The Royalties

The visit to Grandpa went well. Despite some bickering between Richard and Dei, they ended the day with smiles in their heart.

In the succeeding days, Richard insisted to drive for Dei to her office and pick her up in the afternoon. Weekdays went normal for the four of them, while Dei and Richard are at work, Charmaine and Athena used their time to bond. There were times that the girls would go to Richard's office for the three of them to pick-up Dei and to have dinner together.

Until one Saturday afternoon where the four of them were preparing to go to the mall for Athena's birthday dress, an unexpected visitor came by. Ms. Fely quickly informed Richard about the surprise guest.

"Elise is here." she told Richard. He got stunned about it. But he still manages to calm himself in front of Ms. Fely, though he is definitely freaking out inside. "Where is Dei?" he asked Ms. Fely. When Ms. Fely told him that Dei is still in her room, he quickly went out to the living room to meet the visitor.There he saw Charmaine and Athena talking to Elise.

"Why did you not call me first before you come here?" He asked Elise. But, Elise did not answer him. Instead she runs to Richard and hugs him.

"Hello Babe, I missed you." Elise said. Charmaine and Athena got shocked at what Elise just did and at the same time, they got nervous that their Mom would see this scenario.

Richard tried to discreetly remove Elise's hands from him but every time he succeeded, Elise would put it back again and again. "Are you guys going somewhere? Are you having dinner outside? Can I join you? It would be my treat. Where do you want to eat?" Elise asked while both arms are around Richard's waist.

"That was so sweet, thank you, Aunt Elise." Athena politely said.

"You are welcome, sweetie." Elise reply.

"So I guess I have to change now since Athena already has a birthday dress, we don't need to buy a new one anymore." they heard Dei said.

Elise was surprise to see Dei in Richard's house. She knew that the two were already divorced, and Dei is already staying in Cebu. And from what she knows it's been a very long time since this two last communicates.

"Oh, hello Dei! I did not expect to see you here. Why is she here, Babe?" Elise asked Richard while her arms are still around his waist.

"And why not? She used to live here." Richard straightly told Elise "I guess my girls are ready to go now. Thank you for the visit Elise. You need to leave now." he added while removing Elise's arms around him.

"Maybe Athena could check first on the dress Elise is talking about. Do you have it with you now Elise? Maybe Athena could try it on." Dei asked.

"Yes, it is in the car. Wait, I'll go and get it." Elise said and left.

"And what are you trying to do?" Richard asked Dei as his face turned all red because of annoyance. The only thing he expects from Dei is to shut her mouth and let him deal with Elise.

"Showing my girls how to properly deal with an unexpected visitor, regardless of how annoying she maybe. Are you forgetting your manners?" Dei replied.

"I want her to understand that she cannot just show up in this house when she wants." Richard replied.

"What else is new? She always does that even before that we were still together, what's the difference between then and now?" Dei said.

Elise came back with the paper bag and gave it to Athena. "Here sweetie, I hope you like it. You were the first one who came into my mind when I saw that dress." Athena thanks Elise for the gift. She checked on the bag and saw an aqua blue dress fit for a girl who will be turning thirteen.

"This is nice, but I think I like the one in the mall, the one that Ate Charmaine chooses for me. I like to wear that on my birthday." Athena said.

"It's alright sweetie, the important thing is you like it. Send me your picture wearing that dress ha. Opps, by the way, I'm sorry Charmaine, I did not know that you are here that's why I only bought one for Athena. Let's just go shopping tomorrow.What do you think?" Elise told Charmaine.

"No worries Aunt Elise, it's Athena's birthday anyway so I understand. Don't worry about me. I am perfectly fine." Charmaine politely answered.

"Alright, I'll just buy you a really pretty and expensive one on your birthday?" Elise said.

"No need for that Aunt Elise, but thank you very much." Charmaine said, smiling.

"Ok then, I think, I better go now. I'm glad to see you again Dei. I'll go ahead, Babe. I'll see you in your office." Elise said and throws a kiss to Richard who remains standing with a very clear annoyed face.

"Drive safely Elise." Dei said.

"Aw, that's so sweet Dei. Thank you. By the way, Athena makes sure to send me your picture wearing that dress. You will break Mama Elise' heart if you will not wear it. Bye for now sweetie." Elise said before she finally left.

"Are we leaving? I forgot something in my room. Please give me a minute to get it." Dei said and quickly went to her room to hide the tears that's about to fall. She may not hear it straight from Athena, the thought that her daughter already addressing someone else as 'Mama' made her very jealous.

"She is upset about that 'Mama Elise' thing Athena." Charmaine told Athena.

"I'm not the one who said that." teary eyed Athena said realizing that she made her Mom upset

"But you did not even corrected her." Charmaine explained.

"Enough of that Mary Charmaine and Athena Rose just get in the car. I'll just wait for your Mom here." Richard commanded Charmaine and Athena.

"Is mommy mad at me Daddy?" Athena can't help but worry about Dei's feeling.

"Of course not sweetie, your Mom will never be mad at you" Richard assured Athena to prevent her from crying "Go ahead and just wait for us in the car."

After a few minutes, Richard saw Dei went out of her room. "Let's go" Dei said preventing Richard to see that she just cried.

"Dei, I did not know that she is coming." Richard explained.

"I don't have a problem with that. This is your house. You can accept anyone you like." Dei said without looking at Richard.

"You are upset." Richard said.

"I'm not. Surprised maybe, because I thought it is only you and me who address Athena as 'sweetie'. I was not informed that it is already Elise, too can call her that." Dei straightly said. "Let's go, we don't want the girls to wait" Dei said then left to avoid hearing what Richard was about to say.