Jewel of my Heart

I Think I Like You

Max

The time in the Inamorata Cafe with Dranz was quite enjoyable, much to my surprise. I thought he'll be whining and brooding all the time, but that didn't happen.

He actually like the food I made him eat, and he also thought about investing into Ina and Angelo's cafe. To be honest, those two didn't need other investors. They can expand their business on their own, or maybe with a help of my resources.

But why did I opened the topic of investing to Dranz? I want to test him as a businessman, and he did pass. No businessman will let such opportunity to waste, especially if they know that business has potential. That's what I learned from my padre. Now I want to test him if he's a good person.

Why am I doing this? Because somehow, I am interested on New York's Ice Prince.

"Buenas Dias Seniorita."

(Good morning miss)

I turned around and saw my nanny Corazon enter my bedroom. I smiled at her and crossed my arms over my chest.

"I woke up early today." I told her smugly.

She gave me a warm smile.

Over the years that she took care of me and attended to my every need, she has the trouble of waking me up in the morning.

"Something change seniorita?" She asked.

I giggled and walked towards her. I grabbed her by her shoulders and looked into her eyes.

"Can you tell?" I asked, and she scoffed.

"I took care of you since you were a baby seniorita. I know you inside out. Who dare makes my prinsesa wake up early on her own?" She said, and I chuckled.

"The Ice Prince." I answered.

Corazon rolled her eyes.

"You are a ray of sunshine, why of all people would you be interested in an ice cold prince?" She asked.

"He caught my interest. For once I met a guy that didn't grovel at my feet for the sake of money, power and fame. He was even rude to me" I told her.

Corazon rolled her eyes again, and I furrowed my eyebrows at her.

"What? Doesn't your eyes hurt with all those rolling?" I asked her.

"So you like this boy? Is he really worth of you prinsesa?" She asked, and I shrugged my shoulders, grinning.

Corazon sighed.

"Your made and padre wants to talk to you in the library." She said dropping the subject.

"Why?" I asked her, but it was her turn to shrugged her shoulders.

I chuckled and excused myself to got to our home's library.

****************

Our home's library acts as my padre's office too. When I was a child, I like spending my time there, reading while padre do his work. The walls of that room was filed with books of every kind, from top to bottom. It even has a second floor with the an elegant spiral staircase. In the corner of the room is my padre's desk and his personal collection of books. And in the middle was two long couches to sit on.

I knocked on the library's door before entering. Inside, I saw my madre and padre drinking tea together on the couch.

"You called for me?" I asked, closing the door behind me.

They both grinned and motioned for me to come closer. I walked towards them and sat on the couch opposite where they are seated.

"What's this about?" I asked them.

"I've read the proposal that you sneaked into my desk, prinsesa." Padre said.

"And?" I trailed, grinning.

Madre and padre looked at each other, before turning back to me.

"I love your proposal regarding the Charity Tertiary Hospital." Padre said, and it made me grin wider.

"Really?"

"Yes dear. I am amazed how compassionate you are towards the people in need. As a doctor myself it pains me to see many people cannot afford any medical help from hospitals, since they don't have money."Madre started.

"Your proposal of state of the art, tertiary hospitals in third world countries is a big help.The oncology department, cardiovascular department and the communicable diseases department, you put so much thought about it." Madre added.

"In all my years abroad, I've been to different countries, I saw different kinds of people, been to different kinds of community, and I saw they have one thing in common. That is poverty."I paused and sighed.

"I saw a lot of homeless families, stray animals, out of school youth, and poorest of the poor community. Some did have help from the government but it's not enough. The medical bills, and medicines are still expensive, especially for those diseases like cancer." I explained.

"I also read in the report that you got yourself a few sponsors for the hospitals." Padre said, and I nodded.

"Yes. I met a few rich philanthropist around the world, and they are willing to help. I just need the largest medical empire to back me up with my project." I said.

Madre smiled at me and grabbed padre's hand.

"Look at our prinsesa Maximo. She followed after you, on business." Madre paused.

"And her heart is in the right place, just like you mi corazon." Padre said kissing the back of my madre's hand.

I sighed witnessing my parents getting all lovey dovey, wondering why am I an only child. Oh yeah, I remember. My madre cannot conceive naturally so they resorted to In Vitro Fertilization.

All embryos died except for, well me. According to padre, madre had the hardest time when she was pregnant with me, that she was required full bed rest throughout the pregnancy. And even if they wanted to have more children, madre's egg cells are no longer suitable to form an embryo, and padre didn't want another woman's egg cell. And he definitely didn't want to see his wife to go through that hardship again.

Looking at my parents, I am grateful for everything given to me. So what is a little giving back to the ones in need? I got so much more than I asked for.

"Is there other ways you think that you can earn you more funds?" Padre asked.

I smiled at him.

"How does an auction sounds?" I asked.

*********************

After talking to my parents, I decided to step out for a bit. I thought of having coffee and dayap cake in Inamorata. Geez, I just can't get enough of their food.

When I entered the cafe, I immediately smelled the rich aroma of the kapeng Alamid. Also, I saw a familiar face sitting in a booth near the windows.

I grinned and approached the table.

"Is this seat taken?" I asked, and the person looked up from his food.

It's none other than Dranz Salvatore.

"Max!" He exclaimed.

"Please take a seat." He said, and I took a seat in front of him.

"What are you doing here alone?" I asked him.

"I came for the food." Dranz said with a grin.

The Dranz in front of me is far different from the Dranz that scowled and snarled at me at the party.

"I see you've grown to like the dayap cake." I said.

"Yep. I also brought a few slices for my family." He said pointing at the box beside him.

I chuckled.

"I'm sure they'll love it."

A waitress came and took my order. So while I was waiting for my order, I took that chance to stare at Dranz. But I guess I was being too obvious because he stared back at me.

"What? Is there something on my face?" He asked, and I shook my head.

"Are you aware that you are quite handsome?" I asked, and he almost choke on his own saliva.

I chuckled at his dumbfounded reaction. I let him recover first before starting a topic.

"I'm sure you are aware that my mother loves charities and fundraising stuff." I paused and he nodded.

"I have a project. A fundraising and I invite you to join."I told him.

"Sure. If it's for a good cause why not. My mom would be thrilled if she hears about this." He said.

"Yeah, I'm actually hoping your mother's family could also join too." I said.

Dranz furrowed his eyebrows.

"My mom's family? You mean-"

I cut him off.

"The royal family of Monacco. I am also planning to invite my aunt, Countess Isadora which your uncle knew very well." I said.

I am quite aware that padre's younger sister, the elusive Contessa Isadora used to date the Monacco's crown prince.

Dranz narrowed his eyes on me.

"Are you playing matchmaker, Miss Braganaza?" He asked and it made me laugh.

"No. I'm just a helping hand." I answered.

The waitress came and placed my orders on the table. I thanked her before she left. I took my sip of my delicious coffee, savoring its rich taste.

"You are trying to play with fate. Those two are like a two top that will clash if they meet." Dranz said.

I nodded my head while humming.

"I don't want my tia to grow old alone and bitter. So just give me a hand will you?" I said, with a smile.

"Why do you keep on asking for my help? Can't your cousin help you instead of me?" Dranz asked and took a sip of his coffee.

"Aris will take care of tia Isadora. I'll be busy on the event itself. So you will take care of your tio." I answered.

"Fine. I'll see what I can do." He said and took another sip.

I smirked and leaned towards him, with my elbows on the table.

"And, I think I like you." I blurted.