Chapter 22

"Do you really think this is fine?" I asked Berk as I stood in front of the mirror, checking my dress and my posture with it. He examined me looking from my reflection. From head to toe, I was pretty confident on how I dress tonight because it's something I've worked on.

Tumayo naman si Berk at saka lumapit sa akin. He hold my shoulder and turned me to face him. There was a huge smile plastered in his face, like always when were together.

"You're gorgeous. I mean, you're the prettiest woman."

"And not your mother?" I scrunched my face with that question.

He chuckled. "Ha! Yes, of course, she's my mum. She's forever beautiful for me. And yeah... somehow you remind me of her. Lovely, caring, and sweet."

"I guess that's what really a mother is to her children," aniko.

He nodded, pressing his lips together. "Yup, I guess so."

"But let's get back to our business now. How do I really look? Please don't lie just to make me feel good. Be honest, hurt me."

He smirked and shook his head. "I don't wanna hurt you, but see yourself in the mirror." Iginiya niya akong iharap sa salamin. I looked at myself see how I wore the white Bardot dress. It's an off-shoulder sleeves and it goes a few inches under my knee. It's quite comfortable I must say because it's not too revealing and somehow it gives a definition to my collar bone which people may hate about me. "Do you see what you see?"

I laughed. "Yes. Myself."

"Yeah, absolutely. And that's what I call perfection," ngisi pa nito. Piningot ko naman siya sa tainga niya dahil nakukuha niya pa akong bolahin. Natatawa na lang din naman ito and he's cute whenever he laughed. I'm not in the point of falling point, but maybe with Berk, it won't be hard. "No, really. What I meant is, you're beautiful in your own way. I know it's a formal event and you have to impress people, but look at you. You're impeccable, love."

"That's just so sweet, Berk," I giggled. "Well, thank you for that."

"Of course, I hope you enjoyed the event," Berk said. "I wished I was there."

"Well, Sir Connagh has a strict instruction and policy so yeah... he didn't invite you so you won't be coming with me."

"I understand that," he chuckled. "But maybe we can go out some time—if you'd like to, on a formal date on a restaurant? What do you think so?"

"Hm..." I thought about it and slowly nodded. "I think that'll be good. I mean, we should do that!"

"Are you sure?!" he questioned and I nodded. "Fuck, yes!" he exclaimed, jumping out his excitement. "O-oh! I apologize for my behaviour. I should have kept it for myself," he said as he pulled the hem of his shirt and cracked his neck as if nothing happened there.

Natawa na lang din naman ako sa ginawa niya. Natigilan lang kaming dalawa nang may kumatok na sa pinto ng unit ko. Sabay pa kaming napatingin ni Berk sa direksyong iyon. Nauna na naman akong tumungo sa pinto upang pagbuksan kung sino man ang nasa likod ng pinto.

I was a little surprise seeing him, but as I'm expecting him, I was just stunned to see him. Behind me, Berk stood to see who was knocking and there he found Connagh as well.

"Ah! Sir!" pagbati ni Berk kasabay ng ngiti.

Tumango at ngumiti naman si Connagh sa kanya. "Berkeley." Agad naman nitong nilipat ang tingin niya sa akin. I felt like he's not interested with Berk so much. But as I watched Connagh's eye travelled from my head to toe, he probably knew what was wrong. But he didn't give any reaction even though I knew what he already meant by that look. He shared a smile with me. "Are you ready?"

I nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Then we shall go now."

"Alright, sir," I smiled then I turned to face Berk. "I guess, it's time to go now."

"I'll see you tonight?"

"Probably," I nodded. "But if I got home so late, don't wait for me, okay?"

"Sure," Berk responded. "Drive safe, sir. Take care both and enjoy the event."

"Thanks, Berkeley. Sure we will," Connagh said.

When we headed out of the building, I thought the interaction we had was so awkward and I think I can't handle it for the second time. Berkeley watched us walked towards Connagh's car. He guided and helped me all throughout as I finally settled in his car. Nang pumwesto na rin naman siya at isinusuot na ang kanyang seatbelt ay pansin ko namang iniilagan niya ako ng tingin.

I mean, he might never talked about it tonight so I guess I don't have to worry about it. That's why I noticed to Connagh. If things get personal and then the next day, he'll act like nothing really happened. He would say a few words, but not really talked about it.

Because at this point, we still never talked about that kiss. That kiss. That ridiculous reason he did to kiss me.

It was only a quick ride, thirty minutes or so. Pero pakiramdam ko sobrang tagal ng ibinyahe namin dahil sa tahimik naming dalawa. He didn't even play some music that's why it was so awkward. I just had to sell my attention away para laging hindi dumadapo sa kanya. I don't know what he really thinks about Berk and I's relationship. But maybe he's not interested at all

Maybe this is just work-related and I'm assuming to much. Kasi inaakala nasa akin ang sentro ng atensyon ng lahat. I shouldn't think of that way. Alam ko namang Connagh has his special someone and I have no right to create an issue between them—though kahit break na sila, still, I'm respecting my boss' relationship. That in the end, I minded my own business with Berkeley.

"We're here," Connagh announced he parked his car on the designated parking area just near the premises. "This is the One Great George Street. It's fascinating, isn't it?"

"It does," I muttered.

"This is where I met the Queen."

