Chapter 49: The Gift
The moment we arrived at the City of Dreams, a lavish five-star hotel in Manila, General Romeo's team sprang into action. Like bees tending their hive, each person moved with purpose—arranging decorations, preparing for guests, and orchestrating the evening's events. Amid the flurry, my former comrades—women soldiers I'd trained with at camp—grabbed me, their faces alight with mischievous smiles and eager excitement. "Hurry up, Flora!" one called, pulling me away from the General. Before I could make sense of it, I was surrounded by a lively group of women, their energy infectious.
"Let's get the princess ready!" another soldier teased, her voice brimming with playful delight. They tugged me into a room, and though I squirmed in confusion, their enthusiasm left me no choice but to follow. "It's the General's orders, Flora! Just go along!" one said, her grin practically bursting with joy.
Inside, my breath caught in my throat. I'd expected the familiar—rifles, weapons, or anything tied to the battlefield I knew so well. Instead, I stepped into a breathtaking dressing room adorned with soft fabrics, gilded mirrors, and twinkling ceiling lights that mimicked a starry sky. The air was filled with the delicate scent of flowers—perhaps roses and sampaguita—evoking memories of La Trinidad's vibrant gardens, a place I held dear.
Hotel staff poured in, carrying boxes of makeup, brushes, and tools I never imagined I'd see on a mission. They guided me to a plush chair before a mirror, and before I could ask what was happening, they began transforming my face. "Why are you doing this? What's going on?" I asked, bewildered. Their only reply was, "The General's orders, Princess. We're just doing our job."
"Princess?" I whispered, utterly perplexed. But there was no time to think. "The General gave us ten minutes, so please stay still!" one staff member urged, her voice tinged with urgency. I had no choice but to comply, my heart pounding with questions and nervous anticipation.
The next few minutes unfolded like a dream. When they finished, I stared into the mirror, barely recognizing myself. I wore a flowing white gown that seemed woven from clouds, adorned with shimmering pearls and diamonds that sparkled like stars. The fabric cascaded over me like water, each movement imbued with an ethereal grace.
My hair was styled in soft, elegant curls, and the makeup highlighted my eyes, giving them a radiant glow. I looked like a movie star—never had I imagined I could be this beautiful. "Is this really me?" I murmured, awestruck.
I touched the hem of the gown, and in a surge of joy, I twirled slowly before the mirror, like a child lost in a fairy tale. A smile spread across my face, and for a fleeting moment, the dreams of my youth—buried beneath life's tragedies—came alive again. But as I spun, I glimpsed a shadow by the door. It was General Romeo, standing there, his eyes fixed on me.
My cheeks burned with embarrassment. *He saw me dancing like a child pretending to be a princess!* I stopped abruptly, clutching the gown and lowering my gaze, unsure how to face the mortifying moment. "So embarrassing," I whispered to myself.
He entered, dressed in a pristine white tuxedo that lent him an air of striking elegance. His commanding presence was softened by a warmth in his eyes as he looked at me. I noticed a faint blush on his cheeks—something I never expected from a man like him.
A hotel staff member approached, handing him a diamond-encrusted tiara. He stepped toward me slowly, each step intensifying the pounding of my heart. "Are you happy tonight, Flora?" he asked, his voice deep and sincere.
"General, what's going on? Why am I dressed like this?" I asked, still confused. But before I could continue, he placed a finger gently on my lips, silencing me. "Don't worry about the details for now. Just enjoy tonight," he said, his tone gentle yet firm.
I didn't know how to respond. My mind buzzed with questions, but my heart urged me to trust him. He placed the tiara on my head, and in that moment, the world seemed to shift. "You're the princess tonight, so savor it," he said, turning me to face the mirror.
When I looked, tears welled in my eyes. I never imagined I could look like this—a true princess. "Happy 18th birthday, Flora," he added, and it dawned on me: this was all for my birthday.
"Wait, you remembered my birthday?" I asked, incredulous.
"I'm always late with my greetings, but I've never forgotten your birthday," he replied, his smile warm with genuine care. "Since I pushed you to become a soldier, you've had little joy—just training and strict orders. I remember when you were a child at the orphanage, dancing in front of the mirror, pretending to be a princess in a palace."
My face flushed with embarrassment, and I covered it with my hands. "Please, General, don't remind me of those humiliating moments!" I exclaimed, nearly jumping in shame.
He gently took my hands, pulling them away. "There's nothing wrong with dreaming, Flora. It's normal for humans to want a beautiful life," he said, his voice tender. "I can't give you a real palace, but I can make you a princess, even if only for tonight."
His words pierced my heart. For the first time, I felt the warmth of family, something I'd long forgotten amid the tragedies of La Trinidad. My childhood dreams of being a princess in a flower-filled kingdom bloomed anew. I knew I wasn't a real princess, with no wealth or power, but because of General Romeo, I felt I wasn't alone.
