4 Mixed Feelings and Love

I can’t believe he did that. Maria said to herself while lying on the bed, trying to remember the kiss Louis gave her. This is more complicated than I thought. Ringggg!, Maria’s cell phone rang, Hello! Mom, Hi!, yes, I’m good, you?, Okay, what? Oh, alright! Hang on, I’ll check my schedule!, See you then! Love you! Maria said hanging up the phone. I decided to look outside her window then opened the terrace doors, smelling the fresh air, a little damp and cold tonight, she thought.

The paintings on the castle were of angels and the men, women of old. Though it’s not new to me, I know there’s more to these art than meets the eye. Mom is really persistent on visiting me here. I wonder what pushed her to come here anyway. Hmm! maybe she’s already missing me. Anyway, Louis or Leo or whatever his name is, is very mysterious. I know he was the boy who I played with when I was still a child. But how things changed. He seems very distant and weird. I don’t know if it’s just me or I feel he despises me. And yet when he kissed me, he was warm and… I think he loves me. Aaaahhh…stop it Maria, you and your imagination. I need to get ready for mom’s going to kill me if I pick her late tomorrow.

At the airport while waiting for Victoria, Maria’s mom, she is seen talking with Sheena at the moment, while Paolo, Mike, Nica and Joms are doing their own responsibilities. Nica and Mike are finishing the ball room, Paolo and Joms are renovating Louis’ room since I refused to have anything to do with him after he kissed me that night, hmm!!! and Sheena is the one managing everything while I am away and here for my mom. Okay! Right, see yah later, girl. Thanks Shee. Mom, mom!!! Here, I shouted at Victoria while she tried to look for someone to pick her up. Victoria ran towards me so excited to see me after two years of not seeing each other because of my work.

How are you doin, honey? Victoria asked while kissing Maria on both cheeks and hugging her so tight as if her daughter can’t breathe any more. Ahh…hahahahaha, mom, mom, ahh!! I can’t….bre…, I breathed heavily when mom let go of me after. Sorry baby, I really missed you so much! Victoria added while sounding excited this time. I am okay, so far we are almost done with the castle, ah, I would say that it’ll be done a week or so. So, what brings you here? I asked teasingly and half questioningly. Hmm! I heard you met Louis Leopold Montfort, you’re crush Louis??? Oh my God, it’s been decades and he still remembered you, I smell romance!!! Victoria said gallantly while walking passed me to the car, the Hummer I wanted that the office sent for more space and power carrying our steel and paints, all stuff for the job.

Haah, Mom, please…he remembered but I think he hates me for starters, I added while turning on the car ignition and checking on my left and right , middle for cars at the parking lot.

He certainly would since my baby’s beautiful, talented and good in bed, Victoria proudly added while fixing her hair and blouse on the front view mirror. She is wearing a white printed blouse with 3 unbuttoned exposing her breasts and her skimpy skirt short up to her knees matching with 4 inches stringed type heels .

Mom, mom, mom, you never grow old. What are you like twenty? Haha!, So sexy!, I said while looking at her and whistling to my heart’s content.

Please, yup, twenty four reversed? HiHi! My dear, with my job as a sales manager at a beauty firm, I need this to catch clients even younger than you! And I usually do. Hmp! Victoria added her brow lifting and pushing her breasts at the same time.

Haha!!! I wonder what dad will say if he sees you like this, but well…. I said but decided to stop when I mentioned my dad to who passed away when I was just a baby.

Hmm! Your dad loved my air, my breasts and butt, so skip it and drive, Victoria said with confidence and then turned her face on the right where the side view mirror exposing her sudden change of face, sadness.

Maria was laughing hard about it but deep inside she knows what her mom went through when her dad passed on due to a mysterious accident a long time ago. So she always make it a point to compliment and make her happy even just for a moment. She loves her mom and will do everything for her even give her life for her sake, if it comee to that. Victoria on the other hand, feels the same way. She protected and raised Maria with pride, confidence and hard work. She never gave up on life after Maxim died. Actually Maxim was the nephew of King Crono. He was Maximillian Montfort, son of Crono’s brother Cronan, Lady Grisel’s father who was allegedly married to a commoner worse, a black witch who bewitched Cronan to fall for him. I don’t want to tell the story into details. Victoria will do that in time(A/R).

