Belle Martinez came back to her life as Clarabelle Marquez, the youngest child of the third powerful man in the Philippine Empire. And in order to go back, Belle needed to avoid her death at the hands of the current prince and her soon-to-be-husband...
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“Ladies & Gentlemen, we’re now approaching Philippines where the local time is 09:00. At this stage you should be in your seat with your seatbelt firmly, fastened. Personal television screens, footrests and seat tables must be stowed away and all hand luggage stored either in the overhead lockers or under the seat in front. Please ensure all electronic devices including laptop computers and computer games are turned off,” I announced.
As soon as the airplane landed I once felt at ease because I was finally back to my country. After watching the passengers leave the plane, we remained standing at our post and waited for the pilot before we left together with him.
And when my phone suddenly rang, I immediately answered it, “Hoy, Belle! May kilala ka bang Clarabelle Marquez?”
Wala sa sarili akong napatigil sa paglalakad at nang mapansin iyon ng mga kasama ko’y binigyan nila ako ng nagtatakhang tingin kaya’t umiling na lamang ako sa kanila’t muling lumakad.
Limang taon na simulo noong huli kong narinig ang pangalan na iyon, limang taon na rin simula noong lihim kong pinapanalangin na ako’y muling makabalik sa panahon na iyon. At sa panahon na ito ay walang nakakakilala kay Clarabelle Marquez kaya’t nanatili lamang akong tahimik tungkol sa bagay na iyon.
At ang tanging pinanghahawakan ko’y ang kuwintas at singsing na binigay sa akin ni Columbus, hindi ko alam kung bakit ito nanatili sa akin ngunit sa maraming hiwaga na nangyari sa aking buhay ay hindi na ako ganoong nagtatakha pa.
“Belle, sumagot ka.”
“A—ano…”
Isang buntong-hininga ang narinig ko sa kabilang linya, “Naiinis na ako ha. Para kang tangang kausap…”
“Sa ating dalawa ay ikaw ang tanga, Zion. H’wag mong kalimutan iyon,” natatawang sambit ko’t pilit nililihis an gaming usapan tungkol sa pangalan na kanyang sinambit.
“Hindi ba’t may nakuwento ako na tungkol sa isang babae—”
Napangiwi na lamang ako sa kanya, “Wala akong oras para sa kalandian mo, Zion.”
“You’re getting on my nerves, Belle. Just shut up and listen,” he mumbled. I heaved a sigh and let his serious captive the conversation, “That woman talks like a Maria Clara… and every time she looks at our photo she’s always mumbling that ‘Clarabelle Marquez’ while looking specifically at you. Hindi ba ako attractive para mapansin n’ya na nando’n din ako sa picture?”
