The Royalties

Richard was not able to sleep that night. His mind was pre-occupied with that of him and Dei will go out on a date. He was praying for this moment for a long time, but he was not expecting that it will be happening in less than twenty-four hours. He is not ready for it this soon. He wants it as special as it should but he could not think straight now and come up with a plan, a plan that should be executed within eighteen hours.

How Dei's face brightens when he asked her out is still very vivid in his mind. "I was very stupid because I was not able to see that before." he told himself. She was right. This was the first time that he formally asked her to go out on a date with him. Even after they get married, he never asked her out. Though there were many times that he surprised her for a dinner date, a movie date or even a road trip, but there was no single instance that he asked her; everything was at his own phase at his own time. He was always in control.

Since they were best friends and they were very comfortable with each other Richard forgot that romance is one of the keys for a lasting relationship. He thought that, loving her and providing the needs of his family is enough for their relationship to last.

He did not realize that there were times in the past that he took her for granted and she always understands. But it never came to his mind that she will get tired and no amount of explanation will change her mind about divorcing him. It was then he realized how complacent he was to her.

"Where shall I bring her?" he asked himself. "I want it something truly special and memorable. Oh God, why is this so hard?" He uttered to himself. It had taken him a long while before he finally figured out where to bring her.

///

The next day, Richard was late for breakfast. Grandpa, Dei and the girls are almost done with theirs when he arrived. "Dad, where have you been? I was waking you up for breakfast. I thought you were just in deep sleep that why you did not bother to respond to me." Charmaine said.

"I just went out to see an old friend." Richard replied. "What's for breakfast? I am starving to death. Are you guys ready to go? Can we leave after breakfast?" He asked while preparing to eat his breakfast

"Why in a hurry? I thought you are on leave today?" Grandpa asked.

"Something came up that I need to attend to Dad." Richard responded.

"But Dad, it's still early to go home." Athena complained.

"I said, something came up last night and I have very little time to prepare for it" Richard replied while eating so he was not able to see Grandpa's smile when he said it.

"Can Charmaine and I stay here until tomorrow? I want to spend more time with Grandpa. Please Dad allow us to stay a little longer with Grandpa." Athena requested.

"I like the idea sweetie, maybe Grandpa can drop you off the house tomorrow." Richard said beaming on the idea of having Dei and him alone at home.

Dei was quick to read what's on Richard's mind. Therefore, she quickly said. "How about we spend more time with Grandpa this weekend? I'm sorry sweetie, but for now we have to go home. Daddy has been missing a lot of work already. Let's just give this to him, okay." Dei said that made Richard pout.

"Also, you have violin lessons this afternoon, right Athena?" Charmaine seconded.

Athena's gloomy mood lightens up when she heard about her violin lessons. "Yeah I almost forgot that. Thank you for reminding me Charmaine. Let's go fix our things so we could go back to Manila at once." Athena said and pulls Charmaine going to their room, leaving Grandpa, Dei and their frustrated Dad at the dining table.

"What just happened? I can't believe that mood swing." Grandpa said laughing

"What's new Dad, if we talk about Athena's mood swing, we are certain that she gets it from her Dad." Dei replied. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Ricardo Reyes, Jr. but the four of us are going home today." She added.

Richard just looked at her and shrug off his shoulder then continued eating. "Please excuse me, gentlemen. I'll help the girls fix their things so that we could leave as quickly as we can." Dei said smiling before she left the breakfast table.

"So what's the plan?" Grandpa softly said to make sure that Dei would not hear him

Richard gave his Dad a confused look "Well, I saw two people at the pool area last night, happily talking about some good old memories perhaps. I did not mean to eavesdrop. Then I saw you leave as early as four in the morning. From your looks, am I right to think that it did not give you a decent sleep." Grandpa explained beaming

"I believe that you heard that we are going out on a date tonight." Richard asked.

"Yeah, but I only heard the, yes, I am free tomorrow night, part. What is the plan, where are you taking her?" Grandpa said.

"I am still working on it Dad, that is why we need to leave early. I am running out of time to prepare." Richard replied.

"What ever your plan is just let me know how could I help you." his Daddy said.

"Actually there is, I need you to call someone for me." Richard said.

"No problem, then finish your breakfast quick, so you guys can leave early. We should not waste time." Grandpa replied.

"Thanks Dad." Richard excitedly said.

After breakfast the four immediately traveled back to Manila. As soon as they reached home, Richard quickly unloaded their stuff then he headed to his room to change.

Dei notices that pressure is all over Richard. So she decided to talk to him when he bids her goodbye. "Are you alright Richard?" Dei worriedly asked.

"Yes, I am. Why did you ask?" Richard replied.

"Everything is fine. I have competent and trusted people to run the business if I'm not around. And thank you for the concern. It means a lot to me" Richard said.

"If it is not about work, then..." Dei said and directly looked in Richard's eyes "Richard, if this about us, going out tonight we can move it some other time. I'm sorry I was too insensitive. I was not able to consider how busy you are. It was very inconsiderate of me to forget that you are attending also other things outside your work." Dei said apologetically.

Richard took a deep sigh then he pulls Dei so he could easily hug her. "Starting today, I don't want to hear you apologizing to me. It was I who was so insensitive then so I would like to make it up to you, my queen." He said.

"Where are you taking me tonight?" Dei deliberately asked to avoid more discussion of the past. "What shall I wear?" she further asked.

"You don't need to dress up your highness. Be as comfortable as you are." Richard said. "I know you are not comfortable with it fancy dinner dates so it will is as simple as how you want it." He added. Dei smiled as she is happy that Richard still remembers her preferences.

"I need to go now my queen. I don't want to create a disaster later." Richard said.

"So your pressure is really about tonight. Richard, it is perfectly fine even if you just take me at any pizza house." Dei said chuckling.

"Just let me do this for you. I want this as very special as you are to me. It will not be perfect but I'll make sure that you'll like it." Richard said. "Bye for now your highness, do not wait for me for lunch, but I will be back by 6pm." he added then immediately left after planting a soft smack on Dei's lips.

"Hey... we haven't dated yet so you are not allowed to kiss me." Dei exclaimed.