Pero naudlot yun nang kinuha ni Isaiah sa bulsa ng itim na jogging pants nito ang cellphone at may tinawagan. He's still holding her hand. "Jack. Hey, bud. Yeah... Good morning. Uhhh..." He rakes his fingers on his damp gold locks. "Can you fly the chopper back here?"

Napakurap siya. 'Huh? Helicopter?'

"Oo. Oo. Yung saan mo siya kinuha nung dumaong ako rito. Yeah." He looks at her. "There's someone I need you to fly to a nearby hospital."

Nanlaki ang mata niya. "Hospital?" Babawiin na sana niya ang kamay nang mahigpit na nakahawak sa pulsuhan niya si Isaiah. "Ayoko..." Angal niya.

He keeps looking at her while answering the phone. "Yeah, yeah. Good. Meet you at 11AM." He ends the call.

"Ayoko..." Dabog niya. "They need me here!"

"What help could they get from a clumsy princess with an injured finger?"

Lumabi siya. "Ang sakit mo naman magsalita."

Binaba nito ang kamay niya. "First, I'm not a Scottish resident who tries hard to impress a princess. Second, I am not afraid to against you. Third, discoloration is starting to spread around your wound – you might have a tetanus."

Instead of feeling offended, she is kinda happy. At least there's someone honest here to nag her. Yung di takot ma-offend siya sa lalabas sa bibig nito.

Nilagpasan na siya nito para pumunta sa tent nito.

Agad siya sumimangot nang makita uli ang mga kababaihang maagang humaharot na kulang nalang uminom ng kape at gawing tinapay ang katawan ni Isaiah.

.

.

Despite the scorching heat, with a safety hardhat on his head, Isaiah personally checked the progress of the excavation. They're still on the 1/8th of the digging. Nasa tabi naman ng hukay ang mga water technician na oras-oras kumukuha ng sample sa tubig na nakukuha mula sa hukay. Positive. There's a water source beneath.

"Sir." Lapit sa kaniya ng isang foreman. "We need more supplies. Lumber, fuel, nails and gravel. Should I talk to the princess?"

Nilingon ni Isaiah si Margaret na noo'y tumatawang naglalaro ng bahay-bahayan kasama ang mga bata sa ilalim ng puno. "Don't bother her." Binalingan niya ang lalake. "Buy any supplies you need. Wag mong problemahin kung magkano ang magagastos. One thing this project shouldn't worry about is money."

Tumango ang foreman at umalis.

Kinuha niya ang phone sa bulsa na kanina pa nag-vibrate. It's an overseas call. Reading the area code, it's from the Philippines. Sinagot niya ito. "Hello --- Ma? C-Calm down, calm down." Naglakad siya papalayo sa hukay dala ng ingay ng mga sasakyan. "What? I can't clearly hear you..." He covers his one ear. "Si Peashooter? What about Peashooter?" Huminto siya harap ng tent. "Come again?" His mom sounds hysterical on the other line.

Peashooter is pregnant.

PHILIPPINES

'MAGSAMA KAYO MGA HANGAAAAALLLL!!' Asik ni Pea sa ina ni Isaiah. 'AMA?! AT AKALA NIYO BA ALAM KO KUNG SINONG GUMALAW SA AKIN?! NI-r**e AKO NG MARAMING PUSA!!!!!!!!'

Lizbeth cuts the call. "Mag-S-Skype kayo ng tatay mo! Malilintikan ka talaga. Pag kayo dumami, aakalain talaga ng mga tao'y mga daga kayo!! Nakuuu!!" Nameywang ito. "Inunahan mo pa si Isla na magbuntis 'eh 'no? Nagrereblede ka ba kasi iniwan ka ng mama mo, Peashooter?"

Humiga si Pea at walang pakialam na winagayway ang buntot. 'Kasalanan ko bang na-humaling sila sa akin?'

CAMP | SCOTLAND

Umupo si Isaiah sa kama niya at binuksan ang laptop. After few minutes, his mother's face appears on the screen. "Yes, Ma?"

Liz: "Anak... nako! Nag-alala ako kay Peashooter! Paano pag dumami sila rito?"

