CHAPTER 10

LACY HAVENWOOD

"Fuck!"

My brows furrowed. Ano na naman kaya ang problem nito sa akin? You know what? Kaonti na lang, parang gusto ko na mag leave ng house niya and find some other place. Parang lagi na lang siyang may problem sa akin, eh.

I crossed my arms on my chest and looked at him.

"Do you know that swearing is bad—"

"Who are you?"

Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko. What is he talking about? Is he crazy? Hindi na ba niya ako kilala? OMG! What if something bad happened to him and hindi niya ako maalal—

"Lacy?"

I stop for a moment when I hear my name in him. I nodded slowly at him. Medyo na weweirduhan na ako kay Uno ngayon. Nakakunot na rin ang brows niya habang nakatingin sa akin.

"Uhmm... yes? It's me, Uno. Lacy. The one that you fetch at the airport. Hindi mo na ba ako kilala?"

He looked at me for a while before he turned off the gas stove. Nakita ko kung paano niya nilipat sa ibang plate ang niluluto nito. It's a pinkish-red-colored food, and medyo sunog siya, but it still looked delicious! May kinuha rin siyang isang white big bowl na may laman na fried rice.

Mas lalo lang yata akong nagutom dahil doon. It's really appealing to my eyes. May mga mixed veggies with egg na nakahalo roon sa rice! He also took another food near the fried rice and I think it's a dried fish! I know that one because when Nana Feli goes back to England from here, she sometimes brings a dried fish.

"Are you okay, Uno? Did something bad happen kahapon? What if—" natigilan ako ng mapansin na nakatingin siya sa akin nang matagal. He was still holding the plate that had a dried fish on it.

Crazy ba siya?

I saw him looking down to my face and to my hair. It took me seconds to realize why he was so shocked when he saw me. It's because of my hair!

Now I know. Syempre, Lacy, you went here with your black wig and now you're not wearing that. S'yempre magugulat talaga 'yang si Uno!

"I'm blonde..." I said and brushed my hair using my fingers. I smiled at him before walking towards the small table where we were going to eat.

I sat there while still smiling. "Nagulat ka because of that 'no? It's just a wig. You know... nag try lang naman na magsuot ng gano'n..." I laughed awkwardly.

S'yempre, I need to lie. Hindi naman kami super close ni Uno para sabihin ang real reason behind why I'm wearing a black wig. Mas okay na mag-ingat ako, but who knows? Maybe soon kapag close na kami ni Uno and hindi na siya masungit sa akin, I can talk to him about that.

"Sorry, mukhang na shock ka sa hair ko," I talked, nag start na ako kumuha ng mga foods at naglagay sa plate ko nang makitang naupo na siya sa isang chair sa tapat ng puwesto ko.

Napabuntong hininga na lang siya at napahaplos sa hair niyang nakalugay ngayon. He just got out from the shower because it's still wet pa eh.

"Sasakit pa yata ulo ko rito ang conyo..."

"What? May sinasabi ka ba?"

Umangat ang tingin niya sa akin at umiling. "Nevermind. Kumain kana d'yan."

Napanguso na lang ako. Okay! Nagsusungit na naman siya. He's old na nga tapos lalong tatanda pa kasi gan'yan ang ugali.

There's a silence prevail between us as we eat together. Nag kakape na siya ngayon habang nag-e-eat pa rin. He didn't bother me anymore, he was focusing on his food kaya malaya ko siyang natititigan.

Semi wet long black hair, and a white sando top. Ayan ang ayos niya ngayon. Since it's already morning, rays of sunlight are streaming through the kitchen window and hitting Uno's body.

His tan skin glowed because of that and somehow I'm thinking that his skin complexion is really suits him. Perfect golden brown skin.

"Hindi na kita ginising kasi tulog na tulog kana. Nag text si lola sa akin na pagpahingahin ka raw muna. You came all the way from England, it's a long trip."

Natigil ang malalim kong iniisip tungkol kay Uno nang marinig ang sinabi niya.

I nodded. "Yes and right now I'm super hungry. Parang nag wawala na ang wormies sa stomach ko."

Ningitian ko siya at kumuha ng color pink na pagkain na amoy matamis kanina. Tinikman ko 'yon and the sweetness of the food burst in my mouth. Nanlaki ang mata ko at napatango nang maraming beses dahil sa sarap.

"Ohh! I like this one!" I pointed my mouth while chewing the food. "What's this? It so sweet; I like it."

I watched him sip on his coffee before he spoke. "It's tocino. A homemade one."

Mas lalong nanlaki ang mata ko. What a talented person! He knows how to make this? That's awesome naman!

"Really? That's nice. You know how to make these," I answered.

I lowered my gaze to my food and busied myself cutting the tocino. I already had a favorite food here! And it's tocino that Uno's made.

"I can give this to them..." I whispered to myself. What will Prince Maxi's reaction be when he tastes this? He probably likes this!

"Sabi ni lola nag bakasyon ka raw dito," Uno opened a conversation. Umangat ang ulo ko at matagal na napatingin sa kan'ya dahil bigla itong nagsalita.

Did Nana Feli tell him that I went to her for vacation? Hindi dahil sa tumakas ako? Gosh! Mabuti na lang at hindi ako nagdaldal about sa pag takas ko at mukhang ipapahamak ko pa yata ang sarili ko kay Uno dahil doon.

I gulped and nodded at him. "U-uhmm... yes! Of course, s'yempre kailangan ko rin ng vacation kasi... uhm..."

Hindi ko alam kung nakailang lunok na ako dahil sa kaba. Goodness! Why ka naman magiging nervous, Lacy!? Just tell him it's just a vacation.

