It had been three weeks since Steffanie saw Prince Gareth. Though Dr. Flyheight informed her of his fast recovery, she still couldn't help herself but to be worried for him. Katunayan, sa pag-aalala nya rito, she went out of her way and went to the College of Medicine just to check on him. But apparently, hindi pa rin pala ito pumapasok sa mga klase nito.
"Steff!"
Napatigil siya sa paglalakad nang marinig ang boses ng kaibigan niyang si Sofia. Agada naman itong tumakbo patungo sa kanya.
"Oh, bakit parang nagmamadali ka?" tanong niya.
"I need your help, BFF." Wika nito habang hinihingal pa.
"Ok, you know that I am always here and I'll always be there for you. Tungkol ba saan?" she asked.
"Well... You see, alam mo namang nalalapit na ang foundation anniversary ng UP 'di ba?"
"Ok... " She definitely did not have any idea where this conversation in leading.
"Mangako ka muna na hindi ka magagalit?" Sofia was very fidgety.
"Bakit nga? What did you do?" She saw guilt passed through her eyes.
"Kasi ganito. Arthur said that I am not desirable, na wala daw akong sex appeal. I wanna prove him wrong."
"You know that that is not true. You are vey beautiful. Sa dami ng manliligaw mo. You ought to know that by now."
Tahimik lamang ito.
"At nnong kinalaman ko naman dyan?" she asked, not being able to puzzle things together.
"Dyan papasok ang hihingin kong pabor sa yo. Magkakaroon kasi ang House of the Rose ng booth sa Foundation week."
Ang tinutukoy nito ay isang Accredited Student Organization sa UP na nag-oorganize ng mga events for charity.
"Then?" She really wanted to know the catch. She knows Sofia really well. She was a trouble magnet. At lumalapit lang ito ng ganito sa kanya if she was in a deep trouble.
"I signed both of our names in there," mabilisan nitong sagot.
"So anong pabor mo dun? You know how I love charity," she answered. Minsan na rin kasi siyang nakapagvolunteer doon. Several months ago, both she and Sofia signed up to do community service with the organization.
Huminga ito ng malalim, waring humuhugot ng tapang. "It is not your usual community service. It is a fund raising event for the homeless. It is more like of an auction."
"Sige, what do we do? Assist the event?"
"Well, actually. It is a dating game. Kinda like an auction. And we are the ones to be auctioned."
Ano? Just what did Sofia say?
"You mean to say, we'll sell ourselves to the highest bidder?" nakakunot na ang noo niya.
"Grabe ka naman Steff, you made us look like a dirty prostitute."
"Then what? Please explain."
"Ganito. We'll just be on-stage, then the male guests will bid for our companionship. One night date lang naman. Nothing more, nothing less."
Yup. Confirmed. Her friend is definitely crazy. Wala naman ito sa tamang hulog.
"Sofia naman. I can't do such thing. You know how I hate attracting attention," she sneered at her.
Niyakap naman siya nito. "C'mon Steff. Minsan lang naman. Let us do this, I can't do this alone. Isang date lang naman. I just need you to be there for me."
"Ano naman ang makukuha natin dito?"
"Extra bragging rights to my soon-to-be husband. It will definitely prove that I am very ,very desirable."
She closed her eyes. Sometimes, Sofia's juvenile ways can be very infuriating.
"C'mon now Steff. Pumayag ka na. Please... Nakapag-commit na ako. I wanna see the face of that jerk when men started to bid all their money for me."
Bumuntong hininga siya. "Iyon na nga Sofia. Alam ko namang pagkakaguluhan ka nila. But what about me? I doubt if there is someone in this university who'll spare a cent for me. Makakagulo lang ako sa fund raising event."
She creased her forhead, "Quit saying nonsense. You are very desirable. Konting make-up at ayos lang, you'll be a bombshell. Pinapairalan mo naman ako ng insecurity mo."
