Regrets had been Gareth's best friend for five years now. Hindi niya maiwasang manlumo sa tuwing naiisip ang mga pangyayari ng nakaraan. They were a ghost and a stigma in his existence. It kept haunting him day after day. His conscience was killing him. He was indeed a rotten man; both from the inside and from the outside.
Pinikit niya ang kanyang mga mata. He saw an image of Arthur, his brother was suffering for the things that he did not do. He had the chance to help him, to make things right. But he chose to remain quiet for those people who only knew of power. Nagbulagbulagan siya sa katotohanan.
If only he had spoken that day, Arthur would not be incarcerated. He would still be Crown Prince and he would probably be happily living inside the Arondight palace kasama ang pamilya nito. But he didn't do anything.
Nanakit bigla ang sentido niya.
This was the reason why he chose Asphodel. Milya-milya ang layo nito sa Camelot. It's the coldest place in the whole kingdom. Gusto niyang takasan ang lahat. He wanted to appease his conscience. He wanted to tell his mind that the end justified the means. Buong kapatid pa rin niya si Lancelot at ang kanyang ina pa rin ang nagluwal sa kanya sa mundo. Ngunit kahit saan siya magpunta, inuusig pa rin siya ng kanyang konsensya.
Muli niyang tinungga ang hawak na baso ng alak. The whisky immediately burned inside his throat.
And now, another ghost had come to haunt him. After five years, Steffanie had found her way back in his life. But the thing was, he didn't expect the overwhelming emotions he felt when he finally saw her again.
She had changed a lot. Gone was the shy and indifferent woman. Now, she walked with full grace and confidence. Mas nagkaroon ito ng kumpiyansa sa sarili. She was a proud woman now. Bakit nga naman ba hindi? Isa na itong modelo. And just any model, Steff was the Kingdom's highest paid supermodel.
She had come a long way from the timid girl that he knew. At alam niya kung paano natamo nito ang kasalukuyang estado. Modeling was synonymous to prostitution. Most of the top models he knew had whored themselves for money ang fame. They were a class A tramp, a dangerous vamp who was all too willing to spread their legs just for cash, favour and prestige. He knew it personally because he bedded most of those girls in the past.
At ang isa pa, hindi ito nag-atubiling tanggapin ang perang binigay niya rito. Perang kapalit ng pagtatalik nila. This cemented everything that he thought of her.
But still, his mind was bogged with the spots of dry blood on his sheets. She felt virgin-tight. Could it be that she hadn't had sex for a long time? But that was absurd and impossible. Palihim niyang sinusubaybayan ang galaw nito. He read tabloids and watched television shows para makibalita sa nangyayari sa buhay nito. And he knew that she was still meeting up with the Duke of Sutherland. Minsan pa nga ay kasama ng mga ito ang anak na babae. At anong ginagawa nila pag nakikita ang mga ito? Nagtitigan? Cut him some slack. He knew how a man's libido worked. He was not born yesterday. But still, how come that she felt so tight when he had her?
Fuck! Medically speaking, there was only one acceptable explanation. But his mind refused to believe any of it because it well shake-up everything that he believed about her.
May isang pait na gumapang sa kanyang puso nang maaalala ang nakitang larawan ng mga ito sa internet.
He felt jealous. Siya dapat ang kasama ng mga nito. Kung hindi lang ito nagtraydor sa kanya. Kung hindi lang siya pinagpalit ni Steff. Sigurado siyang isa na silang masayang pamilya ngayon.
He refilled the whisky in his glass.
Steff... Why, sweetheart? Why? He said to himself as he intoxicating effect of the alcohol enveloped him.
His train of thoughts were interrupted by a knock on his door.
"Kamahalan, the Imperial Consort Guinevere is requesting your audience," his secretary said.
Great! Just great! His mother had the perfect timing. Kung kalian naman siya inuusig ng kanyang konsensya doon naman ito magpapakita.
"Let her in."
He composed himself. Then after half a minute, the reason of his pain and self-punishment came in to his view.
Umupo ito sa isang settee sa kanyang opisina.
"You're office looked good," wika nito habang nililibot ang tingin sa buong paligid.
