Blood Wine

CHAPTER 8

( #Mariposa)

 

Let’s move far into the near end of my journal dear reader to take a quick glimpse into some future scenes in this story.

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The room's sound system is playing Def Leppards' "Have you Ever Needed Someone So Bad".

Victor has been staring at the contract on Ma’Heron’s executive desk for more than half an hour now, not going beyond page two and he probably never will. He didn’t have the heart to read any further since he realized that he was part of the reason Ma’Heron signed this damned document. The author of this contract was truly selfish, shrewed and heartless and to be tied to this person for the specified timeframe was…

“What a way to start the day. I should have put that in the safe. Sorry Victor.”

A mug filled with Rahu’s signature organic coffee – Victor’s favorite joe which he has missed so much – was placed with care beside the larger man’s elbow. Ma’Heron, dressed in nothing but a long, silken bathrobe, already had a cup of coffee himself and was looking down at Victor, who started a little. The gentle giant was so engrossed with his thoughts, he didn’t feel the young monarch approaching him.

“I would have asked it from you anyway Ma'Heron. I’m sorry I can’t read it any further. The woman’s a bitch.”

Victor looks up from the executive seat, which is now in full recline to ease his sudden migraine. He views the king's answer in his handsome face – Ma'Heron had a small smile but his eyes were lined with sadness and melancholy. And somehow, with resolve too.

“So you really are going to push through with it?”

His majesty’s smile disappears and his brow furrows, “But you said last night…”

“That was before I read THAT!” replied Victor pointing at the contract as if it was a bomb ready to explode.

Ma’Heron fell silent. So did Victor. They both knew why the boy had to do this. And why he had to go through with it. The realization hurt them both but Victor had to ask it anyway just for that reason alone…

“You’re really going to push through with this… because of me?”

The Datu just nods, but you can see his eyes filling up. He looks up to stem the tears and swallows hard.

“I… I needed to find you…. I…”

The distressed lad gets pulled into a long, wordless and very firm embrace. 

==

Hayyy, kinikilig ako! 

Sorry for cutting the moment off but this is still something you, the reader, will be reading in the future. But for those who are part of the story, this is already in the past for us. Is it confusing? Well, don’t worry your heads about it beloved followers. Let’s just go back to the timeline where we originally left off. 

I’ll be repeating this little stunt every now and then to make things interesting and to keep you all salivating. Hmmmmm…

Later my dears! Meanwhile, please get back to Datu Ma’Heron and his newly appointed Personal Attendant right after their very tempestuous first night’s introduction…

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( #Ma’Heron)

They have not spoken since one of the royal physicians arrived to fix his hand. They haven’t spoken even when everyone (additional medics, Mariposa and the dining staff) has left his chambers. And they aren't speaking now even as they were eating an early brunch all by their lonesome.