Typo errors are a lot.
Chapter 22
Brother-in-law
"Mag-ingat ka doon, Pa. Huwag mong pababayaan ang sarili mo 'dun." Julia told her husband worriedly nang inihahatid na niya ito papalabas ng Buckingham Palace. Nasa labas na kasi ang mga sasakyan na gagamitin nito papuntang Skelmersdale, Lancanshire, United Kingdom. Aattend kasi ang Hari para sa magiging meeting ng National Farmers' Union ng England. The King will be hearing the farmers' side regarding about the agricultural section ng UK. Mrs. Thornhill, the Prime Minister of UK will also accompany him. Sasama rin si Idris sa biyahe nito.
It has been a week since the interview incident happened. At 'yung public announcement nila ni Jordan to the British people about their marriage and her, being the new Queen consort of England, they received mixed reactions from the crowd. May nagsasabi kasi na first time sa British Monarchy history na nakapag-asawa ang isang hari o crown prince na walang royal blood o kahit aristocratic ancestry. Some were also positive about her that she'll be a great queen someday because she's a first daughter of a president of a country and has been active to a lot of charity organizations.
Today will also mark as her first day of working her official royal duties as the Queen consort of the King of England. Mamaya, kasama si Ikay ay bibisitahin nila ang isa sa mga malaking Children's hospital ng UK. They will also give some useful programs and some donations to the said hospital.
Ngumiti naman si Jordan saka hinalikan ang noo niya, "Three days lang naman akong mawawala, Ma. I'll video call you every night and when I get there," He said assuringly. Aminado rin sila na pinagtitinginan ngayon sila ng mga taong naghihintay sa labas ng palace, "I already instructed Ikay to assist you and the housekeeping staff. Huwag mong pagurin ang sarili mo dito, okay?"
Julia just nodded and sighed, "Mamimiss kita, Pa." Kahit three days lang naman itong mawawala ay talagang nalulungkot na siya ng husto dahil wala ito sa tabi niya. Or maybe it was because of her pregnancy hormones that's why she's emotional.
Jordan chuckled then cupped her face, "I'll miss you too, so much." He replied softly as he kissed her on her lips. It was passionate and slow. Although deep inside she's really shy in having PDAs with her husband, that time, she doesn't care anymore.
Bigla namang humiwalay si Jordan sa mga labi niya at dinampian ng halik ang leeg niya. Parang nakuryente pa tuloy siya dahil sa ginawa nito.
"G-God, Jordan... W-What are you doing?" Hirap na sabi niya when Jordan suddenly sucked her neck then sniffed it. Nakikiliti pa siya sa ginagawa nito.
"How about some quickie, my Queen?" He whispered naughtily to her ear and her eyes got widened in amusement.
Kinurot naman niya ito sa tagiliran nito, "Pa! Nasa labas tayo!" Saway niya rito. Okay lang sa kanya na maghalikan sila in front of the crowd but magsex sila in public? Oh god! Baka biglang dumating ang Daddy Eduardo niya at ipabaril silang dalawa ni Jordan sa mga PSG nito.
Jordan chuckled again and kissed her neck for one more tune. He faced her again, "Fine. Welcome home sex na lang pagbalik ko dito." He even winked at her. Napapailing na lang si Julia sa sinasabi nito, kahit kailan ang landi.
"Oo na. Siguraduhin mo lang makakauwi ka ng safe and sound, ha? Kasi ang ako ang in-charge. I'll be on the top." She even bit her lip seductively at him. Alam niyang nakuha nito ang ibig sabihin niya.
Jordan's eyes widened in amazement, "Damn. That's really hot. I'll really look forward for it, Julia Marie." She giggled at his remark. She would really admit she's looking forward for it as well, she won't deny Jordan's a sex god too.
Ilang segundo naman ay nagpaalam itong muli sa kanya at hinagkan ang noo niya. Jordan also softly touched her belly, telling their unborn child to take care as well. Sumakay na nga ito sa sasakyan. Jordan waved at her hanggang sa tuluyan na ngang nakaalis ang sasakyan sa palace. She just smiled. She really hopes her husband will be alright.
"Queen Julia, we love you!"
Napalingon naman siya sa mga taong nagkukumpulan sa unahan para lang masilayan ang mga British royalties. Julia waved back at them and smiled. Pumasok na rin siya ulit sa loob ng Buckingham Palace.
●●●
"Gosh! Nakakakilig!" Napahinto naman si Julia nang biglang tumili si Ikay. Katabi niya kasi ito sa backseat ng sinasakyan nila. May dalawang kotse ding nakaconvoy sa kanika.
Ikay was just merely staring at the tabloid she was holding - na parang kilig na kilig talaga. Napakunot-noo tuloy siya.
"Ikay? Bakit?"
"Eh kasi Queen, nakakakilig kayong dalawa ng hari sa picture na 'to," Ipinakita naman nito sa kanya ang picture nilang dalawa ni Jordan - the moment when she finally chased him back in UK, 'nung unang pagpunta niya sa Invictus games. She was kissing Jordan on the picture.
