CHAPTER 6

"Tell us the truth, is Jm courting you?" Grace asked, while getting ready for their excursion. Grace, Abby, May and Kate have been friends since their secondary schooling. They knew each other from head to toe. They were not just friends but treated each other as sisters. People in school usually call them as the four sisters because of their closeness. They may not be bonded by blood but they are bonded by time and camaraderie. There are no secrets among them. When one has a problem, everyone will console. If one is in need of help, everyone will find a way. When one is in love, then everyone should know.

"Ah... I don't think so. And how many times should I remind you that his real name is Jeremy." Kate answered. Since the university night, they have been bogging and teasing Kate about Jeremy. Kate has been silent about him. They felt that something is going on between them but Kate chose to remain private about him unlike her previous relationships.

"Huh? You're not sure? What the... I believe he is but... the question is, do you like him?" Abby asked.

"We're friends. Did you pack all your things?" Kate tries to divert their attention away from Jeremy as their topic.

"Don't change the subject and that's not my question. Do you like him or not?" Abby interrupted.

"What's not to like in him? He is friendly, fun to be with, sweet, caring, humble, and intelligent."

"What I mean is... do you like him to be your boyfriend?"

"I don't know." Kate kept her face away from them by lowering it or going to the bathroom every now and then so that they will not be able to see her reaction. She knows the moment they see her reaction, they will quickly and clearly see the answer in her face.

"Why? Are you afraid of getting hurt again or is it because he is a celebrity?" May asked.

"Maybe?"

"Don't be dim-witted. Pain is part of loving. It makes the road stronger. Without it, you will never fully appreciate loving. Would you rather want that someday you are looking from afar and seeing him with another woman? Think about it!" Grace said.

"Why are we talking about him anyway?"

"Because you would not admit the truth about you and him."

"That's right!" Abby and May agreed.

"Huh?" Kate tried to play innocent so that they will never bother her again about both of them.

"It's too obvious. Both of you like each other."

"Girls, Mark is already at the Lobby. Let's go…" Grace said.

At the lobby, "Good morning Ms. Kate!" Spes was in a black suit and tie. He was instructed by Jeremy to fetch them and transport them to the airport for their vacation going to Boracay, a beautiful tourist island with white sand and clear blue beach that reflects in the horizon the sunny sky in the Philippines.

"Mr. Spes, right?"

"Yes ma'am."

Grace pulled Kate and asked, "Who is he?"

"I forgot to tell you," Kate said, "Hey guys, this is Mr. Spes, an acquaintance of Jeremy. He would escort us going to the airport," she added.

"So... where's Jeremy?" Abby asked. She, together with May, was disappointed that Jeremy was not around to fetch them. Although they know that his heart belongs to their friend, Kate, they still wish to see him as a celebrity that many ladies admire.

"He proposed that it would be better if he goes ahead since people might flock to him at the airport and also he needs to prepare some things." Kate explained. She and Jeremy talked about the plan days before. They agreed that they would not be together going to Boracay to avoid conflict with his fans.

"What's that? His proposal to you?" Abby teased.

"Shut up!" Kate exclaimed! The rest were laughing, teasing Kate all the more since she's obvious she likes Jeremy and is ready to defend him.

"Are you all here, Ms. Kate?" Spes asked while instructing the two bodyguards to help the ladies bring their bags.

Kate nodded and said, "Yes."

Kate, May, Abby, Grace and the boyfriend of Grace, Mark are set to have another adventure in Boracay. Yearly during their Christmas vacation, they go to Boracay, enjoying the comfort of the white sand and the beach under the scorching heat of the sun. They will be staying there for four days. They had been doing it the past years, staying at Ambassador in Paradise and exploring the grandeur of Boracay. However without any knowledge, surprises await them.

As they arrived at the Caticlan Airport, Tobby and a staff of the hotel were holding a paper of their names. They welcomed them. "Good Morning Ma'am, sir!" Tobby greeted. In order to reach their hotel, they still need to travel from Caticlan airport, 15 minutes to Caticlan Jetty Port via land, then 15 minutes to Boracay Island's Cagban Port via boat, and 15-20 minutes via land to the resort they will stay in.

"Hello! Tobby right?" Kate responded. Tobby was with Jeremy in arriving the day before at Boracay. Jeremy asked him to accompany them since it will also serve a moment for him to relax from their frenzied schedule the whole month of concerts and events.

