Running Away From Downfall

Chapter 37

CHAPTER 37

Today is the day we have to go back to the Philippines. We are currently at the door of the palace. It's half past 8 in the evening.

"Are you sure you don't want to take the private plane, Cassandra?" dad asked.

I shook my head.

"No need, dad. We can take a public flight."

Dad didn't have a choice but to just nod. We already introduced my heiress to Chaiovia, three days ago.

That went okay, I guess.

Flashback

I formally walked to the podium where the microphone was at. Dad already made an announcement earlier about this. I cleared my throat. I stood before my people. They gasped when I bowed my head at them.

"Today, I stand before you to introduce an heiress of my blood."

I glanced at Eli who stood up from her seat and walked towards the middle of the platform. She was wearing an off-shoulder light pink dress with flower embroideries, which is a darker shade of pink. She also had a blue-green cloak on, and her hood was on so the people can't see her face.

"This young princess is my daughter, Princess Lea Grande."

A tear almost fell from my eye when they bowed to her. They then looked at me, they looked confused.

"I understand the confusion on why we are hiding her face from you. It is for the princess' protection."

I lowered my head while I spoke.

"Forgive me, people of Chaiovia, for I have not fulfilled my duty as a role model and your crown princess."

"I would wholeheartedly relinquish my title and place as your crown princess, if that is my people's wish."

There was silence, but I remained my head down. It took minutes before I heard their voices.

"Raise your head, dear crown princess."

Someone from the crowd yelled, so I did.

"A royal of Chaiovia should always keep their heads high," he said with a smile.

Tears started flowing from my eyes. This is exactly why I love my country. The people itself are kind and understanding.

"Mom?" I heard my daughter call me.

I looked at her and she was looking at me. She slowly took off her hood, it showed the tiara she wore on her 8th birthday. I watched her as she walked towards me and hugged me. I looked at everyone who stared at her in awe. I guess I can never hide her. Today is the day she is meant to be seen. 

After a few minutes, she separated herself from hugging me. She faced the people and flashed a sweet smile before lightly bowing. People clapped for her. She walked towards the podium behind me. The servants placed a step for her to stand on. I helped her step on it. She cleared her throat, the same way I did.

"Greetings, people of Chaiovia." She flashed a sweet smile. "I'm Princess Lea Grande. And I want to take this opportunity to apologize about the scene I made three days ago. I'm sorry for that."

END OF FLASHBACK

That became unexpected. Their warm welcome for my daughter was heart touching.

We exchanged good byes with my family. Mom's eyes are watering. I walked up to her and gave her a tight comforting hug.

"We'll be back, mom. I promise."

I felt her nodding before squeezing me tighter.

"It has been years since I last saw you, princess. A week isn't enough."

I closed my eyes. How long has it been since I was forced to leave? I was 20 years old that time. And I was 21 when Eli was born. It's been almost a decade since I left. Since then, I cut my communication with them, not even a single thread.

"Come on, babe. We have to go."

I came back to the present. I drowned in my mother's touch. Her touch is one of the things I have longed for almost a decade. I smiled and bade goodbye once more.

"Let's go, love," I called Eli.

-----------

It has been 2 weeks since we arrived. Eli went back to school. Everything went normal until today. It started with the usual morning routine. We had breakfast, Zavie went to his company, I drove Eli to school, I went home and did some work on my laptop.

Just as I was about to change into another set of clothes to pick up my daughter, Bryan called. At first, I told myself to calm down. Bryan only calls when something happened, either good or bad. I answered the call immediately after the first ring.

"Bryan," I could hear fear in my own voice.

"Princess, he got Eli," his news made my heart drop. It made me freeze. "We're chasing their car but we're outnumbered. 4 of us were already blocked by them, and there is no doubt they'll block ours before they arrive at their destination."

"I'll be there," that's all I could say.

As soon as I dropped the call, I dialed Zavie's number. He answered in 2 seconds.

"Ba-"

"He got Eli! Zav, I'm scared. Bryan and the other guards are outnumbered. He's gone mad, Zav."

"Calm down, babe. I'll be there in 5 minutes. Hannah, I have an emergency," I heard him say. "Stay on the phone, babe. Calm down."

It took less than 5 minutes before I heard a honk. I ran out holding phone and sat on the shotgun seat. I gave my phone to Zav.

"That's her necklace's tracker."

He followed the GPS of the location. We saw some cars from our guards along the way. Some were empty. Hindi ako mapakali buong magdamag. The moment the car stopped in front of a gate with a mansion inside, I got out.

"Adrian! Give me back my daughter!" I shouted.

Nobody came out to meet us but I know they were there.

"Adrian!"

Nothing.

"Open the gates, Bryan. I don't care if you destroy it just open it."

A guard climbed the gate, it wasn't that high. He jumped and opened it from the other side. That's when some men in suits started coming out with their guns pointed at us. The guards surrounded me and Zav.

"Adrian! I said give me back my daughter!" I shouted once more.

"Our boss said if you will not shut up and leave, he'll hurt the child," one of the men in black said.

My face lost color. Alam kong kaya niyang gawin 'yun. A tear fell from my eyes, my knees went weak, Zav caught me. I am so damn mad and scared.

"Eli love!" I called my daughter instead. "I know you can hear me! We'll come back and get you I promise! Until then, fight, my love! I know you can!"

We had no choice but to leave.