Happy Ever After

A year later...

Yumie was on the phone while pulling their luggage palabas ng arrival area.

"Yeah, we just landed. Nasan ka ba?" She asked sa kausap from the other line. Lumingon siya sa likod and checked on her mom na nakaupo sa wheelchair habang tulak-tulak ni Nana Felicia. "Where?" balik tanong ni Yumie saka nilinga ang paligid ng airport. And then she saw what she's looking for.

Zeek waived at them nang mamataan siya nito. He has his phone in his ears. He turned it off nang makita na siya ni Yumie. Halos patakbong sinalubong niya si Yumie at Rumina. He rushed towards her girlfriend and throw her a hug. Bahagyang nagulat pa si Yumie sa tila excited na batang akto ng nobyo.

"Ayan ka na naman sa pagka-showy mo! Obvious na patay na patay ka sakin," biro niya.

"I missed you lang, hindi ba pwede?" Lambing pa ni Zeek.

"Miss agad? 2days lang tayong naghiwalay!"

They were with him in China for a year para sa operasyon ng mata ni Mina. Pauwi-uwi lang ito sa bansa kung kinakailangan. But mostly he stayed with them kasama si Ismael.

The father and son just need to come back 2 days earlier before them for an important business agenda. Her mom just had her clearance from the doctor kaya hindi agad sila nakasama pabalik.

"Zeekcarias, you're so possesive. Please remember that Yumie is still my daughter kahit pa ikasal kayo," turan ni Mina na nakalapit na sa kanilang dalawa.

Ngumiti si Zeek. Bumitiw sa nobya saka lumapit sa ina ng nobya. Paupong hinarap nito ang ginang na nasa wheel chair.

"How do you feel, Ma?" tanong ni Zeek kay Rumina. He now calls her Mommy since alam na nitong anak nito ang nobya niya.

Rumina smiled sincerely. "A lot happier..."

"Didn't you get jetlag?"

"I think I do. But it's just 4hours flight. Mas mahaba pa ang byahe from here to Sejanos."

"I hope you can still cope up flying. Mag-chopper na lang tayo papunta ng Sejanos," turan ni Zeek.

"Oh no, we can't yet. We still have to stay here sa Manila for a week. Mom still had to do some few more test before we can be totally come back sa Sejanos. It would be a hustle kung pabalik-balik pa," komento ni Yumie.

The operation had been successful 4months ago. Rumina could see again. But they still have to stay in China to make sure that no complications may happen. As they returned back in the country, they still have to do some final test before she can be totally cleared for recovery.

Ngumiwi si Mina. "I would really love to go back to Sejanos already. Ikaw lang ang may ayaw. I'm fine. I don't need another test."

"Ma, we talked about this. We have to make sure you're fully good to go," apila ni Yumie sa ina.

"I hate staying in Zeek's condo. It's small," reklamo pa rin ni Mina.

"It's a bachelors pad, Ma," sabad ni Zeek.

"You're no longer a bachelor. Why don't you sell it?" turan pa ni Mina.

Nilingon ni Zeek ang nobya. Tila nanghihingi ng tulong sa kaniya. Ngunit kinampihan ni Yumie ang ina. She gave Zeek a look that says, 'yeah, why not sell it?'

Matagal nang nirereklamo ni Yumie ang condo ni Zeek. To her, it reminds her of Zeek's playboy era. Kahit ilang beses na ipinilit ni Zeek na walang ibang babaeng nakatapak or nakahiga sa kama niya bukod siya, Yumie won't believe it. She wants it disposed.

"Ah so naghanap ka talaga ng kakampi?" ani Zeek sa nobya. Inirapan lang siya ni Yumie. Ibinaling ni Zeek ang tingin ulit kay Mina. "Ganito na lang, we will ask the doctor to visit Sejanos instead para makauwi na si Mama," suggestion ni Zeek.

"That's a good idea! I want that, hija," tila iyon utos kay Yumie.

Napatanga si Yumie. She rolled her eyes. "Napakaspoil mo kay Zeekcarias. Ang kulit mo!"

Gayunpaman, wala siyang nagawa. They headed straight to Sejanos. It's just a 30minutes chopper ride and they arrived at almost noon.

Sa haba ng byahe, dumiretso si Mina sa silid upang makapagpahinga. They decided to eat lunch kapag tapos makpagpahinga.

Gusto din sanang magpahinga ni Yumie, but Zeek insisted on staying with her. They decided to walk around the Hacienda instead. She was telling Zeek about her childhood and the Hacienda Dela Torre.