"Cut the chase, why are you here?" tanong niya. His tone of voice was cold as the icicles in Asphodel. He want to make sure that she will feel unwanted.
"Why are you like that, Prince Gareth? Masama bang bisitahin ng kanyang ina ang kanyang anak? I haven't seen you for so long now."
He could feel now the effects of the alcohol. Just the sound of her voice made his blood boil. Anak? Kailan pa ba nagging anak ang turing nito sa kanya. For her he was just a tool in her selfish ambition. Nahilot niya ang sentido nang bigla itong kumirot.
"Well, I am here to know what the people of Asphodel were like. As a future Queen Dowager, gusto ko namang tumulong sa kapatid mo pagpapatakbo ng kahiraan. I want to help people by being the best matriarch."
He remained quiet. He was nauseated by his mom's words. Somehow, he struggled to find the truth in her words.
"Oh, c'mon Gareth. Are you still mad at me about that? It had been five years already. And you see the fruit of everything?"
Tiningnan niya ito nang masama.
"You should be grateful. Kung hindi dahil doon, you would be the third prince. Hindi mararanasan ang mga ganitong prebilehiyo."
He balled his fist. He was wearing his anger like a second skin now.
"Privilege? Do you think I chose to be in this place? I am here because I do not have any choice! I didn't want to see any of you."
Waring nagulat ito sa outburst niya. His mother wore a different expression right now.
"Still sulking, huh. This was the reason why I chose Lancelot. You are too fainthearted. Mahina ang kalooban mo."
He gave her a wry smile. "You chose Lancelot dahil pareho kayo ng tabas ng pagkatao. You are both hungry for power. And sorry for not living up to your expectations, because unlike you, I still have my conscience intact with me. At ngayon, ako pa rin pumapasan sa mga pinaggawa niyo."
"Oh, I am so sorry if that's what you felt. But we are now reaping what we have sown. It is our time to shine. At kung hindi ka masaya para sa amin, then stay hidden in this god forsaken place. Wala ka na rin namang magagawa."
He looked at her with anger and pity. Ito ba ang kanyang ina? This person was not even a human being. She was nothing but a monster. Sinong matinong ina ang isasangkalan ang kaligtasan ng anak para lamang sa ambisyon nito? She had him battered to death five years ago. Nilason naman nito si Anya.
Tumayo ito sa kinauupuan. She paced back and forth.
"Kahit na magsumbong ka pa. There was no evidence that may point everything to us. Malinis naming trinabaho iyon para mapunta ang lahat ng sisi kay Arthur. And you knew that for five years now. Ibig sabihin, isa ka na ring accessory sa ginawa naming. So be my guest, magsumbong ka. At nang sabay-sabay tayong mabulok sa kulungan. It's now us vs. that insolent prince in the jail."
He slammed his wooden table with his fist.
"Get out!"
Hindi nito nagustuhan ang inasal niya.
"How dare you shout at me!"
Napatayo na siya sa kinauupuan.
"Get out of my office! This is a royal decree from the Third Prince of the kingdom."
"You cannot do this to me!"
"You are just a concubine. I am the third successor in the throne. Mas mataas ang antas ko sa iyo. So get out! Or do you want me to call my chevalier?"
She looked at him with contempt. "You'll regret this day, son."
Agad naman itong lumabas sa kanyang opisina.
Nasapo niya ang ulo. What his mom said was true. Duwag siya. He was an incompetent fool for choosing them five years ago.
"At least this time sa restaurant naman ang date natin," Tristan amusingly said to her as his eyes travel all over the place.
They were at the restaurant sa isang hotel kung saan sila naka-check in ng anak. Dito na kasi sila dumiretso galing sa airport kanina. Nagpaalam na lamang siya sa kanyang ama at kapatid na mamasyal na lang muna sila ni Kylie sa Camelot.
"So, what do you want to talk about?" tanong nito. Tristan was wearing a cap and an aviator sunglass. Marahil ay nagdidisguise na naman ito.
Huminga siya malalim. "I want us to talk about Kylie."
"Ah... So you want to talk about my niece?"
Parang may nagpanting sa kanyang tenga nang marinig ito.
