Kaori

"Man flipped over the whole country for you," Arthur said.

He was standing next to me as I was reading the book I bought a few days ago. Hussein was out again.

"What?"

"He looked everywhere after you left. Nearly losing his sanity of not seeing you. Man, he passed out because of being drunk on the first week that you weren't there. Also had a car accident because of it. Then ordered us to look for you all over Philippines. We did and still hasn't found any traces of you," he flatly said. "You see, big boss developed a soft spot for you and that was a first. He was never like that to anyone, not even to his late mother. He was this ruthless cold as ice business tycoon."

"For how long did you work for him?"

"Since he was fifteen. We grew up together."

This was the first time Arthur and I talked for a long time. Hindi naman kasi ako kinakausap nito maliban nalang kung utos ni Hussein. Ngayon kasi ay ito ang nagbabantay sa 'kin dahil busy si Manang sa paglilinis ng bahay. Si Aoki naman ay mukhang na-traunatized dahil muntik na itong masapak ni Hussein. He was pissed at Aoki after he found out Aoki's willing to accept our baby as his.

Hussein is a big man and Aoki's no match for him. Not to body shame but Aoki is kinda skinny if compared to Hussein.

"Bipolar lang talaga si Hussein," ani ko.

"Trust me when I say he isn't. He had a few changes and it was weird. And I came to find out that it was because of a girl. I never thought my master could fall in love."

"Yeah, I got it recorded on my phone. Tell me more and you're dead," I smirked.

Hussein showed up at afternoon. I was busy fixing myself wearing my kimono. I can give up my title as the only heiress but what will happen to my mom and dad after that?

"You look like a princess."

"Stop with your sweet words, idiot," I hardly said.

Hussein chuckled and encircled his arms around me. My eyes dropped to his hands on my stomach, brushing it up and down. Hindi halata ang umbok dahil sa suot ko.

"Stop cussing, love. The baby can hear you."

"Delulu ka pala?"

"Delulu?"

"Delusional."

"Hm, yes. I can feel your tummy. That's cute. They baby inside is starting to grow."

"May family dinner kami kasama ang pamilya ni Aoki. We'll plan about the upcoming wedding. You can't stop what is happening now, Hussein."

He answered me with a grin. "We'll see about that. Goodluck on your family dinner, say hello to that asshole for me, baby."

"Hussein!" asik ko.

Aoki's an ass sometimes but he's not totally an asshole.

"And you," he bent down and leveled his head with my stomach. "wait for daddy." His gave a quick kiss before standing and pulling me for a deep lustful kiss.

"Is he going to fetch you or I'll be the one to bring you there?"

"Susunduin niya ako, okay? And stop with the kiss, you're ruining my make up!" I hissed.

"I feel hot. I look like your dirty little secret."

"And you're turned on with that? God! I can't believe you!"

The next thing I knew, I am already sitting in between my parents and in front of us is Aoki and his parents. The entire dinner was peaceful. Walang ibang tao sa loob ng mamahaling restaurant dahil exclusive lang ito for elites.

"The wedding will be held earlier than expected. Is that okay with you though, Kaori?" Aoki started.

"It's alright," I shrugged.

"The two royal family will be one. Let's have a toast?" Dad raised his glass of wine.

Mine was a juice since I can't drink liquor.

Royal?

Yes.

Definitely.

"My son here makes such a swift move. Kaori is now pregnant with the next heir. I hope it's a boy," Aoki's mom concluded.

"They can make such amazing handsome and beautiful children," mom nodded.

It felt a little uncomfortable. Aoki sensed it. The topic changed led by Aoki and it went to business. They were talking about business and I sat there completely ignored.

I excused myself and went to the comfort room. Naninibago pa rin ang katawan ko sa kimono. It's been too long since the last time I wore it. It's light but felt heavy. Or it's just my pregnancy? I don't know. I've been having my mood swings eversince the pregnancy started.

"Kaori?"

A knock from the door caught my attention.

"I'll be there in a minute, Aoki."

"You okay inside?" he sounded worried.

"Yes. I'm completely fine."

"Okay. I'll wait here for you."

I finished my retouch and when I'm satisfied with it, I made my way outside.

"Do you want to go home already?"

"No. I'm okay."

"If you say so."

We went back to the table and talked some more. Si mommy at 'yong mommy ni Aoki ang nag-plano halos sa lahat. The only thing they asked me is what kind of dress do I want to wear. Gusto nila 'yong komportable ako dahil buntis.

"The wedding should be held in the temple first, prior to the respect we should give to our ancestors. The second wedding must be held in the church with the media." Dad suggested.

So they planned to have the first wedding as private and the second one publicly. Whatever is fine. As long as it won't harm me or my baby.

