The Bernadette Series III

"A Letter From Malaysia"

Stephanie Choi

dedicated to balqis of Malaysia

It was her first time to set foot in an Asian soil and thanks god its not summer in Malaysia.

She arrived earlier than her scheduled time. She's expecting the person who will pick him to be five minutes late. But she was wrong, there she saw a guy in black suit standing there with her name on the card board he's holding.

He don't look like the average south east Asian when it comes to height, and that is so obvious since he stands few inch taller than those who are around him.

She waves at him as she walks towards his direction. She tried to smile as sweet as she can but the man never return a smile.

“Hello I’m Bernadette Mallore” as irritated as she is, she still manage to give him a sweet greeting.

“Hello, I’m Jake a member of the royal guard for the princess” his introduction sound like he rehearse it a hundred times. No feelings at all. She let it pass.

“I see nice meeting you Jake” she said the words as if she really mean it. 

“This way Miss Mallore” she usher her to a black limo parked in a special place near the entrance. 

Well she knows she’s going to visit a very important person in Malaysia as the letter says but she never expect it to be a princess.

“I wish to see the letter miss Mallore.” He asked her in a flat tone of voice.

She doesn’t have any problem showing the letter but this stranger irritates her beyond her limit.

“look stranger, you should have asked that before you even let me sit in your so expensive princess limo” she said showing her irritation.

“I did not because I know who you are, I saw your picture and from the moment you board on that plane I put an eye on you, so cut being a bitch and show me the letter” He was the meanest man ever born.

What if I don’t?

Then I have no choice than to push you out of the limo.

Are you really that mean?

This is just a tip of it so don’t try your luck, the American charm don’t work on me.

Well I never know I even use it Mr. Stranger.

She took the letter from her bag and tried to aim it to his face. He was just lucky enough to catch it before it hit his face.

He reads the letter as if he’s looking for something, when he was satisfied he returned it to her, and whispered to the driver something which she understand "lets go".

II

The palace was really something he thought she can find in Europe and not in Asia. She feels like a kid lost in a candy store, so much choices from work of art to beauty beyond compare things inside.

She was ushered to a small room, small in a sense that it’s smaller than the other room; the room is twice the size of her living room.

They serve her tea in an obviously expensive tea set. She sits in a golden sofa and to her surprise the lady who serves her tea stands there as if waiting for her order. She doesn’t feel comfortable at all, She did not touch the tea at all.

“You can drink it there’s no poison in that tea” that was a voice from a lady who looks like in her late 20’s.

“I don’t mean to insult you ma’am it’s just that I don’t feel comfortable with all the people around me, I feel like any moment from now I will be in jail.” She said in a polite manner.

The lady just smile and motion everybody to get out of the room, but Jake did not do as the other did, he stand there like a statue and the lady seem not to mind.

Unlike the others who she meet on the plane this lady have a very good command in English, she can bet all her money in the bank this lady was educated abroad. 

“I can see you are the master of this house, not to be mean and impolite but I wish to know why you sent me the letter?” she wished she sounded polite.

“I can see you are straight forward lady and I like that” The voice was so low but she know she mean the other way around.

So am I

“Well I sent you the letter, but I want to know first why did you accept?” The lady asked.

“Well so I can presume that you are the one who sent me the letter, and as Jake said you are a princess. To answer your question, a free trip to south East Asia and a visit to a princess are just two of so many reason, the rest don’t matter and won’t make sense” she told her looking in her eyes without blinking.

I see, I sent you the letter just because I wanted to have the formula your sister created.

Wow that was so blunt, and why did you send it to me, why not to my sister?

Well just because we know she’s not interested on what we're going to offer.

What makes you think I will be interested and what makes you think I have the formula?

Well we are not sure but ever since the incident happens two years ago you were the one she trusted the most and still do. We don’t know if you have it or the Indian guy have it but were just trying our luck, I have a feeling that you can lead us to what we’re looking for.

So I can assume your men were the one who shot the poor Indian guy, Oh I don’t assume I’m sure! With what you told me what makes you think I can even tell you where it is if ever I have it or my sister have it, I could be talking to a cold blooded murderer.

“Watch your mouth young lady, you are talking to a princess” That was Jake

“Your princess Jake not my princess” she answered with anger in her eyes that if only it could kill he is a cold body now.

“Stop it Jake, I understand her anger” the princess said

“Of course you should, your life is not on the line” she said and she doesn’t care if who ever are in front of her.

“She’s not your sister; she’s not your flesh and blood”

“Well sorry but you have to know that I am not as cold blooded mammal as you are; now if you don’t have anything more to say let me get out of this fancy house of yours” she attempt to stand but Jake ordered her to sit down.

“We’re sorry if we don’t act like you expected us to do so, we are just so desperate to have a piece of that discovery, and someone’s life is on the line”

“You think I’m kind of a princess in a fairy tale, trying to save someone’s life and hoping to marry the prince, who am I saving? the king? Tell me! because one more word of a fairy tale and I’ll go crazy”

“You can go if you want to, but I sure hope you understand that my son is sick as hell and that formula is our last chance. I am hoping you can help us” the princess stands and attempt to leave the room.

“are you sure I wont go out of this house dead, or will I even reach home alive? How about the Indian guy?” She asked in sarcasm.

“He will live, we did not shot him to kill him” that was Jake

“Oh so you are telling me that poor boy has to thank you for not shooting the right spot?” she was more sarcastic than ever.

“you can leave but we can offer your sister a protection if ever she will help us” 

 That was Jake again

“are you kidding me, what makes you think you can do that, sure you are a royal guard what so ever but this is Malaysia and that is American, don’t try so hard to push on how good you are Jake, to the princess you are but to me you are just nothing”

“He’s not who he tells you he is, He’s my older brother he’s a prince” it was the princess again.

She was shocked, she feels like she’s about to go crazy, I though the only problem why her head is spinning is the jet lag, she’s getting even crazier with every word she don't even know if can she take it anymore.

“Yeah right, what else can shock me” she just said out of no words to say. She stands out of a sudden and she really can feel she’s so dizzy. The last thing that she remember is Jake calling her name…

To be continued (part Five) 

Note: thanks to Ivan (of Baguio Midland Currier) for helping me edit the story.

The Bernadette Series IV

"Teaching a Heart To Love"

Stephanie Choi

She was sleeping when Harish Woke up, she was not aware on that kind of look that he's giving him.

He studied her face, the perfect red lips, the perfectly shaped eyebrow and the nose. She could be the dream of any man alive if only she's not as cold blooded as she appears to be.