"You must make a decision; if he is not operated on soon, he may die," the doctor said.
"However, you mentioned there was a possibility he would not be able to cope just after the procedure."
"We still have to try; we will do everything we can to make the procedure successful; all you have to do is believe that he will survive."
"Doctor, how much does the procedure cost?" I asked.
"The craniotomy operation costs $20,703, or a million."
"Million?" I murmured. That’s how huge Allerick’s surgery will be. Where do we get that much money? We couldn’t even afford Allerick and Blythe’s school fees.
"H-how are we going to pay for such a costly surgery of Allerick?" Mama grasped her head. I couldn’t bear the thought of seeing Mama sobbing and struggling again, so I walked out of the hospital.
I kept walking fast as if I couldn’t stop myself. Even if I attempt to keep back the flood of tears that have been building up since then. I can’t; it’s flowing into my eyes on purpose. And while I ran, my imagination conjured up memories and scenarios that caused me to cry even more.
We were all waiting outside the emergency room, worried and thrilled for my younger brother to emerge. And when we saw how he looked, we all burst into tears because he was so adorable.

"Wow, Papa. Look at his cheeks. They’re so fluffy. He’s cute. I look like him," I said, unable to wipe the smile off my face.
"He got my face," Kuya Samuel added.
"Stop it, he looks more like me, and it’s obvious in his eyes," Papa bragged.
Kuya and I exchanged glances before laughing. "Baby’s look is far from your looks, papa, and look at him; he's so adorable."
Papa flicked our ears. "Lower your voice, you might wake him up,"
Mama giggled quietly to herself. "You, too, are loud."
"Papa, may I play with him now?" Blythe said, her face beaming.
Papa shook his head. "When he’s old enough, you can play, but for now, keep an eye on him since your Kuya Samuel and Gemma might steal him."
"OK, Papa, I’ll deal with them; I’ll keep an eye on my baby brother," Blythe said with a narrowed eye.
Kuya Samuel and I broke out laughing when we saw Blythe’s eyes.
I quickened my pace till I felt I had collided with someone’s chest. And guess what I did, which I’m sure surprised that person. I didn’t bother looking up to see who this person was, and I didn’t apologize; I simply strangely wrapped my arms around him. I know it’s embarrassing, but I can’t help myself; I’m in too much agony and need someone’s arms. But you know what, this person doesn’t seem odd at all; the instant I held him, I felt peace.
Emotions stir with no other outlet but through my long-lasting sobs. That person let the torrent of my tears soak through his shirt as he put his hand on my back, moving it with gentle pressure over my hair, typically repeatedly.
I never let him go, and he never stopped stroking my back. He continued to do so until the chaos in my head subsided.
"I- I’m sorry, mister... I shouldn’t have done that to you. Sorry for causing you trouble..."
I recoiled in surprise as I realized who I had been hugging all along was the prince.
"P-Prince Augustus?"
Prince Augustus put me in his car and drove me away from the hospital. He pulled over to the side of the convenience shop, got out, and returned with two cups of coffee and a paper bag full of food. The prince handed it to me and then restarted the engine. I didn’t bother asking where he was taking me; I simply stared out the window.
He parked his car on the bridge’s side. He took the snacks and coffee he had asked me to hold. Prince Augustus then got out of his car; he didn’t ask me, but his stare told me.
"Where are we?" I asked.
"Riverside," he walked down to the river’s edge, handed me a cup of coffee that he was carrying. "Here,"
"You’re putting pressure on your body again; you’re not healed yet." I scolded him.
"Lying and doing nothing isn’t going to help my body heal, negie."
"Does Lincoln or Lillian know you fled?
"Lillian is aware; she is the one who informs me I can return home."
"Oh, I see," followed by another awkward silence.
"How can you take care of me and then forget about your siblings?" Prince Augustus said, looking up at me. "You’re not my personal maid, negie, so it’s no longer your obligation to keep an eye on me or be worried about whether or not I harm myself."
