1

Visiting her father in the hospital never have crossed Valentine’s mind, or so what she preferred to believe it didn’t slip in her mind. As much as she really wanted him out of her life, she still couldn’t avoid the fact that he’s her father.

Valentine went to the restaurant—very early and the first one to arrive. She was the only one who has possession of the keys. After a long seldom walk with a noisy mind, debating whether she’d go to the hospital or not, she arrived and fished for the keys in her pocket.

Her ears perked up when she heard the satisfying click of the door knob. She pulled the doors open wide, enough for three or four costumers to come in simultaneously. Valentine walked immediately to the back part of the restaurant to fetch water and waited for the sprinkler to be full. Gazing up at the sky, whose sun was still about to rise, she sighed hopelessly. She snapped out of her bubble when splashes of water indicated that the sprinkler had overflowed, scooted down and turned the faucet off.

Instead of picking it up and leave to water the flowers, she stayed right there on her spot, with her back leaned against the wall and eyes ogling at the rising sun. As every second that passed, the sun rose. Its rays of red and orange shot across the sky, colliding themselves with the color of blue.

The moment she heard footsteps was the moment she snapped herself out of her thoughts. Valentine quickly moved and squatted down to pick up the sprinkler. She walked to the front part of the restaurant and started watering Sofie’s flowers. They were just planted a few months ago and now, they have fully grown to eye-candies; satisfying to look at. Valentine smiled at how fresh the leaves and flowers would appear to be when they’re bathed in water.

“Good morning, Valentine.” Sofie, who was standing by the doors walked up to her and gave her the usual sweet smile.

“Good morning,” Valentine answered softly.

“Knowing you and how you work hard… I’ve been thinking about increasing your salary.” Valentine’s eyes widened at Sofie’s words. She aggressively shook her head and stuttered ‘no’. Disagreeing and understanding Sofie, she would definitely say no to her manager’s words.

Sofie, who still needed a huge amount of money to pay for her rent, had the courage to actually think of increasing her employee’s salary sounded absurd for Valentine.

“You know you can’t do that,” Valentine laughed nervously as she watered the huge wave of plant in front of her. “You need the money, Sofie, and I’m fine with my salary… there’s no need to have it increased.” She gulped down the lump in her throat hard. It seemed like she couldn’t bring up the topic of moving to a different job. Sofie was too sweet and caring to be left behind.

“All right, I understand. But, we’re losing costumers Valentine. Just in case your salary’s gotten lesser, you can talk to me and have it pulled up.” By that, she then left her employee, dumbfounded.

Valentine’s mind was filled with both hesitation and confusion. It was Sofie who willingly told her that she’s fine with increasing the salary and Valentine knew she still wouldn’t bother about it. However, she now needed a bigger salary.

As she finished watering the flowers, Valentine went straight to the kitchen, only to see Sofie cooking with her favorite red apron on pink printed flowers adorning it. It was the apron made for her by her late husband.

“Missy told me.”

She was taken aback upon hearing Sofie speak. Missy. It would always be Missy who just couldn’t hold her tongue. Valentine wondered when Missy had spoken to their employer when she and her friends went out together.

“Which is why I needed to increase it,” Sofie continued, sounding hopeless.

“Sofie…” she called out her name, trying to find her words to use. “You know I’m only kidding, right? I have sworn years ago to not leave your side and this restaurant.”

“Of course, you have. But, people eventually leave to set for something greater and better for them. The decision is entirely up to you–Increase or do what your heart prefers. I’m not forcing and blocking your way.”

Teary-eyed and heart filled with guilt and worry, she brought her arms wide open and gave Sofie a hug from behind, digging her forehead to the old lady’s nape. “I’m so sorry….” she sobbed.

“It’s really not a problem, dear.”

Seconds have passed and Valentine didn’t speak. She heard her employer clear her throat and speak once again. “Wipe your tears there and help me cook, we haven’t got all day.”

And so, as per Sofie’s orders, she moved away to wipe her tears with her shirt. She walked towards the sink and turned on the faucet, catching water with her hands attached together like a bowl. As the water filled up, she splashed them all over her face. The cold, fresh water made her calmer.

With the usual recipes in mind, Valentine didn’t bother on asking which one she’ll be cooking. Instead, she slid up the chopping board and the butcher knife. Placed it on the table and took out the ingredients she could find from the refrigerator and the drawers. She took another one last sniff before continuing her daily routine in the restaurant. The satisfying sound of chopping filled the kitchen. Sofie already brought her food to the pot and turned on the stove.

If there would only be one thing that would keep Valentine sane, it’s cooking.

Just as the clock hit 7, Missy and Delilah arrived. Bodies of both girls were drenched in sweat, obviously hinting out that they have been running their way to the restaurant. As Sofie have mentioned before, the first time they got here–late employees, less salary.

They’ve been late countless times but Sofie didn’t bother on subtracting their salary. Valentine smiled inwardly, coming up to the conclusion that what her employer said was only a joke and at the same time, a threat to keep the girls early.

