Chapter 6: Percival Montenegro II

Percy approached the door by the driver's seat and knocked on the window.

The man removed the magazine covering his face and opened the car door.

"I'm so sorry, Percy!" It immediately opened up to the friend as if it was the magnitude of it's sin committed.

"That's fine, Cody. But, I have someone with me." He pointed Honey who is not far away and looking on her cellphone.

"Your girlfriend?"

"Nah, Tita Karie's borders. Anyway, is it okay with you that we go to the supermarket first?"

"Are you going shopping?"

"She– I forgot her name!"

"Stupid. Call her now then we can leave." Percy called her. He took the seat in the front next to his friend and Honey behind the two.

Honey didn't know Percy's friend so she didn't even bother talking to him.

She might offend him.

While on the trip, she noticed him in the side mirror of the car. He's staring at her profusely with his eyebrows become one. So she raised an eyebrow at him, did he think she was going to let him alone?

"You are familiar. Have we met, miss?" This sudden question surprised her. Because she suddenly remembered an event.

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I'm irritated, because she didn't stop, so I ignored her and opened my cellphone and went to favebook, when...

"Is that Doc Manley?"

My body froze.

I couldn't move because I knew it wasn't Jenny who spoke!

I turned off the screen first and face the blasphemous next to me on my right! He is smiling like a dog.

"Yes, it's doc Manley." I whispered. "Ahm, you know. It was trip of my friend, so I let her take a pic with my cellphone! You know, that's what are friends for!" It's like I'm holding back shit from my appearance now!

Believe me!

He nod his head as an answer but was obviously still not convinced!

"I admire your friendship, huh?" He replied.

He's a nut job!

"I'll gonna call patients name now." The nurse just got in time.

Whew, saved by the bell!

"Mendoza, Sally! Torres, Jules! Buenaventura, Procopio!"The nurse called.

"What a name! Procopio?" I laugh out loud because the name is like the golden ages. Feels like in Spanish colonial period.

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Honey immediately looked back and calmly answered, "No."

Even though the truth is that she wanted to jump out of his car in shame. He knows I like Manley!

Wait – My mode is moving on and forward. Doesn't bother, Honey! Honey thought about it.

"Oh. You really look familiar." This was a wry answer that made Honey laugh.

"Oh! I have lots of lookalikes!" She wanted to punch Percy and ask for help, but after all these two were friends.

She just kept quiet and earnestly shopped for the ingredients she needed for the cake.

Sometimes her mouth becomes treacherous and betrays her. It's a good thing Percy went with her because her groceries was really heavy.

With her height of 5'1, it is not unlikely that he will bump into many people. Honey apologized to Percy and promised to give him a cupcake she would bake.

Percy just smiled and nodded.

When they returned to the car, Percy's friend, Cody, was already there smoking a cigarette. She immediately distanced herself because she didn't like the smell of cigarettes. Especially the disease given to second chain smokers.

It's evening and Honey doesn't know what to cook for Tita Karie's nephew. Her order is to cook for Percy so that they'll share the meal. She has been texting Tita Karie for a while but there is no answer. When finally, her call was answered. Tita Karie said there was beef in the fridge. Then there is milkfish too.

It was up to her what kind of dish she would cook. Her nephew was not a picky.

Honey couldn't help but let out a deep breath. "I hope he's really not picky." She grunted while looking at the beef and milkfish in the freezer.

Honey didn't realize that the young man was behind him.

"I am not picky. Unless if you can't cook well?" He commented while laughing.

"Tsk. What do you want me to make? Beef or fish?"

"What do you usually cook?" He sat in the empty seat in front of Honey.

"Rice. Hahahahaha! Just kidding. It depends." Honey shrugged back.

"I choose the fish."

"Sinigang or paksiw?"

"Just sinigang instead. I prefer, the really sour one."

"Alright, I'll just call you." Honey pushed him away and directly took a milkfish.

