The Royalties

Dwayne arranged a dinner reservation for them at one of the famous restaurants in BGC come Friday night. When the Reyes family came, he is already at the venue, waiting for them.

"Hi, are we late?" Richard asked and shook Dwayne's hand.

"You are just in time. We are just a few minutes apart." Dwayne replied.

"Dwayne, please meet Charmaine our eldest daughter. Charmaine, he is one of my bosses and we were schoolmates in college." Dei said.

"Hello sir, nice to meet you." Charmaine said smiling and shook Dwayne's hand

"Hello Charmaine, nice to finally meet you. You are so beautiful just like your Mom." Dwayne commented.

"Thank you for the complement sir." Charmaine shyly replied.

"Where is Athena?" Dwayne asked.

"Unfortunately, she has Saturday class tomorrow, so she begs off to join us tonight." Richard replied.

"Come on let's eat. I hope you will like the food Charmaine. I particularly asked your Mom for your favorite as well as Athena's." Dwayne said while Charmaine just gave him a thank you smile.

While eating, Dwayne asked so many questions to Charmaine and she politely answers those.

"It's nice to know you are also a swimmer just like your Mom. What else do you do?" Dwayne asked.

"Nothing much, Sir. I am not fond of going out anyway. Daddy and Mommy gifted me a mini library, so I usually stay there, sometimes with my sister." Charmaine replied.

"You also like book, same as your Mom." Dwayne said.

"Athena loves reading too, Charmaine is a good influence to her sister." Dei butts in

Richard remained speechless. He gave this chance to Dwayne to know more about his daughter. Dwayne took advantage of the chance to ask many things about her.

"Dad, Mom, may I also ask a question?" Charmaine politely asked.

"Of course sweetheart, what is it?" Richard asked in reply.

"Is Mr. Rivera, my biological father?" Charmaine straightly asked which made the three of them dumbfounded.

"Who told you that?" Dei asked.

"I only want a Yes or a No as an answer Mom." Charmaine said.

Richard took a deep breath and replied, "Yes sweetheart, he is your biological father."

"But how did you know it sweetheart?" Dei did not stop asking "Please let me explain."

"Don't panic Mom. I am fine with it." Charmaine said.

"Alright, since there is nothing to hide anymore. I believe Dwayne and Charmaine need sometime alone. There is a coffee shop beside this restaurant. Sweetheart, your Mom and I will have coffee while the two of you have your desserts." Richard said. Dei could not protest anymore when Richard gently grabs her arms to leave.

"Thanks Richard, don't worry I'll take care of her." Dwayne said.

"There is nothing to worry about, Dwayne. My daughter is a smart girl. And I am giving you the chance to see how amazing she is." Richard said smiling to Charmaine.

Charmaine stood up and gave Richard a tight hug "Thanks Daddy. I love you." Charmaine said.

"I love you too, sweetheart. We will just wait for you at the coffee shop." Richard said then kisses Charmaine on her temple."Thank you for the dinner Dwayne. We will just wait for her at the coffee shop." Richard said and shook Dwayne's hand before Dei and he leave Charmaine and Dwayne in the restaurant.

Charmaine sits in front of Dwayne who remained staring at her "Is there anything that you want to tell me sir?" She asked.

"You are so like your Mom." Dwayne begins talking.

"Aunt Coleen told me the same thing." Charmaine replied.

"Do you know I was a swimmer too? I was a varsity player from high school until college." Dwayne said.

"Perhaps that is the reason why you look familiar. I saw your picture in our campus. And you are a champion swimmer on your time." Charmaine replied.

"Wow, I hope you don't mind if I find it something to brag on. Do you have plan of joining the varsity?" Dwayne asked.

"Yes I do, maybe next semester. I'm still trying to blend with my school at the moment, Sir." Charmaine said.

"Your Mom said, you do well in school." Dwayne commented.

"I have to sir. I want to stay in the varsity." Charmaine politely replied.

"How about traveling, do you like to travel?" Dwayne asked.

"Well, going around different places is nice. But those are in the least of my priorities. My Dad made sure we go out of the country at least once a year. But it was stopped when they divorced." Charmaine said.

"Have you been to New Zealand?" Her father asked.

"Not yet, sir, I have never been to New Zealand." Charmaine replied.

"I live there for more than ten years. I hope to go back there with you someday. My family lives there and I would like you to meet them." Dwayne said.

"We can arrange for that. My Dad's schedule is flexible anyway." Charmaine replied.

"Don't you want to travel with me alone?" Dwayne asked.

"No Sir, I'm sure my dad will not like that set-up." Charmaine politely replied.

"Sir? You keep on addressing me 'Sir.' You already know I am your father, so you may call me Papa or Daddy whatever you prefer, it's fine with me." Dwayne said.

"I'm sorry sir, but with all due respect. I may acknowledge you as my biological father but Richard Reyes, Jr. remains my Dad and that is what is stated in my birth certificate. I don't think I can call anyone as that besides him." Charmaine fiercely replied.

"I understand." Dwayne replied with a little frustration.

"May I ask you something, Sir?" Charmaine then asked.

"Go ahead." Dwayne said smiling.

"Yes, I love her so much and to tell you honestly, I still do." Dwayne sincerely replied.

"Please be honest, do you have plans of breaking our family?" Charmaine straightly asked and Dwayne got mum for a while as he did not expect how straightforward this girl he is talking with is.

"When I came back, I did not know that Richard and Nicomaine got back together. Yes, I planned to have her back." He honestly replied."But your mom is happy now. She made it clear with me and I can see she is happier with Richard. I have never seen that glow in her eyes when we were still together." He honestly replied again.

"Thanks for being honest, Sir. At least now, I can say I was conceived out of love. Whatever happened before, I don't need knowing. That is between you and my Mom. I also don't want to judge you. Though, I would like to say this straight sir. You are my biological father, that's all that you are to me. I cannot and will never address you as what you want me to because you are a stranger. I don't mean being rude sir, but I want to be honest." Charmaine said.

"You're fiercer than I thought. Obviously you did not get it from your Mom." Dwayne said.

"Yes sir, I did not get it from my Mom because I get it from my Dad and his name is Richard Reyes, Jr." Charmaine fiercely said.

"I guess you made it clear to me where should I stand. I admire the guts. But I hope you'll not stop me to get to know you more." Dwayne said.

"As long as my Dad approves it, I don't have a problem with it, Sir." Charmaine replied.

"Thank you Charmaine. May I ask for two favors, please?" Dwayne asked.

"What are those favors?" Charmaine asked.

"Please don't call me Sir. I find it too formal. Uncle Dwayne would be better." Dwayne said.

"Alright, Uncle Dwayne it is." Charmaine said smiling. "What is the other one then?" She asked.

"May I hug you?" He asked.

Charmaine smiled, then stood up and open her arms for a hug with Dwayne. He hugs her and whispered "Thank you baby, Uncle Dwayne loves you so much. Please don't forget that."

"Yes Uncle Dwayne, I will not forget." she replied and Dwayne hugs her tighter.