Agad naman akong napatingin sa kanya. As in, biglang lumipad ang tingin ko sa kanya dahil first of all, hindi ako makapaniwala sa sinabi niya.

"Are you kidding me?" I questioned.

He smirked. "I wished, but it's true."

"H-How?!" I exclaimed.

He chuckled. "It's an event and the King and Queen was there."

"And when did this happen?"

"A few years ago, I guess?" he said, arching his brows. "I'm not sure when, but I was only invited by my father. We've got a little interaction. Though the royals eventually leave early because of some private reasons."

"But you've met the royals and it's fucking amazing!"

He laughed. "Yes, it was!"

"Would they be here?" I asked as if I was hoping to that they'll be here.

He shrugged off. "I'm not sure about that, Kiersten. What do you think so?"

"Oh! I wish they're here tonight!"

Connagh smirked. "I wish they're here tonight, but let's be surprised."

Humugot naman ako ng malalim na hininga as if asang-asa ako na makikita ko nga ang royals ngayon. I already have things in mind kung anong gagawin ko o sasabihin ko. I'm played everything in my head and pratice what should I say. I'm trying to resist the excitement and because this is a formal event, I have to be poised and act with decency.

Pinulupot ko ang kamay ko sa braso ni Connagh at sabay kaming pumasok sa loob ng building. Bigla rin naman akong nanliit dahil sa sobrang galante ng mga palamuti na nakapalibot sa paligid. When we were assisted to go to the room where the event will be held, I couldn't help but to be excited. I made small jumps because why shouldn't I?

"Are you nervous?" Connagh asked as we searched for our table number. Hinawakan naman niya ang kamay ko na nakapatong sa braso niya. Ramdam niya siguro kung pa'no ako manabik dahil nagsisimula na rin akong luminga-linga sa paligid para hanapin kung nasa paligid na nga ba ang royals. "They're not here yet, Kiersten. You gotta calm down."

"Yes, sir," tango ko pa saka ako humugot ng malalim na hininga.

When we're attended and assisted to our table, I settled down and calmed myself by secretly watching everyone around. Alam kong napapansin iyon ni Connagh that's why he's grinning beside me.

There were already a lot of guests in the area. Nangingintab sa silver, gold, and white ang bawat isa. Good thing, I didn't wear my royal blue gown kung hindi agaw atensyon talaga siya sa karamihan.

Lumapit naman si Connagh sa akin at siniko ako. Bumalik naman ang atensyon ko sa kanya kasabay ng pagkunot ng noo.

"Why are you so fond of the royals?"

"Sir, they're quite famous for everything! I mean being a King and Queen is enough for them to be known for. I just wanted to see them or meet them personally and if not, that's okay. I just wanted to see them."

"You believed in fairy tales, don't you?"

Napakunot-noo naman ako. "When I was little... yes. Why do you ask, sir?"

"Simply because you have a fascination with them."

"But what are they for you? Do they don't fascinate you?"

"Of course, they are. I highly looked up to them and what they do for the country. And I don't hate the way you feel for them like the way you did now. It's normal, I guess. But it's not a problem. Not really a big deal. We love our royals and we'll defend them if people throw hates at them."

"I see... I just so love them that I ever dreamed of having my own kind of prince. Do you think it's impossible? People said so I don't know..."

"I believe it's possible when you also believe it, Kiersten," he said. "But I guess... you've already found your prince in the name of Berkeley Jones." Hindi naman ako nakasagot sa sinabi niya. Bahagya na lamang akong ngumiti. Hindi ko rin alam kung anong isasagot ko sa kanya. "You're dating him, right?"

Dahan-dahan naman akong tumango. "Yes..."

"Would you make him as your boyfriend?"

Napakibit-balikat naman ako. "We're not at that point though."

"But it's possible?" he asked and I nodded. "Great. I'm happy for both of you."

"Thank you, sir," ngiti ko pa.

I don't know how that conversation went dahil ramdam ko ang awkwardness sa pagitan namin dalawa. Na parang napilitan na lang din siyang pag-usapan namin ang tungkol kay Berk. I tried to sway out our attention away when there's a commotion happening near the entrance and I thought the royals are coming to us, but I was wrong when it's just some of the invited guests as well.

Then the guests started crowding the hall and Connagh informed that the people who will be meeting tonight are already here. I set aside the other things in my head at mas inuna ko ang work ko as an intern. As much as possible, I would interact and communicate with these people. Maybe it was one of my weakness that Connagh found in me that I really should improve for myself.

"You're doing great, Kiersten," Connagh said when he came to me as I've finished talking with someone.

"I'm really doing my best," pabulong ko namang sagot sa kanya.

"Yeah, I can see that. Continue what you're doing. They seemed like you, too."

"I will," I giggled.

Connagh's business partners were also seated with us so it's easy for all of us to interact or so. Hindi rin naman ako pinabayaan ni Connagh so I believe I'll enjoy this event without the pressure. Kahit ramdam ko ang bigat ng task na ito para sa akin kasi alam kong ini-evaluate rin ako ni Connagh so I'll be doing the best I can na lamang upang maipakita sa kanya na kaya kong mag-improve.

Though I was still hoping to meet the royals tonight, but if not, it's alright. This event was once in a lifetime and I've had few weeks left before I go back to the Philippines. I'll just make everything better and special. So, a memory I could cherish forever.

***

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Let me know your thoughts! I would appreciate it so much!

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