“Wow!” That’s the first and only word that I uttered when I finally found and saw the real Rocio’s picture. She is young and very pretty. I remember seeing that kind of beauty from those TV commercials when I was younger. For the first time, I feel some insecurity inside me. I try to brush it off by looking at Bobby’s photos while Ally is in Quim’s house for his photoshoot along with the photographer and of course, Rocio the editor-in-chief.I keep convincing myself that I have Quim and Bobby vying for my attention and that I should be in no way insecure even if someone as pretty as her comes near any of them.The sound of incoming message excites me.“We’re done. I’m calling you in a few,” Ally said in her message.I've never been this excited to hear from my sister who constantly nags me and reminds me of the things I still have to achieve in my life.The time seems dragging. Ally hasn’t reached home and she has no follow up text. I don’t know if it’s because of boredom or of m
I can’t sleep. Quim’s strong words still affect me. How could he say such mean words to me? He said I was playing on his feelings but I wasn’t. It was truly an honest mistake that turned stupid.Thankfully, Bobby is here. He’s always on the rescue. He exerts effort to make me feel special. Ironically, when I wanted to return the favor by complimenting him, that mistake happened.“I’ll have a video call meeting with Rocio tomorrow morning. We’ll discuss the content of the article. It should be very quick,” he said.I pretend not to know about it beforehand. “That’s good that they also give you time and not just the cover boy,” I said.I can hear him laugh on the other line.“Why? I asked.“You’re really competitive. We are already dating. You can say his name any time without penalty,” he said.“It’s fine. I don’t want to say his name anyway,” I said.“Did something happen between the two of you recently?” he asked.I was taken a back. My foolishness is on high alert today.
To call me a guest in Bobby’s parents’ house is no longer accurate. My once a week visit for a quick afternoon tea has become a weekly long hour visit and it’s going on for several months now. And every time I come here, new development happens.It may be too much or too early to say but I feel like I’m part of their family now. “What do you want me to cook next week?” Auntie Blessy asked.“Can we have pasta next time?” Bobby asked.“Audrey, how about you?” she asked me specifically.“Actually, I want some dishes that pair with rice. I’m a rice person,” I answered.“Alright. More new pork and beef dishes next time,” she said.“How about my pasta?” Bobby asked.“We can have them on ordinary days,” she said.That’s one thing I love about coming here. They always treat me special. This is definitely my kind of home.“Knock on our door when it’s time for the afternoon tea,” Auntie Blessy told us.It’s a cue for us to spend time together alone.“They're so nice. If I were you, I woul
It was another fun-filled day with my Bobby's family. This time, I came back to my parent’s house with a new relationship status with this guy who is so happy and proud to be with me.“I prefer that you meet them properly next week,” I told Bobby about meeting my parents.“I agree. Let’s not shock them today,” he said.To be honest, it’s not really a big deal if I introduce him to them tonight. I’m of legal age and even if I am unemployed, I am not completely hopeless. However, part of me isn’t ready yet. I don’t know why but I just know tonight isn’t the right time.“Thank you for understanding. I’ll condition their minds first,” I said.“I want to meet your sister too,” he said.“Of course. I’ll let you meet her and her family as well,” I said.“Wow! I’m getting more family,” he said like we were already getting married.“So, next week again?” I said.“Can we see each other at least twice a week?” he asked.“That could be arranged,” I said.He smiled at me. This time, it’s mo
I look at myself in the mirror trying to find any differences in me. This is silly, I know. It’s not the first time I entered a relationship but I am acting as if something about me or in me changed after I agreed to be Bobby’s girlfriend. Am I being more careful now that I’m older and have had nothing but the graduation certificate I received after seven years in college?My cellphone shows one missed call from Quim. I tried my best to ignore it and I succeeded for the first time. I guess I really want my new relationship with Bobby to go somewhere. Maybe, I really matured.My mother seems excited after knowing we will have a guest next week.“How many dishes should I cook? It’s been a long time since I cooked for a guest,” she said.“We can have two dishes only. I can order the rest,” I said.“What’s the point eating here if we will only serve take outs?” she said.“Just cook two dishes here then let’s order lechon. I miss it,” my father said.“Oh, don’t use this occasion to
Mom and Dad stand next to each other mesmerized by what they are seeing in front of them. Needless to say that my mother is star-struck by this tall, handsome guy with great physique and charming smile. Today’s not the first time she saw him but this time, they really go face to face. “I just saw you on TV recently. You looked good on that show but you look even better in person,” she said like she was a big fan. “Thank you, Auntie. You’re more beautiful up close,” Bobby said. He starts to court to her. As for my dad who calls himself the standard of male beauty, which of course is only a joke to me and my sister, he’s eyes are glued to that precious pig that’s smelling so good from inside its box. It shames the pork belly lechon he waited for a week to be delivered. I woke up early this morning to prepare fresh fruit salad and juices for lunch but my parents woke up way earlier. Mom was excited to welcome our first guest since the lockdown began while Dad was surely excited f
I knew Bobby was approaching but I wasn’t sure if it was me he called “babe”. I’m still holding my cellphone where I was reading Ally’s message with pictures taken in Quim’s property. “Me?” I asked. “You don’t like it?” he asked looking a little embarrassed. “Oh, that’s your term of endearment,” I said. “Our term of endearment. I thought it was just okay. I shouldn’t assume you’d go for it without asking you,” he said. “No..no..it’s totally fine. I was just surprised,” I explained my shock. “No. We should decide on that both. So, tell me what do you prefer?” he asked. “Call me whatever you want,” I said. “You’re not into this thing, aren’t you? But it’s fine,” he said. “C’mon, you’re making me feel bad. Let’s stick with that,” I said. “So, I’ll call you ‘babe’ then,” he said. “Baby, babe, whatever,” I said. He came closer and hugs me. “Good thing my name rhymes with ‘baby’ or ‘by’,” he said while still embracing me. I backed off a little. “Hey, I’m sorry. I’m a h
Mom, Ally, and I stare at this tall basket of imported luncheon meat, corned beef, Spanish sardines, and other canned goods that are not readily available in regular groceries. “Please don’t touch it. I will send it back,” I told them. “Send it back? After I brought it here, you would just send it back?” Ally asked. “Sorry, I don’t want to receive these items,” I said. “What's the matter with you? If you don’t want it, I’ll bring it home,” Ally said. “I heard Ally. Is she here now?” Dad asked coming down from their room upstairs. We let him see the basket of canned goods. “What is that?” he asked. “Hon, it’s obviously food basket with all imported canned goods,” Mom said. “Where did that come from?” he asked. “I came from lunch with Audrey’s former boss. He asked me to deliver this to her,” Ally said. Dad couldn’t help but burst in laughter. “The young billionaire we were talking about during lunch today?” he asked. Mom and I nodded. “What was he thinking? We can buy