Chapter 20: Closure

"Hey, Honey?" Jessie gently patted her sleeping friend. Honey needs to eat and take medicine. She just came home and was worried she didn't even bother to eat or drink.

The friend moaned softly and nodded, "Jess, I want a soup, please." Honey's voice is fading because of the cough.

"That's why I'm waking you up. Percy's soup is here." Percy just delivered the soup because of the sudden call.

Honey slowly removed the blanket and looked at the friend next to the bed. "Should I brush my teeth first?" Jessie just laughed because she thought she had a request.

"Eat first before you do that. Sit up and relax your back on the wall. I'm gonna get the soup." Her bed was next to the wall so the wall could support her weakness. "Wait! Do you want me to put you–"

"Nah. I can manage."

"Alright. It won't take long." Then it came out.

Honey glanced at Jessie's figure as leaving her room.

Jessie is a good and nice friend. It was a grumpy at first, but it went through his chatter. She couldn't help but remember her friend, Jenny. With the exception of the first two letters in the same name as the two, she is the advisor of the two. And the difference between the two, Jenny was sometimes insensitive, Jessie was the opposite.

She didn't want to compare the two, but couldn't help it.

They are both her closest girl friends.

Even thoug her with Jenny friendship was broken, she hoping everything would just like before. Not at all literally– the problem that started wrong thoughts.

Her reflection was interrupted when Jessie came in with a bowl with only soup. It smells like just freshly cooked.

"I already ate. And I can tell, this is the best soup I have ever eaten." She just laughed at her friend's exaggeration.

After eating, her throat and stomach were heated. She also couldn't help but praise the soup that Percy brought.

She forced to get up and bring the dish to the kitchen when Jessie caught her just outside the bathroom. "You know, you don't have to bring that here. You should leave it there."

"I won't wash it, don't worry. I already take my meds. I'll go back to sleep."

"Just call me if you need anything."

"I will." And Honey turned around to return to the room. The medicine she was taking effect, she's sleepy. She was really resting.

During Percy's three-day stay in London, it was just the first day they met and now she took him to the airport. Jessie want to be with them but their supervisor had given her a task.

Fortunately, it wasn't rush hour when she returned to Fionna & Goons, as customers were very busy when she arrived. She hurried to the employees room and settled down for a while before attending the busy workers.

"Miss Gonzales, table 20!" Honey easily picked up the menu and ran to where the customer was sent by their manager.

The first floor is for walk-ins that wants to eat, and for relaxing. The second floor is because it is intended for business meetings, or is usually social gatherings that are booked through online or, through landline calls.

Honey greeted the customer and would have handed the menu, and remembered, that of all the tables has it! She decided not to give she's holding.

The customer slowly lowered the menu, and raised his gaze. "I'll order this." And pointed out part of the menu that the price was a bit out of pocket.

"Ala carte, sir. Is there anything else?"

"Ala carte's for two. That's all."

"Sir, your orders are ala carte's for two–"

"My companion will come after 30 minutes. If it's okay, you can serve that by that time. It's quarter to six already."

"Alright sir. Excuse me."

Honey took a few steps away from the customer when he called her, "Sir?"

She slowly looked at him and if they were in the Philippines, she could say it has a Filipino face, though, with whiteness. He's wearing a baby pink colored shirt, tucked in gray pants. The first button of the polo was slightly exposed, and the sleeve was covered with elbows. Simple hair is so obvious that there is no need to waste time to fix it.

If it's as long as a woman's hair, maybe, it's very nice. She said her mind.

"If you have spare time later, I want to talk to you."

"Me?" She wondered all about herself as she wandered around. Fortunately, there aren't many people here, unlike the front of the restaurant. It's at the far end of the customer's place.

It stood but remained in the seat earlier.

"I owe you, remember?"

"You owe me?"

Honey tried to remember if she knew him, but she did not continue and she might be getting scolded for the duration.

