The Royalties

Despite not seeing her ex-husband for a long time, Dei still recognized him even from afar, with his looks and built, it is impossible not to recognize him.

"Why did you not tell me that your Dad will be the one to pick us up here at the airport?" She scolded Charmaine.

"I did not know too, Mom. I think you better ask Athena." Charmaine said.

"You'll pay for this once I learn that you and Athena connive on this scheme." Dei said.

"Will you please chill Mommy, it is just Dad, can you at least be civil with him anyway he WAS your best friend? I'm sure you don't want to look you are still bitter with the separation right? So please, at least for Athena, avoid some clash between you and Daddy. We are not here for the two of you to get back together anyway, but I would love it if it happens." Charmaine uttered.

"What 'getting back together' are you talking about Mary Charmaine?" Dei protested.

"Wow, with my full name, Mom? Let's just put it this way Mom, if you try to ignore my Dad, I will think you have not moved on with the separation yet because you are still very much in love with him." Charmaine said.

"Stop with saying those nonsense 'move on' things, Mary Charmaine." Dei said.

"Hay Mommy, I therefore conclude that my Dad's presence still affects you. I saw how tense you are when you saw him ... Uyyyyy."

"Shut-up young lady, you do not know what you are talking about." Dei said, then rolled her eyes.

"Admit it Mom, you find Daddy extra gorgeous today. He was not that blooming the last time I was here. Maybe he exerted an extra effort to look good today because he knows that you are coming." Charmaine teased

"I said shut-up Mary Charmaine" Dei said as she saw Athena running towards them.

"Mommy!!!!!" Athena shouted, then hugged Dei as soon as she reached them.

"I miss you, Mommy. I miss you so much." Athena said crying.

"Ohh, I miss you too sweetie, please don't cry, you are making me cry too."

"Your Mommy is lucky because Athena misses her. I wonder if my Charmaine misses me too. "

Upon hearing that, Charmaine kisses Richard and gave him a tight hug.

"I missed you, Daddy. How are you? You look extra gorgeous today, I wonder why?" Charmaine said.

"Shh, don't say it out loud, someone might hear you, I don't want to cause any commotion here" Richard said and both of them laugh

"Hello Dei, I am so glad to see you again." Richard greeted Dei, despite feeling awkward.

"Hi! You look great and ..." Dei replied, but she has not finished her sentence yet when Richard hugged her.

"I missed you." Richard whispered, while Dei pretended that she did not hear him.

"Let's go. I asked Ms. Fely to prepare a special breakfast for you guys."

Richard put the luggage in the compartment. He is on his way to the driver's seat when he saw Dei arguing with Athena.

"I saw you earlier occupying the front seat. Why are you in the backseat now Athena Rose?" Dei asked.

"I should sit at the front earlier, Mommy. I don't want Daddy to look like my chauffeur if I sit at the back." Athena said defending herself.

"What's the difference now?" Dei asked in a fierce voice.

"I want to sit beside Charmaine. I missed her so much. Also, you and Charmaine are always together. Can we spare this time just until we reach the house?"

"Why not, Charmaine sits at the front seat and Mommy sits with you at the back? I missed you sweetie." Dei suggested.

"It's okay, Mommy. I am fine here at the back. I wanted to rest because I woke up too early for this flight." Charmaine replied

"Until what time you'll decide who will sit at the front." Richard butt-in

"If you both sit at the back, I will just take the cab." Dei threatens Athena and Charmaine

"Ok Mom, it only proves I am right about what I said earlier." Charmaine whispered to her mom. Dei gave her a sharp look, but she just shook her head. Charmaine and Athena continue giggling when Charmaine said, "It will not be a long drive, Mom, so it's fine if you occupy the front seat. Besides, that was where you sit before?"

It left Dei no other choice but to occupy the front seat. Richard looked at her while starting the car engine.

"Hey, wait Daddy, let's have a picture first here in the car." Athena said.