I faced him, noticing the serious expression on his face. I pouted and complained, "General, why are you frowning again? I don't want to see you unhappy doing this for me!" I reached out, gently touching his cheek to coax a smile.
"I'm not used to smiling all the time, Flora. You're pushing it if you expect me to smile all night," he replied, a playful edge in his voice.
"I'm the princess tonight, right? So you have to smile for me!" I teased, and soon enough, a sincere smile spread across his face. That night, I felt true happiness, each moment becoming a memory I knew I'd never forget.
---
Minutes later, we were led to a grand hall transformed into a palace ballroom. The walls were adorned with roses, sampaguita, and hibiscus, their fragrance filling the air like a garden. Ice sculptures of soldiers gleamed under sparkling chandeliers. The guests, mostly my former camp comrades, greeted us with joyful cheers. "Happy birthday, Flora!" they shouted, their applause echoing through the hall.
The atmosphere buzzed with merriment. Some sang songs, others snapped photos, and a long table overflowed with food—from lechon and kare-kare to exquisite desserts I'd never tasted before. Seeing my old comrades, the women I trained with, filled my heart with uncontainable joy. "I thought you were in Mindanao? Why are you here?" I asked one, who grinned back.
"Two days ago, the General called me. He even persuaded my superior to let me come to Manila," she replied, her voice tinged with admiration. "Honestly, I knew you were his favorite at camp, but I never imagined he'd throw you a celebration this grand!"
I smiled, but another comrade jumped in. "He gives us birthday gifts too, but never at a five-star hotel! He rented this entire place for you, Flora. This must've cost millions!"
Another soldier draped an arm around me, her smile mischievous. "You're so lucky, Flora. It seems you've captured the General's heart! No man would go to such effort unless he's in love."
I flushed, flustered. "No, you're mistaken! The General doesn't like me that way. He's said so himself—he sees me as family!" I protested, but their grins only widened.
"I'm nice too, but I wouldn't throw you a party like this!" one teased, sparking laughter. "Who else but a millionaire could afford a birthday here?"
Another playfully nudged me. "Flora, you're not thinking! It's normal for the General to say he sees you as family—he says that to all of us. But you're the only one he always favors. We were jealous when he'd let you skip training because you were crying or struggling!"
I shook my head, though I couldn't deny the truth in their words. "He treats you differently, Flora. Even if he sees you as a sister now, it's not far-fetched that he might choose you as his wife. He's still single, right? Maybe he's doing this to show he loves you!" another added, her smile teasing.
A jolt surged from my stomach to my chest. I glanced at General Romeo, who was across the hall, speaking with soldiers. My heart raced, and I didn't know why. My mind swirled with questions. *Does he love me? Impossible!* He'd made it clear he saw me only as family. But why was I so nervous? I'd accepted we were like siblings, but my comrades' words stirred a question I wasn't ready to face.
To clear my mind, I stepped to the side of the hall and grabbed a glass of wine. As I sipped, I tried to calm myself. "Don't think about it, Flora. You're just family to him," I told myself. But each sip intensified my unease.
Moments later, General Romeo approached, taking a glass of wine and clinking it against mine. "Don't drink too much, Flora. The night's not over. I have another gift for you," he said, his smile enigmatic.
He raised his hand, and two soldiers approached, handing him two keys. "This is for your new home. I want you to move to a proper condo near your school," he said. "And this is for your new car. I'll enroll you in driving school, but you'll have a driver until you learn."
I stared, speechless. "General, are you joking?" I asked, pushing the keys back. "I can't accept these!"
His expression was resolute. "Do I look like I'm joking? They're paid for, non-refunded," he replied, his voice firm.
"But General, this party is enough. You don't need to give me more!" I protested, but he took my hand, his touch sending a warm shiver through me.
"Even if I don't need to, I want to do this for you," he said, pulling me along. "Come, I have one more gift."
I had no choice but to follow. We left the hall and entered an elevator, his hand still holding mine, creating a quiet tension. "Don't ask questions yet, Flora," he said, and the silence in the elevator felt heavy.
When we reached the hotel's rooftop, a garden greeted us, adorned with flowers and star-like lights. In one corner, musicians played soft melodies. "General, you arranged this too?" I asked, incredulous.
He smiled, a hint of shyness in his expression. "Honestly, I don't know much about these things. I just told my team to prepare something a woman would love."
We stopped in the center of the garden, and he faced me, his gaze intense. "Can you dance, Flora?" he asked. "In palace celebrations, the princess must dance to complete the night, right?"
He placed his hand on my waist, drawing me close. As the music began, I followed his lead, unable to meet his eyes—my embarrassment was overwhelming. I felt the warmth of his body, and my heart pounded as if it might burst.
