Tears Of Cinderella

Chapter 17 - The Royal Tragedy

Hindi pa rin maiwasang mag-alala ni Steffanie para kay Gareth. Kararating lang nila pabalik ng Camelot galing sa Cianwood. They had to cut their vacation short because of an emergency. Apparently, may hindi magandang nangyari sa kapatid nito, kay Prince Lancelot.

She could not forget how devastated and angry Gareth looked when the news arrived. Hindi naman niya ito masisi. If she were in his shoes, malamang ganoon din ang magiging reaction niya.

"I am sorry, sweetheart," he said as the chopper descent.

She firmly held his hand and smile at him.

"Don't be. It is not your fault. Maaari pa naman nating gawin ito some other time. As of now, your family needs you."

He gave her an understanding smile, as if thanking her for being considerate.

It was a swift landing, even Ash did not make a fuss out of it. Inalalayan siya nito pababa ng chopper.

"Ihahatid na muna kita sa inyo," he said.

"No need, Gareth. I can manage."

Gareth steeled his expression.

"Last time I let you go in your own, you were kidnapped. And I can't myself but to worry about you halos pareho din ang sirkumstansya noon. That time si Anya naman ang naaksidente."

Dumaan sa alaala niya ang mga naganap sa kanya noon. She was not that bitter anymore. She might not completely over it, but she'll get by. And besides, Gareth had already replaced those memories with a new one. It was something greater. It was something pleasurable. It was something beyond anything in this world. It was something that the man she loved did for her. And it was the only thing that mattered.

Ang hindi na lang niya alam ngayon ay kung paano patutunguhan si Natalya. What she did to her was bad, it was something that a normal person wouldn't do. But she planned to let it pass, to find forgiveness in her heart. Alam naman niya kung bakit nito nagawa iyon. It was because she was in love with the same man that she fell in love with. At wala siyang balak sabihin ito kay Gareth. Naaawa siya sa maaaring sapitin nito. Gareth could be merciless when provoked. And she did not want that to happen.

Pumayag na siya sa gusto ng binata. Total naman, it was only a thirty-minute ride from the hangar to her home. Clarence loaded her luggage to the car. It was him who took the wheel while Gareth sat beside her at the back.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I'm sorry. I have so many things in store for us," kitang-kita niya ang pagtatagis ng bagang nito. She knew that he was frustrated. Kilala na niya ang ugali nito. He was a self-made man and she knew that things like this infuriated him.

She touched his face and looked him in the eyes. She could see the shadow right behind his amber eyes. She could see the frustration and regrets. She could see his whole being.

"Thank you. For three days, I've lived a life completely different on my own. I've lived a life of luxury. I got to be a Countess. And most of all, I got to be with you."

He gave her a kiss, it was a passionate kiss. It was a kiss that mirrored their feelings for each other. He kissed her with gentleness, the usual urgency was gone. It was a kiss of assurance.

Hindi na niya namalayan ang pagdaloy ng oras. Next thing she knew, they were there in front of her condominium.

"I guess it's goodbye for now," she said as she flashed Gareth a smile.

He just nodded. "I'll call you, Steff."

"I'll wait for your call then."

Tinulungan siya nito at ni Clarence na ibaba ang mga gamit niya sa sasakyan. Ito rin ang nagbuhat sa kulungan ni Ash patungo sa kanyang condo. It was a sight to behold. She never expected this kind of thing from Gareth. Imagine how disturbing it looked, a royal prince of the Kingdom, an heir to the throne, carrying her luggage. This was certainly absurd. Pero ano pa ba ang kanyang magagawa? Gareth insisted in doing this for her. And that simple notion touched her heart once more.