There are lot more customers.

"I think, you just mistaken me for someone. Excuse me, sir." She excused before turning away. She doesn't want to be rude, but he might be joking.

"Hey! I was getting some trash upstairs when I overheard you with some customers. Is he hitting on you?" Jessie elbowed her as they exited the backdoor of the restaurant.

Honey couldn't help but glared, "Why would he?"

"Of course, you're beautiful!"

"Beautiful my fingernails!" And they both laughed at Honey's response.

"You're beautiful, Honey. You just have to believe it.".

"I know I'm beautiful, but not my face."

"Here we go again. Come on, just believe me."

"You're wearing eye glasses since you were a kid, why would I believe you?" Jessie laughed at her response.

"Darling, I may be wearing this, but I am hundred and one percent sure."

"Are we having an intellectual debate? Or, an argument?"

"A friendly discussion!" And for the second time, they both laughed again.

One of the things that Jessie and they are passionate about is that they rarely argue about their beliefs. They agreed when they first argued to make it a friendly discussion without getting hurt.

--

Cody didn't know what to do, now he was here. He also had a few weeks to find out what Honey's address was in London. Is he going to give up now?

He wiped the sweat seeds all over his face again, and sighed out loud.

You can do this, Cody!

He adjusted the shirt and stepped into the restaurant. But...

It took a few minutes until one hour, neither Honey's shadow showed up. The various waitresses have returned to him, but he has yet to order. Therefore, he preferred to order so as not to be embarrassed.

He could feel the shame!

While eating, he called the attention of a waiter who was going in his direction. He is close to the kitchen entrance.

"Yes, sir? How can I help you?"

"Is there any Gonzales working here?"

"Gonzales? You mean, Miss Honey Gonzales? If you're the one you're looking for, she took her day off. Ahm, is there anything else why'd you're looking for her?"

Cody didn't know what to say because maybe Honey would reject him.

But, that's up!

He's here, might as well, take the risks!

"Ahm, it's personal matters. Is there anyone here i can talk to? About her whereabouts? Or, at least to meet her?"

"Yes, there is. I'll tell her to come over. Please enjoy the food." It smiled slightly before finally leaving. Somehow he breathed a sigh of relief.

Jessie was shocked by what the African-American worker said. He has no known friends from Honey from Philippines, except for Percy who is now in Singapore. First of all, he'll go straight to their dormitory and not here.

Although she's nervous and confused, she preferred to deal with it. And that's right, it's not Percy.

Jessie observed the tanned skin he could rarely see here in London. In Thailand, like the Philippines, the same is the skin color of natives.

Gradually she came closer and it just finished eating. "Hi. I'm honey's friend. How can I help you?" And she smiles at it even though she is worried. It's still a customer.

"Hi! I'm Cody, Honey's friend from the Philippines!"

And that, makes sense.

She knows him.

When she once talked to Percy through online, he told about Cody. She found out that this was the best friend of Percy with trust issues. He's even get jealous at Percy.

Despite knowing Percy was in love with honey's friend back then.

"Can you wait until my shift ended? I have two hours left."

"Yes. I can wait."

Honey's talking to her parents through a video call when someone knocked on the door of her room. He bid goodbye to them before going out. But it wasn't her friend who reached out to him.

"Hi."

"Cody? How–"

"Ahm, I was a little late realizing that you might be here. Hehe." His hands were wrapped around the coat, and she could see his nervousness.

"Is that so? Wait a minute, sit there first in the living room."

She first turned off the room light, before going to the living room where the young man was. He sat in the opposite chair.

"Is something wrong?" Honey started. Because she has not spoken to him since she left. Actually, she has yet to leave.

"Problem?" Her heart beats. "Actually, I'm the problem."

Cody bent down slightly before facing her again. "Did you marry Percy here?"

He was automatically withdrawn. "Woah! You driving me crazy Cody. No, no!"

