Live-in Partner??!

After that they went down to the mall area of the hotel, they ate a late lunch and went buying for groceries. They ate at QFZ Chicken, which was a fast-food restaurant.

(Author's Note: They ate at QFZ so that Clara's family won't get suspicious. They only said they won about a raffle, not the lottery.)

While at the supermarket, Jose contacted Ashie Mojo.

"Hi. Can I ask if you can bring... On the 23rd floor? And is it possible for you to..."

Jose mailed a list of food and water supplies, a month's worth. Ashie Mojo didn't become suspicious as she knew that they were many and that they would stay there for almost a month. Hence, She said yes but Jose needed to transfer the food himself, as another staff was not allowed to even go past the 20th floor.

Also, fortunately, Ashie Mojo mailed Jose about the 20th-floor being the 'hidden' entrance to the floors he wanted to rent. Hence, Jose had no choice but to adjust his plans and make the 20th floor as the barricade.

After returning, Jose lied that he forgot something to buy so he went back to the supermarket. What he did was to buy all the snacks and food that was just recently restocked. A supermarket manager helped him carry them up to the hotel's elevator, at that point Dorfon takes over and helps Jose carry those to the 20th floor.

Jose casually gave a tip of 500 pesos to Dorfon. He repeated this once every three hours. (even in midnights, cause the mall was open 24 hours, so was the supermarket. But Jose bought what he can buy. Luckily, the supermarket staff takes a shift, and the afternoon staff was different from the morning and the evening staff.)

Although some noticed, they didn't question Jose's actions. To them, their goal was to sell and earn money. Nothing more. They could even pray to Jose to continuously buy them.

Unfortunately, Jose stopped after a day. One reason, he needs to secure a supply for a month only. He made it for two months, just in case. Besides, after a few days, these would be free. So why bother continuing to store more supplies.

That day, in the afternoon, Sophia, and Arthur, with their family, arrived. They stayed on the 22nd floor. The food didn't become an issue as Jose mailed Ashie Mojo to make full of the food supplies and water for each room he rented. He even requested some medical supplies 'just in case'.

All were paid by Jose and the transaction was kept between the two of them. Jose acted to Ashie Mojo as if he was someone who cannot lose face, and money was not a problem. Hence, Ashie Mojo followed Jose without questions.

Unfortunately, Jose was not able to stop Clarissa and Clara to invite Sophia and Arthur with their Family to go have dinner on the 25th floor. Arthur's father showed his skills in cooking chicken. He was a branch manager of QFZ Chicken. Hence, he had some idea of how to cook their best selling chickens.

Although they were not allowed to leak the recipe or some sort, it doesn't mean that they can't cook it to their family 'secretly'. Everyone liked it. Especially the little girls, Ashia and Chesley.

The two little girls were so happy, especially after witnessing the fireworks display orchestrated by the hotel at night. These were often done by hotels during Christmas Holidays, and New Year Celebration.

However, the 'parents organization', or all of the parents, didn't allow anyone to swim after eating. Jose and the rest understand their parents but the two little kids got a tantrum. Luckily, Jose would give them sweets like ice cream in exchange.

'How I wish, that this would last forever.' Jose leaned back to his chair as he witnesses the four families enjoy together and be as one.

"What is in your mind brother?" Clarissa asked.

"Nothing? I'm just imagining how noisier... it would become if grandma and the rest arrive tomorrow."

"Brother sure misses grandma allot."

"Hahaha, why wouldn't I!" He chuckled.

~~~~~~~

December 18, 2031, Five days before the spread of the virus, Seven days before the apocalypse.

9:00 AM,

Jose's grandma, and his only aunt, with her family, arrives. She was his grandma and aunt on the mother's side. Her mother has only one sister while his father was an only child. Unfortunately, his grandma and grandpa on his father's side, have perished since they were young.

His grandma was the only one left, hence both Jose and Clarissa were close to her. Unfortunately, they weren't capable to take care of their grandma, hence she could only stay at Jose's Aunt.

His Aunt was separated from her husband but she had two daughters who were already working. Hence, his Aunt can focus on taking care of his grandma.

"Aunt Heidi, Grandma Clarita, Cousin Bea, and Cousin Jia!" Jose waved Hello, after seeing them at the hotel lobby.

"Cousin! Long-time no see..." Bea and Jia greeted. They were around five to ten years older than Jose.

"How's the trip?"

"Veeeeryyyy Heavyyyy Traffic!" His Aunt Heidi complained.

"Hahaha! Cousin, don't mind mom. Grandma bullied her, that's why she looks down." Bea laughed.

"Don't laugh cousin, Grandma may bully you next."

"Hahaha! She won't. She already told us that she can't wait to see his favorite Grandchild. Right, grandma?"

"Hahaha! You've grown up kid! I learned from your cousin that you already have a live-in partner! How shameless!"

"Live-in partner??!" Jose was astounded.

"Who??"

"Tsk! Who else but that childhood friend of yours, Clara."

"Eh? We~we're just friends grandma!" Jose can help but to defend himself. Despite it not being true, he blushed slightly.

"Whatever! I wanna meet this girl! She won't escape my eyes. If I saw even the slightest bad characteristic, I won't approve of her. You are my only Grandson, I won't let you become like this idiot daughter of mine."

"Gaaa~"

His aunt almost spouts out blood after hearing the harsh words of His grandma. His two cousins held their laugh back as much as they can. But their smiles can hide their happiness.