"We can start the renovation tomorrow," Thrante told me as she checked my blueprint.
"Thank you, Engineer Marcado," I smiled to her.
"Congratulations," she shook her hand with mine.
After four years of studying culinary arts, finally I had the time to renovate our property here in Manila. Mommy gave this to me as her gift while Dad gave me a brand new car.
"Coffee after this?" I offered.
"Sure!" She agreed happily.
We went to our favorite coffee shop—not the usual coffee shop where my friends and I went. Thrante and I had our own favorite coffee shop.
"So, how's life lately?" She started, grinning happily. We already ordered our coffee.
"I'm so excited to this new restaurant, caz. Like I can't believe this is actually happening!" I clapped in excitement.
Eversince I started schooling, I had dreamt this day to happen. I did my best in school and now I finally finished it. And not just that, I would be having a resta
We bid our goodbyes to each other after that. Thrante went home to Taguig while I went home to where I originally lived. When I arrived inside the house, I saw Uno singing his ABCD. I went to him and hugged him."How's your study, Uno?" I asked and knelt in front of him.Mommy started tutoring him at the age of three. I reasoned our Uno was still so young to start learning but she insisted. She argued I was three years old when I first learned the ABCD. She believed Uno was smart he could learn easily."I'm fine, Mama. ABCD is fun!" He smiled widely, revealing his complete teeth."Really?" I mirrored his smile because it was contagious. "Can I have a kiss?"He hugged my neck, "Muah!" He planted a long kiss on my cheeks. "Let's eat, Mama!"I pulled away, holding both of his arms."What do you want me to cook?""Pasta! Yehey!"
"How are you?" He asked me the moment he started driving."I'm fine. How about you?" I casually answered and asked him the same question."I'm all good. Kinda busy.""Same. Tomorrow we will start the renovation of our restaurant.""I heard that from Baste. You hired Thrante to be your engineer.""You heard it right. Yet, this is a business deal and money is involved."""Our restaurant", what do you mean?""Vince is with me, Joe. We're partners.""Vince what?" He glanced at me."Vince Vega. You know him?""Yeah... the chef?""Yes," I confirmed.Silence followed. I glanced outside the window, wondering where he was taking me."Where are we going?" I asked, roaming my eyes outside the car."Anywhere."I peered at his side, "W
"I'm home!" I declared excitedly and went inside the house. I looked after Jonas and Uno. I saw them both in the living room while studying. Jonas was teaching his son to read.Uno looked up at me and smiled widely. "Mama!" He called and ran towards me. I lowered my hips so he could reach me."I miss you, baby!" I kissed his cheek."Look, Mama! Papa teaches me how to read!""Oh, that's nice, Uno."I rose to my feet. Jonas welcomed me and kissed me on my cheek as well.I decided to give Jonas another chance to be part of our lives and to give myself another chance to be his partner. Now, we were happy again. Uno was happy to be with his father."Hi, love," I greeted."Are you hungry?""Not much, love. Have you eaten already?""Yup. Before we study.""Okay. I'll just go upstairs to change my clothes.""Can I join?""Huh?"He chuckled. "Alright. You go up now.""Wanna come with me?"
Someone knocked on the door, stopping our moment. I heard a little voice and that's when I realized we left Uno downstairs."Mama?" He called.Jonas and I looked at eacher. We both laughed upon realizing Uno was outside the room. I pulled away from him and marched the way out. I opened the door for Uno."Mama, what's taking you so long?" He asked innocently."Sorry, Uno. I almost forgot you.""Can we sleep now, Mama?""We haven't taken our dinner yet, Uno. Are you sleepy already?""Yes, Mama. Can I sleep beside you and Papa?"I glanced at Jonas. He nodded. I turned to Uno again."Of course, Uno. Mama will just change, okay?""Okay, Mama. Please hurry up."I chuckled. "Sure, Uno."I changed my clothes quickly. After that, I lied next to my little family."Mama," Uno called. He was between me and Jonas."Yes, Uno?""I don't have siblings, Mama?""You want one?""Uh-hu
"What now, Etincelle? Are you up for tonight's fun?" Morthena asked me with excitement."Where will be at tonight?""Let's go to Makati, E. It's gonne be fun! Philip and his friends will be there too!" She clapped as she giggled.We like to party and get wasted. It's our routine every weekend and if we are up for the fun. While you are still young, just enjoy your days. You can party all you want, get wasted and move on the following day. Lucky you are if you won't get hangover the following morning."Sure! Can I invite Thrante?" I asked them."Of course! But will she join us?"I cracked a laugh. How many times have I invited Thrante to a party? I lost count. But she always rejects me because club isn't her thing. She didn't like hanging out with strangers."At least she knows we invite her," I countered."Okay! And if she will join us, I
After my two shots of wine, someone went here and stood few meters away from me. He leaned his body against the counter and ordered his drink."Hey," I called him."Yeah?" He turned to me lazily."Jonas, right?"He nodded. "Etincelle, right?""Yes. Are you alone?""I'm with my friends.""Is Baste here too?""He's not with us. Don't expect anything from him anymore. You know how devastated he is right now.""Yeah..."I felt bad for Baste too. There were times that he ran to me and cried. He was hopeless. He really loved my cousin. I'd never seen any man like him who would cry over a girl. In fact, he could have any woman he wanted but he wanted Thrante alone."Who are those friends?" I asked him."Skyler and Xander.""Ah," I replied and shut up.I excused myself from him. I searched for Morthena everywhere. I found them on the circle sofa. Morthena was so drunk already."Can you s
Summer was just around the corner. I worked out everyday to achieve the body goal that I wanted. Azy's wedding is getting near too so I had to maintain my figure."Thrante's eager to get annulled with Sebastian," Mom stated during our dinner. "Your Tita Katherine is also supportive. I don't think they won't win against the Marcados. They've done it before against the Imperial. There's no way they won't do it again.""Do you think that is normal, Mommy? Will it bring a shame to both families if people will learn about the annulment?""It surely will. But as much as I want to be excluded from this issue, I also want to support your cousin. In this generation, divorce and annulment is normal for married couples.""This is why I hate marriage," I grunted. "I'm not against them 'cause I know Baste was a good husband. Maybe they aren't just meant to last? They are not meant to be.""Maybe they are better off as separated, Etincelle. They need a break fro
After that chitchat, I went home and found my mother in the living room."I'm home," I announced."Etincelle," Mama called. I kissed her cheeks and sat next to her."Why, Mommy?" I asked."Within this week, Thrante will send a summon to Sebastian for a statement proving that there's no collusion between two parties.""And?" I folded my legs, leaning my side against the sofa. I studied my mother's face.Some people said I looked like my mother, some said I was the girl version of my father. While studying Mom's bare face, I can see myself in her. I got the shape and color of her eyes. While for Dad, I got his nose and lips."Do you know how the annulment goes?" She asked me but it didn't sound like a question. "Your petition will be granted only if it will proven to the court that there's no collusion between two parties. That means if the case is proven that both parties have no illegal connection, there's a big chance that the petiti