"Athena, can we just go now?" Dei said, despite feeling irritated.

"Wait, Mommy, just one picture please" Athena insisted and gave her phone to Richard for him to take the picture.

Richard looked at the picture and smiled. "This is our first family picture after two years. It feels so great." Are his thoughts.

"Please send it to me Athena. I already turned on my Bluetooth." Charmaine said

"Please save it in my phone, too." Richard said then hand in his phone to Charmaine

"What is your password, Daddy?" Charmaine asked.

"0716" Athena said. Dei looked at Richard as the password was their wedding anniversary.

"You haven't changed your password, Daddy? Is it fine that Athena already knows your password?" Charmaine said.

"And what do you mean by that Charmaine?" Athena exclaimed.

"I say that Dad's phone is no longer safe with you." Charmaine said.

"I am offended, Charmaine?" Athena said.

"Enough of that girls, if you continue bickering, one of you might as well switch places with me, I'll take the back seat so you'll stop fighting." Dei told her two girls.

"We are not fighting Mommy." Charmaine said.

"Yeah, Charmaine will rest anyway, and I'll just play with my gadgets." Athena seconded. "We're behave now, Mom. We can go now, Dad."

"Don't look at me. You know me. I am not that stubborn." Richard said, smiling.

"There is no exception. The three of you are all hard-headed." Dei said.

"Ooopppssss, that's fierce, we need to behave now girls." Richard then just kept quiet in the entire trip.

When they reached the Reyes Residences, an old woman runs towards Dei as soon as she gets into the house.

"Dei, how are you?"

"Hello, Ms. Fely, I'm fine and it's nice to see you again. How are you too?" Dei asked.

"I'm good, you are much prettier now."

"You haven't changed Ms. Fely. You are still my loyal fan." Dei replied.

"Ms. Fely!!!!" Charmaine shouted.

"Charmaine!!!! Oh my goodness you are all grown up, and you are getting prettier and prettier. Tell me, do you already have a boyfriend?" Ms. Fely asked.

"Ms. Fely, I expect that the table is ready for breakfast. We are starving to death. Also, please stop asking my eldest daughter about having a boyfriend. It will not happen this early." Richard butts-in.

"What? I'm sixteen and yet I could not have a boyfriend? Are you serious, Dad?" Charmaine said complaining.

"Not until you are forty, sweetheart, and yes I am serious about that." Richard said. "Come on, let's eat. I'm starving."

"Smoked fish and fried rice with diced onion and tomatoes, your favorite breakfast Dei." Ms. Fely said.

"Thank you, Ms. Fely. I'm happy that you still remember my favorite breakfast." Dei said then gave the old woman a sweet smile.

"How many times will I tell you I am staying in the hotel? That's part of my package at work for this project, and I am sticking to that." Dei said.

"But I want you here at least for a few days, Mommy. I missed you so much. I want to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner with you. Midnight snack would also be better." Athena insisted.

"Then stay with me in the hotel and let Charmaine and your Dad bond, too." Dei said.

"But how about my movie marathon with Charmaine? How can we do that if I stay with you in the hotel?" Athena asked.

"Athena..." Dei said.

"Please Mom, at least until my birthday." Athena said.

"But your birthday is in two weeks." Dei said.

"Yes ... because I just want to be with you Mommy." Athena said.

"The answer is still NO" is Dei's firm reply to Athena.

Athena said nothing anymore, she just continued eating her breakfast and Dei saw her sobbing.

The tears falling down from Athena's eyes did not skip Dei's. Everyone stayed quiet, and the awkwardness is clear until Athena excuses herself.

"I'm done ... please excuse me ... I'll just stay in my room." Athena said.

Athena stood up and on her 5th step Dei took a deep sigh and said "Charmaine can stay in her room, I'll just use the guest room, at least it's downstairs. I am not comfortable using the room upstairs."

With disbelief, the three looked at Dei, who just continued her breakfast.