The Royalties

The next day, the family had their breakfast together. Dei was all set to go to work while Richard prefers to take another day off.

"I thought you were reporting for work today Dad, why did you change your mind?" Athena asked Richard.

"Insomnia attack sweetie. Anyway, what are you plans for today?" Richard replied.

"I called up Grandpa and asked him if we could pay him a visit today. Since Charmaine and Mommy are in Manila, it would be fun if we drop by his house. Guess what Dad, he says yes, and he is... " Athena replied.

"Then you have to hurry with your breakfast so that you and Charmaine can prepare. We are also bringing your Mom in the her office" Richard butts in.

"Wait a minute. No one informed me that you will be bringing me in the office. I already arranged my ride with the company's admin, and it will be here in an hour" Dei said as she got surprised with what Richard has said.

"Then cancel it, the girls and I will drive you to work, Dad's house is not far from the office. I find it more practical since we could save some gasoline." Richard replied authoritatively.

"I like that Dad. I am so excited Mommy, Daddy will be joining us for lunch in Grandpa's house." Athena exclaimed.

Richard got surprise with Athena's statement which causes his change of mood. "I thought it would only be you and Charmaine who will have lunch with Grandpa. I have no idea that your Mom will be in that lunch too, I though you today is your first day at work, how can you join my Dad and the girls for lunch?"

"Dad, Grandpa's house is only a few kilometers from Mom's office, therefore she can join us for lunch today with Grandpa." Athena explained.

"And I was not informed. You guys are having lunch with my father, and I was not even invited?" Richard exclaimed and the girls got stunned at their Dad's reaction.

"I'm sorry Dad. We only talked about it last night and only now that I was able to confirm it with Grandpa. We did not tell you because we thought that you would be at work today." Charmaine explained.

Richard took a deep sigh as he realized his sudden burst of emotion affected his girls. "Finish your breakfast then go and get ready, so that your Mom will not be late at work."

When the girls left, no one between Richard and Dei dared to speak. Both just silently continue with their breakfast. Dei was too pissed off to see her low-spirited girls because of Richard's sudden change of mood. "The girls don't deserve that scolding just because we are having lunch with your dad." she told Richard.

"I just felt that I was left alone. We were talking last night and yet you did not tell me about this plan." Richard replied.

"Left alone? Are you a six-year-old kid to feel that way? You're unbelievable." Dei exclaimed.

"If you are finish with your food, you better get ready. I'm sure you don't like to report late on your first day of work." Richard said to avoid a lengthy discussion.

"This may be my first day, but I am not required to report to work on a fix time. I can go to work when I want to and leave anytime I have to." Dei replied, "Also, you have to apologize to the girls. I don't want to see them this upset. If this is your idea of starting it right, I think I have to think seriously if I am to give you that second chance that you were asking for." Dei said and left to go to her room.

Dreading that Dei and his girls would be disappointed in him, he decided to talk to Athena to apologize. He went to Athena's room and from the door he heard his daughters discussing about what has happened during breakfast.

"Charmaine, what is happening to Daddy? Why was he so mad?" Athena said.

"I do not know either, perhaps due to his insomnia attack. Maybe he is really not feeling well because he was not able to sleep well."

"Why don't we just stay home today, maybe you are right, daddy is sick. Let's just let him rest. I want to take care of him too. What do you think Charmaine, is there a possibility that he got mad because I sleep with Mom last night" Richard heard Athena. He felt so guilty that he drags his girls into his bad behavior earlier. "It is not about my girls. I am sorry." He said upon opening the door. He saw that girls got stunned. "Did daddy make you upset?" He asked then hugged both Charmaine and Athena.

"Yes but only a bit." Athena honestly replied.

"I'm sorry sweetie, but it is not about you" Richard said and kissed Athena's temple.

"It's alright Dad, we are just worried that you are not feeling well and yet we drag you going to Grandpa's house. But on second thought maybe you can rest in Grandpa's house. We will just take care of you" Charmaine said as he hugged her Dad tighter.

"Thank you sweetheart. I'm fine." Richard replied.

"Why do you have that sudden change of mood Dad?" Charmaine asked.

"Nothing sweetheart, maybe that's another sign of aging" Richard replied and kissed Charmaine's hand."Now, let's go, maybe your mom is waiting for us."

Dei quickly hangs the phone when she saw Richard and her girls going down stairs. She got relieved to see the three laughing. "What could have gone wrong with Richard that he acted that way in front Athena and Charmaine. It's too annoying." She asked herself.

"Are you ready to go Mommy?" Athena asked her, beaming.

"Yes, I am. Let's go?" Dei replied with all smiles.

"My princesses have already forgiven me. I hope my queen would do the same." Richard all smiles said to Dei, but Dei replied coldly. "I'll think about it, and again stop calling me that." For Dei, she is not giving in to Richard that easily, she believes that Richard should know his boundaries. His confession the previous night does not allow him to behave that way.

"You are very much aware that I will not stop calling you my queen because you still are. So please forgive me. I just felt out-of-place in my palace that's why I reacted that way." Richard explained.

"We are going to your dad's house, therefore that isn't the palace that you are talking about." Dei said. "Can we just go now and stop arguing about this nonsense? I can't be late at work, and you don't want that too, right?" Dei sarcastically said then left Richard speechless.

"You are so dead Daddy, Mommy is so pissed off!" Athena threatens.

"You think so sweetie?" Richard asked.

"I thought so." Athena replied teasingly. "Let's go Dad. Remember, you don't want Mommy to wait right?"

"Don't worry, Dad. I believe that you know how to appease my Mom. Just use your charm. I'm sure it is still effective like before." Charmaine said then taps his shoulder.

"You think so, sweetheart?" Richard again asked.

"I thought so, too, Daddy. Good luck." Charmaine said and went out of the house with Athena giggling.

"Why do I feel that their words of encouragements are not working?" Richard told himself as he follows Charmaine and Athena.