"I have a question." Percy started because he was curious about Honey. He'll feel bored if he stays in the room.

"Go for it." She answered and busy getting the ingredients.

"What's your source of income? I mean, Tita told me–"

"I have my own job before. I left as soon as our youngest graduated. I tried my first love, and that's writing novels. But, you know." Then Honey laugh awkwardly. She send tons of manuscripts but, none.

If there was no reply, sometimes no vacancy.

"Ah, so, your last job was?"

"Manager in a restaurant." She smiled bitterly.

"Seriously?! How old are you, then?" Percy asked shockingly because it a big thing when you've been promoted as a manager in a year.

"Of course, I was a simple waitress first. I was 23 at that time, then after a year and a half I was promoted as a manager. I know, I wasted such opportunity. But I want to pursue writing." Honey admitted before she get the chopping board and kitchen knife beside where the plates at.

"Didn't you love your job as a manager?" Percy wanted to take back what he said because the person he was talking might find it offensive.

"I learned to love it, but I still want to pursue writing at least. You know, in the end I have no regrets." Honey answer it like it was a common thing to ask her.

"I get it."

Percy kept himself quiet because he might ask her questions that shouldn't be ask.

He stares at how Honey's seems know everything in the kitchen. From cutting onions and tomatoes, up to boiling the soup.

"You seem mastered cooking, huh?" He commented on this while his elbow is on the table and his hands catching his face.

"Not really. When the chefs are not available, you need to tend to."

Percy still can't believe how Honey chose writing novels that is a far away dream than his job.

He stopped staring at what Honey was doing when a woman entered wearing corporate attire who must have been a waiter.

Jenny went straight to the fridge, got a bottle of cold water and poured it into a glass.

"It's a good thing I didn't buy a dish." She laughs and put her shoulder to her, even though she's smaller.

"Let's eat here so that Percy's not alone." Honey pointed at him before opening the pot of boiling rice.

Percy didn't know what to do when she look at him and offered her hand. "I'm Jenny by the way. Nice to meet you!"

"P–Percy." He answered out of his wits while holding her hand. Her hand was a bit rough but for Percy, it was enough to him to hold for a lifetime.

"Oh! Hurry up there, and it's hungry, oh!" Jenny squealed before sitting on the right side of where Honey was.

"You can serve, madame!" Honey ordered that already putting in the radish and water cabbage vegetables.

Percy wanted to sleep until nightfall, but the noise in the kitchen doesn't let him be. So instead of lying down, he stood up and washed himself. He went straight to the kitchen and was going to tell to keep silence that it was definitely the two ladies, when he saw what they were doing– he stopped at the door to the kitchen because the two were busy making a cake!

Honey puts a large portion of the fondant on the cake, while her friend Jenny pours the mixture into the mold. Others might think that he's overreacting, but he can't help but be amazed by the two. It's obvious from their smiles that they are enjoying themselves!

"Hey, Percival! Good afternoon!" Honey greeted him with a jar of cupcakes.

"What time is it?"

"It's half past two. Just heat the rice and dish. I just stewed the beef! Excuse me!" He gave way first before finally entering the kitchen. Then he remembered that only the two of them with Jenny were here!

"Eat first. If you want these cupcakes, just take them!" She pointed to the plastic table.

Percy nodded before going straight to the kitchen. After eating, and washing the plates, he just watched the two silently on one corner.

"Have you known each other before? Or, did you just meet here at Auntie's house?" He asked Honey as she approached him and handed him a cupcake.

"We met at university and happened we took the same course. Then we were both looking for a rental. So, we agree! We joined forces and Aunt Karie made the right offer." Honey took the cupcakes still without icing and toppings.

"So, how long have been you living here?" He bit into the cupcake.

"Since college. Our job was near here. Although, my previous job was quite far from here."

"Ahh."

"Why? You like Jenny?" Honey asked with a teasing tone.

"N-No!" He refuse and took another bite of what she gave.