"C'mon Steff. Don't try to deny this. Kitang-kita ko na ang ebidensya." Sinabi nito habang sumusubo ng steak.
Hindi pa rin niya alam ang sasabihin sa binata. She was speechless. May parang bara sa kanyang lalamunan. She was not prepared for this. Anong gagawin nito sa kanyang anak? Would the palace take her daughter away from her? No! hindi siya makakapayag. Kylie was her life. She was the only person in this world that she valued the most. Everything that she worked for was for her future. She would give everything for her daughter – including her life. Hindi siya makapapayag na may makapaghiwalay sa kanila.
"Hey! Chill out, Angel! You look like you're going to faint any moment."
She looked at Tristan. His smiling face looked very laid back and relaxed. He was teasing her. It's very obvious.
Hinawakan nito ang kanyang kamay. He looked her in the eyes.
"Don't worry. I will not do anything. Trust me on this."
He looked very handsome with his sheepish smile and his auburn hair.
Bumuntong hininga siya. She still cannot help herself but to worry. For about five years. Only few people knew of Kylie's identity; Valerie, Sofia, Michael Angelo and Gareth himself. And now, Tristan knew of her too. Ano na kaya ang mangyayari sa kanila?
"She looked beautiful, angel. Just like you." She sensed his sincerity.
"Tristan... Your highness... Please don't tell this to anyone. Nakikiusap ako sa 'yo." Finally, she was able to summon her voice.
"Angel. Shhh... Again, ako ang bahala sa 'yo. Kailan pa ba kita binigo?"
Tumango-tango na lang siya.
"Does he know about this?" tanong nito.
"He knows, I told him during the night we broke up."
Muli na naman niyang naalala ang mga pangyayaring pilit na niyang kinalilimutan. She just stared at the food in front of her. She didn't want Tristan to see her that way. So vulnerable. So weak. So sad.
Isang luha ang sumungaw sa kanyang mga mata. Papahirin n asana niya ito nang maunahan siya ni Tristan. His finger softly caressed her face.
"I hate to see women cry. It breaks my heart, angel."
Tinitigan lang niya ito.
"Can you smile for me? Mahirap na, baka may mga paparazzi dito. Ano na lang ang sasabihin ng mga tao, that I am a heartbreaker? So cheer up. Mas gaganda ka."
Her mood suddenly lightened because of what he said. Kahit na alam niyang puno lang ito ng pambobola. She still managed to smile for Tristan.
"That's better. Always smile, Angel. For me, it's the most beautiful curve in a woman's body. So every time we are together, never forget to smile."
She was genuinely touched by this. "Thank you, Tristan."
"You know what, we can actually be best friends."
"But I already had Sofia. She's my best friend."
Bumalik na naman si Tristan sa pangungulit nito. "Sofia is your girl best friend. And I can be your guy best friend who cares for you a lot – in a very friendly way, that is." Kinindatan siya nito.
She eyed Tristan suspiciously. "Where are we going with this, Tristan?" Tanong niya.
"Well... I just thought you want someone to talk to. Alam kong busy ngayon si Sofia sa anak rin nito. So, if ever you want a best friend, tawagan mo lang ako. I'll be your shoulder to cry on. I'll listen to your every problem. I am all ears for you, Angel."
Muntik na talaga siyang matawa. He looked very serious.
"Seriously?" she asked.
"Seriously."
"Thank you, Tristan I really appreciate it." Talking to him was indeed the right thing to do. Kung kanina'y nag-aalala siya dahil nalaman na nito ang totoo, ngayon, she felt suddenly happy that Tristan already knew. She felt refreshed. At least ngayon may mapagsasabihan na siya ng mga bagay-bagay na bumabagabag sa kanya. And she knew also that she could trust him.
"Salamat, Tristan."
"I do have one request though."
Tumingin siya dito.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Can I take you both in a date tomorrow? Me, you and Kyle at the amusement park?"
Isang ngiti ang sinagot niya dito. "Sure."
"I'll pick you up here tomorrow?"
She nodded to him.
She was really happy. Tristan had been nothing but good to her. So with an open heart, she welcomed Tristan as her new best friend.