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

#WTMH Roll 12: The Queen's Wrath

That morning, Margaret pulls her long red-hair into a high ponytail as she was walking towards her room's balcony. Masaya niyang tinulak iyon pabukas at agad pinuno ang katawan ng sariwang hangin ng umaga. Umupo siya sa balustre at pumikit para damhin ang dampi ng hangin sa mukha niya.

Last night was...

Her eyes smile as she bites her lower lips.

...was beautiful.

Marga touches her lips.

> As colorful petals fall from the sky, she slowly drops her gaze on the man standing infront of her. When a white petal passes between them, in her eyes, Isaiah is wearing his Peter Pan outfit and she is wearing her Tinkerbell costume.

> "Where do you want to go, Princess?" He asked. "To Neverland, my knight." She answers.

Para siyang baliw na ngumingiting mag-isa. 'Eh kasi naman... para kasing nanumbalik sa kaniya ang naramdaman niya noong una siyang hinalikan ni Isaiah sa likod ng columbarium ng mga Miller. [A/N: Columbarium – a cemetery for cremated remains/ashes.] Those days when the only thing she thinks about was the idol's welfare. Yung paano ito mapapakain ng gulay, yung paano ito magpapa-injection para sa monthly nitong physical examination, yung paano niya ito mapapatulog ng walong oras sa isang araw.

She looks up at the cloudless, blue sky. It was two years ago. Ang daming nangyari sa loob ng dalawang taon pero yung nararamdaman niya...

Dinama niya ang dibdib na kanina pa mabilis na tumitibok.

...yung nararamdaman niya'y nananatili paring mahal ang binata.

She never stopped loving him. Not a second. Her happiness lies on the fact that his feelings also remains the same really made her happy.

Para lang kasing nasagot ang isang katanungang bumabagabag sa isipan niya. 'Does he still love me?'

> "Go back to Philippines with me. It's where you belong."

Kikiliging tatawa na sana siya nang may kumatok sa pinto. "Princess Margaret?"

Dali-dali siyang bumaba sa balustre (railings) at inayos ang kulay rosas na nightdress na suot. "Y-Yes?"

Sumilip si Ussie. "The Queen wishes your presence on the garden for breakfast."

"O-Oh, s-sure. Sure." Ngiti niya at sinenyasan ang katiwala na pumasok.

Ussie's expression while looking at her is with curiosity. "Okay ka lang ba, Princess Margaret? Aga-aga namumula ka na." Tumawa pa itong pahapyaw.

Uminit ang mukha niya sabay dama sa magkabilang pisngi. "H-Huh? B-Baka m-may sinat a-ako."

"Yeah right." Ussie pulls her to sit infront of the vanity mirror and unties her ponytail. "Kagabi pa kita nahahalata, Princess Marga. You look like a teenager having her first kiss."

Mas lalo pa niyang ikinamula iyon. "W-What?" Tiningnan niya si Ussie sa salamin. "Really?"

Tumatawang tango nito. "Oo kaya." She starts combing her hair softly with a brush. "You can't stop smiling and you look like dreaming --- as if you are in your own world."

's**t. Di ka naman masyado halata, Marga.' She avoids Ussie's eyes. "Nasobrahan 'ata inom ko ng wine ----"

"Something happened when you were gone, huh?"

Mabilis napa-angat ang tingin niya rito sa salamin. "W-What do you mean?"

"Don't lie, Princess." Ussie is now in the middle of making a style out of her long tresses. "Jean and I were frantically looking for you. We even asked the guards of the Bodie Castle if you happened to enter the castle." [A/N: Bodie Castle is off limit at nights and every entrance and exit are heavily guarded due to expensive and sentimental stuffs inside.]

"N-Nasa bulwagan --- "

"You weren't." Lumapit si Ussie sa walk-in closet niya para maghanap ng isusuot niya. "Malapit na kaming lumapit sa mikropono ng gabing yun para ipanawag kung asan ka nang makita ka namin ni Jean na lumabas mini-maze sa kabilang hardin ng Bodie Castle." Saad nito mula sa loob.

Agad dumagundong sa kaba ang dibdib niya. "Y-You really saw me?"

Lumabas ito dala ang isang puting long-sleeve at itim na palda na hanggang tuhod. "Yes."

