It's Sunday! And Mrs. Valdez (Zed's mom) said today's my day off! But here's the catch guys… where am I supposed to go on my day off? I haven't even gone out to explore Manila! Honestly I'd love to explore but I'm used to fields and corner stores. I don't even know where to start in this city!
And another thing I don't want to stay at home! Why? Well... I'm sure the royal league of handsome guys will show up again! It's like I'm constantly surrounded by good-looking people and I don't even have a shield! It feels like they've made it a hobby to turn Princess Sophia into their entertainment whenever they're bored!
Every. Single. Time.
They're never absent gosh! They're always present! I'm like a circus clown they corner when they're bored. It's as if I've become their new Netflix series that they never miss an episode of.
It's like there's a Group Chat of this handsomes and the subject? "Let's Watch Sophia Today!" Ugh! So I'm going full stealth mode today. Princess Sophia needs a break!
I looked out the window. Its so amazing seeing everyday this huge skyscrapers from above where I am now... It's feels surreal. I thought all I can see was a lot of coconut trees and a lot of rice fields almost green everywhere.
Back to where I should thinking right now. I want this day to be productive. Sigh. Where's the best place to hide from those pretty guys, hmm? But the problem is I feel like no matter where I go these guys have built-in GPS tracking. They always know where I am! I feel like I need Harry Potter's invisibility cloak!
GPS! That's right gosh! My iPhone 12, my savior! Mrs. Valdez gave it to me! Fancy! It's not just any phone it has GPS! I feel like a detective now ready for my great escape! "Idiot." I laughed at myself.
And of course since Mrs. Valdez also gives me an allowance... thank you Zed's mom! I've been able to save up because Zed always pays for lunch and groceries. I don't really say that everything's covered to keep up the "independent woman" image. But honestly I've saved up quite a bit! So now I'm itching for an adventure!
"Okay I got this!" I proudly declared to myself feeling super confident like there's a theme song playing in the background.
I checked the GPS on my phone like a detective looking for clues on the map. "Where would be fun to go? BGC? MOA? Luneta?" Wait, those might be too mainstream. I want something thrilling something that feels like a bucket list adventure! So I'm all excited but wait… how am I going to tell Zed that I'm going out? Wait why should I tell them? I'm supposed to be hiding right?
I just have this feeling they're going to pop up again out of nowhere. I'll suddenly hear "Where are you going, Princess?" and there's Zed always on standby!
But this time adventure mode activated! Sophia is ready! Nothing's going to stop my plans for today. GPS check! iPhone check! Wallet check! And of course confidence level hundred percent!
I might even end up somewhere I don't know but whatever adventure is life! I feel like this is the perfect time to become the Filipino version of Dora the Explorer. Sophia the Adventurer! Just kidding! Haha!
I tiptoed out of my room super stealthy like I was on a secret mission. Stealth mode on so Zed and his posse wouldn't notice. I really thought this was going smoothly. Then as I reached the door…
"Hey!"
Boom! There's Zed waiting! It's like this guy is psychic!
"Where are you going?" he asked grinning like he already knew my plan.
"Uh… uh… ahh," I replied with a super awkward smile. So he caught me!
"It's your day off right? Where are you headed? Come on I'll take you somewhere!" he said all confident and cool while I just stood there frozen.
"I'm taking you to a place you'll definitely enjoy!"
Sophia the Adventurer zero percent drained. Sigh.
My explorer's willpower suddenly went low battery. It's like my brain's GPS signal dropped! What the h---?
"Oh really? Where's that?" I asked pretending to be excited but inside I was wishing for magic to disappear. My excitement to be Dora the Explorer was replaced with the feeling of being Zed's Tag-Along.
Oh no! He said it would be an adventure? If there's one thing I know it's that he's sure to have fun but me? I'm not sure if I'm ready for Zed's high-class surprise. But fine let's go with it! My explorer level suddenly dropped but fine this is an adventure… with Zed and maybe his entourage… the kings of handsome guys too!
Alright life. Princess Sophia's adventure today comes with a plot twist.
