The Royalties

The simple celebration of Athena's birthday went well, except for that little tension, due to Elise' abrupt visit. Richard and Dei decided to stay one more night in Laguna since Richard was too tired to drive back home while Athena's friends went back to Manila with Rizza and her kids.

In his room, Richard was reviewing on some contracts related to his work when he heard splash from the pool area, he went out to his terrace to check. He sees Dei in her two piece swim wear enjoying the water. He knows how Dei loves swimming. In fact this was her sports during their college days. She dreamt of becoming a member of the college varsity.

Good thing, Charmaine were able to fulfill that dream for her. He contentedly watches Dei from his terrace. She hasn't change. Those strokes and speed are still there. He said to himself. After a while he chooses to go and check on her. Dei was going out of the water when he reaches the pool area.

"You said you didn't miss swimming, what are you doing here late this night?" Richard said while helping Dei to get out of the pool and put on her robe.

"I can't sleep, so I decided to tire myself." Dei replied and sat at the edge of the pool. Richard removed his slippers and sits beside Dei.

"I have an idea. Please wait here." Richard stood up and quickly went inside the house. He came back with a bottle of wine and glasses. He pours out the wine in to the glasses. "Here, this will help you go to sleep." he said. Dei looked at him and said. "I said, I can't sleep; I did not say I want a drink"

"Don't worry. I will not let you get drunk" Richard said and gave the glass of wine to Dei "Just enough to get you relax and have a good sleep." Dei get the wine. She thanks Richard and had a sip on it while Richard went back to his earlier place beside Dei.

"Why are you still awake?" she asked.

"I was just reviewing some contracts." Richard replied.

"Am I disturbing? You may go back to inside, I'm fine here. I'll just finish this glass then I'll go back to my room." Dei said.

"It is okay, those contracts can wait until next week anyway, this is more important." Richard replied.

Dei looked at Richard and asked him "Which one?" Richard smiled and gave her a glance "You are, you are more important. This chat, this is important. What you are feeling now, that is also important. Everything about you is important for me" Richard replied then looked at Dei. "How are you my queen?" he asked.

"I'm good." Dei replied without looking at him "My work is keeping me busy now. I am actually aiming for a promotion. That is why I accepted this project here in Manila. Good thing that it was schedule during Charmaine's school break and just in time for Athena's birthday month." Dei said.

"Do you know that the girls did not tell me that you will be with Charmaine for this vacation? According to Athena, she just forgot to tell me, but I doubt it." Richard said smiling.

"I told the girls, that I don't want them to bother you about my trip. This does not concern you anyway." Dei said. "By the way, by the way, is it ok if I make a request? I will just be a little favor." Dei asked Richard.

"Anything for you my queen." Richard replied smiling widely and right hand on his chest.

"As a birthday gift, Athena asked me to stay in your house until I leave for Cebu. Would you mind if I extend my stay with you guys until I finish my project?" Dei said, Richard look at her so she quickly said "But if you are not comfortable with that, I understand. I'll just explain it to Athena. I'm sure she'll understand."

"Hey relax. I want to ask the same thing, too. I just don't know how shall I convince you, without you feeling uncomfortable. I'm glad Athena requested it to you. Of course you can stay in the house for as long as you like, even until the rest of your life." Richard said smiling. "Besides we haven't dated yet, so you really have to extend your stay. I also deserve to have a little of your time." Richard added.

"You haven't even finished one glass of wine and yet you are starting to say weird things." Dei replied.

"At least I am not drunk when I say it. You are certain that it comes from my heart." Richard said then he looked at Dei. "What now?" Richard asked when he saw that she was looking at him.

"What do you mean by that, what now?" Dei asked in return.

"I mean, about going on a date with me." Richard replied.

"I don't remember you asked." Dei replied.

"Okay, I guess you have a point there." Richard said. Then he straightens up, looked at Dei and seriously asked "Would you please go out on a date with me your highness?" Richard said shaking.

Dei tried so hard to hide her laugh but Richard was able to catch that "That's mean, why are you laughing at me, can't you see how much am I shaking now? Look at your effect on me your highness, I am only asking for a date and yet I am shaking like hell, I wonder how would I be once I propose." Richard admitted.

"You are already drunk. You have said nonsense things since we started this conversation. I am not laughing at you. Come to think of it. This is the first time that you formally asked me for a date. We used to go out before but only as friends. The same as when we were still together. You will just abruptly say that we will go out on a date. The only time I remember that you asked me was the Korea trip, your treat for your graduation. Actually, you did not ask me to if I want to come with you in Korea, instead you just asked if I will be free for the next five days, then as soon as I said I was free, that was the only time that you told me that you bought two tickets for us going to Korea and I have to pack immediately." Dei said.

"And there we got married" Richard said beaming "And like what I always tell you, that was one of the best days of my life" Richard reminiscing

"Yeah, we got married without going into a courtship and boyfriend/girlfriend stage." Dei said chuckling.

"Because what we had was a unique relationship." Richard said. "Our love for each other does not need a label." He added.

"That's why it ended up easily." Dei said. Richard looked at Dei straight in her eyes and said, "Which made me decide to go back to basic. I will do things that I did not do. As in everything which I could have done before." Richard took a deep sigh pause for while, he smiles then he continues "This time there will be real courtship, and then the proposal, then I will marry you again. And it will be in the Philippines, where divorce is not allowed."

"That was so easy for you to say." Dei said. "Yet, you can't even tell straight on your girlfriend that you are pursuing me." Dei whispered to herself.

Richard chuckled because he heard what Dei just said "I hear that loud and clear. You really are jealous and I like that." He said.

"I am not jealous, I just don't like complications." Dei replied.

"What complications? There will be no complications because she is not my girlfriend. How many times do I need to say that, for you to believe me?" Richard said in frustration.

"There is something that I want to ask you, I know I already asked you about this before, I want to ask again, but please answer me truthfully." Dei said.

"The answer is No, not ever." Richard quickly replied.

"Because I already know what you are about to ask. I've never been attracted to anyone, only to you, not to Elise or anyone else, just you." Richard seriously said. "Yes, I gave you the divorce, but it does not mean that I am giving up on you. I am just waiting when will you be ready because I realize, that is the correct way to do it" Richard added, and Dei could not help but remained mum.

After a short while of silence, "It's getting late, let's get inside. It's getting cold already." Dei said to end the conversation because she is beginning to feel uncomfortable.

She stood up and Richard remained seated at the edge of the pool looking only at Dei as she grabs her things and gets inside the house. Before Dei reaches the front door Richard exclaimed "I haven't got an answer from you my queen"

Dei turned back and asked "What was your question?" Richard stood up, walked towards Dei and when he is a foot away from her, he seriously asked.

"Will you go out on a date with me my queen?"

Dei smiled. "Yes, I am free tomorrow night." she replied and left. Richard widely smiled. "Sweet dreams your highness. I hope you dream of me." He softly said.

Dei walks to her room resisting the temptation to look back at him "Impress me my king, I want to see how you would do it this time." She said to herself beaming.