"S-So ---- "

"Your secret is safe with us why your lipstick is gone ---- "

"USSIE!!" Hiyaw niya hiya.

Tumawa ito at sinimulang pahiran ang mukha niya ng baby/wet wipes. "Ussie and Jean are loyal to you, Ms. Marga. We always keep your welfare on top of our list therefore our eyes are locked on you... w-well except last night since we got carried away by the music and merriment."

"Apology accepted." Ngisi niya.

Ussie clears her throat. "Thank you, Princess. Like I said, our attention is on you. You think we can't see your stolen glances at Mr. Miller?"

"God!" Naisubsob nalang niya ang mukha sa dalawang palad.

"Sa totoo, Princess Marga... Ayaw naming kunsintihin ang ginawa mo pero nakikita kasi namin ni Ussie gaano ka kasaya pag nasa paligid si Isaiah. You blossom which you never did when you are here or whenever you are with Prince Joaquin."

Di siya tuminag.

"We never knew what happened to you before coming here to Scotland, but we are certain that Isaiah has a big part on your past life. You trusted him even with your life."

She slowly nods.

"And up until now." Ussie pulls her up and starts unzipping her nightdress at the back. "You deserve all the love in the world, Princess... but..."

"But?" She slides the satin cloth off her body, leaving nothing but her under garment.

"Mahirap magkamali."

She looks at Ussie in the mirror as the woman starts putting a dab of perfume on her collarbone, on her nape and at the line of her back. [A/N: Collarbone, Nape, Spinal Cord, Pulse, Back of the Knee are what they call Perfume Points. Perfume is activated by our body heat (located on the said parts) making the perfume gives off the peak of its scent.] "Mahirap magkamali?"

"Nahahalata namin ni Jean na di ka masaya sa nangyaring engagement ninyo ni Prince Joaquin, Princess Margaret. You keep on slipping the ring off your finger. If you were happy, you'll flaunt it."

'Shit.' She quietly curses at herself. She's way too obvious then.

"Naintindhan namin. Pero kung sana pareho utak ng ibang tao sa amin, walang problema."

Sinuot ni Margaret ang damit.

Ussie looked at her in the mirror. "People tends to judge what they can see... not with what they feel. So please be careful, Princess Marga. Pardon me as I say this, but there's no room for mistake. Ayaw naming husgahan ka ng mga tao na di alam ang totoong nangyari. Isa pa, kasal ka man o hindi kay Prince Joaquin, nakatali ka na sa kaniya, mahal na prinsesa." Yumuko ito at nahihiyang ipagpatuloy ang sasabihin.

"G-Go on, Ussie." Udyok niya. Alam niya kung anong sususnod na sasabihin nito pero gusto niyang manggaling mismo sa bibig nito. Of course, she can't act like a giddy teenager having her first kiss from a longtime crush. She has an image to uphold.

And this is what she needs right now. A slap of reality.

"You must pick one." Ussie meets her eyes on the mirror. "Prince Joaquin or Isaiah. You can't have both."

She looks down. Para narin kasing tinanong ni Ussie kong PAGMAMAMHAL O KATUNGKULAN. Tama naman ito. Mahal man niya o hindi si Joaquin, sa ngalan na nakatali siya rito'y para na rin siyang nagkakasala sa lalake.

May kumatok uli. Si Jean naman ang sumilip. "The Queen is waiting on the garden."

Margaret nods as she continues buttoning the white blouse near her breast. Jean closes the door and left giving her and Ussie another chance to talk privately.

"P-Pasensiya na kayo, Mahal na prinsesa --- "

Tinaas ni Marga. "Y-You don't have to. You are just worried, and I appreciate your honesty." Nahihiyang tumango si Ussie pero nahalata ni Marga na may gusto pa itong idagdag. "Go on. Don't hesitate."

"If you may, can I add something?" She waits for the princess' approval before proceeding. Huminga muna ito ng malalim bago nagsalita. "Please pick Isaiah."

Hinarap niya ito. "Why?"

Ussie fidgets with her fingers before looking at her. "You are you when you are with him. Like you are with Chomper. Like you are when you are cooking. Like you are when you are singing while helping us drying the blankets under the sun. That's the Princess Margaret we wanted to see – carefree and innocent. Not the --- "

"Puppet." Panapos niya.

Yumuko si Ussie at tumango. "Y-Yes."

