Chapter 9: Cody's Past

Jenny is in the living room watching the news on Tita Karie's house. Sandy and her grandmother were not far away doing the child's homework. She's waiting for Honey but she wasn't there. Didn't say goodbye to anyone.

"Shh! Jenny!" Someone whispered to her coming from outside the house. Look at him, stupid looking Percy was crouched down and hiding something. She said goodbye to the old woman, she's going to the apartment for a while. Before she even came out, Percy pulled her out of the gate.

"Hey Percy! Do you smoke?" Jenny asked him because he looks enough to be a human CCTV for the head spinner.

"I didn't crash, don't worry!" He misheard her for hithit(Filipino of smoking illegal drugs) to hit(hitting someone). He let go of her with an ear to ear smile on his face and was walking normally.

Jenny narrowed her eyes at him, "I mean, a hit that's sniffed, not a hit that's bumped into! My God, Percy!" His face was covered in water because it looked like he had eaten too much.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I'm just not in the mood." He smiles timidly.

"Are you smoking?!"

"Hell no!"

"Why aren't you in a mood?"

"I need to talk to you about Manley Jonas a.k.a. Cody's uncle." Jenny was about to joke with Percy but from the tone of his voice it seemed like a huge problem.

They stopped in front of a variety store not far from them, where they could talk without worrying about being overheard.

First, Percy bought soft drinks and snacks for the two of them. And then he tells that Cody's uncle Jonas is really Manley Jonas Asuncion that Honey and Jenny knew of.

And an internal medicine doctor at the hospital. And this is also a friend of Anthony Santillan, known by the nickname Tony. He also added that the uncle and nephew have not gotten along since Cody went to college.

As Manley is the youngest of the siblings and all of his siblings have already graduated, he followed his desire to become a doctor.

Cody was already in college and wanted to follow in his uncle's footsteps, since childhood, he idolized him.

Everything changed from his dream of becoming a doctor to becoming an architect. And the real reason is a woman.

Betty is only one year older than Cody, and they met just after orientation at the college they attended. Cody met and fell in love easily because she was really kind. She has the height of a model and so is her slender body.

"Wait, Percy. How tall is she?" Jenny stopped him telling the story.

"Around at 5'7 or 5'8, I guess?"

Honey and I are defeated in terms of height!

"Should I continue?"

"Yes."

They hit it off, and Cody decides to take her to his grandmother's birthday party to be introduced. Because he is close to the old woman, except for being the first grandchild, he is the only boy among their siblings. He didn't think that would destroy the blossoming feelings of the young woman's developing view of him.

When she met his uncle, she couldn't stop talk about anything but him.

Until one day, he discovered that the woman had given up on him, literally.

Cody wouldn't have been angry with his uncle knowing from Tony that, it turned out that his uncle already knew her and only had the chance to court her when he brought it to them himself.

Cody was angry because when he talked to Jonas, he scolded him. "You're weak, Cody! You don't know how to take care of a woman!" Cody couldn't hold back any longer and punched him in the jaw.

And that's where it all started.

Cody insisted on leaving their house and living in a apartment. He also switched courses from doctoring to architecture. His dream was to draw, but he buried it by idolizing his uncle too much.

"It's terrible, Percy. Alright, what's your point?" Jenny started after he told Cody's story.

"Maybe Cody doesn't notice that, he's already giving favors to others... And if he finds out that Honey and his uncle have a relationship, maybe that will suddenly disappear." Percy's concern was blocked by the girl.

"What relationship? Hello? My Honeybebe just likes doctor! It does not mean that there is a deep relationship! He is a doctor, Honey is a patient! That's it!"

"It's just my opinion, Cody is opening himself up to others, especially women."

"Point noted. But let's not rush, okay? Let's just hide it. Let's go first." Jenny gave him a reassuring smile. Percy was stunned by what he heard.

"W-We are?" (He misheard her tone. Jenny's 'Tayo na' means, let's go. While Percy perceived it as 'Tayo na' means they're in a relationship.)