We got into the elevator heading down. Me? I'm clutching the handrail tight like hanging onto my dreams! Honestly I'm still not used to this elevator. "What is this? It's like a Star City ride!" It's taking forever to go down and I have this weird feeling like it's suddenly going to drop!
Zed laughed. "What's with you Sophia? You look like a potato scared out of your wits! Relax okay?"
"Geez Zed! Aren't you scared? This is like a rollercoaster with no seatbelt!" I replied my voice slightly shaky while my hand was still trembling on the rail. And him? He's just grinning like it's no big deal. "You better not laugh at me like that! Or I'll report you to your mom you won't get away with it!"
"Alright... alright..." half laughing, "but I promise it's safe. You're acting like it's your first time in an elevator."
"Well we don't have elevators back in the province! Stairs are my limit okay! At least with those I'm sure they won't fall!" I giggled even though I was still worried about the creaking sound I thought I heard behind me.
Finally we reached the ground floor and I let out a big sigh. "Thank you Lord! I survived another death-defying elevator ride!" I say it loud while Zed's laughing at me. I just ignore him. "So where are you taking me Zed? Disneyland? Or is it a haunted house huh?!"
"Come on Sophia. You'll enjoy it" he said with a smile that looked like he was up to something. Uh-oh what kind of adventure is this?
Oh my Sophia! What is this? I thought it was just me and Zed going out. But there, on the balcony looking like royal knights of Sophia waiting for the humble nanny...(That's me!) Stood the four handsomes king's.
I'm take a glimpse at my whole self. In faded jeans a pink t-shirt with spartan slippers! Right? Such a vibe! I felt like I suddenly turned into Cinderella pre-fairy godmother version.
Meanwhile them? They looked like they were pulled straight from a magazine cover! Red-Haired Guy Theo is like he just stepped out of a photoshoot his cute almond narrow-eyes practically poreless. This mysterious guy Mattias looks like a model for mood lighting with his Song Wei long serious vibe. And the bubbly one Enzo always cutely smiling every now and then waving to every girls looking at the. "Does he think his having his own mini concert?". The last guy on his long hair in ponytail, it's Sebastian.Ugh! My eyes hurting! How am I supposed to be with them? Looks like I came straight out of the market with my spartan slippers complete!
"Wow Sophia you're super prepared huh?" Sebastian teased. That guy is grinning while his friends are clearly holding back laughter.
Theo, He's lip-syncing to a song while staring at my slippers.
"You look so fresh, Sophia," said Enzo obviously mocking. "Maybe you'd like to model for our new ad—'Life of a Casual Princess.'"
"Geez... Enzo, Do I look like I'm selling fish balls here?!" I laughed but deep down I was suddenly feeling insecure. Come on Sophia chill! Princess Sophia is still here even if the fairy godmother hasn't swapped out the slippers!
I noticed that Matthias just cleared his throat and gave a slight smile. The kind of smile where you're unsure if he's happy or just laughing at you in his head. Oh my, I became even more awkward and conscious suddenly.
"Let's go!" Zed said as he opened the door to a fancy car. And here I am with the royal entourage of the kings of handsomeness. I just hope they won't turn my slippers into a fashion statement!
"We're going to Enchanted Kingdom!" Zed announced acting like it was no big deal to me but deep inside it was like mini fireworks had exploded in my head!
Enchanted Kingdom?! Chimay said it's beautiful there! It already looks amazing in pictures, what more if I see it in person?
Unlike in our province where at festivals yearly held the Ferris wheel feels like it's barely holding together from how old it is and the horror train? It's scarier thinking the train might break down than any ghost costumes inside! Haha!
Then... I feel my phone vibrate.
Lily texted looking for me. She knows it's my day off on Sundays and I miss her noisy energy.
Right, Lily! Why are you only messaging just now?! If you'd thought of me earlier I might've already escaped from this group!
I replied to Lily.
Me: "We're going to Enchanted Kingdom."
And boom, her response came fast almost scrolling off the screen.
Lily: "Whaaaat?! You're with Zed and the handsome squad?! OMG! Sophia, you lucky girl! Get me an autograph!"
