HESTIA - The Virgin Princess

CHAPTER 8 - Love in a Distance

I

They said that sometimes love unrequited is very painful. Alex can feel this. He knows that “Hester” is still so young and most probably could not find in her heart yet the meaning of love. He is twenty- six already, almost eight years senior to her. He never loved so deeply before in just a few days. He has flings and girlfriends but those were the days that he was just fooling and enjoying around. What can he do to make an eighteen-year-old, beautiful, and innocent “Hester” fall in love with him? Should it be right anyway? Alex's mind and heart this time are fighting.

Alex decided to keep his distance for a while from the young woman he adores. He thought that most probably, it will be for the best. Hester could freely room around, enjoy and feelrelaxedx, without any thought of someone pestering her.

When Juliana invited him for lunch in the city, he did not hesitate to go. He even treated Juliana in the new Italian Restaurant that she was craving about.

“Alex Honey, would you want to come with me, just for a while, I just need to buy something.” Juliana lovingly looks at Alex in a way that the latter could not say no.

Alex just nodded. What else could he do, he is on this already.

As the waitress approached them to serve their orders, Juliana with a smile handed to the waitress her cell phone and thereby requested to take a photo of her and Alex. The waitress gladly abides and as the camera is flashing, Juliana abruptly holds Alexander’s left arm and lays her head on his shoulder. A perfect picture of sweet lovers has been captured by the camera!

After finishing their meal, the woman brought Alex to the nearby shopping mall. They headed to the lingerie department. Alex got awkward, but he cannot back out as the woman might be offended. He knows that Juliana is a sensitive person.

“Juliana, you go ahead and buy whatever you need to buy, I will just sit on that bench,” Alex said then walked going to the bench in one corner.

Juliana with a mischievous smile took a photo of Alex, who was unaware then as he was busy reading something in his mobile phone while sitting on the bench.

“Honey Alex, is this nice?” Juliana is showing his companion a red silk nightie adorned with some laces in its hem.

Alex cleared his throat before answering, “Ah yes, that’s okay.” In his mind, Alex can picture “Hester” wearing the said red nightie. If it would be “Hester” who will wear that seductive clothing, definitely, heavens forbid, he might be probably out of his mind. Alex chuckle at what he just thought and scolded himself.

Juliana felt proud upon hearing the man’s reply, “Hmm, at least you like my taste too Alex. This will fit me perfectly and make me look sexier!”

Alex almost chokes with his saliva upon hearing the words of the overly confident woman. He would not want to think what would be Juliana’s look if she will wear that skimpy thing. Juliana is somewhat chubby and he is not sure if said sleeping garment would fit her.

“Ahh, Juliana, can you please choose a swimsuit for Cara? After you choose, I will pay for it including that red nightie.” Alex winked at Juliana while saying this lightening up the woman’s face. She nodded in agreement.

II

At “CaraLex Bay Resort”, Ellen, the Cafeteria Supervisor is showing somethingonn her mobile phone to Cara.

“Ma’am Cara, hmmm, please take a look,” Ellen is showing a picture to her Manager.

Cara’s expressive eyes narrowed, upon checking on the picture. She thinks the picture is misleading. He knows his brother well. Having a romantic relationship with a woman like Juliana might be far from realization.

“Ellen, it is only Juliana who seems sweet in the picture. My brother’s neck is stiff,” Cara jokingly said, which made her Café’s supervisor looked again in the picture and laughed.

“Hmm, you are really very keen Ma’am, I did not notice it immediately,” Ellen exclaimed.

“Don’t always be deceived by what you see superficially. Look deeper, that was what my Dad told me since I was young,” Cara explained. Her staff could detect how much she adored her late father.

“Yes, I will remember that Ma’am Cara,” Ellen smiled and admired more her Manager. She is just young, but like her parents and eldest brother, she is wise but kind to people.

Since it is almost time for snacks, Cara walks going to their big villa. She decided to invite “Hester” to take some snacks in their cafeteria.

“Hi Aling Lilia, is Hester here?" Cara asked the woman when she saw her walking into the big living room of the villa.

Aling Lilia nodded while answering, “Hi Ma’am Cara, yes, Ms. Hester is here, she is in the guest room. She said she wanted to be alone to think clearly.”

“Hmm, you think Aling Lilia, it will be alright if I invite her for a snack in the cafeteria?' suddenly, Cara thinks twice about inviting their young beautiful guest upon hearing Aling Lilia’s statement.

“I think so, Ms. Cara. I was actually about to ask her if she wanted some cookies or sandwich and juice.” Aling Lilia assured her young lady boss.

“Alright, I will go then, thanks a lot, Aling Lilia.” Cara tapped the right shoulder of the old woman, who was with their family since her birth.

Hestia was in the window again looking at the Resort’s surroundings. The CaraLex Bay Resort is more stunning compared to other nearby resorts, even bigger, she guessed. She was still appreciating the beauty of the resort when she heard a knock at her door.

Immediately, Hestia opened the door and was surprised to see Cara, the youngest sister of Alex, whom she met yesterday.

“Cara, hello,” Hestia genuinely smiled at Cara.

Cara smiled back and then invited their young beautiful guest to take a snack at their cafeteria.

Hestia was so grateful for the invitation that she agreed without any hesitation.

“Hester, will you not put any powder or what? Cara asked when she noticed that the lady never even bothered to put on lipstick or powder in her face before going out of the room.

“It’s okay Cara, I will be fine. I put some powder a while ago, let’s go,” Hestia replied.

In a way, Cara admired the simplicity of this woman. Only a few women could go out without bothering to check their faces. “Well, would it be that because “Hester” knows that even without make-up or anything on her face, she will still look lovely?” Cara thought to herself.