"Yup! Let's worry ourselves on how to hide it!"

"Ahh. Right." Jenny noticed that he wasn't wearing a polo but was loosening the shirt he was wearing?

"Let's go home now. Maybe Honey will be there and we'll both be surprised that we're not there."

"Alright, I'm going to buy something to eat. In case they ask where I am."

-

Honey had just arrived at Percy's office and the two of them were briefing him on his schedule. The same with landlines and what they are for. He also gave him a folder with their clients' photos and backgrounds. It's just as important that he knows that not to get into trouble.

He informed her that he had to met a client. This client is said to be the reason why Percy returned from the country. He asked her to find out the name of the people who would be looking for him while he was away.

Honey would have liked to Facebook but then remember that her job is different. So, she put the cellphone back in the bag and turned to the computer. She has already sorted the folders.

It wasn't long before Percy came back after lunch and he was anxious. He looked at her through the gap in the door and was really worried. He knocked on the door and he waved as he turned around. He motioned for her to enter.

"Do you need something, Honey?" This is a question.

"Is there a problem? Didn't you clear the deal you had earlier?" Even though she hesitated, she asked because it looked like his brain was going to explode with the thought.

Percy let out a deep breath before answering. "I don't know what to do."

"Didn't they like your presentation?" He asked that she asked. "Then, what?"

"It's good, but they're looking a girlfriend for me." He couldn't hide it and he raised an eyebrow.

"Percy, are they your parents?" It shook its head again.

"Because they will know if I am caring of or not. If I'm hands on or whatever."

"What did you say?"

"I'm courting someone." He replied that he couldn't help but let out a caring smile.

"Courting?! Gosh, Percival! Go flirt with Jenny! But I must always be with you."

"What are you? A duck?"

"Why?"

"Because you look stupid following then." He laughed at his own answer.

"Is that their condition or, just asked?"

"Just asking."

"Forget it! Rather than hiring a fake girlfriend, that will make your job more hectic." Percy looked at Honey and just shook his head at what he noticed.

She's beautiful and above all, straightforward.

"What are you shaking your head at? You don't like my suggestion? Don't worry, I'm not forcing you."

"No. You're right, I'll stick with it. Wait, have you had lunch yet?" He asked her, it's past lunch now and he get back from the office late.

"Yes. You?"

"Done."

"Alright, I'll just go outside!" Honey said goodbye to him before slowly closing the door.

A few weeks have passed since Honey started working as Percy's secretary and somehow she has adjusted.

Her thoughts were also somewhat reduced when Aunt Tessie called recently and told her that her daughter was going to school. There is a public school in the next town. What she has in mind now is to save. She needs that in the future. She will get rich first before thinking about settled. Even boyfriend she doesn't have.

Percy is out of town so Honey will go home alone. When she put away the things that needed to be put away, she took a glance at it again before finally leaving for the elevator. She finished a little late with what Percy had asked earlier. He called and said it was important to send it. So Honey stopped what she was doing and did what he asked first.

The door of the elevator was only a slightly open with a hand blocking it. And when it opened completely, a man rushed in.

None other than Cody. Honey smiled at her. Even though he knew that she was working here, they only met now. Honey titled her head down. She was sleepy because of being busy for a few days.

She's been with Percy the other day on his out of town trips, and they stayed up late.

"How are you?" The man beside her started. Though she tilted her head over, she knew she was the one who was asked because they were the only two there.

Honey looked at him and Cody was looking at her. "Just tired." She answered sparingly before looking back.

"Are you too busy?"

"A bit. Because a client wants Percy to be hands on. Literally hands on." Honey didn't want to sound bored but she was so tired, she couldn't help it.

"I see."

The elevator rang just right, a sign that it was on the first floor. Before Honey could even get out, Cody hit it to the ground floor. She looked at him and asked for an explanation.

"I'll give you a ride. I know you're tired, so don't argue." He's correct.

Honey's brain and body are both tired. During the trip, Honey didn't realize it and fell asleep. Cody just let her go and he knew how tired she was.