"Tell me, Ussie. Why did you tell me this now?"

"Because we are waiting for someone to cut the strings which are controlling you. It's not me and Jean. Not Nelson and definitely not Prince Joaquin."

Napatitig lang siya sa katiwala. She smiles as she pulls Ussie for a warm hug. "Thank you, Ussie."

Sumagot naman ito ng yakap. "You are most welcome, Princess."

Hinigpitan niya ang yakap rito. When she thought she was alone, she didn't realize there were angels around to guide and guard her.

LA WINERIA DE MILLER | MÁLAGA, SPAIN

Hawak ang isang clipboard, tumingala si Santino sa mga nakapatong-patong na mga wine barrels sa underground cellar. He looks down on the paper and writes down the serial number stamped on the wine barrels subject for fermentation. After jotting down almost a hundred plus serial numbers, he sighs and curses silently. 'Mierda! (Bullshit!)' Nilingon niya ang paningin sa loob ng malamig na underground cellar na halos mga naglalakihang wine barrels lang ang nakikita.

Nameywang siya at pilit wag ibato sa kung saan-saan ang hawak na clipboard. He is bored as f**k! Even a 7-year-old kid can do what he can do. He's been his 'sister's' secretary for almost half a year now and all he's been doing are clerical works – typing, filing, answering calls and now, recoding serial numbers of the wine barrels.

Parang nagsisisi 'ata siya sa desisyon niyang makibahagi sa negosyo sa pamilya nila. Sofia, being the Operations Manager, gave him the most boring job of all.

> "If you want to handle our family's business, you need to learn the ropes from the start like what is the stages in harvesting the grapes, what are the grapes used for black and red wine..."

'Blah, blah, blah...' From the start? Is this what she means by start? Having this secretarial job? He didn't even learned a thing!

This is so not him at all. He's more active. He wants muscles, sweat, blood, body pain... not this...

Sa inis ay nabali niya ang hawak na lapis.

... not this p***y work.

Saktong may dumaang lalakeng katiwala. Hinila niya ang kwelyo nito at pasalampak na binigay rito ang clipboard at baling lapis. "You record all serial numbers of the f*****g barrels with 2019 stamp and find me after you are done." Sabay nagsilid ng dalawang daang (200) euro. [A/N: 200 Spanish Euro = 11,000 Philippine Pesos] Tsaka namulsang paakyat na lumabas sa underground cellar.

.

.

Kumuha ng mansanas si Santino sa fruit basket sa lobby ng opisina at tinulak ang glass door papasok sa opisina ng kapatid. "Buenas tardes (Good afternoon), Sofia!" At pasalampak na umupo sa sofa kaharap ang mesa nito.

She rolls her eyes upward and closes her laptop. "Di'ba may inutos ako sa'yo? It was like an hour ago. Natapos mo na? Agad?"

Santino munches his apple and winks at her.

She groans inwardly. "Not again, Santi!"

"What?" Pa-inosente nitong ngiti.

"Nagbayad ka na naman ng tauhan natin para tapusin ang trabaho mo ano?"

Tumatawang umiling siya. "Nope."

"Lokohin mo sarili mo!" Tumayo ito. Dahil kita sa opisina nito sa second floor ang first floor kung saan andoon ang processing plant nila sa mga wines, may hinanap si Sofia na trabahador. "At si George pa 'ata ang inutusan mo."

"Does he wear an I.D.? I don't know if it that boy's name is George ----"

"Seriously, Santi?!" Di makapaniwalang lingon ni Sofia sa 'kapatid'. "You want to have a higher position in this business, but you can't even do a simple task plus you can't even memorize the employees name." Kinuha nito ang telepono sa cradle at nag-dial ng numero. "Di ko na'to mapapalampas, Santi. I'll transfer you to the utility department. Doon, maglilinis ka ng mga --- "

At di na nito natapos ang sasabihin ng hinablot ni Santino ang wire ng telepono sabay pindot sa remote na awtomatikong nagpabagsak ng window blinds dahilan para di makita ng mga trabahador sa ibaba ang nangyayari sa loob.

"Do that and I'll swear to God, I'll rip your clothes." Santi looked at Sofia's eyes with desire and threat.

Nanginig ang kalamnan ni Sofia dala ng inis. "I AM YOUR BOSS AND ACT LIKE AN EMPLOYEE!!"

