Continuation.........................ok let's begin.....where was I?.......ok continue......

Still inside the car; Jean gasps upon learning that Tonette is really a princess, signals Kangin to come closer and excitedly like a kid whisper…

Jean:               She is a princess!! I mean Mr. Kangin – Tonette is a Princess!! Darn it!!

Kangin:            (chuckles at Jean’s surprised reaction) Yes, she is…

Jean:               (curious as to the calmness of Kangin and his companions) All of you knew about this
                        except me?

Kangin and his companions smile and nod all at the same time replying, “Yes!” Thus, Kangin further added to prevent Jean from getting mad explains, “Ms. Tonette requested that we don’t tell you so that you will feel more comfortable around her. I am so sorry Sir Jean but I do hope you understand. We are just following Ms. Tonette’s special request.”

Jean:               (sighs and says) Fine then… I understand… Do you think I look alright?

Kangin:            (smiles) Sir Jean, is it even proper for me to say that you are very handsome?

Jean:               (smiles) Silly… ok… (continuously saying) I believe you have to go first and all of you three
                        follow – I would like to be the last one to go out so that I can stay behind your back guys 
                        (makes a silly grin) for cover…

So Kangin goes out first followed by his companions – all the same, equivalent courtesy are given to the four guys. Finally, Jean hiding his face or rather in a head-down manner and a bit feeling comfortable due to the plan he just made – to hide behind those guys back. Finally decides to raise his head to see what is going on - turns into a huge shock upon seeing Tonette face to face with him – holding his hand. Jean gasps in nervousness – Tonette understands Jean’s situation ,calms him by rubbing his back with her left hand and holding Jean’s right hand with her right hand pressing her palm and smiling at him – signifying that everything will just be fine.

Kangin and the rest of all that are present stare the wonderful pair walk hand in hand in huge admiration. They all smile at the lovely pair’s gestures of gladness - so peaceful and light.  Looking at the pair is like watching them flaring out in the midst of a golden fields of barley – they are all entranced by the alluring aura emitted by the two. Tonette smiles with all her heart while Jean’s shyness compliments with the latter’s audacity.

Everyone is sent back to reality when suddenly Tonette’s parents – of course, the King and Queen – show up to welcome their daughter.  Tonette and the rest bow to show respect then her parents’ speak,

K. Philip:          Welcome my daughter – I believe you have finally sort things out and understand the 
                        whole situation. Is this coming back of yours is agreeing to the marriage we have arranged
                        with Prince Brutus.

Q. Margret:     My dear, I think we need to let her rest for a while and discuss this issue in a given time.

Tonette:           (smiles) Thank you your Majesty Queen-Mom looks at her father and says) we will see
                        about that My Dearest King-Dad… but before that, allow me to introduce my companions;
                        Lord Kangin and his fellow trusted friends and most important of all the man I would like to
                        spend my whole life with and the person where I found love – Sir Jean Fairmonte Guillard
                        Owen.

K. Philip:          On what basis the person you said is worthy of your love?

Tonette:           (gets serious) I will tell you in time but for now allow them to rest as we travelled far and
                        long thus we are all tired and hungry. Dad, remember the reason I left? I stated, I will find
                        myself, a man worthy of my life and if I find it – I will make sure we are both worthy for
                        each other.

As a result of Tonette’s solid statement, everyone even her parents keep quiet and let his daughter having her own way. Q. Margret calls on the entire servant to prepare the bare necessities for Jean and his companions. Tonette runs to her Mother leaving Jean temporarily behind with Kangin to hug her.

Tonette:           Mom, I miss you so much. I am so deeply sorry for the sorrow I have caused you – I mean
                        no harm. It is just that I don’t know what to do. I am just so lucky my beloved (pointing to
                       Jean) was the person who I met in the first day of my stow-away. He took care of me and
                       never took advantage of me. (smiles giddily)Mom, it is a secret – I took advantage of him
                       coz he is just too super slow, dense and well-mannered person. Keep it a secret from Dad,
                       ok? (points at Jean and says) Look, look Mom, just look at him - he seems like a lost cat...
                       so cute....

Q. Margret:     (laughs) You really are crazy Toni (looks at Jean) but may I say, he is really very
                       handsome and so pretty - gosh, he does not even look like a man, you know and he looks
                       gently kind compare to that ogre face Brutus sssh… don’t tell your dad… By the way, the
                       brute brutus has been waiting for your comeback – I don’t know what his plans are. I am
                       just so frustrated that your father agreed to his conditions… god…  So darling, be prepared
                       ok. Rest for now, any developments – I will let you know. For the meantime, take care of
                       your beloved and his companions…(kisses Tonette and winks) bye darling…

                     Tonette:           (smiles and chuckles) bye my very naughty Mom… please say “I love you” to Daddy and
                                             tell him – I am not mad but my beloved will fight for our love…

Q. Margret:     (bows her head and smiles) sure darling… we will leave you alone with your companion to
                       eat ok?

Tonette nods and does the curtsy bow to her mother – thus after, walks towards the still frenzied Jean. Tonette giggles, holds Jean’s hand and says; “Relax honey, I am here”(kisses Jean’s cheek) which Jean replies,

Jean:               Thanks, hon – I needed that… will you be sleeping with me tonight?

Tonette:           (smiles) Aaawww, you miss me already? I would have loved to but hon – we can’t in this
                        situation. Don’t worry – you will have the entire me soonest. You will have your separate
                        room – I requested it from Mom – I will drop by for a visit, is that fine?

Jean:               (smiles gently) you don’t have to ask… (squeezes Tonette’s hand)…

Tonette:           (“ohs”) my… geeezzz… you are just so sweet – honey… I just want to you – you
                        know…

Jean:               (sighs at Tonette’s foolishness) stop it… you are the craziest princess I have ever known…

Tonette:           (fakes an anger) hhmmphhh …whatever idiot Jean…whatever… (pinches Jean’s )

Jean:               (squeals in shock) aaahhh…. Tonette!!

Tonette:           (laughs and runs away from Jean) ha ha hah… bye sweetie – see you at dinner time…

After the dinner was served, Tonette asks Kangin and the three guys to stay put while she leads Jean back to his room.

Tonette:           Honey, it is time for you to rest. Let me accompany you to your room.

Jean:               (comes closer to Tonette to whisper) you said you are going to drop by.

Tonette:           (replies in a soft voice) I will so just wait for me. I will knock three times and whistle - that
                        is my signal – ok?

Jean:               (exhales in relief) ok… coz I miss you so badly…

Reaching Jean’s room, the latter hugs Tonette tightly like no tomorrow and pleads her to stay… saying…

Jean:               Hon, can you just stay with me now instead of later?

Tonette:           (smiles at Jean’s cuteness) Nope hon, I need to do a very important thing first – for our
                        future, ok… sweetie, just bear with a little while longer, ok – I will come, promise and don’t
                        sleep – wait for me… or leave the door open. I will just come in (kisses Jean and leaves).

Page 2 of Chapter 22 Ends here................ sorry guys.... need to think be right back....

Thanks everyone....