*Why am I feeling this way?* I asked myself. I admired General Romeo as my leader and guardian, the inspiration for my dream to become a soldier. But why was I so nervous?
"Are you enjoying yourself?" he asked, his voice gentle.
I couldn't answer directly. "Who wouldn't be thrilled with a gift like this?" I murmured, my eyes avoiding his. His warmth, his hand on my waist—it all confused me.
After the dance, he invited me to sit. Waiters served us steak, salad, and wine—food far too lavish for a simple night. As I stared at the meal, I noticed the musicians still playing and the garden glowing with lights. *How much did he spend on this?* I wondered.
"Flora, don't you like the steak? Want something else?" he asked, noticing my silence.
"It's not that, General. I love the food, but… this must've cost a fortune," I said, embarrassed.
He set down his utensils and looked at me, a hint of frustration on his face. "You don't need to worry about the cost, Flora. Unless you plan to pay me back," he teased.
I shook my head. "I don't have money to pay for this, General!" I replied, my cheeks warming.
He laughed. "If I cared about the cost, I wouldn't have adopted a glutton like you," he joked, but I protested.
"I'm not a glutton! And I'm not a high-maintenance girl!" I snapped, exasperated.
As we bickered, his phone rang. He read a message, then stood, grabbing my hand. "I have one last gift," he said.
I didn't know what to expect but followed. He took a glass of wine and led me to the edge of the garden. Standing there, he said, "Money means nothing to me, Flora, as long as my family is happy. So I'll ask again—are you happy tonight?"
"Of course, General. Who wouldn't be thrilled with what you've done?" I replied, but I couldn't shake the unease in my heart. I couldn't meet his eyes. *Am I falling for him?* I wondered, then dismissed the thought. Impossible. He was my General, my guardian, and not a potential husband.
Gathering my courage, I blurted, "General, are you happy tonight? I want to know if you're enjoying this too."
He touched my head, stroking my hair, and smiled. "As long as I see you happy, I'm happy, Flora. I enjoy seeing you smile," he said.
His words lit up my heart, but they also carried a pang of sorrow. I couldn't explain it, but in that moment, I asked, "General, do you want to marry me?"
He froze, choking on his wine. "W-What are you saying, Flora?!" he sputtered, his face red.
I cringed, wishing the ground would swallow me, but I needed an answer. I grabbed his glass and drank the wine. "Be honest, General. Are you doing this to win me over?" I asked, my voice trembling.
"You always favor me, going out of your way for me. That's not normal for a General and his subordinate. I know you want me to be happy, but you don't need to spend millions for that. I'm confused by how specially you treat me!"
He stopped me, placing a finger on my lips. "Do you think I'm doing this because I want you as my wife?" he asked, his voice calm but serious.
I blushed and looked down, mortified. "It's normal to wonder, right? I don't understand what you're thinking, so I need to know what your intentions are," I said, almost whispering.
He sighed. "You know, Flora, you're kind, gentle, and beautiful. To me, you're the perfect woman for—"
Before he could finish, I covered his mouth, furious. "Stop it, General! I've heard those compliments before!" I shouted. "I just want to know what you really want for us!"
He fell silent, his eyes locked on mine. The silence stretched, each second amplifying my nerves. He took my hand, gently removing it from his mouth, and held it tightly. "What do you want to hear from me, Flora?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
I froze. What *did* I want to hear? Was it right to ask if he had feelings for me? What if he said yes? What would I do? I shook my head, embarrassed. "I just want the truth," I whispered.
He placed his hands on my shoulders, and I looked up at him. What he did next caught me off guard. He kissed my forehead, and at that moment, the sky erupted in light. Fireworks filled the night, their red, blue, and gold colors dancing above. I was speechless, my body frozen with nerves.
He didn't answer my question. Instead, he looked at the sky. Moments later, as he watched the fireworks, he sighed. "I don't know why you're thinking these things, Flora. I told you before, I'm a selfish man, right? I'm doing this for myself, to fulfill my promise to care for you as family."
"Selfish man?" I whispered to myself.
As I watched the fireworks, I noticed a sadness in his eyes. I realized General Romeo wasn't just a leader but a man with his own burdens. I knew he included me in these moments to feel normal, even briefly. Yet, despite this, he couldn't fully embrace joy, weighed down by his responsibilities and past sins.
"I came from a simple town in Batangas," he began, his voice heavy with memory. "A humble community where most were Filipinos struggling to survive. My family made balisong knives and fished to put food on the table."
He shared that at ten, he received powers from the diwatas. But those powers brought trials. One day, he was forced to use them to protect his family from the Spaniards. Word spread, and the Spaniards learned of his abilities. To keep him from becoming a threat, they captured him and forced him to swear loyalty to their flag.
"I was terrified, Flora. I was just a boy, clueless about the world, unable to protect anyone. All I wanted was to save my family," he said, his eyes filled with regret.