Napangiti si Isaiah kasi halatang problemado talaga ang ina niya. "Ayaw niyo yun?" Nagbukas siya ng bottled water. "May apo na kayo? You always dream of having grandchildren." At uminom siya.

Liz: "Bibig mo, Isaiah! Pusa?! Pusa apo ko? Nababaliw ka na ba?!!"

He laughs. "You talk to Peashooter as if she's a human. Why not treat her babies like one?"

Liz: "May buhay sila, di lang sila nakakapagsalita --- Ayyysshhh! Pwede ba!! Lumilihis ka sa usapan! Anak naman.... Wag mo naman akong pagtawanan... di ko dinasal ang isang pusang apo..."

"I'm sorry." He can't help but smile. "Alam kong problemado pag dumami sila lalo na sa lahi nila. Baka saktan sila ng mga makakita sa kanila dahil sa kakaiba nilang hitsura. Let's just hope her babies inherit their 'father's' genes." Kasi sigurado naman siyang may balahibo ang gumalaw sa alaga nila.

Liz: "Ano ba naman 'to... Mga pusa ang mga inaalagaan ko sa halip ng mga apo ko. Kasi naman!! Bakit ba ang tagal mo kong bigyan ng mga apo!"

's**t! The tables had turned!' His mom is really good on changing the blame. "Call Isaac and Avery, borrow Thea and Basti for a day. Okay, I'll call Avery after our call, see if she can visit you with her kids ---- "

Liz: "Nag-condom ka ba nung andito si Isla kaya walang nabuo---- "

Namula siya. "What?! MA!!" Nasapo nalang ng palad niya ang mukha niya. "Seriously..."

Liz: "Kasi naman... di mo kasi nararamdaman paano kalungkot mag-isa sa malaking bahay. Ano? Iyak ng pusa nalang ang pupuno rito?"

He sighs. "Speaking of Isla." Nakita niya paano naging excited ang ina niya sa kabilang linya. "Maging okay ka na ba at tanggapin ang tadhan ni Pea pag nakausap mo siya?"

Liz: "Who? Isla? Teka... saan ka ba, Isaiah, 'ha? Sa background mo palang wala ka sa opisina mo o sa pad mo."

Di muna siya sumagot. Is it really a good idea telling her mom that he's in Scotland with Margaret?

Liz: "Isaiah Clark???"

.

.

Ussie kneels beside Marga while she's playing with the kids. "Princess Margaret?"

"Yes?"

"Prince Joaquin returned. His royal service just arrived." Imporma nito.

Napabuntong-hininga nalang siya at tumayo. A good reason to ruin her mood.

Naglakad sila papunta sa b****a ng camp. Indeed, Joaquin arrives with his two bodyguards. The two men nods at her as respect.

"Joaquin." Salubong niya.

"That's a dry welcome." Tuya nitong sabi.

"You want a feast every time you arrive?" She crosses her arms infront of her chest.

Tinanguan ni Joaquin ang dalawa na nakatayo sa likod niya para pribado silang mag-usap. "Kamusta ka rito?"

"Buhay pa naman."

"Come on, Marga. I'm trying to be nice here!"

"Try harder. Sa tingin mo masaya ako sa ginawa mo? Alam ko kung bakit mo dinala rito si Isaiah. To test me and my loyalty to the crown, right?"

"Why? Nasubok ba?"

"And here you are saying you're trying to be nice."

"Let's just set this aside, okay? I've decided to stay here."

Doon na siya na-alarma. "What do you mean?"

"As your future husband, I should help you with whatever choices you make." Sinenyasan niya ang mga bodyguard na ilabas ang mga gamit nito sa compartment ng kotse.

Gusto niyang umalma pero maging masama na naman ang tingin nito sa kaniya.

Then Joaquin saw her discolored finger. "What happened to your ----- "

"Margaret?"

Pareho silang napalingon sa direksyon ni Isaiah na may dalang laptop.

"I-Isaiah?" Pinaglilipat niya ang tingin sa dalawa na agad nagsukatan ng titig. Both men are testing each waters of who'll bark first.

Isaiah looks at her. "Mom wants to talk to you." Taas nito sa laptop.

"Mom? Sino --- " At parang nalimutan niya ang kaba sa pagliwanag ng kaniyang mukha. "MAMA LIZBETH!!!! OH MY!!" Agad niya kinuha ang laptop rito. "MAMAAAAAAAA!!!!!"

