Chapter 7: Patience

Honey didn't know what to do when suddenly Cody hugged her. Just now, he was throwing a tantrum just because of the cupcakes. Then all of a sudden like this?

What's this?

Fault in the heat, fault in the cold?

"I know that feeling. You want to achieve your dream in life. But you're struggling with the standards the world demands of you." He spoke in a sincere tone.

"Yes I know. But why is there a hug? I can smell the smell of cigarettes on your body." Honey gave up on the hug because first, it didn't look good. And second, she really can't stand the smell of cigarettes!

"Oh, y–yeah. I thought you need it."

"Nah, Jenny is really like that. You know my madness now. That's already strike two!" Honey laughed out loud when Cody's question interrupted it

"You're already strike two? So that means, you know me already?" Suddenly, all the blood in her body disappeared and she was stoned to the ground.

"Did I say two? No?" Honey refused. She didn't want to be reminded because his gaze is like was being torturing her life!

And if she's lucky, Tony has finally arrived! So before Cody could get curious of it, she went ahead of him. Tony said that he looks for a way to withdraw because the closest one was offline. He apologized again and again, but Honey retorted, "It's delicious! I love caldereta!"

When they got back to Tita Karie's house, she and her grandson also got there. Cody immediately shot her with a sharp gaze saying, "They're here, isn't it?"

But she was very grateful that Cody had forgotten the betrayal of her mouth.

It was Percy who asked his friend to deliver them. Even if it's just cupcakes, it will be happy to accept it. So even though Honey was a bit hesitant, she agreed because there's had no other choice. She thought he's grumpy, that's right, he's just moody, so somehow they feel at ease. Honey just filled his with a box full of cupcakes before going home.

The only problem is, Jenny hasn't been paying attention to her since they got home. She had been tossing and turning in hee bed for a while and was restless so even though she was angry, she spoke. "Are you mad, Jenny?"

Meanwhile, Jenny was surprised by Honey's question. "Maybe you're the one who's angry? Because of what I said in front of other people." This explanation is embarrassing.

Honey laughed and replied, "Stupid! No!"

"Crazy!" Jenny laughed as well.

It's been more than two weeks since Nanay Lin left for her late sister. And she immediately called Honey to wait for her outside her house because she brought vegetables, fruits and rice from the province. Nanay Lin bring with her, her late sister's grandson.

She immediately waited in front of the door because she didn't have the key to the old woman's house.

Honey was excited because the old man had been gone for so long. She missed her somehow. Even if Nanay Lin's pickup lines are sideways, you'll still laugh.

Around noon, a tricycle stopped in front of the house. Honey immediately saw Nanay Lin inside the side car. She couldn't stop herself and shrieks while approaching it.

"Woah! I miss you, Nanay Lin!" She helps Nanay Lin to lower the bags full of vegetables and fruits.

"This is the key, open the house, Honey." Nanay Lin ask Honey because she looked tired from sitting for a long ride.

"Alrighty!" Honey obeyed immediately and opened the door. She gently helped her sit on a wooden chair inside the house.

Behind them was her grandson carrying a bundle of rice. She offers to take the bags, but when she was about to take them, her grandson grabbed them from Honey.

"Just be careful. Maybe, offer Lola some juice." He spoke with a smile but it's approached is different.

He's demanding!

Honey ignored him and just gave a forced smile and went straight into the kitchen. Fortunately, the old woman loves coffee even though it's hot from the trip. She quickly boiled water and gave it to the old woman. Nanay Lin thanked her and gave her a sweet smile indicating that she likes the coffee Honey gave her.

But she was surprised when Nanay Lin's grandson suddenly whispered. "I said juice, not coffee."

He's a man, but with his sudden change in attitude, he seems like a woman?

It will be given to Nanay Lin, not him?

If he wants juice, he buys it at the outlet!

The old woman has been gone for a few weeks, she probably hasn't made any money yet!

Nanay Lin is the type of old woman who, if you can persevere, why not?

Nanay is not choosey.

So she learned to love her like a mother.

Honey looked at him straight in the eyes. She didn't want to antagonize him because he was the old man's grandson, but I guess he felt like he's a prince?

Their height difference is only 2 inches so, she is ready to fight here, figuratively.

"Oh, Honey. Boyong, my grandson. He will stay as our assistant especially in heavy work." Nanay Lin was smiling. Honey returned a smile but not to old woman's grandson.

He'll think she's grumpy, please, who cares?

Honey was surprised by the customers who suddenly came one night.

It's Percy, Sandy and Cody.

Percy heard from Tita Karie that she was at the cafeteria. The uncle-niece tandem was smiling, while Cody was frowning with his arms folded as he watches.

"Wh-What are you doing here?" Honey asked hesitantly.

Tita Karie is cooking, so why are they here?

"Tito Cody said, he needs to talk to you! I said Auntie, it's fine as long as Tito is with me!" Happy answer of the young Sandy who is happy seeing her.

She looked at Cody who was next to Percy on the left holding his niece. "Why is it needed,-"

What Honey was about to say was interrupted when Nanay Lin's grandson suddenly appeared and immediately scolding her, "Flirting is something you do at work, huh?"

She calmed herself down and forced to answer him properly because there was a child in front of them. "They are my friends, so why should I ignore them? Or are you just stupid?" She smirks.

"You know, I already know that. That's what wh*res do in my hometown." And he laughs horrifyingly.

Ever since he arrived, two weeks ago, he just gives everything a malicious meaning! Honey doesn't tell Nanay Lin anything because she doesn't want her to feel bad.

Honey is actually struggling, because her patience is not that long.

"Sandy, can you close your eyes?" She asked the child.