Instead of backing down, he sneers. "You want me to be your slave? Oh sister..." Lumapit siya rito. An inch of distance from the firm-willed woman, he taps her nose just as what he always do every time she's angry. "I didn't know you like that foreplay."

Nasapo nalang ni Sofia ang noo. "Why is everything I say... you always connect it to sex..."

"Because that's the only thing I want to do to you every time you're near." Diretso niyang sagot.

"Santino..." She says his name with exhaustion. "We're --- "

"Siblings? Don't push it, Sofia. Baka punitin ko birth certificate mo." He starts unbuttoning her blouse when...

Pareho silang napalingon sa backpack ni Santino sa may sofa kung saan parang may nag-vibrate sa loob.

"Kanina pa yan." Mabilis na saad ni Sofia at nagbabasakaling mabaling ang atensiyon ni Santino roon.

"What do you mean?"

"Your bag is vibrating a lot of times today."

"Oh? Baka di ko na-off ang vibrator na binili ko para sa'yo."

"WHAT?!" Namula na parang kamatis ni Sofia. "f**k you!" Hablot nito sa remote at pinindot para tumaas uli ang window blinds.

Inis na nilapitan ni Santino ang bag. 'Whoever this asshole is, I'm gonna kill him for ruining the moment!' Binuksan niya iyon at kinuha ang IPhone sa loob. Agad nagsalubong ang kilay niya nang makita ang limang missed Skype video calls ni Noah. "Noah?"

"Noah?" Lingon ni Sofia sa kaniya.

Humarap siya sa babae. "What could Noah want from me?" It is really unusual. Noah only messages him thru Viber plus he never video-called him, ever.

"Tawagin mo kaya uli. Baka emergency." Suhestiyon ni Sofia.

"My battery's near dead." Tapon ni Santi sa phone pabalik sa bag. "Can I use your laptop?"

"S-Sure." Nagbigay daan si Sofia para makaupo si Santino sa upuan kaharap ang laptop. She then approaches the shelves with different folders to give him a private time with his cousin.

"Hey." Bungad niya nang sumagot si Noah sa kabilang linya.

Noah: "Hmm? Why are you using Sofia's account?"

Sumandal si Santino sa sandalan. "Seriously? Is that really a question?"

Noah: "Binibwesit mo na naman ba siya sa trabaho niya? She can fire you anytime she wants, Santi. Amo mo pa rin siya."

"Nope." With bored eyes, he looks at the screen. "I'm not here as an employee. In fact, we are shagging on the table when you called." Maliksing umiwas si Santino nang may tinapon na isang folder ang namumulang si Sofia sa direksyon niya. "What's with the many missed calls? You missed me? You should have said so... I can send a picture of my dick."

Noah: "Ikaw 'ata ang ampon, Santino."

Nainis si Santino ng humagikhik ng tawa si Sofia kahit nakatalikod ito at may binabasang dokumento. "What is it so that I could end this boring call."

Noah: "Okay, let's get straight to the point. When and where did you saw Grandpa Arthur."

Parehong natigilan si Santino at Sofia. Nagkatininginan pa silang dalawa. Santi looks back at the screen. "G-Grandpa Arthur?"

Noah: "Do you know his whereabouts?"

"You're asking me if I know where Grandpa Arthur is?"

Noah: "Yes, Santi. I think you're the last Miller who saw Grandpa Arthur alive. Now, remember where that place is."

Umiling si Santino. "Nope. I'm not that the last one."

NOAH'S CLINIC | PHILIPPINES

Noah looks at Fire sitting on the sofa. Natigilan rin ito mula sa paglalaro sa tenga ni Kira at lumingon sa kaniya.

The doctor looks at the screen again. "What do you mean you're not the last one?"

Santi: "I mean, I'm not the last one since I'm not the only one who saw him that day. Sofia, Papa and Mama also saw Grandpa Arthur."

"W-Where?"

Santi: "Here in Spain. I-In the mansion, exactly. I was... I think 8 or 9 years old that time? I can't clearly remember but I was sure he was here and the four of us saw him."

"Then what happened?"

SPAIN

Santino looks at Sofia who has sadness occupying her hazelnut eyes. "U-Uhhh... a nasty encounter?"

Noah: "Nasty encounter?"