His family was imprisoned, and he was told to expect no mercy unless he joined the Spanish army. At ten, he became a soldier, trained as their "lapdog." They gave him a new life—a house, education, and a chance for his family to prosper as honorary Spaniards.
"At first, it felt like a dream. I was thrilled, especially since I could provide for my family, especially Inday, my youngest sister," he said, his voice softening at her name. "She was sweet, cheerful, and close to me. I was her caretaker, teaching her what she needed to know. I promised one day to take her across the Philippines, to give her a good life."
But that dream didn't last. As honorary Spaniards, they were forbidden from helping Filipinos, as it was seen as aiding rebels. Romeo thought to convince his town to become honorary Spaniards too, funding the process to improve their lives. Within a year, over a hundred Filipinos became honorary Spaniards, and their lives grew prosperous.
"I thought I was helping them. But that wasn't reality," he said, his voice bitter. "The Filipinos grew angry, calling us traitors, pelting us with tomatoes and eggs. I couldn't understand then—why was honor as a Filipino more important than escaping poverty?"
The rebels learned of his actions, and one night, a rebellion erupted in their town. He was called to suppress it, and though hesitant, he helped. They quelled the rebellion, but he couldn't kill the rebels, knowing they were Filipinos fighting for freedom.
The next day, he learned the rebels had attacked their area, killing all honorary Spaniards, including his family—his parents and siblings, including Inday. "I nearly lost my mind with rage, Flora. I didn't care about their reasons. I just wanted them to feel my pain," he said, his eyes blank with anguish.
He had the captured rebels executed, his hands stained with Filipino blood. "I realized I was selfish. I thought being an honorary Spaniard was the answer to poverty, but it was temporary. Because of me, those I wanted to help died, the ones I fought to give a better life."
The pain on his face was indescribable. I stepped forward and enveloped him in a tight embrace. I didn't know how to help, but I wanted to ease his sorrow. Tears streamed down my face as I held him. "General, I know what it's like to lose. I know the pain of failure," I whispered, tears falling.
He held my head, stroking my back as I wept. "Why are you crying, Flora?" he asked, trying to soothe me.
"I'm crying because I'm sad for you. I know you won't cry, so I'll cry for you," I replied, my tears unrelenting.
He smiled, stroking my hair, and continued speaking. "Three years after that tragedy, I became a General. I decided to gather all the emissaries to help me with my selfish goal—to bring peace to this country. When I went to Benguet, I learned about the emissary of La Trinidad—you."
He said he was shocked when he first saw me in a cell, as I reminded him of Inday. "My heart had turned to stone for years, but when you came under my care, my view of the world slowly changed. I can't bring my family back, but that doesn't mean I can't build a new one."
He admitted that everything he couldn't do for Inday, he wanted to do for me. "All I know is I want to give you a good life, Flora," he said.
His words weighed on my heart, but in a beautiful way. "So that's why you treat me specially—because I remind you of Inday? But General, I'm older than you, so you can't treat me as the youngest!" I teased, trying to lighten the mood.
"Besides being selfish, I'm also proud. So I can't let my 'youngest' be older than me," he replied, his smile genuine.
He took my arm, gently pulling me away, but his touch remained tender. "And stop crying in front of me. You look awful when you cry," he added, making me laugh despite my flushed cheeks.
In that moment, I understood General Romeo better—the man who'd give everything for his family, steadfast despite his painful past. I admired him deeply. I knew I was ready to follow him for life, as his soldier and his family.
The fireworks ended, and his phone rang. "It's over," he said, looking at me. "Did you like it?"
I didn't understand at first, then realized he meant the fireworks—his final gift. "Wait, General, you arranged the fireworks display?!" I exclaimed, incredulous.
"Tch, you watched it this whole time and only now figured it out?" he teased.
I pouted. "You didn't need to spend so much to make me happy!" I complained.
He ignored me, turning back to our seats in the garden. But before he could walk far, I felt a chilling presence. A cold wind swept through, and when I looked up, a massive white portal glowed in the sky. From it emerged a monstrous creature with tentacles, its red eyes brimming with menace.
My eyes widened, and I couldn't speak. Everything happened so fast. Before I could react, I saw the tentacles lunging toward General Romeo. My body moved on instinct, driven by fear. "General!" I screamed, throwing myself in front of him.
The tentacles struck me, and a powerful electric shock surged through my body. "Ahhh!" I cried, my knees buckling. My arms went numb, and my vision spun. I felt the tentacles pulling me upward, away from the ground.
I saw General Romeo reaching for my hand, but he couldn't grab me. "Flora!" he shouted, his voice desperate. As I began to lose consciousness, a mocking laugh echoed from the darkness.
"The night of celebration is over, dear princess. It's time to show you the true reality of this world!"