But what she said to Sofia was true. Alam niya sa sarili niya iyon. She was a scholar. Ever since entering this University, only few people showed genuine fondness of her. Si Sofia nga lamang ang talagang maituturing niyang kaibigan dito.
"Seryoso ako Sofia. You know my status here. Baka sa halip na makatulong ay makagulo pa ako."
"Trust me on this one, Steff. Ako ang bahala. Basta, all I need is you to be beside me. 'Di ba nga partners in crime tayo?"
Siguro nga ay tama ang kasabihang, 'Birds of the same feather flock together.' Dahil ngayon, mukhang nahawa na siya sa pagkaloka-loka ng kaibigan.
"OK, I agree. Samama na ako. But you owe me one."
Gumuhit ang ngiti sa labi nito. She hugged her tight.
"Thanks Steff. You're really the best! By the way..."
May dinukot itong puting sobre mula sa bag nito. She handed it her.
"What's this?" she asked.
"Kung binubuksan mo, eh 'di nalaman mo,"
She opened the envelope. What was inside shocked her. It was an invitation card to the engagement party of Sofia. Or the more apt term will be, 'The Royal Engagement.'
"Punta ka ah. It's two weeks away from now in the Arondight Palace," pag-iimbita nito sa kanya.
"So tuloy na tuloy na talaga?"
Nagkibit balikat na lamang ito, "This is what daddy and the King want, ano pa ba ang magagawa ko? I already set things clear na ayaw kong magpakasal lalo na sa mayabang na yon. Mas mapapadali sana kung pareho kaming tatanggi, but Arthur's side is not very cooperative. Para bang lalo akong inaasar."
"So you'll become the Crown Princess na."
Medyo nalungkot siya sa kaisipang iyon dahil alam niyang magiging madalang na ang mga pagkakataong makikita nila ang isa't isa. With her limited time, nais sana niyang makasama pa ang kaibigan bago siya lumipat sa Asphodel. But despite all that, she's happy for her.
"Naku! Tigilan mo nga ako. Hindi pa. Engagement pa lang yun at hindi pa kasal. At isa pa, I hate that thought. I'll be shackled inside a large cage. That, my friend, was never my dream."
The thought of leaving her best friend brought pain in her heart. Hindi pa niya nasasabi rito ang huling usapan nila ng asawa ng ama. Hahanap muna siya ng magandang buwelo. She was very sure that Sofia would hysterically react on this matter. Palagi naman itong ganito. Ang isiping ito ang lalong nagpahirap sa kanya na ipagtapat ang kanyang nalalapit na pag-alis.
She knew that she had to tell her soon. She owed it to her. She owed it to the only person who accepted her for what she really was. But be as it may, she was still not ready to bid farewell.
As of now, she should just enjoy and cherish her remaining days on Camelot.
Today marked the centennial anniversary of the University of Pendragon. The whole place was definitely in the festive mode. Kali-kaliwa ang iba't ibang mga booth at nagkalat ang iba't ibang mga attraction dito. Everyone was simply enjoying the whole place. As a matter of fact, the surroundings were crawling with students and guests.
But when Gareth and his convoy arrived, everything seemed to stop. Eyes were suddenly on them. He could see the surprise expression on their faces. At bakit nga naman hindi magugulat ang mga ito? Kasakasama niya ang mga kapatid. They were all invited to attend a charity event. There were four of them, Prince Tristan, Princess Anya, himself and Prince Arthur. Bukod pa sa mga ito, kasama rin nila ang kanikanilang mga Chevalier at sariling convoy ng Imperial Guards. Animo'y nahahawing karagatan ang lahat ng mga tao habang sila'y dumadaan.
He hated this kind of scene. It caught too much attention. As much as possible, he wanted to be discreet so as not to spoil his fun later. Because today marked his return to UP after almost a month of absence. Bagot na bagot na siya habang nagpapagaling. He was frustrated, both emotionally and sexually. Tonight, he will paint this town red. He is definitely back.
And the first thing in his itinerary was to look for Steffanie. He will thank her for her heroic act. But that is not the only thing that he will do. He will also teach her angelic savior to walk on the wild side with a devil like him. He grinned at his own thoughts. They will definitely have some fun.
