1 CHAPTER 1 - JEUNES DE COEUR

“Dad…dad…wait, can I come with you!?” Calling out by the girl, who is out of breath to get her father’s attention, who just came out from their house.

“Oh, Glaiza where have you been again, and what happened to your clothes it's muddy?” Turning his attention to his daughter dripping with sweats, looking like having a race with horses.

“Iza, you’re a twenty-five years old grown woman already, but you’re still acting like twelve years old. Please darling act your age.” Her dad added while wiping the sweats on her face.

“Daddd…..you are not answering me…….dad, please can I come?” She asked again her father not minding what her dad was saying. Huh…..like father like daughter.

You could say that the girl has a nice life and a complete family.

The girl is an only child of Retired General Anselmo de Castro and Attorney Francisca de Castro.

Although the Couple wanted more children because Francisca has Endometriosis a problem that is affecting her uterus, this is an often painful disorder that’s why they were just blessed by one.

It was a miracle actually when the couple found out that they were going to get pregnant because when they consult their problem to a specialist they were told that……‘There is no hope for them to have a child’.

But here they are now blessed with a kind, intelligent and loving child ... and besides that, she is a very stunning young woman.

Glaiza is a miracle baby…..that’s what it seems.

That’s why they are so grateful, the couple was every day thankful for ‘HIM’ for giving them their daughter.

Her father Mr. Anselmo de Castro is a retired General in the Military and now he is busy handling their Car Showroom.

While her mother Francesca de Castro is a Lawyer and also managing their owned Restaurant.

Glaiza ones before went on the military path, when she was just 16, she is actually too young to be in the service but because she loves the field her father back her up to be admitted, but then after two years of service, she gets out and pursued a Medical course.

And now she is a successful young surgeon in her field, with her young tender age of twenty-five.

“Are you not busy princess? I thought you have a scheduled surgery today?“ Confusingly questioned her father.

“Dad I told you to stop calling me princess, I’m a grown woman now, it’s embarrassing.” Protest her daughter with pouted lips.

“I don’t care princess…..you are and always be my princes.” Lovingly smiled at her father while pinching her both checks.

“Argh…dad! Stop it! Ahhhhhh, I give up!” She really can’t win with her dad’s childish side

“Anyways, that was yesterday dad……. and I did a very good job, the surgical procedure was very successful.” She boasted, it really lifts her spirit whenever she helps someone, especially when she sees her father smiling at her proudly.

“Wait, answer my question earlier……….why are your clothes so filthy? Where have you been?” Questioned her father again with so much concern.

“Mmm…..uncle Carding and I just had a combat practice dad, you know……..I haven't been able to practice for a long time. My method of self-defense is getting rusty. ” The girl answered her father, his face is still shocked because of how her daughter looks in front of him.

Carding is one of her father’s trusted bodyguards……..they work also together in the military, when Mr. de Castro planned to retire of being the Philippine Chief General in the military he also joined him and volunteer himself as his personal bodyguard.

The retired General doesn’t want to but his friend insisted and besides he doesn’t have any family anymore.

But his main reason was he had a big debt to pay to him because when they were in the military fighting against the rebels, the retired General risk his life to save Carding…….he take a bullet for him. That’s why he is thankful to his friend for giving him another chance in life.

Carding promised himself to serve his good friend Anselmo until his last breath. Even though the retired Chief General tries to explain that he shouldn't be indebted because it's part of their job and other than that he is his friend. But the latter insists, so Anselmo just gives up on reasoning and lets him be because Carding is not just a friend to him rather a family.

When Glaiza was just young her dad teaches her various techniques in martial arts, she even becomes a black belter at her young age.

Her father even teaches her how to handle different firearms, that’s why when she became an adult, she carries the knowledge his father teaches her.

She even became the champion in a target shooting competition and became the first girl to win the highest award.

Nobody has yet surpassed her ability, she still holds the title….many have been trying to challenge her but all of them failed.

“We did a field training dad.………then there’s a little bit of rain shower and the ground become muddy…..that’s why…..”

The retired general just shakes his head, how her daughter so bluntly informed him, no doubt about it that her daughter still acts like a kid. Anselmo couldn’t even imagine a twenty-five-year-old woman not to mention a very skilled in the field of medicine would just satisfy sheer happiness…….just like a child when given a lollipop her day is complete.

“Why do you want to come princess, you should take a break first. I know your profession is tiring princess and you really need proper and enough rest.

Your work is mentally and physically draining not to mention stressful. ” Meaningful remarks to his daughter.

Because Mr. de Castro knows how diligent and dedicated his daughter to her work. How the young surgeon put time and effort into her profession, is not just a profession to her but her life itself.

“Dad…..in the first place I will not be joining you if my body can’t handle it. Promise dad, I’m all fine, don’t worry too much.” Assured her daughter to him.

“Very well, if you say so………..okay go now freshen up yourself, I’ll just wait for you in the garage and don’t forget to say goodbye to your mom, you know how she is when she can’t see you in the house roaming around on your day off.

Her dad knows how she missed practicing her gun for a target shooting.

It’s been a while that the young surgeon holds her favorite rifle that was given to her by her late grandfather.

Mr. Anselmo de Castro will be going to the headquarters where he was being summoned by the new Philippines Chief General, the former needs the latter’s help.

The military headquarters has a vast shooting practice that the young de Castro always visited when she was not busy with her profession before.

“Thanks, dad, don’t worry I will just take a minute to change.” Swiftly run the young surgeon inside their house.

‘Behaving manly‘, that’s what the retired general is thinking, she can’t deny how her daughter acts uncaring sometimes of herself.

But don’t judge her..…. if Glaiza is in her professional suit you would think she’s a trained model…......cut off in a VOGUE MAGAZINE, she dresses herself elegantly a woman with subtlety and elegance, added to it is her striking beauty. It’s like she just came out from a fashion event all the time.

True to her words, she meets her father in their garage with her small back that carries her riffle and some change of clothes.

The young surgeon saw her father seating on her favorite vintage car and patiently waiting for her, the 2016 Rolls-Royce Dawn. The new fourth model in the British maker's range and only its third convertible in the past 50 years, is a Rolls unlike any other before it. Besides his family, the 2016 Rolls-Royce Dawn is the retired general’s price position.

Glaiza immediately hops inside the car seating shotgun.

“Let’s go, dad!” With excitement lace in her attitude, she can’t wait.

“Can’t wait princess huh? By the way, did you say goodbye to your mom?” Maneuvering his car outside their garage.

“Yes dad, I did.” Rubbing her nape, she answered shyly to her dad.

JEUNES DE COEUR (YOUNG AT HEART)