Holidays in Paradise

Daenerys Targaryen did not fully enjoy her Christmas Holiday when she, her brother Rhaegar and his girlfriend Elia Martell went to Starfall to celebrate with her brother's best friend Arthur Dayne, his nephew; Edric Dayne and his sisters Ashara and Allyria. Dany's boyfriend Drogo Dothraki had just broken up with her before the Christmas Break. She was not herself for days. Until December 23, she received an interesting call from her childhood friend and classmate, Alena Caliso from the Philippines. Alena and Dany were very close since they were small children and the Targaryens were great friends with the Calisos. Rhaegar was Alena's legal guardian, who took her in four years ago, after a terrible tragedy. In June 2008, Alena lost her family aboard the passenger ship MV Princess of the Stars; The Caliso family was on their way home to the province of Aklan from Manila taking the ship's ill-fated route to Cebu City, where they planned to do some sight- seeing taking a plane from Cebu to Kalibo, Aklan. Unfortunately, the ferry capsized killing almost a hundred people including her parents and her brothers, Alena was the only Caliso to survive the disaster and she was only 13 and heir to a vast tract of land in her home province Aklan. Despite what happened Alena lived her life and made the most out of everything and Dany admired her determination. Dany thought that Alena is currently in Italy spending Christmas with her childhood boyfriend and fiancé Alessandro Javier Romano and his family when her phone rang.

"Hey Alena, How's life there in Italy with your fiancé?" Dany greeted her friend

"Italy is amazing. Alessandro is a dream and I love every second I spend with him." Alena said

"And I'm enjoying time home with my sweet Alena. E 'bello sentire da voi, Dany. Ci vedremo molto presto. You're on loud speaker by the way" Alessandro said

"Good to hear from you as well, Alec. You two sound so in love. I envy you. Kinikilig ako" Dany said

"Kamusta ka na?" Alena said over the phone

"Mabuti naman ako, Alena." Dany replied

"Weh di nga! Tumigil ka nga diyan Dany, you can lie to Rhaegar but you can't lie to me. Ano ba ang ginawa ng tang inang gagong iyon sa iyo?" Alena said

"Lemme guess Rhaegar called you" Dany said trying to change the topic

"May masama ba sa ginawa niya? Suwerte ka nga. Alam mo Dany, mahal ka ng kuya mo. That is why he called me because he gives a damn about you. Now spill" Alena persisted unwilling to change the topic of the conversation.

"Non mentire a lei, bambina perché è senza speranza. She is a lie detector. Better fess up" Alec butted in

"You were right about him. He broke up with me because I didn't want to give it up to him and I found out that while he was dating me. He had three girls on the side." Dany confessed

"SON OF A FUCKING BITCH! I'M GONNA KILL THAT PATHETIC WHORESON" a voice sounding like Rhaegar yelled then she heard a loud crash

"Was that Rhaegar?" Dany said

"No, bambina. That was me" Alec yelled

"Yes easy Alec, but count me in if you plan to kill that SOB. Listen, as we speak, I'm on my way with Alec to Starfall. Your brother invited me to spend Christmas with you and then Alec and I will fly back home to the Philippines on the 26th to go to the beach then come back in time for Second Semester. You should come with me. I already bought your ticket and Rhaegar said yes and thinks this vacation is good for you. At may sorpresa ako para sa iyo." Alena mused

"I'll have to ask Rhaegar" Dany uttered

"Are you saying that you're coming with us, bambina?" Alec asked sounding thrilled

"O sige na nga, you win. When do I start packing? What's the surprise?" Dany gave up then she heard her door open

"Turn around, girlfriend" a voice behind her said then she turned and her friend and her fiancé.

"Non sei sorpreso di vedere noi?" Alessandro asked

"Seven Hells" Dany cursed as she ran to her friends and hugged them

"Dany, I missed you" Alena said

"I love you, guys" Dany cried

"We know. Mahal ka rin namin." Alec and Alena said at the same time

"You guys are crazy." Dany said

"Hey, do not look at me. It was her idea" Alec said playfully ratting out his girl in an unintentionally sexy accent

"I know right, it's all my idea and I'm a genius. Now, let's get packing coz' after that Alec and I have tons of pasalubong for you to open from Italy." Alena said

"What about Rhaegar?" Dany asked then Rhaegar came in, looking like he is ready to kill someone

"Don't worry that beautiful head of yours, little sister. They already gave me my pasalubong. Now stop what you're doing for a few minutes, because we're drawing lots for our Secret Santa for the Christmas Party" Rhaegar said as he lead the three to the ballroom. Arthur and his family were there along with Elia. Allyria, who was holding a box and Arthur stepped forward and began talking.

