Don Vergelio couldn't help but feel worried about his grandson.
Yet, despite his concern, a smile curved on his face. His grandson reminded him so much of himself.
But still—he was troubled. The boy was too young to be thinking of marriage, especially with a girl who was practically a stranger to him.
Besides, Don Vergelio already had someone in mind for his grandson. A girl he truly admired—the only one bold enough to sneak into his house from time to time.
She was brave, carrying heavy bags of groceries and cleaning his home without complaint. Often, he would pretend not to be around so she wouldn't feel nervous. But from his quiet spot, he always watched her.
She looked fragile, almost delicate, but her eyes revealed something deeper—loneliness, emptiness that weighed heavily on her soul.
She reminded him of his late esposa, Doña Clarita.
"Oh, I need to go home before my grandson makes a choice I won't approve of," he muttered to himself.
---
Meanwhile, Phoenix was restless. It was already two in the morning, and Princess was still fast asleep. His concern grew heavier with every passing minute.
He finally decided to wake her. Gently, he sat down beside her bed and brushed his hand lightly across her face.
"Hey, sweetie… wake up. You forgot your dinner," he whispered softly.
"Come on, let's eat first before you go back to sleep again. I promise I won't wake you again after this."
Princess stirred, irritation flashing across her sleepy face. She hated being disturbed.
"Hmmp! Who the hell dares to wake me? I don't care about food!" she snapped groggily.
But when she sat up to see who the intruder was, Phoenix laughed.
"Aha! Now I know your weakness—you're impossible when you're half-asleep."
Princess's eyes widened in shock the moment she recognized him.
"Why the hell are you in my room?" she demanded, confusion flooding her. She was convinced she had been in her own chamber.
Phoenix smirked, leaning back casually.
"Sweetie, this isn't your room—it's mine. You fell asleep on the couch, so I carried you here. What kind of man would I be if I let you stay there? I have a heart, babe… unlike you."
Her eyes opened even wider, realization hitting her.
"Oh my God…" she whispered.
Now she remembered—they weren't at her palace. She and Phoenix were both staying under the same roof… her grandfather's house.
"OMG! What have you done to me?" Princess gasped, panic rising in her voice.
"Did you touch me?!" Her eyes narrowed dangerously.
"I swear—I'll kill you if you did!"
Phoenix only smiled, unbothered by her sharp words.
"No worries. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't," he said smoothly.
"Who am I to touch you while you sleep like a baby? I have a heart, babe."
But then his expression shifted, turning serious as his gaze lingered on her.
"I'll go ahead… but listen." His voice dropped low, almost threatening.
"If you can't go back downstairs, believe me—I'll kiss you right here and make love to you until the sun sets."
Princess froze, stunned by his boldness. Her heart skipped, fear and confusion battling inside her.
Shaken, she bolted out of the room and dashed downstairs.
Behind her, Phoenix's laughter echoed.
"I'll kill you, Phoenix! Believe me—if you scare me to death again, I'll kick your balls!" she shouted back, her cheeks burning.
But her anger quickly dissolved the moment she reached the dining table. The delicious aroma hit her nose, and when she spotted the dish waiting for her, her eyes lit up.
"Wow! Caldereta—my favorite!" she exclaimed, momentarily forgetting her fury.
"You… you know how to cook?"
Her worries—even about Erica, whom she had left in the hospital—faded for a brief moment.
Phoenix smirked. "Unfortunately, yes. I do have skills in cooking. I can cook for you anytime you want."
Princess rolled her eyes but said nothing, too busy devouring her meal to argue further. She didn't want to admit it, but the food was heavenly.
On the corner of the table, a basket of fresh fruits caught her eye. Grapes and mangoes—she instantly remembered buying them herself at SM Hypermarket.
She glared at Phoenix between bites.
"I'm glad you prepared all this food… but don't forget—I bought these things. Even if this is your grandpa's house, this food isn't free. It's from my budget until I go home. Next time, you buy your own."
Phoenix chuckled, leaning back confidently.
"Don't worry. Tomorrow we'll go to the Hypermarket together. You can get anything you want. I have a credit card and savings account—my grandpa, mom, and dad gave them to me."
He grinned mischievously.
"And I won't get mad if I share some. Consider it… husband duties."
Princess snapped her head toward him, glaring.
"Stop calling me babe—or whatever that is! I don't like it!"