I took a step closer to the barrier. I didn’t say anything in response to what he said; instead, I just stood there watching the river. Because, you know, I’m at a loss for words. I’m not sure why I feel the prince still needs me. Maybe it’s because I’m used to doing it, or maybe it’s something else.
"Uh, Prince Augustus, how did you find out about my brother..." I whirled back, astonished to see him behind me.
"Gemma..." he said, putting his hand on my head. Then a silence come between us before he said the words that will entire body. "Be my personal maid, again."
I couldn’t respond to what he said, but it stunned me as we gazed at each other.
————
I pulled my clothes out of the closet and placed them, one by one, back in my suitcase. This scene, when I have to decide whether or not to go to the palace, is causing me déjà vu all over again. I’m doing the same for my family. I swore to myself that I would never return, but I have to, even though I know I will suffer again.

"I’m not asking you to go back because I need you; I’m asking you because you need me. A million is too much for your brother’s surgery, and we both know you can’t afford it."
"If you’re here to insult me, please leave; I don’t need anyone’s help."
"I’m not insulting you; I’m only stating the fact. I despise going anywhere with you, but I have to bear with it; being my personal maid again will help you solve that problem, and the king surely would not deny you because he favors you more than me."
"Why... why are you doing this to me? You loathe me."
"I may loathe you, but not your brother," Prince Augustus said. "Think of it as my way of repaying you for saving my hellish life."
Without hesitation, I accepted the offer again, which is why I’m here in my room packing my belongings as the prince waits outside the house.
I lowered the bag down the steps cautiously so it wouldn’t fall. After departing, I took one last peek around our house. The prince was about to go when we were stopped by a vehicle, which brought out Mishelley, Gabriel, and Deacon.
"I heard about your brother, so I went with Mishelley; how are things going?" Deacon asked.
I ignored him and focused my attention on Mishelley. "I’m going."
"Where are you going?" Gabriel asked.
The prince stepped out of the car and said. "She’s heading back to the palace."
"Who the heck are you?" Gabriel inquired, casting a skeptical glance at the prince. "Gemma didn’t say anything about the new friend."
"Well, I’m not negie’s friend," Prince Augustus said, crossing his arms and leaning against his car. "My name is..."
"He’s the prince, Gabriel," Deacon continued. "Prince Augustus Cynfael Hearst Clemente."
Gabriel unexpectedly punched Prince Augustus in the face, Deacon and Mishelley swiftly stopped him. "For goodness’ sake, Gabriel! He’s the prince!" Mishelley exclaimed.
"Psychopath prince. Don’t you recall what Gemma said, that prince..." Gabriel pointed to the prince. "Made Gemma’s life miserable. Acting novel but a sadist."
"Stop," I said in hushed tones.
"You are to blame for why horrible things happened to Gemma; if it hadn’t been for you, she would have spared her brother from tragedy; he put you above his brother!"
"Shut up!" I yelled. They came to a halt. "Please, I’ve got a lot on my mind right now; it’s as if my head is about to burst from the number of problems I have; your fight isn’t helping me at all; it’s making me feel worse."
"Gemma, don’t go with him," Gabriel said, holding my hand. "We will find a way to earn the million pesos needed for Allerick’s surgery."
"What way? You’ll ask people for money, which would further shame our family; this is why I don’t tell you my plans since I know you are against everything I said," I said sternly.
"Listen, Gabriel. Gemma’s right, only the royal family can save them," Mishelley said as she stood between us. "She’s our friend, and whatever her decision is, we must back her. Gemma doesn’t do it for her own sake, you know that."
"Are we done here?" Prince Augustus said, his brow furrowed.
When the prince got into the car, I opened the passenger seat door and, before deciding to follow the prince, I looked them in the eyes one by one, worried about me.
"Take care, Gemma. Don’t worry, I’ll tell Aunt," Mishelley said.
"And hey, sorry about yesterday; see you soon," Deacon added.
Gabriel averted his gaze away from me.
"I’m sorry, Gabriel," I said before I shut the door of the prince’s car.