"Just a piece of advice, if you intend to court her... One step at a time! His ex is fast. Figures, they ended immediately! I'm protective of her!" She danced her index finger which means he's in her radar.

Suddenly he found it difficult to swallow what he's eating.

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At five in the afternoon, Tony texted Honey that he needed the cake by 6:00 PM, sharp. Because the beginning of the arrival of the guests is at seven o'clock in the evening.

He is also busy helping his family, decorating of their garden. It was his grandmother's seventy-eighth birthday. From the tables covered with purple tablecloths, because it was the old woman's favorite. As far as chairs, decor and more!

This is exclusive only for family and family friends.

At six o'clock a car arrived and parked in front of their gate. He knew who owned it, but he was more surprised by the person rushing out from the front seat.

Honey?

He looked at her in amazement as she approached. Then another woman followed, who looked like her friend who had been told about once. And when the driver came out he confirmed, his suspicions were right – he knew him.

"Tony! I'm sorry I'm a little late?" Honey apologized as she carried the box that was sure to contain cake. Behind her is her friend holding a box as big as Honey's. And the biggest is held by…

"The icings and such may melt any moment by now. Where's the fridge?" Cody asked bored as if they didn't know each other.

Jonas's nephew to his older brother. He and Jonas are six years old than Cody.

"Come in!" He accompanied the three to the back of the house where the kitchen and their large refrigerator were.

He silently watched the three slowly put in the cake boxes.

And he couldn't help but think like,

Does Honey know that Jonas's nephew is with her?

Or, maybe they have known each other for a long time? Could be both.

"Hey, are you quiet? Sorry to be so late! This is Cody's fault! He eat cupcakes first before driving us!" Honey explained this shyly and besides, Tony only noticed the clothes they were wearing now is obvious that they had really baked.

Suddenly he felt guilty because it looked like they worked hard for him.

"All right."

"As promised, that's good for oldies!" It's pride in the work.

"Okay thank you. I'll just take the payment. If you want, do you want to eat first? Because the money I withdrew yesterday has been used up." Tony was embarrassed because he couldn't even save money to pay for it. He called his older sister who was just in time to feed his three guests.

Quarter to seven Manley arrives at his friend, Tony's house and he carries the gift for the old woman. A purple and vibrant scarf worth at least 25,000 pesos. He couldn't find anything, so anything purple would do.

He had already parked his car in front of his friend's house when he noticed a car just ahead that was directly opposite the gate. He knows whose it is.

To Cody, his sister's eldest son.

He went inside and there are several people who's already there. He immediately greeted several members of the friend's family. He was told to that he can sit wherever he wanted to sit.

He looked around the whole garden and could see that the whole family had really prepared for the old woman's birthday.

He was about to sit down from the right side of the house, where Cody was coming out of the way to the back house and kitchen.

Did Tony invite Cody because he had been close once before?

He was about to stand up and to greet his nephew when a woman appeared behind him.

Instead of approaching him, he just stayed in place where they didn't seem to notice him.

"Hey! Why are you like that?" Honey asked this irritated question to Cody. Next to her is Jenny, who always accompanies her during check-ups.

"You don't know Percy, he's not going to left any cupcakes for me!" Explain it like a child.

Honey's friend who was next to her was laughing. "We did a lot, Cody."

"Oh, did you hear her? Besides, Aunt Karie and Sandy are already at home. Let's wait for Tony, come on! I do not have money anymore!" Honey's pleading that it seems like it's about to run out of breath.

"Stop sending to publishing companies, Honey. You have done your best, but you also have to live for the future." Jenny spoke seriously before going out first.

Suddenly, she felt dumbfounded when hearing it from her friend.

"Alright, you and Jenny can leave first. I'll just wait for Tony."

Manley didn't know what to do when suddenly his nephew hugged her.

From standing up suddenly, he quietly returned to sit down and was surprised by his clenched hands.He tried to relax it and let out a deep breath. He didn't hear the conversation between the two when Tony's cousin started playing loudly.