Maxim and Grisel are half siblings and it's a fact. Maria is indeed a royalty and has the blood of Crono’s in her and it makes things worse when Louis was believed to take revenge with what Lady Grisel did to his household. She cursed Louis’ family that ended the reign of the Montfort’s and this is why I am here, to protect my dear daughter from Louis and far more, Montfort lineage who will try and still try to hurt my baby. I won’t let that happen, over my dead body!!..

Back at the castle. I hope everything’s well with Em and her mom. She always mentions that her mom is a handful, like a teenager on the loose….(Sheena and Joms dueted then laughing at the phrase). The team is almost done with Louis’ room, ball room and the grand living room. They needed to use the small fork lift to carry the paints and materials including the wood pile for the restoration. They are just waiting for Maria on the next move whether what they’ve done is going to be approved by the Montforts especially Louis and Tessa.

Mom!, do you want to eat dinner at a joint? I haven’t been around the place long enough to check on their restaurants or what , so yeah?!, I asked Victoria though resisting a bit since she is very picky with food and places to eat when she’s with me. She is always been fun to be with and now that I’m older it’s weird she is like more protective of me recently, I wonder why. I looked on the other side when she caught my eyes glancing at her half-questioning her motives on visiting me. As if she knows what I was thinking and about to say when she replied.

Hmm! ah…okay let’s try the food joint on the right, there, Royalty Burgers. We always come here every time dad, you and I watch the cricket game before (it was the famous sport the royalties play aside from horse relays and football or what we call soccer nowadays). You know Em, honey! I am here not to check up on you or how many boys you fucked but to settle an old argument let’s just say a family issue with Theresa!, Victoria now dead serious.

Huh, what the f…..! Mom, F….word, please! You know that I don’t mess around when it comes to sex. And what about Tessa! I mean Theresa? I added my brows flipping and my voice on high pitched.

Okay, tone down girl! I am here to talk with her and that’s just it. Anyway, park there and let’s eat, I’m very famished!!! Victoria pointing to the very end of the parking lot, then carried her tiny handbag slipping something shiny, metallic and small, smaller than the bag.

The guard nodded at my mom while entering the place and got off immediately when turned the car’s ignition off. She was very alert, looking from side to side, at the back, and she wanted me to lead or walk in front of her.

Mom, are you on drugs ? and does your occupation entails the FBI now? He he!, Why, so naïve? What’s wrong? I asked teasing mom when she gave me a killer look, that made me shut my mouth up. Okayyyy!!!

We sat at the table in middle of the joint and the receptionist saw us and went toward us to get our orders. The cashier and sort of a manager looked at each other and gave my mom a nod. Maybe they knew each other from way back and that’s their strange way of greeting a comrade (meant as a joke).

Okay, why are you looking so nervous? We’ll just have two big burgers with garden salad and the usual, strawberry ice cream shake pearls, Victoria added with a bit of air. The girl ran quickly as if she doesn’t want to be there in the first place.

Ah, mom! What are you back then? A gangster or something? As if the people working here know you damn well. I said very curious at her new found confidence.

Actually they owe me money, I am in the sales business so, they are just treating me well so I’d give them discounts ( but in fact they knew her from before, she was a high-ranking official in the castle when she met and loved Sir Maximillian who they called Maxie for his funny antiques and charm as a Duke) They are not scared of her but they respected her as a former soldier of the Montforts. Maria didn’t know that truth about her family which I am now going to tell her bits and pieces of. Of who she really is and the danger she is in since it is believed that Prince Louis would have her head for the sins committed by her great grandmother Gisel. Ahh! How to start? Anyway, at least Maria is a grown woman, strong and independent that I know she can handle this issue and more. I hope so, though., Victoria thought worried about Maria's reaction to their family line's great reveal. I think I'll tell her about the family history and issue after dinner. Yup.