Napailing na lang siya. Papunta na kasi sila ngayon sa Children's hospital and as usual, alam niyang nakabuntot na naman sa kanila ang mga media. Mukhang tama nga talaga kasi ang sinabi ni Jordan sa kanya - that the British press is so much worse than the Phil's.
"Naku, Queen, ang gandang gawing movie ng love story ninyo ng amang hari. Uulit-ulitin ko talaga ang panunuod 'nun if ever." Kinikilig pa nitong sabi. Napangiti na lang si Julia sa sinabi nito.
"Ikay, wala ka bang boyfriend?" She asked curiously. Her assistant is really so bubbly and fanatic over her and Jordan pero siya kahit isa ay wala man lang alam tungkol sa buhay nito.
Mukha naman itong natigilan sa sinabi niya. She looked somehow surprised.
"A-Ano..."
"Or... ex? Exes?" Julia added.
"Uhm... ex." Ikay answered awkwardly. Mas lalong nacurious naman siya sa sinabi ng assistant.
"What happened?" She asked again but noticed Ikay became awkward about it, "I mean kung okay lang sayo na ikwento."
"Uhm... Kasi Queen--"
Bigla namang nagsalita ang driver nila na dumating na nga sila sa ospital. Julia thanked the driver politely. Unang lumabas naman si Ikay pagkatapos ay inalalayan siya nito sa paglabas sa sasakyan. Agad din namang sumunod ang mga royal guards na inutusan ni Jordan na bantayan siya.
At tama nga ang inasahan niya, the media were already all over the hospital, capturing everything the moment she arrived. Kumaway din naman siya sa mga taong naghihintay na naman sa kanya sa labas.
"Prince Ashton is also here!"
Parehas naman silang napatigil ni Ikay at napalingon sa likod. Then they saw Prince Ashton, Jordan's younger half-brother coming out from the car. Gaya rin niya ay kumaway ito sa mga tao doon. Nilapitan naman sila agad nito.
It was really Julia's first time to see Prince Ashton face to face. Ayon rin sa asawa niya ay twenty-one din ang edad nito, just like Ikay. Ashton is known to the British people as the quiet young prince of England.
And she also didn't know na kasama pala ito sa pagbisita nila sa ospital.
"Queen Julia," Ashton suddenly greeted her politely, "I'll accompany you."
Julia nodded awkwardly. Gaya rin ng asawa niya ay matangkad din ito, "O-Okay, thank you."
"Uhm, excuse me," Bigla namang tumikhim si Ikay, "I'm already with the Queen so hindi mo na kailangang umepal." Her assisted blurted out sarcastically. She sensed that her assistant became in bad mood when Prince Ashton came with them.
"Kapatid ako ng Hari," Ashton answered Ikay back. Talagang nasa gitna pa siya ng dalawa, "Julia is my sister-in-law. Mas dapat nga ako ang kasama niya." Hindi alam ni Julia kung nagbabangayan na ba ang dalawa o hindi but she knew she felt the tension between them. Sabay pa naman silang tatlo naglalakad papasok sa loob ng ospital.
"Well, I'm safer than you are, kasi I'm not a traitor, I'm not vindictive," Ikay gritted her teeth. Napabuntong-hininga na lang si Julia. Nagkakasagutan na ang dalawa - ni hindi nga niya alam na magkakilala pala ang dalawa or she would say, close?
Pero sa tingin naman niya ay malabong close ang dalawa.
"Ashton, Ikay, nasa ospital tayo. May mga media." Saway niya sa mga ito. Inirapan naman ni Ikay ang lalake. Ashton just shook his head and focused on their way.
"Ashton, I didn't know you can speak Filipino, sinong nagturo?" asked Julia curiously. Hindi kasi ito gaya ng asawa niya na may lahing Pinoy. As what she had known, Ashton is a full-British.
Mukha naman itong natigilan sa sinabi niya at tumingin kay Ikay na katabi naman niya sa gilid. "Someone taught me."
"Who?"
"Someone annoying."
Napansin naman niya ang marahas na paglingon ni Ikay kay Ashton na ngayon ay nakatitig na dito. Ikay was looking daggers at the young prince.
"Annoyingly beautiful." Pagkatapos ay nauna ng naglakad si Ashton sa kanila, leaving Ikay surprised.
Napansin naman niya ang paghinto ng mga yapak ni Ikay. Julia also stopped. Napataas tuloy ang kilay niya. Now... she got more curious with her assistant's life.
"Ikay?" Julia called her attention. It was now then Ikay came back to her senses.
"Ay, s-sorry, Queen..."
She smiled at her mischievously, "Ikaw Ikay, ha... May tinatago." She teased. Kaagad naman itong namula dahil sa sinabi niya. She laughed nervously at her.
"Ikaw talaga, Queen! Huwag kang ganyan! Buwisit ako!" Natatawang napapailing na lang si Julia sa sinasabi nito.
