CHAPTER 27 (BOOK 2)

"Good morning!" Kate greeted as she walked out of her room towards kitchen. It was already passed eight in the morning. It wasn't the usual wake up time of Kate but since she and Jeremy came back late and had a sleepless dawn, she had to even resting her body.

"Hey… what happened with you last night? We were waiting for you last night." Abby asked.

"Where did you go?" May added.

Kate placed the glass on the table and sat on the chair. "A coffee shop near the bay."

"And then…" Abby, wasted no time, sat near Kate.

"We just talked. That's all." Kate grabbed a piece of bread and ate. "Where's Grace?"

"Don't change the subject." May pointed out as she was curious.

"I'm not." Kate defensively stated. "I just want to with her about something."

"She went out. She was called out by her boss." Abby stated.

"So give us the details." Grace reminded.

"Details of what?"

"What happened between the two of you. What did you talk about?"

"It was nothing."

"Come on. Spill it out." Abby shook Kate who was busy filling her bread with a strawberry jam.

"Okay! Okay!" Kate gave in. She narrated everything they did and talked about except for one part. She didn't tell them about her answer regarding the ring since from the start, she hasn't told them the time she received it as well.

"That's it?"

Kate nodded as she took another bite. She hoped she didn't look as nervous as she felt. Most of the time, she's caught red handed whenever she lie or keep something from them.

"Wait! Isn't he staying at the other unit?" Abby recalled.

"He ain't there now." May uttered.

"How do you know?" Abby asked.

"Cause he's there." May pointed at the news about the Royal Family having a meeting with the Philippine Government for signing of agreements.

"You'll see him tonight." Kate whispered.

"Ha? What did you say?" Abby heard something but was not sure due to the mumbling by Kate cause by her whisper.

"I said…" Kate a sip of her coffee. "You'd see him tonight."

"Wait up! Are we supposed to be at the forum tonight?" Abby clarified.

"Yup and he'd be there." She stood up and placed the plate on the sink. "I've… no… the hotel invited him to be one of the guests."

"Why didn't you tell me about this?"

"Can I come?" May asked.

Kate nodded.

May remembered something. "Oh shoot! I've appointment tonight."

Kate glanced at Abby. "Well… the hotel wanted it to keep it secret and besides he only agreed last night." Kate tried to make an excuse knowing Abby would be furious about it.

"What time is the forum tonight?" Abby inquired.

"Guests will start arriving probably around six."

Abby smiled.

"What the hell are smiling about?" May noticed.

"Well… I sense there will be a bloody war tonight." Abby remarked.

"What do you mean?" May followed up.

"Since the ex will be there, tension will arise as the present suitors will be also in attendance." Abby was referring to the three present suitors of Kate who have been CEOs and General Managers of other businesses."

"Woah!.... I've want to see that." May smirked.

Kate just kept silent hoping that the boys will act professionally and besides, she has already turned down the suitors who are pursuing her.

"Who would win? Will it be the ex or one of the suitors?" May continued.

Both May and Abby teasingly laughed. They know that Kate haven't entertain any suitors after the break up.

"We've just been informed that after more than an hour of talk, the royal family and the Philippines will be signing the agreements that have been made. The President and the King will act as representatives while the Presidential spokesperson will read the content. As of the questions, the Prince will be the one to answer." The news anchor narrated.

"Oh! Increase the volume." Abby pointed the television. "I want to see and hear him again."

May notice that Kate was walking away. "We're you going?"

"I need to prepare some things for tonight." Kate said as she entered the bathroom.

"Let her be." Abby supported. "They've already talk last night and by her blooming looks now, it went well."

"I can hear you!" Kate interrupted.

May and Abby laughed while fixed on the television.

After the signing, Jeremy walk to the podium and started entertaining questions. However, he started first with a short speech.

"Today marks the public relation of Monaco and Philippines. I say publicly because the good relationship of both states did not start with what he have witness today. It started with creation of traditions both my late father and your new President. These traditions are being observed even after my father passed away. And I hope that both Monaco and the Philippines will not stop with this agreements but continue to create wonderful and meaningful traditions here and in Monaco."

After the heartfelt speech, the presidential media started asking him questions. It started with questions asking about the agreements and the relationships of the two states. Then it started to shift.

"Your highness, it has been four years since you stayed here. What was the thing you missed the most that you first did or would like to do in the succeeding days." One reporter from a newspaper asked.

Jeremy smiled. "Let me correct you on that. Three years. Unknown to many I went back here three years ago for a personal matter. Then the reports started to look each other. "Anyway, the thing that I missed being here is having a cup of coffee watching the stars in the sky touched horizon of water. And I have already did it last night."

"Is it not, Monaco is also surrounded by waters?" The reporter followed up.

"Don't get me wrong. Monaco has one of the great water views. And yet, what made last night special is that I have fulfilled a promise that I have made three years ago."

"Oh my God! Kate! Kate!" Abby hysterically knocked on the bathroom door.

"What is it?" Kate asked.

"He's talking about you." May answered.

Abby kept on banging the door. "Come on! Look! Look!"

Calmly Kate went out and glanced at the television. She knew would protect her or rather she hope he would keep it a secret from public.

"He's talking about you!" Abby pointed.

"Can we know what is that promise, your Highness and with whom did you make with?" Another reporter from a magazine asked.

"For now, I can't say the name due to privacy..." Kate smiled. "But I guess, you would know in time."

"Is it Natalie, the superstar of your former company?" Another reporter asked.

Before Jeremy could even answer, he and other reporters heard, "It's not her." It was Gabriella. Though she said it in a soft voice, it was still heard by many as even a drop of pen could be heard within the hall.

"It's not her." Jeremy affirmed as to redirect the attention of the media towards him. "Soon you will know."

"last question." The Palace spokesperson announced.

"Your highness, Rick from Enews. May we know if until when are you going to stay here as well as your scheduled activities?"

"We will be staying for just a couple of days. As for the exact date, I apologize I cannot yet say at the moment. However, the consulate of Monaco will give you statement if finalized. As for our activities, I will be attending some forums, visit an orphanage and some private leisure for the King. All public activities will be given to you later."

As soon as he finished answering the question, Jeremy, the King and the princess together with the President exited the room. They stayed at a separate room waiting for the lunch prepared for them.

"I didn't know that the Prince have flew back three years ago." The president remarked.

"There was something I had to do back then." Jeremy answered.

"It has something to do with his heart." The King added and they laughed about it.

"I hope to meet the lucky lady some day." The president said.

"I was actually expecting to meet her within my stay here." The King wistfully said.

"Grandpa...! You would be meeting her soon during the dinner."Jeremy turned to the president. "Uncle Greg, if you're not busy this week, my sister will be hosting a dinner at a restaurant."

"Oh! That would be great!" The Pesident accepted.

The secretary of the President whispered something to him.

"Tobby will be giving you the details of the dinner."

"It'll be a simple family dinner like always." The King added.

The royal family of Monaco are known for their simple lifestyle. Once in a while to showcase some standard, they would host events in pair with other dignitaries, and the high class but most of the time, they could be found in simple community gatherings.

"Should I bring something then?" The president asked as simple family gatherings for them means sharing.

"Nah! Since we're in the Philippines, it will be taken care of by the restaurant." Jeremy answered.

Again, one of the secretaries of the president signaled that the lunch is ready.