Liz: "ANAK! ISLA! DIYOS KO!!! ISLAAAA!"

Marga looks at Isaiah as if asking permission to find some place quiet. He nods. "If it happens to turn off. Password is LittleZombie." He then turns to Joaquin. His blue-eyes sharpen. "Capital L and Z."

"Got it!" At masayang tumakbo si Margaret papalayo dala ang laptop.

Isaiah threw a glance on the things the prince's bodyguard hauled off the car. "You staying here?"

"To guard something important." Tanging sagot ng prinsipe.

He nods. "Have a nice stay, 'prince.'." With a hard tone on the last word.

"I bet." Joaquin jaw tightens. "Mr. Miller, why don't you tour me around the site. Just to orient myself with my fiancee's project."

Isaiah grins. "Drop the formality, Joaquin."

"Hey!" Singit ng isang bodyguard. "Have respect on the prince!"

Tinaas ni Joaquin ang kamay na nakatitig pa rin sa kaharap. "Okay, Isaiah."

Nag-una nang naglakad si Isaiah.

.

.

"That's the water lab." Turo ni Isaiah sa puting tent na may sariling ventilator fan sa loob para i-regulate ang temperatura. People they meet along the way bows down to give respect to the prince. "Then...." He stops pointing at the dump truck with loads of soils. "Those trucks are going to dump the soil on the cliffs."

"Hmm..." Tanging sambit lang nito.

Pissed, he turns to him. 'Is he taking this seriously? 'Cause if not, I have some f*****g more things to do.'

"What are those?" Nguso ni Joaquin sa malaking open tent sa kabilang dako.

"War room. War tent, to be exact. It's where the engineers and the architects argue about things."

"War room, huh?"

His eyes darken as he turns to him. "Now, did I tour you enough, Prince? I think there are people willing to do this more than I do."

Joaquin points at the two male villagers playing chess. "Mind one round of game?"

Nagpipigil na tumingala si Isaiah. 'Gonna kill this bastard for wasting my time.'

.

.

"Pea!!!" Haplos ni Marga sa screen ng pinakita ni Mama Lizbeth ang pusa. "I miss you!!!"

Liz: "Buntis si Pea, Isla. Nag-rebelde kasi wala kayo rito para gumabay sa kaniya."

Nag-flying kiss si Marga. "You're what? Ow... my baby is having babies on her own... sana andiyan ako..."

Pea: 'Tae... ang OA ng mga hampaslupang nilalang na mga 'to...'

Liz: "Kamusta ka, anak? Ang ganda mo na, Diyos ko!"

She smiles as tears starts to sting her eyes. "Matagal na ako maganda, Mama."

Liz: "Oo naman, siyempre! Uwi ka na..."

Margaret nods. "Soon..."

Liz: "Sasabihan ko si Isaiah mamaya na iuwi ka na rito. Ang payat mo na!!"

Tumawa siya kahit tumutulo ang luha niya. "Oo na po... I miss you, Mama."

.

.

Joaquin had both his hands clasp below his chin, thinking his next move on the game of chess.

Isaiah taps his finger on the armrest. 'This is dragging too long.' He looks at his sports watch.

"Getting impatient?" Joaquin moves a piece on the board. "Impatient is the root cause of all kings' defeat in battles."

Isaiah moves his knight piece. "Consider me an exception. I'm no king." Tinaas niya ang isang pawn. [A/N: Pawn – weakest piece in the chess game] "I'm just a mere human."

"At least you know your place." Joaquin moves his king.

Isaiah studies the chessboard and thinks of moves to end this game swiftly. One more hour with this asshole, a country might man-hunt him for hitting a prince straight in the face. "For a prince, you are talkative on a game that involves..." He looks at his opponent. "...more thinking."

Joaquin leans on his chair. "Really?"

He shrugs. "I am more think more, bark less of a person." Isaiah smirks. "Your turn."

"Tell me, Isaiah." He moves one pawn. "Do you think love is a game?" Tanong nito sa kaniya.

"Nope." Isaiah moves his queen piece.

Tinaas ni Joaquin ang mga mata sa kaharap. "Tama." He moves his bishop pawn. "Di ito laro ng agawan."