***

It was now lunchtime. The restaurant was only packed with 5 people. Two old lovers, a construction worker in his 30s and two young students from the school less than 10 minutes away, who both seemed to be lovers as well.

Valentine had just finished her share of lunch and caught her employer alone. “Sofie?”

Sofie, who got herself occupied by watching at the old and young couples from the kitchen’s window, snapped out of herself and whipped her head to look at Valentine. “What is it, dear?”

“You’re spacing out again,” she commented as her hand grabbed a chair and dragged it along to sit beside her manager.

“This old woman just can’t believe she lost her husband sooner. I miss him,” Sofie wore a smile. A stupid smile, was what Valentine would call it. She hated that people tend to put on smiles on their faces when they’re clearly suffering from the inside. To her dismay, the same thing goes to her too.

“Is it really that hard?” Valentine asked.

“Yes, dear. Losing someone you loved for years really is,” Sofie answered.

They talked further. Discussing about life, how cruel it could be and how magical it would be if an individual’s in love. Valentine, who just couldn’t relate to anything, attempted on trying to make herself understand the situation. But her being inexperienced, just couldn’t.

Finally knowing about what Sofie truly felt after losing her husband pushed Valentine more to not be involved in any. Let men use their money to bribe her, their riches and wealth to woo her but she wouldn’t let herself be fooled.

Valentine, after all, have been bribed many times by men that have been in her life. They offered her their riches just to be with her and wed her. However, she was dedicated and determined enough to decline their offer and continue on her path to success.

She told Sofie, in a jokingly way, “And this is why I’m really not getting myself involved in love. It keeps you out of your sanity.”

Sofie became slightly offended but a brief laugh escaped her lips. “Don’t be scared, Valentine. Someday, I’m sure you’ll find your mine.

Valentine scoffed, “As if. A man isn’t going to be a part of m–“

A ringing of her tone cut her off. Quickly, she fished for her phone in her back pocket and was surprised to see an unknown caller. Hesitantly, she tapped on Accept.

“Hello?” her voice was filled with curiosity. No one, except her father, her employer, her friends and D’s boyfriend had her number.

“Miss Valentine Valencia?” A deep, manly voice erupted from the other side of the line. Chills ran down from her fingertips to every part of her body; hairs rising up.

“Yes, I am. Who am I talking to?”

“Miss, your father is admitted in the hospital and he needs your presence.”

Just before Valentine could say anything, the line had disconnected. She placed her phone back in her back pocket and faced Sofie with a shocked expression. Her father… asked for her presence?

“What is it, dear?”

Her eyes went back to Sofie’s brown ones and she spoke out of the blue. “I’m very sorry, Sofie, but I need to got my dad. He’s in the hospital since last night and that person who called said my father asked for me.”

Sofie didn’t say anything. She only nodded in response and quickly, Valentine dashed off. She took off her apron and left it on the chair. She only had her money and phone with her as she ran her way towards the hospital. She fought the urge to smile. It was either her father called for her because he was dying and share their confessions while he’s on his death bed or he was only getting better but still wanted his daughter around with him.

She turned right, then left, crossed the road and continued running straight ahead. She bumped against a few people’s shoulders and received swears in return. As soon as she reached the hospital, she entered inside with beads of sweat rolling down her forehead. The information desk was right ahead of her and she sped-walked to it.

“Which room is Billy Valencia in? He got rushed in last night.”

The receptionist typed in the computer as quickly as she could and replied, “Room 107, second floor. From the elevator, just turn right.”

Nodding and giving the receptionist a thank you, she walked to the elevator. There were 8 people inside, just before it could close, she shouted, “Wait!” and a lady quickly tapped on a button. The elevator went open and she got inside.

Thanking, she pressed on the button that would lead to the second floor and the doors of the elevator closed. Gently, they were pulled upwardly. The elevator rang, indicating that they have arrived on the second floor. The doors opened and she rushed her way out.

She jogged to the right until she found the numbers 107 written on the door. Valentine knocked twice and the door open. A nurse shorter than her, appeared to be in her late 40s, greeted Valentine with a puzzled look.

“Hi, may I please know your name?” she asked.

“I’m Valentine. Billy’s...” She pushed the word up to finally say the word she swore to not say in front of anyone,”–daughter.”

A heartwarming smile sculpted itself in the nurse’s lips. She moved aside for Valentine to enter and the nurse went out, closing the door softly behind her.

“What are you doing here?” Billy spat the words like how he would usually talk to her every day when she arrives home from work.

“You asked for me… right?”

“No, I didn’t. Get out of my sight.”

Due to Valentine’s stubbornness and considering her father’s state right now, she finally had the right to do whatever she pleased without him hurting her. She sat down on the chair beside his bed.

The door swung wide open, revealing a worried tall man in suit. He looked down first on Billy, he was surprised to see him. As his eyes landed upon Valentine, she was even more surprised.

“I think you entered the wrong room,” Valentine muttered.

“No, I entered the right one.” The same voice she heard earlier from the phone was the voice she heard now. She didn’t have any information about this man in front of them, nor was he even a part of her memory. All she thought was he entered the wrong room but his face showed otherwise.