"Don't mind the prince, but he's right in that you can't call me negie since I don't really like being addressed as such," I said with a grin. "Do you want to see another movie?"
"Are you sure you're not going to follow the prince?"
I shook my head. "He wants some alone time."
"All right." He flashed a smile. "Hmmm... let's watch..."
We're now viewing the second film that Walden chose for us. When the main character mentions the name Marcos, the image of Marcos immediately springs to mind. Marcos said that he would remain for a few days; he was in the Philippines but did not seem to be there due to his constant busyness. We can't even talk with one another since every time I return home to the palace, I always find him sleeping, and every time I wake up, he has already left.
"Gemma, it's not like we're children anymore. There are certain things I need to prioritize, and there are other things I just cannot give up."
He's right; he's not the same guy I used to be able to see whenever I wanted. Marcos has grown up and now bears a great deal of responsibility, but doesn't it seem a little unfair? Why place all of the burdens on him when he is just a teenager? If you look closely, he's not far from the prince's situation. However, Prince Augustus had everyone on his side, while Marcos had no one except me, yet I was far away from him.
"Walden?"
"Hmm..." he answered while he was still concentrating on the movie.
"Can you tell me how you know Marcos, I mean Chasen?"
"As far as I'm aware, Chasen is Marcos. We met before he and his mother traveled to Scotland, and we've been in touch ever since."
"So you're not his bodyguards?"
"No, I only pretended to be one when the Queen or a member of the royal family happened to be around. You know, he is my buddy, but he is still the Queen's nephew." Walden shifted his attention to me. "Marcos talks about you all the time, Gemma. You were always in his mouth till I became tired of hearing him say your name over and over."
I couldn't help but laugh quietly.
"However, you should be aware that your name and your memory were the only way for him to survive the loss of his mother and the only reason he is still alive today."
Those laughs on my lips came to an abrupt halt.
"Marcos needs you more than anything else right now."
After watching with Walden, I thought about waiting for Marcos outside the palace. As I leaned against the fence, I tucked one hand into my pocket, which I was carrying the drawing that Marcos had given me before. I can't even get my feet to relax while I'm waiting for him. I could see the oncoming vehicle because of its bright headlights. I ran up to the vehicle since I knew Marcos was inside, so I waved at him right away.
The driver rolled down his window while Marcos sat in the backseat, looking perplexed as to why I was standing outside.
"Hey, what are you doing still standing outside? I don't think you understand how dangerous it is to be here alone." Marcos expressed his concern in a serious tone.
"I've been waiting for you," I replied.
He got out of the vehicle after allowing the driver to get in without him. "Gemma, I needed to get things done..."
"It's understandable if you're busy and don't have time for my silliness. Can you spare a few minutes of your time for me? Go somewhere that is far from here, please!" I begged.
Marcos gently placed his fingers on my cheeks and slowly took my hand in his, pulling me away from the royal grounds. "I've been dying to do this since I saw you at the ball, Gemma. I wanted to run away with you." Marcos exclaimed as we ran away from the palace.
Marcos didn't let go of my hand till we reached the highway. We're so out of breath that we can't even talk clearly. However, as soon as we locked gazes on one another, a raucous chuckle erupted from our lips. After all this time, I've finally gotten to watch him laugh.
"So, what are your plans for the rest of the night?" He asked.
"Hmm..."
"Kwek Kwek!" At the same instant, we both yelled.
"Argh! Mouthwatering aromas filled the air." Marcos said, obviously missing eating quail eggs. Once again, he took my hand and we continued our escape. "You have no idea how much I've longed to eat kwek kwek again.
Unlike him, I wasn't excited about eating quail eggs; instead, I was looking forward to spending time with him. After a long search, we were able to find a vendor. Of course, Marcos was the one who initially grabbed a stick as he took quail eggs one by one and began dipping quail eggs into sweetened vinegar.
"Hmm," I found myself unable to bite into what I was eating due to his amusing look while eating quail eggs. "Tha e blasad math!" I'm not sure whether it was because of the flavor that his Scottish side suddenly showed.
Marcos devoured so much kwek kwek that the seller was unable to keep count of how much he took. Not only did he take fish balls, squid balls, and kikiam, but he also planned on eating all the street foods sold by the vendor. The vendor will not cry on his way home since Marcos had provided him with almost a week's wages. He even invited some of the beggars to join him, and when his stomach couldn't handle any more food, he stopped and seemed to be smiling at me.
We take a seat at the bus stop, which is just next to the vendor, and silently listen to the noise of the surrounding area. The horn of the vehicle, the noise of the traffic, the shout of the jeepney barker, and the laughter of the kids next to us all appeared to temporarily lift our hearts and make us feel free.
"This is the feeling that I nearly forgot about." Marcos started. "I hope this is how I feel every day."
My words are a complete mess, and I don't want to disrupt the mood. He might be saddened by what I say. Rather than say anything, I took the paper from my pocket and handed it to him.
"W- what is this?" He asked as if he had completely forgotten what it was.
"You gave that to me a long time ago," I said.
As he opened it, I knew he remembered it because a grin slowly appeared on his lips as he did so. "I'm surprised you still have this." He uttered while recoiling in surprise.
I smiled and nodded.
Marcos let out a gasp. "Allow me to share a secret with you."
"Secret?" I repeated. "Okay."
"You know, ever since you helped me lift my bicycle for me, I've always wanted to be your first boyfriend." Marcos cracks a little laugh. "I always imagine you... being my girlfriend."
"You've gone insane." I chuckled.
He turned his gaze to me. "Up till this point..." Marcos's gaze becomes solemn. "But I knew it wouldn't happen because I had to go back, I had to take care of something you weren't a part of." Tears streamed down his cheeks all of a sudden.
I went alongside him, hurriedly wiping away his tears.
"I want to be your first and last lover. I want to come to you many times, I want to... put you first, but then I realize that the circumstances I'm in right now would just make you suffer even more. I want to say wait for me, wait for me even if I come back in a few years, and then I will be your boyfriend. But no, you'll have to wait a few more years, and that's too selfish. I'm certain that someone will come for you someday, someone better than me. But, if you are able to wait, please choose to."
Not a word came out of my mouth; instead, I just nodded.
"God knows how much I care for you, how much my heart loves you." He grabbed my hand in his and kissed it. "I won't stop dreaming of being your boyfriend, Gemma."
I wrapped my arms around him. "I like you, too, Marcos," was the only response I could muster in response to his words.
I feel that he needed me more and that I am the only reason he is still alive today. Despite his reluctance to let me go, he will do so if it is necessary.