The Royalties

Richard and Dei stayed a little longer at the rooftop before they decided to finally go home. So many good memories were educed. And it gave them somewhat a very different kind of feeling.

On their way home, they passed by the previous place where Richard was staying during college. Richard saw Dei reaction upon seeing the building "I already sold it." said.

"Huh?" Dei confusedly asked.

"My unit in that condominium, I sold it already." Richard also clarified.

"Why did you do that? You could have it rented." Dei replied.

"We only passed by the building and yet the glow in your eyes diminishes." Richard said. "You broke up with me in that place. And I want to get rid of bad memories. Charmaine does not like bad memories right?" He added.

Dei sarcastically laughed, "You want to get rid of bad memories ….. I saw you and Elise in bed … in that condo unit, was that a bad memory too?" Dei asked.

"Absolutely it was. I was too drunk then and you know that. Until now I could not remember what happened that night. And yet you refused to believe me." Richard sadly said.

"If I did not saw it, maybe I would believe you. Remember that was not the first time that I saw you and Elise being intimate. I saw you and her kissing in your office too." Dei said.

"I've never been intimate to her. When you saw us in my office, it was she who kissed me, I never kissed back." Richard explained.

"Still you let her. You know how enamored she is to you." Dei said.

"When you saw us in my condominium unit, I was drunk, so I really do not remember what happened. But I know deep inside me, I did not do it with her." Richard continued explaining.

"I know nothing happened then." Dei replied.

"How did you know?" Richard asked.

Dei shrugged off her shoulder and said "I just know. Hayyy, can we just forget about that, no bad memories remember? Charmaine will not like that." Dei said.

"Have you forgiven me?" Richard asked.

"There was nothing to forgive in the first place. I am blaming no one about what happen to us. We were just in a hurry to get married then." Dei said and smiled. Richard took a deep sigh of relief, smiled, and he mouthed "Thank you."

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

Richard and Dei became more at ease with each other after that night. Dei is now more relaxed with Richard's presence and awkwardness is noticeably out of the picture. Dei even agreed for Richard to drive her to her office every day and pick her up took after work. There were also times that Richard tag along Charmaine and Athena with him and have a family dinner out.

"Richard is looking for you Dei." Ms. Fely told Dei who is preparing the carbonara requested by Athena.

"Ok, thanks Ms. Fely, I'm done with the carbonara sauce, will you please check on the pasta for me. The princesses are arriving anytime now, I'm sure they are hungry by that time." Dei said.

"Don't worry. I'll take care of this. Go out now my dear. You don't want to burden Richard with his big surprise." Ms. Fely said teasingly smiling. Curious as she is, Dei immediately went into the living room. There she saw Richard carrying a huge bouquet of flower. "Hi, where is Daddy? I thought he will be coming over today with you after your meeting." She asked.

"He changed his mind because Rizza called and ask him to drop by her house because she cooked his favorite disk. And voilà, he did not even finished the meeting and run to her favorite daughter. By the way this is for you." Richard said then gave the flowers to Dei.

"Thank you." Dei said.

"You are staring at me again, go ahead spill it." Richard said smiling.

"Thank you for this. They are so beautiful. It was a long time since I got flowers from you." Dei said.

"I think last valentine's day." Richard said.

"Yeah, that was on valentine's day, two years ago." Dei replied chuckling.

"Nope, just last valentine's day. I mean, valentine's day this year." Richard said bragging. Dei frowned and said. "I don't remember receiving flowers from you on Valentine's Day this year Mr. Reyes. Are you sure you send it to me?"

Instead of answering her, Richard took the flowers from Dei and put it on the center table. Then he pulls Dei and leads her to his room. "Hey, why are we going to your room?" Dei exclaimed

"There is something I would like to show you." Richard said. Dei pulls her hand back. "What is it, can you just please bring it out here whatever it is? she said.

Richard laughs at Dei's reaction, "Relax, I just want to show you something my queen. Besides, this was your room too, don't worry." Richard said laughing.

"Will you please stop flirting Richard?" Dei .

"Promise, this will be quick." Richard insisted. Though she is very hesitant, she had no choice but to give in to Richard's request. They went inside the room, and Dei saw that nothing has changed. Their family picture taken during Athena's 7th birthday still hangs on the wall near their bed side. The room is still the same as how she left it.

Richard opened the closet which was previously assigned to Dei. When she looked at it, she saw bunches of dried bouquet of flowers. "Those are for you. They dried out sooner than I get you back." He said. Richard opened the drawer, where Dei saw unopened gifts. "In every occasion, I make sure that I have a gift for you. Except for the flowers, there were no particular occasions when I bought those." He explained.

Dei grabs Richard's collar and without any warning, she kissed him. It was a sweet kiss that swayed Richard to kiss back. They shared that deep and passionate kiss which they missed regardless if they admit it or not.

But knocks and call from Athena interrupts the kiss. "Dad, we're here. Mom cooked carbonara for us," Athena called and continued knocking. She does not have any idea that Dei is also in her Dad's room. They silently laugh upon hearing Athena "Alright sweetie, I'll be there in a minute." Richard replied to Athena. "Sometimes, I hate Athena's timing." Richard whispered in frustration.

"Let's go before she comes back." Dei said and walk to step out of the room, but Richard quickly holds her hand and asked "Wait, Let's be clear about us first. After that kiss are we back together?"

Dei gave Richard a smack then she replied beaming "Blame it to those dried flowers, I got so touch and realized how much the queen misses the king. So Yes, Mr. Richard Reyes, we are official together again."

Richard pulls Dei and hugs her tight "Thank you. We will make this work. I promise we will make this work." He said while kissing her forehead and temple. "I should have shown those to you on your first day here, two weeks were wasted." Richard said.

"Seriously Richard, let me apologize first to you. I know that I gave you so much pain because of the divorce and I'm really sorry. I was too selfish and insensitive then. I always think that my early pregnancy was a mistake." Dei confessed.

"Your highness, Charmaine was not a mistake. She is God's gift to us." Richard said.

"I know. I already feel secured then, until Elise came. Everything came back, my insecurities and my apprehensions that you deserve someone better. Because of my pregnancy we get married sooner than we expected." Dei continued.

"Dei, even if you were not pregnant, I will still marry you." Richard declared

"I just feel sorry for the two years wasted because of my immaturity." Dei said.

"Let's forget about it. I'm sure you are already matured enough to understand that this time, I am not letting you go anymore." Richard said beaming.

"Yes your highness, now I clearly understand. Let's go, the girls are waiting." Dei said. Richard again stopped her.

"Not so fast your highness, we have many catching up to do." Richard said and gave Dei a smack on her lips.

"So kissing is your form of catching up?" Dei asked.

"For the two of us, yes." Richard proudly declared.

Dei smiles flirting and said "I like that."

Richard wasted no time. They closed their eyes and passionately shared another kiss.