Papasok na sila sa loob ng auditorium kung saan gaganapin ang charity event nang may lumapit sa kanilang grupo. It was Natalya and her cronies.
"Hey Gareth, I am glad to finally see you. Where have you been?" tanong ni Natalya. His injuries were never publicized. Tanging piling tao lang ang nakakaalam ng tunay na nangyari sa kanya. The palace made sure of that.
Umangkla ang mga kamay nito sa kanyang batok, giving everyone a nice sight to behold.
"Didn't you miss me? Cause I surely did miss you." She said seductively.
He wanted to cuss her off but he decided to play the gentleman. Tiningnan nya lamang ito saka marahang inalis ang mga kamay sa pagkakapulupot sa kanya. Naiirita siya sa ginagawa nito. Again, she was showing off to the people around them.
He gave her a warning look before leading his siblings inside the auditorium. Ngunit may pagkamakulit yata ang dalaga. She followed his group and when another opportunity came in, muli na naman sila nitong hinarang.
"You see Gareth, I am gonna participate tonight at the charity event." She sweetly said, not minding the piercing stare from his sister, Anya.
"So? What is in it for me?" he blankly said.
"Well, I want you to bid for me. You know that a lot of men are craving for my time and attention, but it is you that I want Gareth." He had to give it to her bravado. She had a huge amount of it.
"Excuse me, but we have to go already," Tristan said.
But she didn't budge. "Oh! If it isn't Tristan or is it Geraint? O baka naman si Galahad?" nagbeso ito rito.
Si Tristan, Geraint and Galahad ay identical triplets. Hindi mamukhaan ni Natalya kung sino ang sino. Hindi niya masisisi ito dahil maging siya ang nalilito pa rin sa tatlo. Ang alam lang niya ay si Tristan ang kanilang kasama.
"Might I ask who the heck are you?" It was Anya's turn to speak.
"My name is Natalya, daughter of the Earl of Synclair. Nice to meet you Anya."
The Miss Congeniality face of Natalya didn't worked on Anya. Tumaas ang kilay ng kapatid nito.
"So?" Anya said.
Mukhang hindi nito inasahan ang sagot. "Pardon?" Natalya asked.
"I do not care who you are or who your father is. Need I not remind you that I am Princess Anya Pendragon, the Fourth Princess of this Kingdom. So please do not address so casually. And guess what? My Father is the King. So please stop being a nuisance. Nakahara ka sa daraanan namin."
Umiral na naman ang kasungitan ni Anya. Among his sisters, she was always the brat.
"You heard the Princess, Miss. We really hate to irritate Anya. So if you'll excuse us..." Arthur came to salvage the situation. It was getting a little bit out of hand.
Wala nang nagawa si Natalya kundi ang tumabi. They continued their phase towards their designated area.
"Your woman is quite the attention seeker, bro." It was Tristan.
"She's not my woman. She's too clingy but she's good in bed. Wanna try her?" he casually said.
"I'll pass. That kind of woman is not my type. Too demanding. And you know how woman are when they get so demanding. They became a pain in the ass."
"Amen." He said as they let the usherettes marshal them to their seats.
They were now comfortably seating. Kitang-kita nila ang stage mula sa kinakaupuan. The program was about to start any moment now.
This type of functions was never his cup of tea. Madali siyang mabagot sa mga ganitong uri ng pagtitpon. If it weren't for the insistence of Arthur, he will not be here. He would rather spend his time pursuing Steffanie.
"Good evening to every one of you! The House of Rose is very much grateful for your attendance. Again, this charity event is for the benefit of the Rose Foundation. It will be for the construction of their new gymnasium for the orphaned kids," panimula ng emcee habang nakatayo sa gitna ng entablado.
