Extraordinaire 👑 (kja)

You See Me, I See You

"Meeting you was a nice accident."

********

"Lenard, what are you thinking? How many times do I need to remind you that it's extremely dangerous for you to leave the palace without the imperial guards?"

Inilayo nang bahagya ni Lenard ang cellphone sa tenga to spare his eardrum from his mother's nagging. He was driving his black Lamborghini back to Azucena. Nagkayayaan kase silang magkakaibigan na magkita-kita kanina dahil nagkataon na pareho silang nasa Pinas for a short vacation. He's been working tirelessly as the Crown Prince of Clemente, so he's taking a week off to rest.

Soothingly, he told his nagging mother, "I'm on my way back to Villa Grande, so relax, mom."

"It doesn't mean na nasa ibang bansa ka ay malayo kana sa panganib," she sounded so worried. "At ewan ko ba sa ama mo, nginitian lang ako nang sinabi ko tinakasan mo na naman ang mga gwardya mo,"

Lenard can't blame his mom. Since he was a child, hindi lang ilang beses may nagtangka sa kanyang buhay. Multiple abduction and assassination attempts were made on him as a child. Thankfully, the most advanced safeguards can be found in their castle. Hanggang sa napagod na siguro ang nais mag tangka sa buhay niya at tumigil na iyon years ago. Ngunit hindi sila puwedeng makampante.

He sighed.

Minsan naiisip niya na sana naging ordinaryong tao na lang siya. Being Lenard Alfonzo Zabini III of Clemente is no easy task. Hindi na nga siya magkamayaw sa mga gawain niya sa palasyo, dumagdag pa iyong mga babaeng habol nang habol sa kanya. Few things are more lethal than a combination of wealth, celebrity, and beauty.

Inis na napahugot ng hininga ang kanyang ina. "Are you listening, Lenard?"

He spoke softly to reassure her, "Mom, don't worry; I am keeping a very low profile, and I always make sure that nobody knows who I am,"

He heard his mom mutter something, and she sighed. "With that Zabini face, you knew that keeping a low profile is impossible," his mother said matter-of-factly. "You can just stand without doing anything, but still, you attract people. You knew it, Lenard."

Lenard rolled his eyes with a smile. He never seems to learn from his mistakes, and his mom is always correct.

The Zabinis rarely get the recognition they deserve. The full measure of the divine charm embedded in their lineage remains a mystery. Their magnetic allure is undeniable; just by standing still, he could effortlessly mesmerize women, to the point where some might even swoon or faint in response.

Naalala niya minsan nang bumisita sila sa isang unibersidad sa Clemente, may nginitian lang siyang grupo ng mga babaeng college students at isa sa kanila ang hinimatay sa sobrang kilig. Napilitan siyang kargahin ito papunta sa clinic ng school. But the poor student passed out again nang magmulat ito at makitang bitbit niya. Ladies will shout 'I love you, Prince Lenard!' at him whenever he is in public. Pag pumupunta siya sa mga lugar na walang may nakakakilala sa kanya ay may napapalingon pa rin. Especially if he was with his TBB friends, na ewan ba niya na pinagsama-sama sila ng tadhana. Their collective presence is more than enough to cause a stir. Akalain mong mga artista sila kung pagtilian ng mga tao. It's awkward and embarrassing sometimes.

He said, "Alright, alright," masking the mischief in his tone. "I'll let you know when I get back to the mansion. Calm down," he spoke softly to his mother, knowing she wouldn't be able to resist his request.

After a brief pause, his mother sighed and said, "You should."

"Okay. I'll be calling you soon, Mom, I love you,"

Napabuntong hininga ang mommy niya. "I loved you too, son. You stay safe, alright?"

"I will," he reassured her.