When they arrived at the apartment, his friend was not there yet.

"Oh, Cody!" Said Tita Karie who opened the gate.

"What happened and Honey fell asleep in your car?"

"I invited her to come home with me because she looks very tired." Cody answered politely while slowly carrying Honey who seemed to be newly married.

"I don't even know anymore why she's tiring herself too much! She often stay up late at night!" Exclaimed the old woman who could not escape the young man's ears.

"Often?"

"Yes. Wait a minute and I'll get my spare key!" Tita Karie quickly went to the kitchen and took the bunch of keys. It was not difficult to open the door.

"Here at the bottom. It's Jenny who's sleeping upstairs." This is specific to the double deck bed. He slowly put her down and frowned. He also put his bag on the head.

"Why is she staying up?" He asked the Tita Karie because he couldn't ask Honey plus she was already asleep.

"Jenny told me was that she was staying up late using laptop. Still waiting for replies of those manuscripts to publishing companies she sent. That's her dream even though she graduated from HRM." Pity was etched in his eyes and face as he looked at Honey who was fast asleep.

"How many years has she been doing that?"

"She said since she was still in college. But, she really had no luck. Sometimes these two friends fights because Honey doesn't want to give up." Cody couldn't ask anymore. He stared at her face and noticed that she was frowning.

"Hold on, I'll just get you some coffee." The old woman said and then went out.

Cody slowly sat on Honey's bed so that she wouldn't fall. He massaged her forehead until the wrinkles disappeared and she relaxed.

"I'm sorry and I don't have any heated water. It was them who always have. Wait a minute." The old woman's sudden words surprised him. Fortunately, the curtain was thick and he was not seen. He better get up and leave.

"No, don't do it. I'm leaving too."

"What a waste. I'll just leave it here." It refers to the 3 in 1 coffee and placed on the table.

"It's fine. Maybe, let her sleep first. I'll just talk to Percy and let Honey rest." He sold it to the old woman then laugh.

"Oh, that won't work! I already told my nephew, but Honey is the one who insists."

"Then Jenny."

"Alright, I'll give it a shot. She's busy too. Be careful, Cody." Tita Karie reminded him while leading him out of the gate where his car was.

"Thank you."

-

The next day, while going up to the second floor, he heard the figure of a woman in a hurry. He chased his gaze and cursed in annoyance.

Doesn't this girl know the word rest? He told himself.

He politely excuse himself to the client he was talking to and chased after Honey. He reached her at the her working table and immediately started sorting her work.

He slowly approached and lowered both hands on the table. "You don't have a job today. Why are you here?" He narrowed his eyes at it and took it away.

Honey was surprised by the man in front of her. "Cody!" Honey exclaimed.

"Put it back where you took it from." Cody ordered her that made Honey confused. As far as she remembers, it was Percy who's her boss.

When Honey didn't respond, he throws it back. "Alright. If you're insisting, follow me." He told her while getting her bag.

Honey couldn't do anything other than to follow him to his office. This is the first time she sees his office. And compared to Percy's office, it was minimalistic. The color of his office is gray.

Cody placed her bag on the small sofa and then he took something from behind a large cabinet. A folding bed. It was unfolded and laid next to the mini living room with a relatively large space.

Cody took the pillow from the couch. Next is the blanket in the cabinet.

Okay?

Will he sleep and make Honey his guardian?

Honey sat down where her bag was and spoke. "All right. Just sleep and I'll watch your office." He hung his hand in the air and madly looks at her.

"Now, sleep. I have some papers to take care of." Honey pointed to herself and looked around to see if it wasn't her. But his eyes fixed on her did not leave.

"Don't be naughty. Go ahead. You didn't bother me because you would have bothered me if you were at your table outside working. I already asked Percy last night. They say you're the only one who's not listening." Honey exhaled deeply and slowly approached the folding bed and laid down.

She even caught him smiling at what she did next.

Or, maybe she's dreaming because she's so sleepy?