Chapter Text
_________________
"The orchids will be at the east side. Dapat kuhang kuha po nila ang lighting."
A few maids nodded and scuttled off with the floral arrangements.
The room was engulfed with the sweet smell of rose gorgeous flowers.
The delicious aroma of cakes and main courses filled the air.
Overall, it's beautiful.
"Miss Lili!" A maid came over and tapped the lady with black hair and blue highlights on the shoulder. She turned, showing a healthy glow of tan skin and sparkling black eyes.
"Yes?"
Then she saw what the maid has in her arms. "Oh, uhmm...... Yung chocolate fountain goes over...."
She scanned the room, then pointed at one space on the incredibly long dining table.
"Over there! katabi po ng cakes! Thank you!"
She watched as the maid hurried away, then looked at her checklist.
Chocolate fountain: check. A few more to go.
"Miss Lili, saan po ilalagay ang mga roses po?"
"At the south side, please."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Miss Lili, the ice sculptures po?"
"On the way, make sure nakalagay Sila somewhere they won't melt that much." "Yes, ma'am."
"Miss Lili, the-"
"Lilianne, Ma'am Jasmine is calling for you."
Lilianne's brows furrowed.
"Why?"
The servant just gestured for her to follow him.
"Pinapatawag po kayo ni Ma'am Jasmine."
"But the party-"
"Kami na po bahala Ma'am, pinapatawag lang po talaga kayo po."
Lilianne looked around. Everything seems to be running smoothly as far as she can see Deadline is tomorrow, and almost more than forty guests would be arriving.
But Family duties first, business later.
"Okay." She began to follow and handed her checklist to the nearest worker.
"Mga Kapatid ko?"
"Papunta na po."
_____________________
"Thrust! Dodge! Side-step! Very good!"
Her mentor clapped.
"Now, that ends your lesson for today, Miss Zara."
Zara wiped the sweat drenching her face away as she picked up her water bottle and chugged it.
Martial Arts isn't befitting of a lady, father said.
Eh. Patay na din sya. Who cares?
Dito Masaya si Zara.
The adrenaline, the energy, the feeling of your success and no one else's.
It's amazing.
Zara tightened her pony tail and prepared to go inside and freshen up. Mama's calling for them, and she'd hate for their mother to see her all sweaty and a mess.
Mas prefer nya mama nila kesa sa ama nila.
Whatever.
Stepping in their large mansion, Zara ducked to avoid servants carrying more stuff Lilianne most definitely asked for. Their eldest sister had insisted on planning the annual Cariño gala this year, and had been over the moon when Mama approved.
"Excuse me, Miss Zara!" a maid with a whole bunch of fruits squeezed past.
Zara picked up a few fallen mangoes and placed them in a nearby basket.
"Marami kayo nakuhang mangga ngayon, Ellen."
The maid nodded.
"Opo Ma'am! At sariwa pa!"
Zara smiled.
"I can see that, Ellen." She looked around.
"Nasaan Pala si Lili? Pinapatawagdaw kami ni Mama?"
Ellen motioned for the stairs.
"Nasa office na po sya, ma'am."
Ever the perfect princess, are we, Lili?
She thought.
"Okay. Thank you, Ellen."
__________________________
"Miss Thea!"
Madge called out.
Where could that lady be?
"Miss Thea! Tinatawag po kayo ni Madam Jasmine!"
She looked around. Still no sign of her charge anywhere.
Her patience is really about to snap.
Sweet as that darling is, she, of course, had a rebellious streak in her.
"Miss Alethea Cariño! Wag muna po mag tagu-taguan at nasaan na Kayo?"
Thea peeped from behind the bushes she's hiding in.
She grinned, then returned to her flower crown.
It's almost finished.
Beautiful wildflowers weaved into a simple wreath. It looked like something from a dream, all hazy and ethereal.
Speaking of dreams....
"A dream is a wish your heart makes...."
She hummed, weaving another flower in her circlet.
