I am the Queen

Epilogue 1

After two years

On a private island, the sea crashed against the shore creating gentle ripples.  The blue sky intermixed with orange and darkness, signaling for the day to end.

Rozarria laid on the white flour sand. Her feet crunched on the soil, feeling the tiny particles on her skin. Connecting with nature brought a peace that she so longed for.

A soft linen-covered her back, and she looked over to see the most handsome man she ever laid eyes.

"You'll catch a cold." Alvaro smiled and sat beside her.

Rozarria just brushed her hair behind her ear and arranged the linen on her shoulders.

"Maybe if I did, you'll come to your senses and finally let me go back to my country."

Alvaro chuckled. "There's a lot of doctors on the island. I've made sure that you'd be properly taken care of."

He then rubbed Rozarria belly with all the gentleness he didn't know he had. "It's getting bigger. I wonder if it's already capable of kicking your stomach."

Rozarria stifled a laugh. "It's just four months old."

Alvaro hummed and laid his head on Rozarria's thighs, ear against her tummy.

"I wonder if it's a girl," he said.

"It's a boy," Rozarria answered in finality.

Alvaro laughed. "Either way. I'll love her."

"Him," Rozarria corrected.

Álvaro looked at Rozarria, fingers brushing her face. "Jealous?"

Rozarria flexed a brow. "Who was it that kidnapped me and brought me here when I refused him?"

Alvaro faked ignorance. "It's not like I've restricted you. You can use the boat if you want and go to the mainland. And you have your phone with you at all times, right?"

". . ."

Alvaro grinned and pinched Rozarria's rosy cheeks. "Let's not talk about it. We've both know that you love me. That's why you came with me without as much as a squeak."

He then rolled to his side and closed his eyes. His grin turned into a full smile when Rozarria mumbled incoherent words. She did it sometimes when she couldn't express her emotions.

How cute.

. . .

. . .

The waves crashing to shore created a lullaby, and Alvaro fell asleep. Stroking his hair, Rozarria watched the boats' lights lit on the sea. The birds flew in the dim sky. Feeling the warm air against her skin and the fine sand on her feet . . .

She had no more complaints.

Bzt!

Startled by the vibration of her phone, she picked it up.

"Miss, when are you coming back?"

Said her secretary on the other side. Rozarria could actually see her on the verge of crying with just her tone.

"Hmm . . ."

"Miss! This is no laughing matter! The company needs you! It's only a matter of time before your father knew of your disappearance!"

"It's fine. Just tell them I've been kidnapped."

"Wha––"

Rozaria turned off her phone, and a sly smile rose the corners of her lips. She looked at Alvaro and brushed his hair from his forehead.

"I love you, but what made you think that I'll just make it easy for you?"

  ----

Epilogue 2

After two years

"Boss, why are you working at this convenient store?" a man said and roamed his eyes inside the store.

"Boss, the other gangs are mocking us. Saying that you've become a wuz! Saying that you're like a puppy obeying a woman."

"Boss, what happened to being masculine? To being the ultimate man? To sit on your throne surrounded by your harem?"

Asher sighed and looked at his subordinates in the eyes. "Shut up! I'm still that man, okay!" He then resumed checking the inventory wearing the convenience store's apron.

"Boss, have you forgotten how you used to be?" said another, "you were feared wherever you went. Even the sight of your shadows caused your enemies to tremble. All women trip on the sidewalk just to get your attention. I think it's high time that you remember who you are."

As his subordinates talk him to get back to his senses, Asher recalled his glorious days. That was right. Why was he reduced to just this? His life was supposed to be exciting, thrilling, and full of adventures. He was not supposed to be stuck in this convenience store because of just one girl.

"You know what," Asher said all of a sudden, prompting everyone's silence. He removed his apron and smashed it on the ground. "You're right! I am a man, and a man should live his life surrounded by fights and women! If not, you're not a man!"

Everyone's face lit up and roared.

"Boss!"

"Boos! You're finally back!"

At the side, D was cleaning the counter with a no-care expression.

"Yosh! I'm going show that woman whose Boss!" Asher said and was about to exit the door when Satele came with her reporter's notebook and pen.

"What?" Satele said when Asher looked at her.

"You and I have to talk," Asher said and placed his hands on his waist. "Let's get straight who's the man in this relationship. You just don't get to order me around. I am the Boss in this relation––hmp!"

Asher swallowed the rest of his words when Satele tiptoed and kissed him shut.

She then looked him in the eyes and licked her lips. "Get back to work. Who knows, if you finish ahead of time, I might reward you."

She then left and went inside the staff's room to change to her part-time uniform.

. . .

. . .

"B-boss?"

Everyone called and crept behind Asher to see what was going on. But then they back away when Asher turned with a face which made everyone's mouth drop.

"Everyone, go back to work. If I see anyone slacking, I'll fed you to my replies," Asher said with a dopey smile as he put on his apron.

"B-Boss, what happened to being a true man?"

Asher looked at his subordinates and said with a serious face and voice, "Sometimes, a true man has to settle and just take care of one woman and start a family."

. . .

. . .

"Huuuhhh?!!"

Everyone shouted while D was still cleaning the counters with a face that said it all, I've long given up hope.

In Sparkle entertainment

Angel was sitting on a chair while the staff prepared her makeup for the shoot. Aldrick then went inside her room, food in hand.

"Where have you been?" she asked after he kissed her forehead.

"With Satele," Aldrick answered vaguely.

Angel's brow rose and she signaled for her assistant. "Fay, please tell Mr. Dominick that I'll be having that dinner tonight."

"Alright! Alright! You win," Aldrick immediately said and pouted a little, "I was with here because of an interview. You know that we owe her that much, right?"

Instead of answering, Angel raised her hand but her eyes remained lock on Aldrick. "On second thought. Tell Mr. Dominick that I'm allergic to seafood so we'll just have to postpone that dinner."

"Cruel," Aldrick muttered under his breath.

But what could he do? He fell in love with a cruel, cruel woman.