She really could sense there was something between Katherine Andrada and Prince Ashton.
●●●
"Thank you sa pagsama sa 'min, Ashton." Julia thanked him sincerely the moment they were now outside the hospital. Tapos na kasi sila sa activity at pakikipagmeeting sa head ng Children's hospital. Nilibot talaga kasi nila ang buong building ng ospital at nakipagkwentuhan sa mga batang pasyente pati na rin sa mga magulang nito - hearing their sentiments out about the UK health care. Nakipag-usap din sila sa mga medical staff at nakinig din sa mga saloobin nila. And throughout the visit, she would admit that Prince Ashton was really good in handling and talking to the public. Malaking tulong ang naiambag nito sa pagbisita nila doon.
"You're welcome, Queen." Ashton replied to her politely. Napatingin naman si Julia kay Ikay na katabi niya ngayon. Ni hindi ito nakatingin kay Ashton at nakasimangot lang. Julia mentally shook her head. Throughout the day, laging nagsasagutan ang dalawa. Minsan ay binabara ni Ikay si Ashton at ganun din naman ang lalake rito. Siya na nga lang sumasaway sa dalawa (like a big sister) dahil baka mamaya ay masabunutan na lang bigla ni Ikay si Ashton. Her assistant is obviously bad vibes with Ashton and she's so curious to find out why. Parang mga teenagers kasing my 'LQ' ang inaasal ng dalawa kanina.
"Tayo na, Queen. Ayokong mas lalong masira ang araw ko." Ikay interrupted, sounding irritated. Napansin naman niyang parang naoffend si Ashton sa sinabi nito.
"Oh, don't worry, my day is already shitty the moment I first saw you here," Ashton answered back, sounding pissed as well.
"Ano? Ang kapal naman ng mukha mo," Ikay reacted madly, "Ah, hindi lang pala araw ko sinira mo, pati buhay ko sinira mo rin." She was sarcastic, parang may malalim na pinanggagalingan pa ang pagkakabigkas niyon.
"Well, mas sisirain ko 'yan lalo ngayon." He gritted his teeth and quickly grabbed Ikay's hand. Hinatak naman nito papaalis ang assistant niya. Panay reklamo naman si Ikay sa ginagawa nito ngunit masyadong mahigpit lang talaga ang pagkakahawak ni Ashton sa kamay nito.
Aakmang susundan sana ng mga guards ni Julia sina Ashton at Ikay pero sinenyasan niya ito na huwag na. She just smiled in amusement while looking at them walking away.
Parang mas marami pa ang issues ng dalawa kesa sa kanilang dalawa ni Jordan.
●●●
"Pa, kamusta ka diyan?" Julia asked her husband. Parehas na silang dalawa na nasa kanya-kanyang kama na. They were video-calling each other. Gabi na rin kasi sa mga oras na iyon.
Jordan gave her a sexy smile, "I'm fine. The farmers are really hospitable. Ikaw, kamusta ang pagbisita mo? Nabalitaan ko sumama si Ashton sa inyo."
Julia twirled her hair on her finger, "Ah... Okay naman, it went well too. Actually magaling si Ashton sa public relations, malaki ang naitulong niya sa 'kin sa pakikipag-usap ko sa mga pasyente. Saka... Pa, ano bang ugnayan ni Ikay at ni Ashton?" She asked curiously. Alam niya kasing mas naunang nakilala ng asawa niya si Ikay kesa sa kanya.
"I don't really know... Hindi kasi nagkukwento sa 'kin si Ikay. I even feel na nahihiya siyang makipag-usap sa 'kin."
Julia giggled, "Eh kasi naiintimidate siguro sayo, you're the King. Malanding hari." She joked. Natawa rin naman si Jordan sa sinabi niya.
"By the way, why did you ask?"
Umiling naman siya, "Nothing. I'm just curious..."
"Huwag masyadong curious, Ma. I don't want you to tire yourself. Baka mapano pa kayo ni baby." He said, sounding protective.
"Opo, Sir."
Jordan then suddenly licked his lower lip in a seductive way, "I miss you, Julia Marie." Tila nang-aakit pa ang boses nito.
"Kilala kita, Zachariah. 'Yang mga galawan mo." Natatawang sabi niya. Kahit kailan ang landi talaga ng hari.
Jordan stifled a light laugh, "A video-call sex wouldn't hurt." He naughtily winked.
Nanlaki naman ang mga mata niya sa sinabi nito, "Jordan nga!" Nakita pa niyang tinanggal nito ang suot nitong puting tshirt, revealing to her his very toned abs.
"Suotin mo 'yang tshirt mo! Huwag kang maharot!"
Jordan chuckled again, "I love you so much, Ma."
"Mahal din kita pero huwag kang malandi--"
Napatigil naman siya nang makarinig siya ng malakas na pagsabog mula sa kabilang linya - kay Jordan. Then so sudden, bigla na lang naputol ang video-call nila. Bigla na lang itong naging out-of-coverage area.
"Pa! Oh my god!"
//
Ikay & Ashton.