Uno is still looking at me. Watching me and waiting for my answer. I know naman na alam niyang kinakabahan ako dahil kitang kita na 'yon sa mukha ko! I can't even tell a lie while looking into someone's eyes nga eh!

"Everyone deserves a vacation, Uno." Iyon na lang ang nasabi ko at yumuko para kumain ulit.

I can still feel that he's staring me pa rin. Hindi ko na siya pinansin at inabala na ang sarili sa kinakain ko. I should shut my mouth for now, baka mamaya bigla na lang akong dumaldal sa kan'ya at masabi ang real reason kung bakit ako nandito!

And of course hindi naman talaga bakasyon dahil lumayas ako sa amin!

"You're a princess..." he talked suddenly. I paused mid-chew. "Hindi ko alam kung paano yung pamamalakad niyo sa inyo pero nag iisang anak ka lang hindi ba?" he asked.

"Yes..." I answered slowly. "Why mo naman natanong?"

"You're going to be a queen someday because your their only child. Marami ka n'yang responsibilities. They'll pass the crown to you and before that they need to train you gradually for your role. Hindi ba dapat nasa inyo ka lang?" he asked.

My brows furrowed. Why this topic suddenly come up? I don't know why this tocino that he made taste bitter now. Parang nawalan ako ng gana mag eat because of that. Dahan-dahan kong binaba ang hawak kong kutsara at tinidor habang nakababa pa rin ang tingin. I can't even looked straight in his brown eyes.

"Why? Am I not allowed to take a rest? Am I not allowed to have a vacation?" Matapang kong sinalubong ang mga mata niya.

I don't know why I feel my chest burn with rage. I shouldn't feel this emotion. I don't want to feel angry at someone, especially at Uno, because I'm only staying here temporarily, and yet I still have to feel this way?

But I'm not a person to suppress my feelings. I still have a right to feel like this.

"It's not like that—"

"Why does everyone ask me the same question?" I didn't even let him finish his sentence. Nakakunot na ang noo ko habang nakatingin pa rin sa kan'ya. "Why is it a problem for everyone when I do things that are not related to royal duties? Especially for me... everyone has high expectations because I'm going to be a q-queen." My voice croaked. Uno became blurred in my vision, and that's when I realized my eyes were filling with tears.

"Lacy, I'm s—"

I shook my head and didn't let him finish again. I want him to know what I feel. Bakit kasi siya gan'yan?

"A-am I not allowed to be h-happy?"

And that was my last straw before hot tears started rolling down my cheeks. Hinayaan ko lang na tumulo ang mga luha ko sa harapan niya. I couldn't even swallow the food in my mouth.

Nakita ko na nagulat si Uno dahil sa mga sinabi ko. It just feels heavy on my chest. Or maybe I'm just sensitive? Maybe I only become sensitive when it comes to that topic.

Parang may sariling utak ang mga paa ko. I automatically stood up and found myself walking back to my room.

˖ ݁𖥔 ݁˖   𐙚   ˖ ݁𖥔 ݁˖

"He's so masungit."

"Why did he do to you? Do you need my help?"

"No. I'm okay here; don't worry. Maybe I'm still adjusting here, especially to him because someone he doesn't know is staying in his own house. Kaya siguro gano'n siya?"

"If you feel uncomfortable there, I'll find somewhere you can stay, okay?"

I took a deep breath and lay down on my bed while still holding my phone on my right ear.

"It's fine. You don't have to do that, Maxi. I'm okay here. I feel safe here too kahit na masungit 'yang si Uno. He's old na kasi kaya siguro gan'yan siya tapos wala pang wife."

Maxi laughed on the other side of the call. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang mapangiti dahil doon. See... I really know that he understands speaking tagalog. He just doesn't admit it to himself. Parang ewan talaga.

"35 years old is not that old, Lacy. Besides, in that age for men, they are still healthy as long as they have a healthy lifestyle."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes and stare at the ceiling. "It's still old! I can't even imagine myself being old at that age; sana naman pretty pa rin ako. I just really wished na may husband na ako n'yan at may children na. At least one or two."

'They are still healthy as long as they have a healthy lifestyle.'

Healthy lifestyle? I don't know why Uno suddenly crossed my mind. I saw him topless once and all I can say is that Uno is a perfect example for a healthy 35 years old man. Uno really had a healthy body for his age.

"You will get there soon, Lacy—"

My ears perked when I heard a soft knock on my door.

"I need to hang this up now, Maxi. I'll talk to you later. Thank you for your time. I know you're still sleepy. I'm sorry to bother you."

He laughed softly. "You never bother me, Lacy. I'll hang this up. Always take care there. Bye."

"Bye!"

After Maxi hung up the call, I went to my bedside table to charge my phone before going to the door to open it. I looked up when I saw Uno. I looked at him from head to toe. Where is he going? I thought he'd be busy today since he had a lot to do.

He is wearing casual clothes and his hair is in his iconic hairstyle as usual, a topknot. A plain white fitted shirt tucked into the maong pants with a leather belt. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa gilid ng suot niyang maong na pants. There's a black carabiner on it, at doon naka-hook ang susi ng kan'yang kotse. Is he going somewhere?

"Lacy..." he called my name, almost whispering. Parang nag hehesistate pa siya na sabihin ang name ko.

I looked away and don't want to look at him. "What? Susungitan mo na naman ako?" I asked.

Tumikhim siya at umiling bago magsalita. "Of course not. Wear something comfortable. We're going somewhere. I'll wait for you in the living area."

SHANGPU