"Yes, Ms. Kate!"

"Guys, this is Tobby, the manager of Jeremy."

They looked at him from head to toe. Although they have seen him when they met in a restaurant before, he was not introduced to them yet. "So where's Jeremy?" Grace asked.

"He's waiting for us at the resort." Tobby replied.

"Ahhh... He already told me before that he will be waiting for us at the hotel and that he has sent you to accompany us from here going there. Am I right?" Kate explained.

"Yes ma'am. Shall we go then?" Tobby asked while he and the staff of the hotel helped them with their bags.

As they were on their way to the resort, they noticed that they are not going to Ambassador in Paradise. Ambassador was like their vacation hotel at Boracay for the past 4 years. They had created great memories at the resort. It's their second home away from their home whenever they stay in Boracay. However, there were also not so great memories especially to Kate. It was the place where she ended her relationship with Francis. Yet, today is a different moment for her. Today opens another chapter of her good memories with her friends and with someone new, Jeremy.

"Where are we going? This is not the way to Ambassador. Where are we going?" Grace asked as she was bothered by the direction the van was going.

"Jeremy booked us in another hotel. He wants the best for Ms. Kate. He felt that she might feel uncomfortable going to the same hotel. Besides, it's more fun having new experience once in a while," Tobby answered.

"Ah...! Okay, no objection, your honor!" Grace added.

"I second the motion," Abby said. They laughed knowing that Kate would be on hot spot again.

"Stop teasing me!" Kate whined.

All of them laughed and teased Kate all the more until they reached the hotel. When they stepped out of the van and saw the hotel, they were astounded by the grandeur of the resort. It was not like the place they usually went to. The Ambassador is already a great place to stay in but this new place they are looking at is even luxurious and humongous. They have heard the place before as among the five star resorts in Boracay and they have not attempted to stay in it.

Today, they are truly amazed merely by the façade. True to its name, Monaco, it has a colorful architectural design with a touch of monarchy palace that is aristocratic period of Monaco, enhanced by modern luxury and charm. On the opposite side of the Hotel is a garden of roses and as its focal point, a five-ton limestone Roman Lion-head fountain-has glass tiles, Corinthian capital-Doric base columns, ribbed bowl and arched hood with feather keystone center. It also has the hand-chiseled field stone semi-circle parameter-wall which creates a garden-style grotto around the fountain that is perfectly proportioned when viewed close-up or from the main entrance of the façade.

"Oh... My... God...!" Grace surprised.

Kate asked, "Are you sure we're in the right place?"

"Yes! I told you he wants the best for you," Tobby answered.

May said," I thought you were kidding when you said it." They couldn't believe that they are really staying in such a luxurious place. They stayed before with the likes of lavish hotels and they know how much it would cost them for several days. It's not that it's too expensive. Surely, they can afford it but to know that one man would treat them in such place, they were surprised.

"This place is so huge," Mark drank his juice. "I believe it's expensive to stay here," he added.

While they were staring at the façade of the hotel, some hotel staffs were transferring their bags from the cart to their suite.

Jeremy walked out of the main door, waved and asked, "How was your trip?"

Kate pulled Jeremy away and asked, "Is it okay for us to stay here? I mean this is an expensive resort. Let us contribute for the bill, okay?"

"Don't worry. I know the owner of the resort. He's a good friend of mine. And besides, he will be angry if he finds out that we'll be staying in another hotel. Don't worry. Okay?"

"But..."

"I thought you trust me. Let's just enjoy our stay here," Jeremy tapped her on her shoulders making sure that she understands what he said.

Kate nodded.

"Hey guys, let's go," Jeremy said.

As they entered the lobby, they saw a group of people in uniform lined up next to the front desk. They were the different staffs of the hotel from front desk clerk, the chefs, to their private butler. There were around 20 staffs present. One was carrying a tray of juices and fruit shakes while another was with a tray of sandwiches. In unison they greeted, "Welcome to Monaco Suites!" The Head Supervisor approached them and introduced the staffs.

"And this will be your butler, James," Supervisor said.

"Good morning ma'am, sir! I'm James your butler during your stay here," James introduced.

