I
Leslie could not contain her tears while inside the cab. She knew it was her fault. She cannot blame Lumaro. At the onset that they met, she knew all along that Lumaro came to Albaya for Grazziena. But she will not just give up that easily without doing anything to fight for what she feels for Lumaro.

“Madam here we are now at the Governor’s mansion.” The cab driver halted the car in front of the mansion’s gate.

Leslie alighted from the cab after paying the driver and pushed the mansion’s doorbell. After a minute the guard peeped in the gate and asked her what she needs.

“I need to speak with Governor Draeko. Please tell him I am Leslie, a friend of Grazziena. I need to tell him something urgent.” Leslie replied to the guard while wiping her tears.

The guard’s face disappeared on the gate and after a while, he returned.

“Please get inside Ms. Leslie, Governor Draeko is waiting for you.” The guard said as he opened wide the gate of the mansion so that Leslie can enter.

The guard brought Leslie to the lanai area, where Governor Draeko was there drinking wine. He looked devastated; hair disheveled and seemed to have not slept at all. Leslie felt pity for the Governor.

“Governor Draeko,” Leslie greeted him. She wipes her tears, which she failed to control to fall again, especially when she saw Governor Draeko in his lamenting state.

“Leslie, have a seat, and please don’t mind my look now.” The young Governor said trying to smile. But his eyes could not smile even a little.

Leslie sat down and looked at their young and handsome Governor.

“Governor, I am here to tell you something. If you really love Grazziena, you will do something to stop her from leaving Albaya to go with Lumaro to his country. I am sure, she cannot come back anymore. Lumaro will force her to marry him upon arrival at the Mt. Reveree; that is the place of Lumaro’s pack, the Cold Mountain Pack.” Leslie exclaimed shaking. This is her last card. If Governor Draeko will not listen to her; her love for Lumaro will end at this point.

Suddenly, Governor Draeko looked at Leslie with an unfathomable expression.

“Grazziena, my Grazziena.” he muttered like he was not in his proper self.

“Yes Governor, we need to do something to stop Lumaro with his plan. Grazziena should not come with Lumaro at Mt. Reveree, otherwise, she cannot return to Albaya anymore.”Leslie reiterated her information.

Governor Draeko stood up. “Leslie let’s go,” he said, showing now the former ardor, vitality, and authority he innately has.

He called his driver and they drove going to Grazzieena’s house.

At that time; Grazziena and Lumaro were travelling already going to the airport. Lumaro had a strong guess that Leslie will do something to stop him, so she booked a flight this afternoon and told Grazziena that they have no other recourse but to leave now since the next flight to the capital might take another three days more.

At first, Grazziena protested but seeing the seriousness on Lumaro’s face made her agreed later on. Anyway, she has complete documents and she has her passport. They can process her visa in the capital should it be needed.

When Governor Draeko and Leslie arrived at Grazziena’s house, they were greeted by Aling Lumen and Mang Ruben.

“Governor Draeko, good afternoon.” Mang Ruben greeted the young Governor.

“Mang Ruben, may I know if Grazziena is around; I need to speak with her please.” Governor Draeko’s voice was in a pleading tone and Mang Ruben’s heart has been gently touched upon seeing the devastated look of the young man.

Aling Lumen and Mang Ruben looked at each other, both with sadness on their faces.

“Governor Draeko, apology, but Grazziena already left. They might be boarding the plane now.” Aling Lumen informed the Governor, melancholy was evident in her tone.

II

Immediately, Governor Draeko got his mobile phone and dialed a number.

“Captain Villega, this is Governor Draeko.”

“Governor Draeko, Sir what an honor to receive a call from you. What can I do for you Governor?” The head pilot of the only airline that flies from Albaya to the Capital asked. He was totally overwhelmed with pride to receive a call from their Governor.

“Captain Villega, may I request to delay your flight now for at least two hours. I will be on my way to the airport.”

“Governor, no problem, I will just announce that there is a technical problem to be fixed first hence the delay in the flight.” The Pilot said with pride.

“Thank you, Captain, and one more thing, please scan through the airport and check if our reigning Ms. Albaya is there now. Please tell your management that I order to close all the gates of the airport for a very urgent reason.” Governor Draeko further instructed the Pilot, to which the latter agreed.

Leslie admiringly listened to Governor Draeko. He handled the matter so smoothly. Leslie was able to release a long breath, full of hope that her love for Lumaro will not be put in vain.

At the airport, all the passengers frowned when they heard the announcement of the delays in the flight due to some technical problems that need to be fixed in the aircraft. However, they cannot do anything about it. They do not want to die anyway. Who is going to ride on a plane with a possible technical problem? None would do.

Captain Villega smiled. The most reasonable ground to delay a flight is to announce a technical problem on the aircraft and no one will question that.

All the airport’s guard has been instructed to control the ins and out of passengers. None was allowed to get out while the aircraft fixing has been done.

Lumaro looked at Grazziena with rolling eyeballs. “This is bad Grazziena. We will be delayed for two hours,” he murmured.

Grazziena shrugged her shoulders. “We cannot do anything about it Lumaro, that is the usual problem with our old airplanes here.”

At the main gate of the airport; Governor Draeko’s BMW car was already allowed to pass by the guards with a matching salute to the young Governor, who had just shown his head out of his BMW’s window, and automatically the guards opened the gate for their car to pass.

“Governor Dreako, I will stay inside your car. I don’t want Lumaro and Grazziena to know that I was the one who helped you.” Leslie requested.

“No problem Leslie. Stay here then.” Governor Draeko said as he got out of the car.

Governor Draeko entered the departure waiting area and everyone inside, especially the women looked at him with awe. Although his hair is totally a mess; the young governor’s dashing look has never been affected by it at all.

Grazziena was in shock when he saw Governor Draeko approaching her, with his eyes fiercely looking at her, while his fists were clenched tightly.

Lumaro on one hand was not able to move when two men in civilian clothes, who introduced themselves as Policemen, hand cupped him.