"Before anything else, I need to explain the mechanics first. We have ten lovely ladies who signed up for tonight's affair and all of them are willing to have a date with the highest bidder. They will stand here on the stage, one by one. If you fancy them, then just raise your unique number paddles and shout your bid. Ganoon lang po kadali ang gagawin natin. "
Tiningnan niya ang mga kasama. Anya was busy with her phone while Tristan was listening to the emcee. Si Arthur naman ay hindi mapalis ang nakakalokong ngiti sa labi.
"What's up with you, man? Your should see yourself, your grinning like a hyena," he said to Arthur.
May inihagis itong papel sa kanya. Agad naman niyang binasa ang nilalaman nito. It was the invitation for this event.
"So what about this?" he asked.
"Sofia was the one who gave that to me."
"The soon to be Crown Princess? Your betrothed?" sabat ni Tristan.
"Yep. It seems na may binabalak na naman ito. I'd like to see what that is."
It was very obvious that Arthur was already smitten with Sofia. But he couldn't care less.
Hindi na niya namalayan ang pagsisimula ang event. The first woman to walk on the stage was very stunning. According to the emcee, the woman was the captain of UP's cheering squad. He assessed her. She was definitely good-looking. But she did not interest him, at all. But apparently, that woman piqued the interest of Arthur. He posed a bid but eventually lost to a much a desperate man. Nagkibit balikat lang ito.
"You either win or lose. That's how life is. This time I lost," Arthur said.
"You spoke like father," Anya commented.
"But you could've win if you really persisted. Magkano lang ba yun," wika ni Tristan.
"I don't really care. I just wanted to test this paddle," balewala nitong sinabi.
Time flew so fast. Hindi na niya namalayan ang daloy ng programa. Next thing he knew, they were down to the final three candidates.
He could felt the anticipation of the audience. But unlike them, he did not feel excited at all. He just slouched on his chair and waited for this thing to be over with.
"Our next lady is the reigning Miss UP. She is also the daughter of the Earl of Synclair. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, Lady Natalya."
Natalya walked to the stage like a professional catwalk model. He knew that she was in her best element.
Nagbigay na ng hudyat ang emcee. An immediate bid was already made by someone in the audience. Few seconds later, nag-aagawan na ang mga ito kay Natalya. She just stared at their direction intensely. But he just ignored her. Just like any other woman tonight. Natalya didn't catch his interest.
"Going once. Going twice. Sold to number fifty eight with 400,000. As of now, that is the highest bid. Thank you Lady Natalya."
Nakataas ang kilay nitong tinitigan ang emcee. Without even giving out a smile, she walked out of the stage.
"Malapit na pong matapos ang gabi. So now, our second to last lady. She is indeed one of the most bankable bachelorette in town. A champion debater and a daughter of a nobleman, Lady Sofia York!"
He could see the amazement in the eyes of Arthur. Libang na libang ito habang pinapanood nitong lumakad patungo sa stage si Sofia.
"So this is what she's up to," Arthur said.
"Two hundred thousand for the Lady," sigaw ng isa bago pa man ibigay ng emcee ang hudyat.
"I guess the bidding has already started," komento ng emcee.
"Do I hear a two hundred thirty?"
"Three hundred thousand," someone from the back of the room shouted.
"Three hundred fifty!"
"Three hundred seventy!"
"One million!" nagulat ang lahat sa narinig. He looked at Arthur who cannot stop grinning.
"Come again Your Royal Highness?"
Tumayo ito. "One million for a date with my soon-to-be wife!"
Tumahimik ang buong paligid. Everybody was astonished to the new profound revelation. Napuno ang lugar ng nakakabinging katahimikan.
"No! Bawiin mo ang bid mo!" sigaw ni Sofia.
"No can do sweetie. Or should I refer you your soon to be title, Her Royal Highness."
Bumaling si Sofia sa emcee. "Please huwag mong tanggapin ang bid ng mayabang na yan."
Napasinghap ang lahat sa komento nito kay Arthur. Natawa naman silang magkakapatid. Indeed, his brother's fiancé is very different. He couldn't wait for her to enter the palace. He was pretty sure that she will wreak havoc there.