"When I am younger, I love hanging out with the horses. They are my friends. I don't really have a lot of friends growing up. Probably because I am a Dela Torre. Walang gustong makipagkaibigan sakin. They find me intimidating," ani Yumie.

"Yeah, you have this resting bitch face na hindi friendly ang aura," sang-ayon ni Zeek.

Nahampas niya ito sa braso. But aminado siya sa part na hindi talaga siya friendly sa iba.

"Sadyang protective lang talaga sakin si Daddy. That's why I was never allowed outside the Hacienda. Prinsesa ako, remember?"

Natatawang iniakbay ni Zeek ang braso sa balikat niya and pulled her closer.

"I know," he said as he gave her a kiss on her head. "But it's fun to have friends."

"Huh?! Says by the man who never had good friends either," sarcastic niyang turan.

"Siguro destiny talaga tayo. Imagine, our father's our rival. But we end up together. The stars have written na maging babae ka so I can fall inlove with you. We are bound to end the long history of rival clans," turan ni Zeek.

Bahagyang ngumiwi si Yumie. "Not so much. I think it was our fathers who end it. They are somewhat lowkey best friends. It was just too late for them to realize it."

Napatango-tango si Zeek. "You're right!"

"Hmmm... I could never thank Daddy Ismael enough for what he had done to us. Imagine, I hated him so much but he was actually a good man."

"Same here. He may be late in my life but I am still happy he never totally gave up on me. But I still feel jealous in your childhood. Imagine, I was hopeless growing up, trying to be better when you are experincing this wonderful nature. It took me 17 years, to know that I am a prince of an empire."

"You needed it. To keep you humble. Masyado kang mayabang. You need to experience it so you can be tamed," Yumie said.

"Ah ganun?!" Zeek raised an eyebrow.

Yumie gave him a grinning smile. "You remember the first day I met you. You gave me authoritative stares and you kept bullying me as if matatakot ako sayo. I have different thoughts at that time. I hated the Callejos. No Callejos can scare me."

"I figured that out on the restaurant test. I had to admit, you did gave me a very memorable first impression. And now that we're getting married, hayyy. Maghahanap na naman ng bagong sekretarya si Mrs. Ersao."

"No way!" apila pa din ni Yumie.

Zeek gave her a surprised look. "Will you still work as my assistant?"

Humarap si Yumie sa nobyo. Inangkla ang dalawang braso sa leeg ng nobyo at naglambitin roon.

"Mr. Callejos, hindi ka pwedeng magkaron ng bagong EA. I will keep an eye on you. I talked to Mrs. Ersao, she will hire another one just to assist me. But I will still be your 1st assistant."

Zeek smile widen. He grabbed Yumie's face and gave a long smack on her lips. "The office of the VP will be more intimidating than ever."

"Oh and by the way, it will be Office of the President now. Daddy Ismael will be retiring," turan ni Yumie.

"What?!" Nawala ang ngiti ni Zeek.

"He will announce on the Anniversary Ball. But I think I have to give you a heads up," ani Yumie.

"Oh no!" Zeek was in panic. "Babe, being the VP is already too much work. Presidente pa kaya?"

"You're the only heir of the empire. I believe you have no choice," ani Yumie na bahagyang napapangiti.

Parang batang yumukyok si Zeek sa balikat niya. He was devastated on the idea. Tinapik-tapik ni Yumie ang balikat ng nobyo na tila inaalo ito.

"Kawawa naman ang baby, dadami ang responsibilidad. Pero wala kang choice, unless merong another heir na susulpot at aangkin ng responsibilidad para sayo," turan ni Yumie as she jokingly comfort Zeek.

Biglang napaangat si Zeek mula sa pagkayukyok ang faced her.

"I think I have a better idea," he said. His eyes was now sparkling. Nilapitan nito ang kabayong si Bright at nilabas sa stable. "Bright, we have to get to the mansion as fast as you can," anito sa kabayo.

Nagugulumihanang napasunod si Yumie as Zeek pulled her para isakay sa kabayo.

"Bakit ba? Anong meron sa mansyon?"

Sumampa muna si Zeek kay Bright before he answered Yumie's question.

"I don't know anyone who can be an heir and share my responsibilities unless gagawa ako ng sarili ko. So we will make one," ani Zeek.

"Zeekcarias!"

"Ha! Bright let's ran fast!" Zeek just maneuvered the horse to ran fast pabalik ng mansyon.