"You guys know the drill. Step forward, pick a card from the box, and don't tell anyone the name that appears on that card. Are we clear? " Arthur announced

"Yes Arthur" They replied together

"MV Princess of the Stars, you go first" Arthur fondly called Alena by his pet name for her

Alena rolled her eyes and picked a card, it was Arthur Dayne. She sighed and went back to sit with Alec

"Silver Prince, you're up" Arthur called Rhaegar, picked his card and got Allyria Dayne

"Roman, you're next" Arthur called Alec, who got Edric Dayne

"Silver, you're next" Arthur called Dany, who got Elia Martell

"Princess, you're up" Arthur called Elia, who got Daenerys Targaryen

"Ned, you're turn" Arthur called his nephew, who got Rhaegar Targaryen

"Shara, you're next" Arthur called his sister, who got Alena Caliso

"Allie" Arthur said to his youngest sister, who got Ashara Dayne

"And me" Arthur got Alessandro Romano

When they finished Dany returned to packing her stuff, including the souvenirs Alena brought from Italy. The next day Dany, Alena and Alec went shopping in Starfall Mall. The girls went to the department store while Alec went to the gym. Dany bought three beach dresses in light blue, pink, and lilac, two pairs of tankini in turquoise and azure and five pairs of bikini in pastel colors, sunscreen, and flip-flops. However, Alena dragged her into a lingerie boutique and bought her a thigh length white silk chemise with matching shorts, an ocean blue lace nightgown, a pink chiffon nightgown, a sheer silver nightgown, a sky-blue negligee and a bunch of undergarments.

"Remind me again. Why did I let you take me to a lingerie boutique" Dany asked

"It's part of my surprise for you, when we get to the Philippines" Alena said as they waited for Alec at a coffee shop.

When he arrived they bought their gifts for their Secret Santa. Dany bought a dress for Elia, Alena bought a book for Arthur and Alec bought a Nike sports bag for Ned. During the Christmas party the next day, everyone enjoyed the food cooked by Elia Martell who was studying Culinary Arts and music provided by Rhaegar and Dany Targaryen who are talented musicians. Arthur hosted the games with help from Alena while Alec was the event's official photographer. Then when it was time for the Secret Santa Secret, they started it with Elia.

"You guys know the rules. Describe the person that you are giving the gift to, before you give it to him or her. We open the gifts when the last person receives his or her gift. Elia take the floor." Alena stated

"She is the most beautiful girl in Westeros. I say this because, she won as Little Miss Pentos in 2002 and is currently the reigning Miss Westeros and the best part is we have the same size and taste in clothing. My Secret Santa is no other than Daenerys Targaryen. Merry Christmas" Elia revealed as she gave her present to Dany

"Wow, Thank you Elia. You're also my Secret Santa. Merry Christmas" Dany laughed as she exchanged gifts and hugs with Elia

"So we have hit a dead end. Rhaegar, you're up" Arthur said

"My Secret Santa is the youngest female Dayne. Merry Christmas, Allyria." Rhaegar said as he gave her his present

"Thank you, sir. My Secret Santa is the woman with dark hair and haunting violet eyes. Merry Christmas, sis" Allyria said to her older sister while handing her gift

"Thank you, Allie. My Secret Santa is a survivor of a tragic past and a brave woman who is not afraid to look forward. Merry Christmas, Alena." Ashara said handing her present to Alena

"Salamat Ashara. My Secret Santa is a great swordsman and a good friend. Merry Christmas, Arthur" she said giving him a hug and his present

"Thanks, Alena. My Secret Santa is from Venice but his name is from Rome. Merry Christmas, Alec" he said as he handed the gift and giving Alec a pat in the back

"Grazie, Arthur. My Secret Santa is a good lad from a great family. Happy Christmas, Ned" he said with a sexy accent while giving Ned, his present

"My Secret Santa is a good and decent man who rocks on any instrument. Merry Christmas, Rhaegar" Ned said as he handed his gift to Rhaegar and went back to his seat

When the party was finished, Dany went straight to her room and finished packing, she went to sleep early. Alec woke the girls up at 6am because they had to go to Sunspear Airport to catch their flight from there to Rome. From Rome they had to catch the connecting flight to Beijing then the flight from Beijing to Tokyo then Tokyo to Kalibo, Aklan. After 30 hours, they were finally in Kalibo, Aklan. When they arrived they stayed for one night in Marzon Hotel Kalibo then waited for Alena's SUV to take them to Caticlan Jetty Port where they will take a boat to Boracay Island.


Italian Translations

E 'bello sentire da voi, Dany - It's good to hear from you, Dany

Ci vedremo molto presto - We will see you very soon

Non mentire a lei, bambina perché è senza speranza - Do not lie to her, little girl because it is hopeless

Non sei sorpreso di vedere noi, bambina? - Aren't you surprised to see us, little girl

Filipino Translations

Kinikilig ako or kilig - It is the feeling experienced by a person when he or she experiences or witnesses a romantic situation. In English, it is equivalent to feeling butterflies in your stomach.

Kamusta ka na? - How are you, right now?/ How are you feeling?

Mabuti naman ako - I am alright/I am fine

Weh di nga! - is an expression which could mean; For real? Is it true? Really?

Tumigil ka nga diyan, Dany - Will you quit it/Give it up/Give it a rest

Ano ba ang ginawa ng tang inang gagong iyon sa iyo? - What did that motherfucking asshole do to you?

May masama ba sa ginawa niya? - Is there something wrong with what he did?

Suwerte ka nga - You're very lucky

Alam mo Dany, mahal ka ng kuya mo - You know Dany, Your brother loves you

At may sorpresa ako para sa iyo - And I have a surprise for you

O sige na nga - O alright already

Mahal ka rin namin - We love you too

pasalubong - souvenirs

Salamat - Thanks or Thank you

Maligayang Pasko - Merry Christmas