"Yes. But why?"

"It's quick. Percy, please." Even though Percy didn't know what's happening, he obeyed.

She was sure, this grandson of Nanay Lin had already emptied her glass of patience. "What do you mean? That I am a wh*re?"

Cody noticed in Honey's tone that it any moment from now on things might heated. Percy get the child away from the cafeteria first. He told his friend, he will explain later.

"Oh, don't say you're stupid?" Boyong reverted to what Honey said that his tone seemed to be mocking.

"I'm just holding on to you, but the string of my patience can't handle it anymore." Honey's words were sharp.

Cody immediately stood up and pulled the girl closer to him. "So, what if she's talking to us? Doesn't she have the right to talk to us? And what? You're accusing her for a dove flying just an inch above the ground? Listen, I can charge you with harassment and against women act."

Honey was surprised by his bursts.

"She's at work! She shouldn't be flirting! And, d-don't threaten me!" Boyong suddenly raised its voice. Enough to catch the attention of some who ate there, including Nanay Lin.

"I'm not. Because I will do that." Cody replied authoritatively.

Nanay Lin came closer and calmed down the people there. "Boyong! Honey! What's happening?" It's a concern.

"Ma'am, I respect your business. But I hope you will also protect those who work for you."

The old woman was confused and could not understand the course of events. "What do you mean, hijo?"

Cody pointed at her grandson and said angrily, "This guy has been harassing my friend since he came here. I actually told her to leave here. But she respects and cares for you that's why she's staying even though it's suffocating her."

The old woman was surprised by what Honey's young friend said. Nanay Lin looked at Honey if the accusation was wrong, but she caught her violently wiping away her tears. It seemed to tear her heart to see Honey crying.

"Is-Is it alright–, let's talk about this properly? W-We'll be closing soon." Nanay Lin preventing herself from crying. She didn't think there was something like this between the two.

"Can we schedule it for tomorrow, Nay?" Honey answered with a raspy voice. Cody suddenly felt pity for the girl.

The old woman wanted to plead more but Cody interjected, "First thing in the morning, she will come. With me."

"And Jenny." Honey added.

"Yeah, with Jenny too."

"A-Alright."

"We're going first." Cody bid goodbye and held Honey in his left hand, who was just bowing. "Did you leave anything behind?" Instead of answering, she just shook her head.

The old woman was saddened to see Honey and her young friend leave. Honey and Jenny were the only family she can call, because her son was unreliable. Those two kids help her even though she doesn't asked for it. When Jenny did leave, Honey took over. Even though they earns a meager salary from them, they does not complain. They say they know the capacity of the business they work for.

"Don't cry about that, La! That man wouldn't do that! He's weak!" Boyong's response was so arrogant that Nanay Lin could not avoid slapping him.

The young boi was shocked. "Is that how you were raised?! Is that how you look at your neighbor?! Except for my sister, since my husband disappeared, no other relative cared about me!! The... The one you insulted?! They became my family when no one remembered me!!" The old woman's heart is full of sadness now because of a wrong person whom she thought could help them in their daily work, the one who destroyed the family that has already been formed.

"Lo-Lola..."

The three people eating at the cafeteria just left their payment on their table before leaving. They doesn't seem to want to get into trouble.

"Damnit, Boyong! Apologize! Forgiven or not!" Nanay Lin already stacked the chairs one by one and took the payment of the last three diners.

"But, Lola–"

"If you don't want it, go back to our province far from civilization!"

Boyong didn't answer because the old woman looks really angry. Even if she hits him, it's fine. It's his fault. He still helped her set the tables and chairs, even washing the dishes.

Honey shows Cody and Percy the text from Jenny that she is overtime tonight at work. But she said will be in the conversation that will take place tomorrow. It was a good thing and Sandy fell asleep in a bad mood because she thought they were going to eat there but it didn't happen. Fortunately, Sandy's afraid of her grandmother, so she ate suddenly.

"What really happened? It's like, he's only been there for two weeks or so, isn't it?" Percy started. Since he arrived from Singapore, he has become close to the two; Honey and Jenny. He is much closer to Honey because of her advice.

"Yes. It seems that, just after he stepped on there, he's full of arrogance whose brain is just air? At first, I let it slide. But you know.. He's doing things below the belt!"

Percy and Cody looked at each other but did not say a word. The three of them were in the living room of Tita Karie's house. "I told Jenny the story and she actually made me leave, but I don't want to leave Nanay Lin yet..."

"So, my presumptions are right?" Cody asked, because everything he said there was just speculation.

"Yes. It hurts. He's attacking my existence. I didn't move even though I'm almost drained my patience because, if I hit him, what would I gain?"

"But if I hadn't intervened, what would you have done?" He asked with folded arms as he adjusted his leaning on the couch.

"Punched him, or kicked him in the groin? I do not know. It's like I've lost my mind." Honey immediately wiped the tears from her eyes.

"I will find you a job, Honey. Do you want to go back to your old job? Or, is another job okay with you?" She smiled at Percy's words. He knows about her situation.

"No need. I'll look into it."

"Come on. I'll take care of it. Even as my secretary while you look for a new job."

"No. You often leave." Honey couldn't help it and laughed and answered with a sniff.

"Seriously!" Percy stressed thinking she didn't believe it.

"I do not know."

"You know, you'll be my first secretary just in case."

"Eh?"

"Yes!"

"You should grab it." Cody's groan.

"But it's like I'm abusing you."

"You are a friend and you need help. So, I don't think that's an abuse."

Percy cut off the conversation and took Honey to her apartment. Cody didn't come because he prepared wine, honey and ice for them to drink. He intended to talk to her about something, but he put it off because of what happened.