After some refreshments, James led them to their suite and answered their questions while they were on their way. The pathways going to their room were filled with paintings. Some were replicas of masterpieces of famous Monaco artists like Laure Fissore and Nalbi Bugashev. As they entered the room, "This will be your room," James explained, "This is called the Royal Suite. It is our grandest suite. It is a 250 sq.m. There are three bedrooms, one master bedroom at the second floor, and two guest rooms here at the first floor. Each room has its own bathroom with complete amenities. You also have a luxurious bar area. Finally, the best spot of the suite is that you have a gazeebo on the rooftop that offers panoramic views of the island."

As they explored the suite, Grace said, "Wow! This place's so nice. The view is picturesque," as she was at the veranda overlooking at the other suites and the beach.

"This will be your suite," Jeremy said.

"Huh...? Where will you stay?" Kate asked.

"Why? We can all fit here." Abby added.

"Tobby and I are staying at the suite next to this building. I want you to enjoy your privacy." Kate was flabbergasted by the words of Jeremy. She had never met a man as gentleman as he is. Her previous encounters with men would actually make her a man-hater but Jeremy was different from the moment she accidentally bumped into him in Seoul until today. She could not help but to be blown away every now and then by his gentlemen approach.

"Well, we'll be with each other from morning to evening right?" Grace asked.

"Yes and we will have fun!" Jeremy answered.

Mark asked, "Are they for free?" pointing at the stacks of chocolates, chips, and drinks like wine, alcoholic drinks and soda. He felt hungry although among them, he was the one who consumed most refreshments at the lobby when they arrived.

"Yes, sir. Everything was according to the instructions of Mr. Grimaldi." James replied.

"Who's that?" Grace asked.

"That would be me," Jeremy answered.

"Hey guys, come up. Look at this view," May yelled as she was at the gazebo.

"Wow!" they said in amazement as they reached the rooftop.

"Look at their pool, it's so cute," Abby said.

"Yeah, it's shaped like a dolphin and... So clear," May added.

"Ma'am, sir, where would you like to have your lunch?" James interrupted. It was almost lunchtime. Although they were still full from the refreshments, they know that one of them, Mark, was eager to eat. He and Grace have been together for a long time. Most of the adventures of the group, he was with them.

"Can we have it here? Is it allowed?" Kate asked.

"Yes ma'am, wherever you want it, we will place it. Let me just inform them."

While they were waiting for the staff to prepare their lunch and while they are enjoying the cold breeze of the sweet aroma of the beach wind, "Thank you!" Kate said to Jeremy.

"For what?"

"For all of these. It's actually too much." This was the first time that she experienced such treatment from a man. Usually, she either treats the guy since she also came from a well-off family or they both divide the cost just like what she experienced with Francis.

"No problem. I just want you to enjoy it."

While they were sitting at the gazebo, they were finalizing their bed assignments. Kate will stay at the master bedroom at the second floor. Abby and May will have one of the guestrooms while Grace and Mark will have the other guestroom.

"So what's the plan for today's activity?"

"I don't know." Kate said.

No one seems to have any idea what to do. In the past on their first day at Boracay, they rested the whole afternoon and went out in the evening when the beach shore was lightened up by colorful lights of the different bars. But since they are not staying in the same place, they do not know if they should do the same. So Jeremy suggested, "Why not take a rest first, fix your things since it is too hot to go out yet. Then later in the afternoon, we could go at the beach until evening. If it is okay with you."

"Yeah, I think that would be great." Abby said. Easily, everyone agreed with the suggestion of Jeremy.

Jeremy said, "I forgot to tell you. Whatever you want to eat or drink or if there is something you need, just tell it to the staff and say that you are at the royal suite. Am I right, James?"

"Yes sir! That is correct. Guests of our royal suite are our priority. We will find ways to provide everything that you need or you want. We have actually a protocol, 'Never say 'no' to royal suite guests!'"

"That seems to be nice!" Let me think of something that would be force you to say 'no.'" Grace teased while the rest laughed as they tried to imagine the rest of what Grace is saying.

After few minutes, the staffs prepared the rooftop with canopies for the buffet and additional table and chairs. When everything was set, James said, "Ma'am, sir, you may have your lunch."

"James, join us." Jeremy said.

"Thank you sir but this is only for you."

"I insist and all of you there," pointing at the servers at the buffet table, "you will join us as well. We can handle our own food."

"Yes sir. Thank you sir!" The servers said.

They had a great lunch together with James and other staffs who were serving them. Laughter and stories filled the rooftop. After eating, "So you should rest now since we will have packed things to do later," Jeremy suggested. Afterwards, everyone went to his or her room. Jeremy and Tobby went to their own suite to rest as well.