The two young ladies get along well. Both of them love to eat waffles with strawberry jam paired with hot chocolate.

Cara totally forgot about the picture she saw.

III

At Balwarte de Gapo, Nyora Danli visited the room of her only daughter. She is missing Hestia so much. She also worries about her. What if she is not safe? What if she falls into the hands of bad men? There are so many what-ifs in the mind of the caring mother of Hestia.

Nyora Danli saw the white long gown, which was supposed to be worn by Hestia during the time of her Coronation as Princess Hestia. Her tears roll down as she hugs the said lucrative gown.

Nyor Lacati on one hand is with his father-in-law, Chieftain Forono.

“Father, I don’t want to stay here thinking that my daughter is out there, most probably not safe.” Hestia’s father is too worried already. It has been almost a week that Hestia is missing.

“Lac, what are you proposing to do?" the Chieftain asked seriously.

“Allow me father to sail going to Palau. If I will not hear anything about Hestia there, I will sail going to the Philippines.” Nyor Lacati is trying to convince his father to allow him to look for Hestia.

“I suggest for you to bring with you, your wife, Lacati. Danli has some connections in Palau and in the Philippines. She knows whom to go and whom to call”, Chieftain Forono suggested to his son-in-law. He knows that Danli could help to find Hestia fast. Aside from that, he does not want her daughter to be on this island when the famine comes.

Lacati agreed and excused himself to go home. He needs to discuss the matter with his wife, Danli.

Danli was grateful to his father for his suggestion to Lacati. She herself would not allow her husband to search for their daughter without her beside him.

The spouses prepared for their journey and decided to bring with them their two most loyal and best guards. They will need them not only for safety purposes but for other reasons as well.

Danli decided to sail using their yacht instead of their boat. His father bought the big yacht in Bangkok and gave it to her as a gift when she had her eighteenth birthday. She was so jubilant when she received it. His father really knows her. He knows that she loves to travel and she will need it.

Ranela, her younger sister was so jealous of her at that time. That was why he asked her father to give Ranela something so special also. She pacified the jealousy then of her sister by asking her what she loves to have too on her eighteenth birthday as their father would surely give it to her. She further assured Ranela that their Father equally loves them. Ranela’s jealousy subsided as she hugged her older sister. From that time on, Ranela never felt any jealousy or envy of her sister. She felt how important and how loved she was too not only by her father but by her older sister as well. Ranela then requested a set of jewelry made of gold and another one made of the precious pearl, which their father graciously gifted to Ranela when she had her eighteenth birthday.

The yacht of spouses Lacati and Danli sailed the next day to Palau. Both of them including their men have their special passports with the zeal of the government of Palau. Balwarte De Gapo Island has been registered as part of Palau in the mid 80’s and all men and women therein has been registered in the Civil Registry of the said place. The registration and blood pact has been made in secrecy between the President then of Palau and the Chieftain of Balwarte De Gapo Island, with of course the appropriate support and approval both of the Senate and the House of Delegates. But, as requested by Chieftain Forono, the registration was made without so much noise and news. Chieftain Forono would like to maintain the peacefulness and secrecy of the Balwarte De Gapo Island.

IV

Alex woke up with a dry throat. He wanted to drink warm water instead of the cold one inside his personal refrigerator. He then went to the main kitchen of the villa.

As he was walking going to the main kitchen, he saw a figure in the nearby lanai. He was curious to check who in this hour would be there alone. His forehead creased as he realized who is there sitting alone.

“Hester!” Alex called at the woman sitting in one of the lucrative chairs in the lanai.

The woman turned around and was so surprised also to see Alex in that late hour.

“Alex, you are home! I thought you will not be coming back for days.” Hestia stammered a little because of nervousness. Again, she can feel as if there are trumpets in her ears and drums banging her heart.

Alex on one hand suddenly feels how much he misses the young lady, who has been in his head the whole day. He really wanted to embrace her but he might scare him away again.

“Hester, I am home and will always be home, as long as you are here.” Alex wanted to stop his mouth from saying those words but it was too late, he already blurted them out.

Hestia’s face reddened upon hearing the man’s meaningful words.

“Uhoh, so… so pleasant of you to say that Sir,” Hestia again stammered.

Since his mouth already betrayed him, as it followed what his heart was saying then, Alex decided to continue what he wanted to say.

“I am serious Hester, if only you are older than eighteen, I would ask for your hand from your parents. I never felt this with any other woman.” The man was so serious that Hestia became more nervous.

Hestia would like to say that she feels the same, but she cannot say so. She cannot do it now. There are a lot of things to settle first than anything else. She lied to Alex. Even her name is a lie. She did not know what Alex would feel and say if he will found out that she lied to him.

“Hester,” Alex advances, coming near to the sitting lady.

Hestia was frozen. She can’t move.

Alex kneels in front of the sitting lady and holds her hands, “Hester, I am sorry, I hope I am not frightening you,” his voice is soft and gentle.

“Alex, you are right, I am still young. I still want to do so many things. There are so many things that I need to straighten up in my life first, apology too.” Hestia is trying to calm herself. She is not weak; she was not raised to be one. Tears at this hour have no room for her.

“Hester, are you not giving me even a little chance?" the man’s voice is pleading.

“No, I mean I don’t know, I mean, … ohh, give me more time, I don’t know what to say,” Hestia is already rattled.

Alex smiled and kissed the lady’s hands, “I will wait for you Hester.”

“No Alex, please, please don’t say that, you don’t know me yet.” Hestia who is on the verge of tears already suddenly excused herself and run going to her room.

Alex sits on the chair where the lady previously sat and looks at her back with so much dismay and sadness.