“Done.” Enrique adjusts the laces of my cowboy shoes. This is one of the things we bought yesterday at the mall. I don’t know why he made me wear it but he said we were going somewhere.
“Where exactly are we going?”
“Just come with me,” he answered and smiled. “It’s your thing to wear a cowgirl. You’re hot and sexy.”
“Shh.” I rolled my eyes so he laughed. “Let me just remind you that I am not your first love with seven children who ride horses.”
“You’re hotter and sexier than anyone. And I see no one else and refer to no one else but you.”
‘Ok, don’t be too excited, Daze?’
“And one more thing—I’m referring to a different cowgirl.”
“Huh?”
“Let’s go.” She reached out her hand to mine and both of us left. I didn’t know where we were going but I just followed him.
But wait, what did he say? Another cowgirl? Does the cowgirl look anything else? Never mind, I don’t really like horses so I won’t think about what other cowgirl he’s referring to.
“She’s her,” He said smiling and not far away I saw Hailey. She was wearing a simple white t-shirt and denim pants and was riding a white horse towards us.
I have to admit that Hailey’s skills are insecure as well as her appearance on horseback. She looks perfect while moving her body. She even beat the famous equestrians I see on my tv. Even actors or models that come across my feed on horseback. All of them had nothing to do with this girl.
“Hi prince, Hi Daze,” she greeted us and got off the horse as if it was effortless for her. The movement is smooth as if you just went down a step. I became more and more insecure about her.
“Hi, princess.” Enrique touched the horse’s face. “Hey! dear Pinchy.”
“How are you?” Hailey asked me.
“I’m okay, still beautiful even if it’s close to crazy.” She gave me a smile that made me smile because too.
Of course, this beautiful girl is really insecure. Everything is perfect, face, body, actions, even the way she talked. Brother Phoenix’s luck with him. Well, all the husbands of my sister’s friends and also my sister is of course beautiful and have their own charms, but if you are looking for a true goddess, perfect beauty. This Hailey is the perfect definition.
It’s like a goddess that has fallen to the ground. Aphrodite was ashamed of her beauty. The epitome of true goddess beauty. Aphrodite can be kicked out of her throne. And even though the son was seven, he was still overcome by young women. I look nothing compared to. No wonder why my husband is dead to her even though she has children.
“Where’s the kid, anyway?” Enrique asked but focused his attention on the horse. He didn’t even look at Hailey because he wanted to touch the horse first.
“In the mansion with Phoenix. He will have a headache now, especially Eagle. That brat, she is not Dylan’s daughter, but it looks like they are father and daughter.”
She is right. That girl, if she didn’t look like her father, I would think she was my brother Dylan’s daughter because of her behavior.
“Thanks for bringing Pinchy here.” Then he faced us. “You know that I can’t trust any of the horses aside from Pinchy and her mom. Penny can’t because she’s pregnant.” He glanced at Hailey but immediately returned his gaze to the horse.
“It’s fine. Pinchy will be here until her mother gives birth. I can’t take care of her there either because the other one is about to give birth.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Oh wait, I’m just going to get something inside. You two will be here for a while.” Enrique left so Hailey and I were left here.
I am not comfortable with her presence. Maybe because of the fact that she is Enrique’s first love. I know she is innocent and I shouldn’t be jealous of her but I am insecure with her. Especially since she was the first woman the man I loved.
“How are you and Enrique?” She asked after a while.
“Good. Couple on paper.” I answered but looking at the horse.
“On paper? It’s not like that’s what I see,” she answered back so I looked at her.
“What do you mean?”
“That Enrique has feelings for you.” But I laughed because of what she said. “Why? Don’t you feel it?”
“You’re funny, Hailey,” I said and wiped my face.
“Huh?”
“You know what you are saying is impossible. He only feels sorry for me because of what happened to me and he only blames himself. That’s just a concern because I’m the mother of his daughter and he knows I only stayed because of our problem. Then how can he like me then, he’s really dead to you. He hasn’t moved you on yet.”
But she just smiled at what I said. Really annoying. Why is she so beautiful? Her smile is simple but still perfect. I think this girl is a witch. Everyone is bewitched to like her.
“You know what, Daze? Maybe you’re right that I was the first one he saw. But I don’t believe I am his first love.” I stared at her because of what she said.
“What are you saying? Don’t say that you didn’t know that he likes you. It’s impossible. He even told me that you offered to beat him when you and Brother Phoenix broke up. Then you are not aware?”
“I offered but he refused. Not because he believes that my husband and I will get back together. He refused because he knew he wasn’t sure about his true feelings for me either. Alright, let’s say he likes me, but the word like means a lot. It can be wanting to be a best friend, wanting to be a brother that we sometimes think we want as a spouse because it is the opposite of gender. But eventually, as the marriage goes on, it’s only then that they realize what it really is.”
I let her talk and I just listened to her.