He nods. "Pa was so angry at that time. The angriest version of him I saw in my entire life till now."

Noah: "Tell me."

18 YEARS AGO | MILLER'S MANSION IN SPAIN

A 9-year-old Santi with a band-aid on his nose bridge, exits the car with a bag slings on his one shoulder and Sofia following him after they were fetched from their school that afternoon. "Tch! I still wanted to play football." Reklamo niya.

"Pa told me na sabay dapat tayo uuwi." Malditang sagot ni Sofia na may boyish-cut na buhok dahil dinikitan ni Santi ng bubblegum iyon last week.

"Who care what Pa says ---- "

Sabay silang nahinto ni Sofia sa pag hakbang papasok sa mansion nang may nakita silang matandang lalake na nasa pagitan ng singkwenta (50) o sisenta (60) 'ata ang edad na nakatayo sa harap ng malaking pintuan ng kabahayan. Nakatalikod ito sa kanila.

He was really tall for an old man. His golden hair has few streaks of gray hairs. Also, he is holding one luggage on one hand and a paper bag on the other hand.

Dumikit si Sofia sa kuya niya. "W-Who i-is he, Santi?"

Di pa nga lumiligon sa kanila ang matanda'y ramdam na niya ang mabigat na presensiya nito. "E-Excuse me." Tawag niya sa pansin nito.

The old man moves and turns to them.

Parehang napasinghap sa pagkamangha si Santi at Sofia sa napaka-asul nitong mga mata. Despite his sad face, his blue eyes are mesmerizing.

He smiles. "Hello, young ones." He kneels in one knee to level with them.

Namula sa hiya si Sofia at tumago sa likod ni Santino.

"You must be Santino Uji?" He asked.

He slowly nods. "Y-Yes."

The man tilted his head sideways to look at Sofia. "And you are Sofia Ximena."

Sofia nods.

Malungkot na ngumiti ang matanda. "Glad no one from you inherited the blue eyes."

Naglakas ng loob si Santino na magtanong. "W-Why?"

"I think it's a curse."

"Curse?" Salubong ang kilay ni Sofia na tanong.

Imbes na sumagot ay nilahad ng matanda ang paper bag. "Here, my gifts. I am sorry, niño (little boy), niña (little girl). These are what your abuelo (grandfather) can buy for the meantime."

"Who are you?" Pero bago masagot ang katanungan ni Santino ay bumukas na ang malaking pinto at iniluwa niyon ang nag-aalala nilang ina. "Ma?"

Pinaglilipat ni Lucia ang tingin sa matanda at sa kanila ni Sofia. "Oh my God." Takot itong lumapit sa kanila at halos itulak sila papasok. "Get inside before your Pa sees you."

"No, Ma." Nilingon ni Santino ang matanda at lumapit pa roon.

"Santino!" Mariin na tawag ni Lucia sa anak mula sa loob habang yakap si Sofia. "Get back here!"

Nakangiting kinuha ni Santino ang paperbag mula sa matanda. His mother always reminding him not to talk to strangers. Pero bakit magaan ang loob niya sa matanda? "Are these really for us?"

Ngumiti ang matanda. "Yes. Hope you'll like it."

Malugod na tumango si Santino. "We will ---- "

"SANTINO!!!" Dumagundong nang malakas ang boses ng ama nilang si Jordan mula sa second floor ng bahay. "GET AWAY FROM THAT MAN!!"

Nagkukumahog at namumutlang hinablot ni Lucia si Santino palayo sa matanda. "Come! Let's get inside the room!!"

"But --- "

"Santi, please." Sumamo ni Lucia sa anak. "Huwag ngayon, anak. Makinig ka sa akin k-kahit ngayon lang..." Doon na nagpahila si Santino.

Mabilis nilang naakyat ang hagdan at napalingon pa si Santino sa mukha ng ama na galit na galit na nakatitig sa matandang lalake sa may pintuan ng mansion.

Before the door of their parent's room closes, Santino and Sofia heard Jordan's loud voice. "ANONG KARAPATAN MONG IPAKITA ANG MUKHA MO SA MGA APO MO?! DI KA NA NAHIYA?! MATAPOS MONG LOKOHIN ANG INA NAMIN?! GET OUT OF HERE BEFORE I CALL THE COPS!!"

Santino looks up at their mother. "A-Apo?"

