Chapter 17

"WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?"

I moved the cellphone slightly away to my ear.

"Chill Tams, I'm going home."

I caught a glimpse of the beautiful view from the air. The green fields and rich mountains says I'm finally home again. I heard from the back ground that we're almost taking off and near to Laoag airport.

"DID YOU KNOW THAT YOUR EX HUSBAND PESTERING ME EVERY DAY? Oh crap that one isn't it. Husband it is as he claimed it. Thalia! I don't know what I'm going to say!"

She made a crying bitch sound. I rolled my eyes.

"Don’t mind him. I need a break from him. Plus the media people they've been following me for days now. I have to go north to lose them from the track."

I realized that the plane had landed and the passengers had already started descending.

"I'm already here. Keep him away Tams tell him I planned to go to Palawan. Or in Masbate I don't want to see that idiot."

I suddenly remember that ... thing that happened between us the last time. He's so rude and arrogant about my body wanting him so bad. And I hate to admit but the chemistry that burns that day was obviously undenying his claims about me.

I really still have feelings for that arrogant beast who suddenly go around kissing the real Equija after exclaiming his love for me! Hah! I admit my guilt but what he did before was unbearable too! And now he will come back again as if he had no fault with me and I was the only one who made a mistake? Damn him!

"Oh shit he's in my clinic again. Bye!"

She hung up on me. I sighed. I hope she can really handle him. I need to think of my next moves and breath some fresh air.

"Here!"

Despite the noise around I heard Khai's familiar voice.

He's waving a poster with my name on it. Oh my brother!

"Khai!" I ran quickly and hugged him tightly.

"Ugh not so tight"

Laughing I walked away and lightly touched the palm to my cheek wet with tears.

"Where's mom?"

"At home preparing for a welcome party. Oh sorry for spoiling" his monotonous voice. I laughed hard he hadn't changed yet.

"Let's go then!"

We are still two hours away from the airport. Fortunately, I was able to start from my car business that Khai uses.

"You've been in the news and tabloids."

I turned to him. Khai was looking at the road seriously but there was a sign of concern

"Did Mom see?"

"I tried everything to avoid her from hearing the news but ..."

"It's okay I'll explain to her."

"What does prince Ezekiel do in the Philippines? And how small is the world to meet again? “

I sighed.

Definitely too little.

"I thought your marriage done before you went home."

I held my Finger where I was wearing our wedding ring then.

"I thought so. Equija came and she found out the truth and that ends our marriage but ... for some legalities there are those that are just not fixed. I will have to deal with them after my visit here."

"And Maurico?"

The sudden mentioning of that name made my inner goddess gulp in madness. Oh that bastard who ruin our life for good.

"No news. Glad if he's already dead."

In the distance I can see our home.

"Wait what?"

"I told you it's a surprise party"

The video sounds okay up the high way and I see people gathering outside our house.

"You know we used to have these festive modes in Greece before. But I didn't know even in the province this trend."

I can't help but grin at the sight of my mom running towards the car. Wearing a simple dress and her hair clipped like the old ladies in a simple barrio.

She used to be a queen.

"Oh Thalia! My daughter!" sHe greeted me with many kisses and a tight hug.

"Oh you are more than the word beautiful !" sHe squeezed my arms tightly and I could see the tears in her eyes.

"You are still beautiful you my queen mother."

She blushed she haven't heard of that title for years now.

"Oh! Stop and maybe I'll look for you. Come in! Here are the aunts and uncles!"

I could do nothing and drifted away.

After I got dressed I could still hear the festivities outside the house. But I decided to say goodbye to rest. But I felt a presence behind my back.

I became alert and pointed my fist at whoever was behind me but I was surprised that he also quickly caught my fist.

A light masculine laugh erupted from the man.

"Whoa !!"

I watched him carefully. A guy wearing a long sleeve polo and at least 6 ft high is the culprit.

"Hello princess I'm sorry if I surprised you."

He flashed a grin.

"What the hell are you doing here inside our house?"

He slowly let go of my hand and adjusted the collar of his polo shirt as if it had been messed up before.

"I'm sorry your mom told me to go and introduce myself to you. Well I think they are playing cupid on us but I know too well a beautiful lady as you are will never notice me."

Playing what? Cupid? Argh mom!

"You are a well and fine man yourself. And it's really embarrassing Mommy she thinks every guy will want to be my man. don't mind her. I don't intend to snatch you out of your bachelor's life. " I joked

"But ... I want to lose my bachelor on you."

"What ?!" I have strengthened my voice

But then came again his infamous mischievous smile.

"So you 2 met?"

I looked at Khai who was in front of the refrigerator and drinking water.

"Yeah ma 'Man!"

"He's Mom's prospect to be a son in law so you won't be able to issue to Ezekiel."

I almost lost my sanity especially when the man next to me was laughing.

"You don't have filters eh?"

"What ?!"

"Engr. Fabio Dela Fuentes, nice to meet you milady. And don't mind your brother he's messing with you. I'll just drink water that's why I'm here."

He then winked at me and went to Khai. He snatched my brother's glass of water before apologizing and leaving the house.

"Is he even serious?"

"No. 'I was' serious."

I looked at him badly.

"I don't need a man Khai. My problem now is a man and not a man can solve it. That's why I'm here to stay away from him ..."

I heard the bang of the door. I saw Mommy’s evil face staring at the unwelcome visitor at the door.

"If you think you can run away again. This time, by hell fire I won't let you, Wife. Next time you try to hide or run away from me turn off your GPS." He got this irritated and bored expressions but ...

one thing is for sure.

I. Am. Fucking. Doomed.

"Ezekiel?"

"indeed,Your husband. And fuck off that Engineer. I'm a prince."