“I know Enrique, Daze. When he wants something, nothing can stop him. No one can stop him because he will fight or he will fight even if death is his opponent. He will also not enter into something that he does not want or that is against him. Now tell me—if he loves me? Why didn’t he fight me and reject my offer? If he doesn’t like you and you have no place in his heart—why did he marry you? As long as you are married to him, you are a Dy but why did he come into your life and gamble with you?”
“B-because he thought Ixora was his niece and he wanted to be Locsin.”
“Your child can still be a Locsin even if you are not married. It’s still his family.” He took my hand and held it then smiled at me. “Daze, Enrique never looked at me the way he looks at you. And he never looked a woman in the eye, not even me. But with you, he can look into your eyes.”
I didn’t move because of what she said. She just smiled at me and then caressed my face.
“Maybe Enrique likes me but he doesn’t love me. That’s different, Daze.”
“But he admitted that to me even then. And I’m sure even you notice that. He said he likes you and he’s still counting on you.”
My god! He has even mentioned her on our first sex. This means he is what the crazy person thinks about. The fool has already fantasized about her, and she is not yet aware.
“You see something different from what I see, Daze. Enrique never showed me anything romantic. His treatment and concern for me is only for a friend and brother. Did you know that Enrique doesn’t smile when facing a woman or he rarely smiles at the woman he’s talking to except when looking at their faces? Even to me he rarely laughs but I bet he smiles and laughs in front of you. Not just in front of you but looking right at you.”
I swallowed because of what he said. Everything he said Enrique is doing to me. Look at me, stare at me, smile at me, and laugh in front of me.
“Believe me, Daze, he really loves you and not me.”
“Here I am, sorry to keep you waiting, ladies.” He came to me and then put something on my head. “There, it fits.” He adjusted the cowboy hat on my head and gave me a proud smile.
“I remember that cowboy hat.” But his smile also disappeared and then he looked seriously at Hailey but only for a moment and then looked back at me and smiled again.
“Yeah, this is the cowboy hat that my dad gave to my mom. And mom told me that she will give it to her princess.” I frowned because of what he said. Princess? He doesn’t have a sister? Does their mommy know that Ervic is gay or maybe he———-I looked at Hailey? Couldn’t he be referring to her? Because they called princess?
“It’s a pity that Aunt Maria and Uncle Salvo didn’t catch their two princesses. I’m sure they must have had a lot of fun.”
“Yeah. But I know they are both happy right now,” Enrique said.
“Oh okay, I’m leaving and Jun might be outside, he’ll be my driver back to the hacienda and Phoenix might be crying now. Because that won’t work with Eagle.”
“Take care. Send my regards to your husband.”
“Sure, bye Pinchy.” She caressed the horse’s face and then left. “I’m going Daze. Enjoy you two.”
“Take care.” Enrique and I said together.
When Hailey left, Enrique was about to take me but I look at him.
“Why?”
“Enrique, don’t you call Hailey prince and princess?” I ask.
“Yup. Why?”
“Who are the two princesses you’re talking about?” he smiled at me and then looked up. “Hey!”
“You and Ixora.”
“Huh?”
“Prince and Princess are Hailey and I’s a call sign. But when my mom was alive she refers her soon-to-be in-laws and soon-to-be granddaughter Princess. Even if there is nothing, she is preparing to have a princess here. Because mom is always the queen. That’s why he always told me and Ervic that when we get married or find the one we want to be with forever, we should treat them like princesses. As well as our future daughters.”
“So Hailey isn’t the only princess in your life if your mommy catches up with your fiancé? Or me—because I’m your wife.”
“Yup. Hailey and I just got used to it because when she was young she loved to watch princess movies. But it doesn’t mean that she’s the princess that I want in my kingdom. Never did I imagine, too.”
I suddenly thought of something. I don’t want to think but I really do. Because when—–“Enrique.”
“Yes?”
“When—-our first—-wasn’t Hailey what you were thinking about then? She is what you call a princess?” But he laughed out loud that scratched my forehead.
“No, not her. I never imagined Hailey with me in bed. Nor to kiss her. I can’t see myself having romantic feelings for him.”
“Not her? Then who? Do you have another princess beside her?”
“Yes, I have.”
“Who?”
“The one who’s with me at that time. The only princess that I want to spend the rest of my life with. The princess that wants her KISA too.”
“Huh? W-what—-”
“The princess that her prince always saved her. The princess kept chasing her prince, and she won. Because right now, she’s the queen of his kingdom and lives with their little princess. Hopefully, like the fairy tales, they will live happily ever after.”
“One more thing, Hailey is also not the princess I am referring to that I will wait for even though she already committed to someone else. I am referring to the princess I thought belonged to my brother who is also the prince of this kingdom.”
Oh my gosh! I feel like I’m going to faint with excitement because of what he said. Even though he couldn’t tell who it was but—-it seemed like I knew who he was referring to. Don’t be stupid Daze. You know it’s you, period.