I smiled while looking at Lily's text. I could imagine if it were her here she'd probably have brought a whole paparazzi crew to snap photos of these five handsome guys.
While I stood by the ultra-luxurious car Sebastian suddenly cleared his throat. "Sophia daydreaming again?" he grinned. Oh no! I didn't realize they'd been waiting for me to get in.
We finally got in the car. Theo turned on the music and then Enzo started teasing me.
"Sophia are you ready for the rides? Or are you 'too cute' for roller coasters?" He winked. All four of them laughed especially Mattias who though quiet just shook his head with a smile.
"You guys are too much!" I shot back. "Do you think I'm not brave? Ferris wheels back home practically tear me apart with fear, you think I can't handle this?" They all burst out laughing once again, I'm the star of their teasing!
Well, here goes the adventure of my life. So... Sophia the Adventurer is off to Enchanted Kingdom!
The moment we arrived at Enchanted Kingdom, who was already waiting for us? Lily! She was standing there, hands on her hips, looking like she'd turned into our tour guide. "Surprise!" she shouted, waving like I was walking down a red carpet.
"Lily, what are you doing here?!" I asked, surprised. She said she was bored at her condo and thought she'd "entertain" herself. Entertain herself? Her condo practically has its own theme park!
"Of course, I didn't want to miss out on this trip with the handsome squad!" she exclaimed, staring at the five guys with eyes that practically sparkled. She looked at them like she was at a K-pop concert!
Then, as if he wasn't satisfied, Theo made a finger heart at Lily, who nearly screamed with giddiness. "Hi, Lily! Nice to see you here!" he said, like he was practicing for a K-drama leading man role.
"Nice to see you too!" Lily replied, practically transforming into a heart-eyes emoji. Oh my gosh, now I feel like the third wheel. Am I supposed to be Princess Sophia or just a sidekick here? But, hey, I'm not backing down!
We walked into Enchanted Kingdom, and Lily was practically narrating every ride like a true tour guide. "This is the Space Shuttle, Sophia! Let's try it! Promise, you can handle it!" Excuse me, Lily, do you think I'm ready to fly up there? I'd pass out before I even get on the Space Shuttle!
I told her, "Lily, okay, I'll count..." then glanced at the four handsome guys and Zed, "...how many people are willing to risk their lives for that ride!" They all burst out laughing.
Sophia the adventurer, now equipped with tour guide Lily and a squad of royal hunks, is ready for the wild rides...well, sort of!
Why are people staring at us? I feel like we're a reality show cast at Enchanted Kingdom. I just came here to have fun, but why do I feel like Cinderella who wandered into a ball—without the ball gown, just flip-flops!
So, I decided to walk slower, like I was in the background of a movie. Lily, even with her noisy, hyper energy, has flawless skin and an outfit that beats any commercial model! She only needed lip gloss as she ran toward the Space Shuttle.
And the five princes? Wow! Their handsomeness is over the top, like they have their own spotlight even under the sun. Zed with his effortless swagger; Theo, who looks like he's always in a shampoo commercial; Mattias, Mr. Mysterious, who barely speaks but has an intense presence; Sebastian, the chinito heartthrob; and of course, Enzo, who's practically a living meme.
Me? Well, I'm the ragged Cinderella, without any magical transformation—just flip-flops and faded jeans. I feel out of place, like I'm the wrong character in this royal family magazine shoot.
But here comes Lily with her energy again: "Sophia! Hurry up! You'll miss the rides!" And here I am, running like I'm about to tap a prince on the shoulder. Let's just say I'm representing the Probinsyanas Inc. with this royal group.
But hey, I've got this, Sophia. Let's just say I'm their secret weapon. Isn't every fairy tale better with an unexpected heroine?
Oh boy! We got on the rides! What did I get myself into? I thought I could handle it! But when I looked at the Space Shuttle, I could practically feel my soul packing up, ready to fly off!
I was terrified! Certified over-thinker here. What if this harness breaks? What if we flip too much and end up looping endlessly? Over-analyzing level 9999!
But...I convinced myself I had a strong stomach. Sophia the Brave! The Adventurer! But honestly, I felt more like Sophia the Nervous Wreck right now.