"When you're fast asleep...."
She plucked a yellow one off the ground.
It's sunny. Like his smile.
"In dreams, you will lose your heartaches...."
She leaned against the tree.
Or tried to.
She underestimated the distance between the large plant and her.
"Whatever you wish fo--AH!"
She fell flat on her face, all sparkles gone.
But at least her flower crown stayed intact.
"Miss Thea!"
Thea looked up to see Madge standing above her, arms crossed.
"Kung saan saan pumupunta!"
Thea hauled herself up to her feet, picking one final flower to complete her flower crown.
Perfect. Like him.
"Halika na, Miss Thea," She felt Madge tug on her arm, and she is led away from the forest.
________________________
"Morning, Miss Ley--"
"AXEL!"
She shoved Ellen out of the way, muttering a quick "Sorry, Ellen!" then continuing her way.
Ellen clicked her tongue and shook her head fondly.
Hayst, si sir Axel talaga.
"Axel!" Leya's voice thundered across the room.
The servants in said room hurried to get out of the way.
Rule number 4 in the Cariño household:
Wag Kang magpunta sa daanan ng isang galit na Kaleya, at wag na wag ito pagalitin.
Parang palagi ito nalilimot ni Axel.
"Axel!" She screamed louder.
Her hand drifted the dagger on her belt.
Thar man. I'm gonna kill him.
"AXEL!! NASAAN KA?!"
Her scream scratched her throat.
If I find him smirking, I'm gonna--
"Miss Kallie?"
Oh. Oh no he DIDN'T.
Slowly, she turned around, brown hair disheveled from running and brown eyes filled with rage. With a dash of embarrassment.
Yep. Nope. She's gonna kill him.
Axel had himself leaning on the doorway, that mind-ticking smirk present.
"Ikaw!" she pointed her sheathed knife at him and stormed over until she's face to face with him. Somewhat.
"Ikaw," she growled.
She looked at him with his usual "respectful" look, but with an amused glint.
"Ako nga."
She clenched her fists.
"Alam mo ba Ang ginawa mo ay napaka-"
"Napakasakit para sa dignity nyo po, mahal Kong Reyna?"
........ What.
"What--what did you---fuck it," She shook her head and ran a hand through her brown locks, ignoring the rising heat arriving.
Why does he keep calling her that?!
She stood straight, but then he rose to his full height.
Still a head shorter. Ugh.
"Kung sasaksakin nyo po ako, Gawin nyo mamaya. Tinatawag po kayo ni Madam Jasmine," He left his post and began to lead her inside.
He took her hand.
She ignored.
"Alam mong magagalit si sir Enrique pag malaman nya ano ginawa mo?"
She mumbled, still not, for some reason, pulling her hand from his hold as they walked past bustling chefs and servants and guards.
Axel shrugged. "And ma disappoint si Madam Jasmine kung late ka, which late ka nga."
He stopped in front of the sleek black doors.
He turned to Kaleya, and wiped some grime and sweat off her face, and fixed her hair to a better and less messy braid.
What is he doing? She thought.
He hooked his finger on her chin and tilted her head to the side.
What exactly is he doing?! Leya is very much hoping her face isn't red at all.
Once satisfied, he lowered his hand.
Leya tried to ignore her heart deciding to beat a little faster, but that man probably has good ears.
That, or maybe because of the fact he is very much inches away from her.
"Heartbeat nyo po, Miss Kallie,"
He opened the door.
She shoved past him. "Ikaw naman Ang reason kung bakit ganyan pagtibok nya."
Then she froze.
Wait. Bakit sinabi nya Yun?! What the hell, Leya??
"Miss Kallie, naririnig ko na po Puso nyo,"
Axel spoke up behind her.
"Okay ka lang?"
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
"Oo....Oo, okay lang ako." She straitened her back and gave him a glance.
"Hahabulin pa rin kita mamaya. Bantayan mo kapaligiran mo."
He shrugged simply. "I know."
Then she smacked the door closed.