When the dinner was finished, Aoki drive me home. We were talking on our way home.

"Are you sure you're okay with this, Kaori? I am not okay with this. Knowing your man, I won't be surprised if ever you'll see my body floating in one of the beaches here in Japan."

Ayan na naman siya sa pagiging praning niya.

"I can't back out now."

"You can if you want to."

"Right. Then what will happen to my family?"

Aoki went silent after that. We weren't just born elites. We are part of the royal family.

A family who seemed perfect outside.

A family everyone looked up to.

A family that everyone admires.

A family with royal blood.

A princess should marry a prince. A princess cannot marry anyone without royal blood in their viens. I doubt Hussein has a royal blood.

"Will you be okay here?"

I turned my head to him. Tanong nito nakakatanga.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that? I was just asking!"

"I'm going to be fine. Besides, my supposed to be husband is here."

"Are you sure he won't hurt you?"

"I can kill you instead." Hussein stepped out from the dark grinning like a madman.

"He won't hurt me." A smile escaped from my lips.

Napalunok si Aoki at nagpalit-palit ang tingin sa 'min ni Hussein. I can feel his presence behind me.

"Call me i-if you need me-"

"Arthur, I need you to torture someone-"

"Bye, Kaori."

Humarurot ang kotse nito at naiwan akong natatawa. Hussein won't lay his hands on me to hurt me, I am sure with that.

"Husband to be, huh? Do you want me to marry you right here, right now, Norhaya? We could do that."

His hand found my waist and he then guided me inside. Marahang humahaplos ang kamay nito sa tiyan ko.

"Magtigil ka nga." Umirap ako.

"Netflix? Cuddle? Chocolate and ice cream?" he teased.

We walked to my room. Hussein sat on the bed while I remove my kimono. I took off my clothes in front of him and desire danced through his eyes. I am in no mood to entertain his lust. He can calm himself down. Kasalanan niya rin naman, sumama pa kasi dito.

I went to my human sized mirror leaving only my bra and underwear and scanned my belly. Lumalaki na nga, grabe. Still can't believe the fact that I am going to be a mother. Hindi ko alam kung paano maging mabuting ina pero matututunan ko rin naman yata 'yon along the way. Mahal ko na agad ang baby ko kahit hindi ko pa siya nakikita. I have been generating few names to name the baby.

"Such an art."

Napalingon ako sa kaniya. Tumayo ito at lumapit sa 'kin. Dumampi ang labi nito sa tuktok ng ulo ko at marahang hinawakan ang umbok na tiyan ko. He was cupping it with care. Mula sa tiyan ay umakyat ang kamay nito sa dibdib ko. Natatawang tinampal ko ang kamay nito na naging dahilan para madismaya ito.

"You're really pretty, my love. Pretty like a princess. My princess," he said, emphasizing the word 'my'.

"We broke up already, right? You're not my boyfriend anymore so stop being delusional."

Makaangkin naman parang kami ah. Delulu.

"Pumayag ba ako?"

"Wala ka ng magagawa sa ayaw mo man o gusto. Hiwalay na tayo kaya stop ka na sa pagiging delulu mo. Para kang baliw."

"No, Kaori. In business, you cannot decide on your own when there's the two of you as business partners."

"Tanga mo."

"A fool for you."

I turned my back on him. Naka-side view na ako ngayon habang tinitignan ang sarili sa salamin. His broad chest was showing because the first four buttons of his sleeve was removed. He look really hot... and cute.

"Ang ganda mo talaga."

Sinuklay nito ang sariling buhok gamit ang mga kamay habang nakatitig sa 'kin.

"Okay, thank you for the compliment."

"And you're mine. I'm still your boyfriend. I'm sorry for teasing you a lot. I'm still your boyfriend, hm? I'm still yours."

I know, big boy. I am still yours too.

This kind of life is fucked up. I wish I was born to a normal family. With no royalties and such. I don't want to be a princess anymore. Yes, when I was a kid, being part of the royal family made me powerful over anything. Nagustuhan ko 'yong trato ng mga tao sa 'kin. I could easily get anything I wanted. May mga limitasyon pero kahit gano'n ay gustong-gusto ko pa rin ang imaheng mayroon ako. Nag-iisang prinsesa ng Hijazi at Norhaya. Walang kahati sa atensyon ng mga tao. But as time pass by, I longed for a sibling. Palagi akong naiiwan sa bahay tuwing may lakad ang mommy at daddy. I hated that part of my childhood. At ngayon, na nasa tamang edad at may sariling pag-iisip na ako, ayoko na sa status na mayroon ako.

I hate the title I am holding.

Kaori Hijazi Norhaya. Oujo.

Under Japanese law, female royals lose their titles when they marry out. I wish it was that easy. But it isn't.

*****