Chapter 2

"CALL the royal ophthalmologist. This is an emergency. Bring the lady her dinner. Take care of all her needs. Make sure that she is well taken care of," the man commanded rapidly. Sunod-sunod na "Yes" naman ang sagot ng mga tauhan nito.

From the elevator, they entered a very fabulous suite. Di niya alam kung anong floor na iyon ng hotel pero hula niya ay nasa penthouse sila. May butcher na sumalubong sa kanila at dalawang babae na hula niya ay mga maid.

Dahil di siya makakilos nang maayos sa labi ng paningin niya ay nagkasya na lang siyang makinig habang nakaupo sa divan. Isa iyon sa mga silid ng suite. Hinaplos niya ang armrest at sumandal. Napakalambot niyon. It was made of fine material. Halatang mamahalin. She could even feel the soft carpet under her feet. At kahit na malabo ang tingin niya, nagsusumigaw ang kayamanan sa lugar na iyon.

 Sino ba ang lalaking ito at namumuhay ito na parang prinsipe?

"Tea?" alok sa kanya ng lalaki nang lapitan siya.

"Thank you," kimi niyang sabi.

He handed the tea to her. "The ophthalmologist will arrive in a few minutes. I am really sorry for the bother."

"No. I should thank you. Actually, I am the one who is causing trouble here."

Ginagap nito ang kamay niya. "No. It was my fault…"

"Ooops!" usal niya nang muntik nang lumigwak ang tsaa sa kamay niya.

"I-I'm sorry." Mabilis nitong binitiwan ang kamay niya. "If I didn't arrive and those people didn't fawn over me, you won't ruin your glasses. So just enjoy your stay here. Feel at home."

Seryoso ba ito? Paano siya magiging at home sa eleganteng lugar na iyon? Hindi naman siya sanay sa karangyaan kahit pa nga di niya nakikita. And she couldn't relax with this man around. Kahit pa nga mabait ito sa kanya. Mabuti na rin ang nag-iingat. Di naman niya ito kilala.

"You don't really have to do this. All I need is an ophthalmologist…"

"You are my responsibility. So I will take care of you for now."

"I can take care of myself. Thank you." She didn't want to impose to other people. Kadarating pa lang niya doon ay nang-aabala na siya.

"You are in Al-Ishaq, lady. We know how to take care of our women. And I don't easily shrink from my responsibility."

Responsibility? Woman? Kung magsalita ito ay parang may malalim na silang relasyon samantalang kakikilala pa lang nila sa isa't isa. Pinigil niyang umiling nang sumimsim ng tsaa. She didn't know if this man was impressive enough or he was starting to annoy her. Lahat ba ng lalaki sa Al-Ishaq ay ganoon ang sentimyento? They were overdoing things.

"Emir, the ministry is waiting for you," bulong dito. Hula niya ay iyon ang butcher na sumalubong sa kanilang pagdating kanina.

"Thank you for reminding me, Kamir. Just give us a moment.

"You are leaving?" she asked.

"I am afraid I have to go. I can't join you for dinner but I will be back soon. This is just important. I will leave you to the hands of my people. They will take good care of you and they will see your every need. Don't hesitate to tell them if you want anything. You will be fine while I am gone."

"Yes. I can't thank you enough for the help."

 "Anything for the lady."

Lady. He kept on calling her with that name. Nobody treated her like a real lady before. And it only made her feel weak. Na parang kailangan niyang isalalay sa kamay ng isang lalaki ang lahat ng pangangailangan niya.

"My name is Khamya Licerio."

"Pardon?" gulat nitong tanong.

"I said I am Khamya Licerio. You can call me Khamya."

"Khamya. A very intriguing name." He took the teacup away from her. Nahigit niya ang hininga nang halikan nito ang dulo ng mga daliri niya. She never experienced anything as sensual as that. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

Nahigit niya ang hininga. "You, too. And you are?"

"You don't know me?" he asked in a bit irritated voice.

Umiling siya. "I don't."

Noon lang siya tumapak sa bansa nito. Paano naman agad niya malalaman kung sino ito? Kahit pa siguro prinsipe ito ng bansa nito, di niya malalaman. Bukas pa lang niya makikita ang prinsipe sa speech nito.

Kung interesado man siya sa kaharian ng Al-Ishaq, iyon ay sa mga mamahaling Arabian horses na nagpasikat sa mga ito o kaya ay ang ipinagmamalaking research facility ng mga ito sa horse breeding.

Ginagap nito nang mahigpit ang kamay niya. "I am Emir Beiron Rafiq of Kingdom of Al-Ishaq."

"Emir is your first name?"

"Emir is the title given to the first son of a sheikh."

So he was a son of a sheikh. That explains the wealth around her. "Beiron Rafiq?" That name was familiar. Nahigit niya ang hininga nang maalala. "You are that Beiron Rafiq who is one of the largest benefactor of Philippine Biotechnology Institute? You even sent the invitation for the conference, right?"

He let out a rich laugh. "Your answer is pretty interesting."

"But I got it right?"

"Of course. I am sure we will have an interesting chat once I am back. I will see you later, Khamya."

Naiwan siyang tulala nang umalis na ito. Beiron Rafiq was almost a prince. She was with one of the royalties of Al-Ishaq. The most celebrated at that. Ito kasi ang pinaka-visible sa lahat ng opisyales ng kaharian.

Pinagsalikop niya ang nanlalamig na palad. One thing about him made her uncomfortable. He was an international lady-killer.