Lucia nods and hugs the two of them. "Y-Yes, he is your grandfather, Santino. Sofia."

"Why is Pa angry?" Tanong naman ng batang babae.

"I'll tell you once the two of you are old enough." Tumayo si Lucia at binuksan ang t.v. sa kwarto sabay pinalakasan ang volume para di nila marinig ang sigawan sa labas. "Y-You stay here. Promise me, don't go out." She kisses their foreheads before leaving the room.

.

.

Nagising si Santino mga alas-dos ng madaling araw nang makaramdaman ng uhaw. Bumaba siya sa kama at kinukusot ang mga mata na lumabas sa kwarto. Wearing a shirt at pajama, he reaches the kitchen, pulls a cold pitcher from the fridge and didn't bother using a glass and drinks directly from the pitcher.

Paakyat na sana siya sa hagdan nang napalingon siya sa nakasarang main door ng mansion. He remembers the old man.

Naawa lang siya. Kasi parang malungkot ito pero sinigawan pa ng ama niya. Isa pa, may dala itong maleta na para bang gusto nitong makatira sa kanila ng pansamantala.

'Asan na kaya siya?' Tanong niya sa sarili.

He is their grandfather.

He knew their names, but they never knew his.

Dumagdag pa iyon sa bigat ng kalooban niya.

Naglakad na siya papunta sa kwarto niya nang napadaan siya sa harap ng master's bedroom. He stops when he heard his parents arguing inside.

"Jordan, be sensible, okay?!" Boses ng ina niyang parang mangiyak-ngiyak.

"Sensible?! Really, Lucia?"

"Oo!! Matanda na ang ama mo. Pwede ba? Kalimutan niyo muna ang hidwaan niyo?! He needs you! You, his family! At his age, he needs care and love from you!!"

"Why? Did he give those to us?!! Hindi, Lucia! Pinabayaan lang niyang umiiyak si Mom gabi-gabi habang siya'y pumupunta sa kung saang lugar kung nasaan ang babae niya! He abandoned us!"

"He didn't, okay?! All of you lived with silver spoons on your mouth! Di kayo naghirap!" 

[A/N: Silver Spoon on one's mouth - an expression silver spoon is synonymous with wealth, especially inherited wealth; someone born into a wealthy family is said to have "been born with a silver spoon in their mouth"]

"We need a father image, Lucia. He was never there. Now, he wants the same affection we demanded from him when we were young? Mi amor (my love), it's impossible. I can't give that to him. My siblings can't give that to him. Why? Di naman alam naming kung ano yun. Di naman alam anong pakiramdam nun... kaya paano namin maibibigay yun sa kanya?"

"Dad (Arthur, a respect given since he was Lucia's father-in-law) is your children's grandfather. Kahit yun man lang wag mong ipagkait sa mga anak mo."

"Santino and Sofia lived 9, 10 years without knowing him. What's the difference does it make if I'll tell them that their grandfather is dead."

"JORDAN! DON'T! YOUR FATHER IS NOT DEAD!"

"He is. He is dead in our eyes every time he walks out the door leaving mom crying."

PRESENT | PHILIPPINES

Nasapo ni Noah ang bibig sa narinig mula kay Santino sa kabilang linya. Nakaawang naman ang bibig ni Fire na ang kamay ay nabitin sa paghaplos sa likod ni Kira.

Santino: "That's the clearest memory I can remember, Noh. I might have skipped details, but I think those are the major points that day."

"Y-You mean..." Noah clears his throat. "Grandpa Arthur is not dead?"

Santino: "I don't know now. But back then, I saw him alive. He doesn't look weak."

Fire finally speaks. "Every time we asked our parents about our grandfather..."

Noah nods. "They tell us Grandpa Arthur is dead."

Santino: "Back then it was a lie. Our parents lied when they told us he is dead. Ngayon, di ko alam kong buhay pa ba siya o hindi. It was a long time ago and I forgot to look for him. I was young with a lot of things going on my mind. If your exact question if I know where he is now? Then I can't answer that."

Naiwang tahimik si Noah at Fire na may malaking katanungan sa isipan nila.

Nasaan ang abuelo nilang si Arthur Frederick?

LA WINERIA DE MILLER | MÁLAGA, SPAIN

"Why are they asking about Lolo?"