"You mean tug-of-war?" He moves his knight pawn.

"Yeah."

Isaiah grins. "It's not a tug-of-war, Joaquin." He looks at him. "Lalo na kung wala tayong pinagaagawan. When in the first place..." He moves one pawn on the chessboard. "...it's been mine all along."

"I don't think so." Joaquin makes a move again on the board. "She wears the ring."

He shakes his hand. "Of which I can slip it off her finger, easily." He moves a pawn. "You know, you should really put your head on the game."

Nawala ang ngiti sa mga labi ni Joaquin.

Tumayo si Isaiah. "Because a simple pawn can overthrow a queen." [A/N: The Queen - is the most powerful piece in the game of chess, able to move any number of squares vertically, horizontally or diagonally.] He looks down on the sitting prince then bends to whisper. "Seryosohin mo ang laro kundi matatalo ka."

Joaquin looks down on the chessboard. His queen was in the way of Isaiah's pawn's movement. A sure move of win.

Then a whirring sound of helicopter invaded the heavy tension between them.

"Good game, 'prince.'." He then left the prince who is tightly clenching his fists.

.

.

"Talaga bang kailangan kong umalis?" Pigil ni Marga sa pulang buhok sa malakas ng hangin mula sa propeller ng helicopter.

Isaiah slides the chopper's door open. "Yes."

"Babalik ba ako rito?"

Niyuko ni Isaiah ang prinsesa. "If the doctor says you need to stay there for observation, then you need to stay. Up you go." He tilts his head towards the entrance.

"Y-You're not coming with me?" Kabang tanong ni Marga rito.

Isaiah looks at the chopper's driver then to her. "Susunod ako kung sasabihin ng doctor na magtatagal ka roon. For now, I'll wait for you here."

"Where is she going?" Agad na hawak ni Joaquin sa braso ni Marga.

He exasperated an annoyed sigh and motion's at Jack to turn off the engine. "She's going to the hospital."

"Just because of a cut?" Tanong ni Joaquin.

Marga saw a hint of anger passed on Isaiah's blue eyes. "I-Isaiah..." In a low voice, she shakes her head. "No..."

Nagtitimping niyuko ni Isaiah ang babae.

She shakes her head. "Calm down."

Hinawakan ni Isaiah ang braso ni Marga at hinila ito papunta sa kaniya dahilan para mapasubsob ito sa dibdib niya. "Easy, prince. You are risking the life of the princess here."

Mahigpit pa rin nakahawak si Joaquin sa prinses. "You let go of her. I can take her there on my own."

"And you said, it was just a cut. Now. Off. With. Your. Hand." Each word laced with threat and displeasure.

Nilingon ni Margaret si Joaquin. "Joaquin. Please." Sumamo niya. Not for her, but for the prince. She is fully aware that Isaiah can overpower him in terms with strength. But not here when curious eyes are around them. "I'm just going to get vaccinated. I'll be back ---- " At nahigit nalang niya ang hininga nang yumuko si Joaquin at nagdampi ng halik sa mga labi niya.

"You take care." He then looks at Isaiah who is near close of smashing the prince's face on the ground. "Susunod agada ko roon."

Tumango nalang si Marga at sa tulong ng piloto ng chopper ay dahan-dahan siyang umakyat sa loob.

Joaquin taunted Isaiah with a smirk.

Nag-iwas nalang si Isaiah baka di na niya kayang magtimping suntukin ito. Umakyat siya sa pintuan sa chopper at pinasuot kay Margaret ang seatbelt at aviation headset. "Take your lipstick off."

"Huh?" Nilingon niya ito. Dinama niya ang labi kung saan may kulay light orange siyang lipstick na suot.

Nagtiim-bagang si Isaiah na nilingon siya. Their lips nearly touching. "Take off your lipstick." Then signals at the pilot to start the engine.

He jumps backward out the vehicle.

[NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW pt. 1]

Nagkatinginan si Noah, Isaac at Fire sa isang entry ng diary ng Aunt Bethany nila

'My Dad killed a man named Francis.'

[NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW pt. 2]

Margaret covers her mouth to save oxygen as her body is drowning down the deep sea. 'Help... I-I can't swim.'