Hindi ito pinansin ng emcee,"One Million from His Royal Highness. Going once. Going twice. Sold!"
Sofia shouted in frustration as she walked out of the stage. Hindi pa rin maalis ang nakakalokong ngiti ng kapatid.
"Nice one bro! Mukhang poproblemahin din yan ng palasyo ah." he gave a high five.
"She's feisty. I like her already," Anya pointed out.
"And now, for the final lady of the night."
Sa wakas at matatapos na rin. Attending this event suddenly felt like a chore to him. He wanted to get this thing over with so that he could start looking for Steffanie.
Ngunit nanlaki ang kanyang mga mata nang biglang umakyat na sa stage ang huling babae. It seemed like it wouldn't be a problem finding Stefanie now. She was there, flesh and bones, all in her ethereal beauty.
"She was one of the scholars here in UP. A very promising painter and a beauty to behold. Let us all welcome, Miss Steffanie Smithson."
The emcee was right. She was definitely a sight to behold. Tonight, she was wearing a white dress that showed her creamy-white shoulders. Nakalugay rin ang blonde nitong buhok, complementing her icy blue eyes. She was timidly smiling at the crowd while quietly standing there.
"Bidding starts at five thousand. Do I hear a six?"
Lumingon siya sa kanyang paligid. He started to size-up the men all around him. They were ogling at her. It was very obvious. Something barbaric rose from his being. He didn't like other men's eyes feasting on Steffainie. Jealousy churned from inside him. Damn this Mongrels! He felt like a wolf guarding his territory, waiting to poach someone who dared to cross the line.
"Five thousand and one," a female voice said. It was Natalya.
"Five thousand and two," said by another one of Natalya's friends.
"Five thousand two and 50 cents," bumanghalit na ng tawa ang mga ito.
He got it now. They were trying to bully her. His fury began to stir. He gripped on his paddle. He never knew that he will be using this tonight.
He was about to raise his paddle when someone beat him to it, "Two hundred thousand."
To his shock, it was Tristan who dared to challenge him. His own brother.
He raised his paddle, "Five hundred thousand."
"Eight hundred thousand," Tristan bid again.
"One million for the best friend of my fiancée." Arthur now joined the bandwagon.
"Two million." He said as he gritted his teeth. Puno ng gulat ant pagtataka ang lahat sa mga nangyayari.
"Three million for the lovely painter." Tristan gave that Casanova grin of his. Right then and there, he knew how his serious his brother is.
"Five million!" Barya lang kanya ang halaga. He will not give his Steffanie to Tristan. Alam niya ang likaw ng bituka nito. They were cut of the same cloth. They were fathered by the same horn dog. Steffainie was his.
"Six million." It now turned into a duel. Napatayo na silang dalawa sa kanilang kinauupuan. Talagang hinahamon siya nito. If he had to fight his own brother, he definitely would. She could only belong to him.
He gritted his teeth. If he wanted a fight, he'll give him a fight. "Ten million."
He could hear the audience gasp for air. Tinitigan siya ni Tristan. Bumuntong hininga muna ito saka muling umupo.
"Ten million." Nakabawi na ang emcee.
"Going once... Going twice... Sold to His Highness Prince Gareth."
Relief flooded his being. Makakahinga na siya ng maluwag. He successfully defended his territory.
Tinitigan niya si Steffanie. She just stared blankly in the horizon but disbelief was written all over her face. Hindi na niya napigilan pa ang sarili. Agad niyang tinahak ang daan papuntang stage. He came to meet her as she walked down from it.
He reached for her hand. Agad naman itong nagpaubaya. Napakalambot ng kamay nito. Agad nitong dinala ang kamay sa mga mga labi. He gave a chaste kiss. Napakabango nito. Damn! He cursed himself as he felt his body reacted to her scent alone. He could feel his cock stir inside his pants.
Tiningnan siya ito sa mga mata. "Why?" Her voice was full of confusion.
He gave her a smile, "Because I simply can and I want you very much."