45

Later that morning...

The house staff exchanged amused glances as they watched the De Torres — all three of them — behaving like anything but one of the country's most powerful families.

Lea was at the bottom of the stairs, calling up, "Liam, come on! You'll be late!"

Rafael stood beside her, leaning casually against the banister, adjusting the strap of his wristwatch with an ease she hadn't seen in weeks.

He looked disarmingly normal — plain white v-neck t-shirt, light-wash jeans, clean white sneakers, a baseball cap, and a pair of aviator sunglasses Lea had practically forced on him. She, too, was dressed down — a soft white polo shirt tucked into fitted jeans, her own cap and sunglasses completing the disguise.

Rafael glanced at her, amused. "You sure this isn't too much for a school drop-off?"

"It's called blending in," she said, straightening his collar. "Try not to look like a CEO who's never queued for anything in his life."

He smirked. "I think I'm doing fine. You, on the other hand, look like a celebrity trying not to be seen."

Lea gave him a mock glare. "Touché. Now, let's go before Liam's teacher thinks we forgot him."

Just then, Liam came bounding down the stairs, his small backpack bouncing. He stopped midway, blinking at his parents. "Why do you look weird?"

Lea bent down with a laugh. "We don't look weird, sweetheart. We're going to take you to school today — no ate Neri, no kuya Alex. Just us."

Liam's eyes widened. "Really?"

Rafael crouched to meet his gaze, tipping his cap. "Operation Family Drop-Off, champ."

Liam saluted, giggling. "Copy that!"

And just like that, the three of them headed out — Rafael opening the car door for Lea and then for Liam, pretending to check if "the coast was clear," much to Liam's delight.

Traffic wasn't kind, but for once, Rafael didn't seem to care. He was driving himself, one hand on the wheel, the other resting over Lea's fingers. She had her sunglasses on, window slightly cracked, her hair fluttering in the breeze.

Liam sat in the back seat, singing to himself, occasionally calling out interesting things he saw from the window — a dog walking another dog, a tricycle covered in stickers, a man juggling at an intersection.

Rafael kept smiling, his eyes softer than usual. "When was the last time we did this?"

"Never," Lea admitted. "We've always had someone drive him."

"Well," he said, glancing at the rearview mirror, "we're fixing that today."

Lea turned toward him, smiling. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

He chuckled. "What can I say? Feels nice to be anonymous."

Liam chimed in from the back seat, "You're not anonymous, Papa. You're just pretending."

Lea laughed. "He's got you there."

Rafael grinned. "Smart mouth. Must get that from me."

"More like from me," she teased. "You just gave him the eyebrows."

By the time they reached the school gates, Rafael parked the car himself. Parents and nannies moved in hurried lines, but the De Torres blended right in — almost. Rafael's calm confidence and Lea's unmistakable poise were hard to miss, even beneath baseball caps and sunglasses.

Still, Liam waved to his teacher, gave his parents a kiss, and ran inside, all smiles.

Rafael exhaled, satisfied. "Mission accomplished."

Lea nudged him playfully. "You're ridiculous."

"Admit it," he said, taking her hand as they walked back to the car. "You loved every second of that."

She squeezed his hand gently. "Maybe I did."

By the time the sun began to dip, they were back — the same disguises, the same excitement, ready to surprise Liam with ice cream after class.

They parked outside the school and walked to the gate. The security guard on duty frowned when they approached. "Excuse me, ma'am, sir — can I help you?"

Rafael smiled politely. "We're here to pick up our son, Liam De Torre."

The guard checked his list, shaking his head. "Sorry, sir, but I can't release him to anyone who's not on the pick-up list. Only Neri Alvarez and Alex Santiago are cleared to collect him."

Lea removed her sunglasses, brows knitting together. "I'm Liam's mother."

The guard hesitated. "I—I understand, ma'am, but protocol—"

Rafael took off his own sunglasses slowly, his expression unreadable. "I appreciate your diligence, but I assure you, we are Liam's parents."

Recognition dawned across the guard's face — the flicker of realization followed quickly by panic. "M-Ms. Lea, M-Mr. De Torre— I—"

Before he could stammer further, the principal herself appeared, having been alerted to the commotion. "Mr. and Mrs. De Torre! Oh my goodness, I am so sorry for the confusion!"

Lea smiled faintly, though her tone was measured. "We understand. You're just following school policy."

The principal gestured apologetically toward the gate. "Please, come inside. We'll sort this out in my office."

Inside, the air-conditioning hummed softly. The principal was practically flustered as she poured tea for them. "Our staff didn't recognize you in casual clothes, and the security team was instructed to follow procedures strictly. It's good practice — though clearly inconvenient for you."

Rafael, sitting back in his chair, gave a small chuckle. "It's alright. I should be grateful they're this thorough. It means our son's in good hands."

Lea added gently, "Just make sure they don't faint next time they realize who they're stopping."

The principal flushed. "I'll make sure of it."

Moments later, Liam appeared at the doorway, escorted by his teacher. He froze at the sight of his parents seated across from the principal — casual, calm, and utterly out of place.

"Papa? Mama? Did you get in trouble?"

Rafael laughed, standing to ruffle his hair. "No, Liamito. We just failed a security test."

Lea crouched to his level, smiling. "Apparently, your papa and I don't look trustworthy enough to pick you up."

Liam giggled, hugging her tightly. "Then I'll tell them next time!"

"Please do," Rafael said, taking his hand. "Your parents are terrible at undercover work."

They all laughed, the tension lifting. The principal escorted them back to the gate herself, apologizing once more as they exited.

As they walked back to the car, Rafael looked at Lea with a grin. "Well, that went better than most board meetings."

Lea chuckled. "You mean it didn't end in scandal? That's a first."

He laughed softly, squeezing her hand. "You realize this was our first real Monday together in years?"

She looked up at him, her tone warm. "Then let's make it a habit."

Rafael nodded, glancing down at Liam walking ahead of them, humming to himself, his small hand clutching a leftover pancake from breakfast.

"Maybe," he said, "normal looks good on us."

Lea smiled, her fingers intertwining with his. "Maybe it always did."