Umiling si Santino at sinara ang laptop. The guilt he felt that time of not knowing his grandfather's name is back on his conscience again. Pinagsalikop niya ang dalawang kamay. "Di ko alam, Sofia."

"Santi..." Kinabahan si Sofia sa pananahimik ng lalake. "What are you thinking?"

Tumayo ito. "I'm gonna ask Papa." At mabilis na lumabas sa opisina.

"No! Santi!" Sunod ni Sofia rito. "Santino!"

Di na nila pinansin si George na nagtatakang nakasunod ang tingin sa kanila hawak ang clipboard na pinatapos ni Santino sa rito.

BALMORAL CASTLE | SCOTLAND

Their breakfast in the garden was taken over by Queen Mary and Prince Joaquin's discussion about some people from the royal circle that Margaret didn't know. She's thankful about it though. She prefers to be left alone that talking about people with long names.

Marga breaks the gingerbread stick and dips it on a bowl of maple syrup. Dahan-dahan niyang dinala ang may syrup na tinapay sa plato para di masayang ang matamis na syrup. Isusubo na sana niya iyon nang tumikhim ang reyna. Nilingon niya ang gawi nito. Nakatingin ito sa kaniya at sa kamay niyang may bahid ng syrup.

Napabuntong-hininga nalang siya na nilagay sa plato ang tinapay sabay pahid ng daliri sa table napkin.

"Fork and knife are invented with purpose, Marga." Paalala ng abuela niya sa tamang-asal sa mesa.

"Yes, grandma." Tango nalang niya at kinuha ang tinidor at tinusok iyon sa tinapay. Muli'y nagpatuloy ang reyna at ang prinsipe sa usapan ng mga ito. Secretly, Marga's licks her finger and smiles as she tasted the sweet after-taste of the syrup. Di na siguro mawalawala ang nakasanayan niyang ikamay lahat ng pagkain. Mas gana kasi ang kain basta nagkakamay.

"We're going to France next week."

Naudlot ang paghiwa sana ni Margaret sa gingerbread stick at nilingon ang reyna. "Pardon, My Queen?"

"We'll have a courtesy call to French President. He wants to meet you and Joaquin." 

[A/N: Courtesy Call - is a formal meeting in which a royal or representative or a famous person of a nation pays a visit to a head of state or state office holder.]

Pinaglilipat niya ang tingin sa dalawa at bago pa niya maibuka ang bibig ay nagsalita si Joaquin. "It's just a three-day visit, Marga. You don't need to worry about the villagers."

Yumuko siya. The Queen speaks again. "You don't really need to stay in that camp during the whole duration of the project, Margaret. The funds are there, the workers are there. What is that you worry about?"

Margaret looks at Joaquin. He drinks his freshly squeezed lemon juice and looks away – leaving her no choice but to make up a reason all by herself. "Baka lang kasi may kailangan sila."

"Didn't you hire a project engineer? It's not your job anymore." Queen Mary pats a table napkin on her mouth and signals to a maid for a glass of water.

Wala siyang magawa kundi tumango nalang. "Yes, grandma."

"Tapos na ako kumain." Tiningnan ni Mary ang dalawang bago tumayo. "I still have a congress assembly to attend. Maiwan ko na muna kayo rito."

"Uhh.. grandma." Tingala niya rito.

"Hmm?"

"Uhhh... I was planning to return to the camp this afternoon."

Umiling ang reyna. "No. Stay here. Look at yourself. Nakakakain ka ba roon ng mabuti? Nakakatulog ng tama? You have done enough, Marga." Mary wears her white leather gloves. "Hindi sila mamatay kung wala ka roon."

"I didn't give a proper goodbye ---- "

"Should you? Tama na yung pinapunta mo sila sa Selkirk Ball. Stop treating them like babies. Mahirap pag namumuro ang mga 'yan." At tumalikod na ito para umalis.

Naiwang tahimik naman ang dalawa. Tumayo na rin si Joaquin pero bago ito tuluyang lumayo'y nagsalita ito. "Ang mga tao ba talaga ang pupuntahan mo roon, Margaret?"

With sharp eyes, she looks at him. "Why do you even care?" Tumayo siya. "Di ka rin naman pumunta roon para sa mga tao di'ba? You were there to keep an eye on me." Tumalikod siya at inunahan na niya itong umalis.