Marie graduated with flying colors. She was not at the top of the class but made a place on the list of awardees. She was then offered by her former school Ramon Magsaysay High School a position as they needed one English teacher. Their one old English teacher retired two months after her board examination and since the result of the examination was not yet released, she was advised to be a volunteer teacher in that school. One month after, she went home late. “Good evening, Mar!” the guard greeted her in the shadow of the flickering light near the gate. ‘Good evening, too!” Soon she reached their room but wondered why no lights were turned on even on the path outside of the palace’s garden. Everything was dark, so she got her phone and used the flashlight there. She called everyone but no one answered. “Did I forget to know our schedules today? For the past two weeks, we are busy in school. Then, next week. Thanks, God it’s Friday. Tomorrow, I have my piano tutorial again." Marie
It was Thursday afternoon when Marie felt a sudden pain in her back. She just ignored it at first thinking that it was due to long hours of sitting. This is due to the paper works she needed to finish for the incoming English Literary and Speech class. Aside from that, she was assigned to make the program and certificates. Her companions were the two English teachers who were about to retire that year, so instead of letting them work, she volunteered to do it alone. “Ouch! The pain is no longer slight but I feel something not right in my back lately as well last week.” Irene peeled three oranges on her table and put them on a simple flowery plate next to Marie. “Mar, I guess it’s time for you to see the doctor. You may never know what caused pain in your back unless that doctor tells you otherwise. Tell Joe to accompany you." "However, you know that he is no longer free from his job at the Alyesan Firm". Marie was saddened by the thought. Irene took a bit of one apple, swallowed,
Marie found out that there were other four Filipinos who were accepted for the Fullbright scholarship. However, these four had their different specialized subjects majors different from her. While she enrolled at the State University of New York with a Master of Education major in English Language, the four were placed at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Middlebury College specializing in Science, Math, and Research. “Why on earth am I reading again a Danish magazine? Didn’t I give up the idea of knowing his whereabouts and updates already?" Marie thought as she grabbed a copy of the magazine under the table in one of the fast-food restaurants in New York while finishing her tea. Back to the prince's place, his frowned face was obviously displayed in the mirror of his room as he sat facing it. “How are you?” The prince read his message again before hitting the button on the International Artists Group Page. “For two days that she didn’t reply to my former message
“Wow!” I got $600 for 5 days in just 2 hours a day!” My family will be delighted about this. I’ll call mother now.” Marie thought as she looked at her Banco De Oro account online. Her students’ parents were the ones who paid her through online banking. “Mar, how are you?" It is Wednesday morning in our country. We missed you here. As she answered, she sounded in a hurry. Marie drank her lemon juice and replied, “Now is Tuesday, 7:00 in the evening here, mother. Our country is 13 hours ahead of New York.” “I see. “ “Mother, I’ll send money tomorrow to your BDO account. I’ll do the bank transfer online tonight and tomorrow, you will be able to withdraw the money.” From the very first time in several weeks, she called her mother. Marie was able to hear her father as well. Lan got the phone to Le and in a loud voice, “Mar, why did you send money here? We were supposed to send you because you were still in school.” “It’s alright, father. I did a part-time job here when the class is o
Marie still can’t believe what had happened to her Aunt Sheila in Denmark. She thought that Prince Mharl might help her to investigate it but the other side of her brain told her that she would find a way by herself. “Good evening. Ms. Marie Sieran speaking” Marie answered the phone while preparing to use the bathroom after her two hours of the tutorial. “Hello Ma’am. Good evening. This is Ms. Rice of Ivy League Stationers and we would like to inform you that your Poetry Book is now ready to be printed. Should you see the draft for the last time before we start printing them?” The secretary of a company called her. “Sure, Ma’am. Right after my third subject tomorrow, I’ll be there. That is before lunch.” She added as she returned to the living room to get her paper bag. “Okay, see you then. Thanks, Ma’am. “ “Bye, too.” Marie noticed that the paper bag she opened had a magazine of the royal family around the world. There was a notice of Free gIve aways from the book store of the Un
“What’s going on, son? Who is this girl in New York that people are talking about?" the king asked seriously. “She is just a friend Dad.” The prince assured the king. He was in his last year of Master of Law and there was so much to work on. “Dad, I am sorry I can’t stay longer, there is so much to do. The schedules for my finals are too close so, better to prepare in a bit.” “Okay, just call if you need anything. I’ll be in touch with you and your mom. Never mind the news. Soon everything will be fine.” Back in New York, a few days after Joe got married, Marie could still recall what had happened before him. It was Joe as well who shared his story and in return, Marie shared as well. Later, Joe narrated everything, so Marie and they connected their stories. Joe started to tell first in detail. For a moment Joe stood still from his office window overlooking the town. He wanted to shout and to do something just to let his anger out of his heart but he couldn't. “Oh, God, this is
“Mar, we missed you here at Ramon Magsaysay National High School. I have good news to tell. I was promoted last month.” Irene excitedly shared it with Marie who called her. “Oh! I am happy for you. When will be your wedding?” “Who said that? Irene defensively responded that she sounded surprised and softly laughed at the news. “How about you? We recently saw your pictures in a magazine in the UK, as well as in some newspapers. The majority of people recognized your face, but how about Joe?" Irene asked seriously on the phone. I did some LQ several times and that made him feel like I wasn't loving him but treating him only as my best friend. This made him tell me that I could find the love of my life here. “How about the prince?” “He is too busy with his graduate school at Harvard. Several of his royal highnesses' girls dated him recently. He had even forgotten me. He has the standard to follow. Not even me can meet that.” “I’ve seen how talented he is. His paintings are everywhe
Marie felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as she sat quietly in Icelander. An Indian movie was played loudly while the flight was carrying on. Her $578 fare was provided by the school. Due to her credentials and endorsement by her professor, her papers were approved right away. “This is it! I don’t know about tomorrow. I put everything in Your hands, Dear God. Thy will be done, she silently prayed while watching the movie once in a while. A piece of breaking news was flashed. According to reports, Prince Mharl of Denmark was engaged to one of the royal families of Spain. An anchorwoman reported that the palace arranged a secret meeting with the royal highnesses of Spain. "I cannot ignore him when I am here to work for his country. Despite his pretense of having something for me, he just played my feelings. What am I doing? Who am I anyway? This is enough. I can’t be like this.” Marie angrily uttered to herself in thought. Marie reviewed her schedule. Since she had already left