The CEO's Royal Princess

Chapter 5

AFTER I TOOK a quick shower earlier, Abigail gave me a massage. Unfortunately, their shower had no heater and when the water splash against my heated skin, I almost screamed in shock. It is a bit cold but what can I do? I'll get used to it soon. The bathroom is small compared to the one I have in the palace but at least, it's not a shared. 

I remember Ate Charissa telling me about the common houses in the Philippines where the whole family has only one bathroom to use. Not sure how they manage but imagine if you are in a hurry for work and family member is doing a number? It reminds me of that show I watched on tv.  It was a school setting and the kids line up to use the toilet.  Fortunately, I haven't experienced that. There's always enough cubicles in the school or the other places I go to. To this day, I didn't think having my own, big bathroom is a luxury until now. 

I just woke up now, and it was getting dark. What time is it? When I checked the time on my cellphone, it was almost six-thirty in the evening. I stretched my muscles a bit before sitting upright on the bed. I had a good nap, and Abigail massaged me well. She could even have her own business. I'll talk to her about it as it looks like an excellent business to have. The question is if she wants to. It would be difficult to juggle her full-time job at the clinic while also running a spa every day. We have to talk about it one day.

I didn't bother combing my hair. It's wavy anyway, so it won't be that obvious whether I brushed it or not. Besides, a messy hairdo is trendy these days. When I went down to the living room, I saw Tatay Julio and Julian watching television. They must have sensed my presence because they turned around just in time and immediately greeted me. I took Ate Charissa's father's hand and pressed my forehead against the back of it. Pagmamano, as we call it. It's part of the Filipino culture, and we do it as a sign of respect for our elders.

"God bless you, my child. Did you have a good rest?" he asks. He was wearing a cotton white shirt and khaki shorts. 

"Yes, 'Tay. I fell asleep. Abigail gave me the most relaxing massage. I fell asleep right away."

"That's good. Your sister is a pro at that," he nodded in agreement. "I told her to open up a spa since there are only a few businesses like that in here that give massage services. There are some, but they aren't very good at it. So they just do whatever," he shook his head. I take it, he had a bad experience at one of the spas.

"I remember that one time, I went to town to get a massage." He started telling me a story. "I thought I would be bedridden for a week! It felt like every bone in my body would break," he grumbled disappointedly, which made me laugh. See? I was right.

"That's not all, 'Tay," Julian piped in impishly. "Didn't Mom get angry, asking why you didn't just ask her for a massage in the first place?" Julian guffawed.

 "Bah! Don't even remind me. If your mother hears you, I will never hear the end of it. Again," Tatay Julian waved a hand dismissively. "Next thing I know, I'm sleeping on the floor and she will be mad at me again for a week."

They were so fun to talk to, something I rarely see in the palace. My parents were very formal, and it's very seldom for me to see them let their guard down. My older brother is the same. Not like I can blame him. I mean, he's going to be King one day when our father steps down. So I just try to understand that my family and I are different. But it's just so sad because if there's warmth, it's barely there. How I wish this family's routine would rub off a little to my family. 

"Ate! It's good that you're finally awake," Julian grinned, making his way over to me. "I've been wanting to see you, but Nanay said you're exhausted," he hugged me, and I could feel his excitement, and it was much like how Abigail's had been. "I missed you!"

Warmth flooded through me, and I smiled. "I missed you too, little brother. I have something for you. Let's open the boxes later."

"Really? I'm so excited!" His expression muted into a sheepish one. "Um… Ate, were you able to buy it?"

He asked Ate Charissa for the latest PlayStation. We had gone shopping for everything they asked for, and I took them all home with me so I can give it to them.

"Of course, how could I forget?" I grinned. "It's upstairs."

He punched the air as if he just won the lottery. "Yes! Thank you, Ate!"

"You're always welcome," I chuckled at him.

We all sat in the living room, and I observed as they watch the news. Ramona appeared on the screen, and the next photo included the Spirit—I mean, Ate Charissa's crush. The shot is a bit far, so I still can't see his face clearly.

"Oh, look, Ate," Julian snickered. "It's your rival."

"Who?" I was lost when he said rival. 

"Ramona. She frequents the house in front, you know," he says as a matter of fact. "Visiting your crush."

My expression soured. Have they been keeping tabs on Ate Charissa's crush's life? I'm so intrigued at this point. I just want to see the face of this Jacob Ausejo guy up close. Maybe he might not even come close to Jacob's fingertips. I snorted internally at the thought.

Not long after, Nanay Maria came out of the kitchen, a dish in hand. Abigail brought out the plates and cutlery and served them on the table. I stood up to help them.

"Let me help, 'Nay, Abigail," I told them.

"Nonsense, dear," Nanay Maria shook her head. "You must still be exhausted from the trip. We can handle it. Just sit back and relax."

I almost drooled when I smelled the food Nanay Maria served. La Paz Batchoy, Ate Charissa once said, and apparently, it was just exquisite. She had shown me a picture of it before and said that his mother cooks it well to become her favourite. Every afternoon, she had said, Nanay Maria would always have something cooked for his siblings to snack on. The next thing Nanay Maria laid out was molo noodles. Later, she served KBL - short for kadyos (pigeo pea), baboy (pork) and langka (jackfruit). It's a classic Ilonggo meal. There was so much food, I didn't know which one I was going to eat.

But I craved molo noodles so I've decided that it was the first thing I would eat. I'm about to spoon when I feel stares. I also heard them all gasp. When I looked at them, they were staring at me.

"Why? Do I have dirt on my face?" I asked them. Is there something in this noodles that I don't know about? Why are they looking at me like the noodles is not meant to be eaten by me?

Only Julian spoke up. "Ate, don't you hate molo noodles? You love Nanay's batchoy. Abigail and I are the ones that love molo."

Shit. How many times have I made a mistake? I have only been in the Philippines for a few hours and it's like one after another. First, I need to review Ate Charissa's pointers. I really hope it's there and more. This is madness.

"I just wanted to have a taste," I chuckled nervously. "Who knows? Maybe after ten years, my taste buds have changed," I told them.

 "In that case, here you go," Tatay Julio scooped me a bowl and offered it to me. "Have some more. It's delicious." He grinned at me. He looked so happy that I'm finally tasting another dish, probably. How much did Ate Charissa disliked this noodles, anyway?

We had a great time at dinner, and the night went on without a hitch. They told me of their day-to-day lives. Ate Charissa had made Tatay Julio retire five years ago. Still, he had worked at the city hall as a clerk, while Nanay Maria simply stayed at home. But as far as I can see by the taste of her cooking, it would be better to have a small restaurant or catering service that can keep her hands busy. However, she did say she was bored at home.

I was just about to head upstairs after opening the presents I brought when Nanay Maria reminded me of the meeting to be held at the mansion across the street.

"Dear, Mrs. Ausejo called," she starts. "She said our meeting with her is tomorrow because she added five more people. She said to make sure that we won't be short on food."

"Okay, 'Nay," I smiled.

Maybe spirit boy won't be there tomorrow. Even though it's a Sunday, he might be at the higad's—err, I mean, his girlfriend's house. I get so worked up whenever I remember the scene in the driveway.