"I thought Percy lied to me." Cody breathed a sigh of relief at what he heard. But he couldn't help but get hurt.

"Honey, did you ever look at me in my eyes?"

"Huh? Maybe you have a problem? The truth?"

"Just answer me."

"Why would I look you in the eye? Oh, what's so funny?" He laughed at the same time facepalm.

"Never knew you were this harsh!"

"I don't get you, Cody. Speak it straight to—"

"Are you that numb?!" Honey did not expect him raising his voice.

Wait–

"What do you mean?"

"I LOVE YOU, HONEY!"

What should I answer?

"Ah... Ahmm..."

Cody bent down with his hands to the side of each thigh. Suddenly his shoulder was lowered.

"The distance I traveled, just to be rejected! God knows… God knows how jealous I am whenever you're with Percy!"

And she remembered the conversation he had with Percy once when he came here. He forced to divert the talk about the Philippines so much that he did not asks anymore.

"What had happened? Really?" She looks to the origin of the voice.

It's Jessie.

Leaning on the door of the room itself, the eyebrows curled up and covered.

"Jessie…"

"Don't ask me if I understand anything, 'cause I don't. I based entirely on your expression, honey. You don't get him."

The young man stood up and smiled. "Maybe you're siding with Percy?"

"Yes, I am. Between you two, I just don't trust you."

"Aside from trying my luck, which turns out, unlucky, I want to depart peaceful. Actually, Honey. Since I met you, I have realized a lot. There are many things I don't care about. But to you, I started seeing things what's value most.

"And the greatest lesson I learn is to let you go."

Cody slowly approached and held Honey's hand as he looked straight into her eyes. "You are the only woman in my life that I never had. But give me tons of lessons in life. I love you and this will be the last." He slowly approached and kissed on her forehead.

"What do you mean last?" Jessie groaned as she approached them.

"I still love her, but I need to refocus my mind. I kind of neglected the company."

Honey gently removed his hand to think of the right word. She did not want to hurt him again because of unimaginable words. Words she didn't really want to put out. She looked at Jessie and nodded.

"What?" She pouted pointing her room.

"You want a kiss?"

"Can you stay in your room for a while? Please… "

" Alright! Just knock me when you're done."

"Thanks, Jess."

"Don't mind it!"

She confronted Cody again as Jessie's room closed. He quickly moves to wipe the glitter from its eyes.

Cody could feel his heart pounding. As if his breath was going to end. But he knew he would learn all of these. That there are things that we would like, if not set for us, would not be ours. Even if we retaliate in other ways, even if we hurt the most important thing to the person who hurt us, in the end, we are the one who's getting in pain more.

Because, it only gets worse.

"Cody, what do you want to happen? The truth, please!" Honey turned her away and went to the kitchen. She took a glass and drew water from the pitcher on the table, and drank it.

He followed, "I know it is wrong for me to ask for a closure because there is really nothing to close between us. But, me. I have to, Honey. I need to get up. I'll never bother you again. I mean, my company needs me now."

Honey crossed her arms and blinked, "I'm sorry, you're leaving failed. But yeah. If that's what you're happy with. I'm sorry, because ... I don't know!"

He couldn't help but smile. He doesn't wanted to condone Honey, but what was likely to be a concern, was making his dying heart jump.

"That's fine. I also want to apologize. Jealousy has consumed me out of place. What came to my mind, you betrayed me. Percy knew my feelings. And I have done ... I have sinned you."

"Sin?"

"Yes. I'm sorry."

"What sin? After all, I have no idea what you did? Or, done?"

"I… I used Jenny. But! Let me explain, please!" Cody saw the expression change on Honey's face and knew he could taste the hurtful words from it.

It re-drew water into the glass and calmed itself down. For Honey, Jenny is still her best friend. She's just giving her time to think. She still wants to reconcile with her no matter what.

Cody tells what happened between him and Jenny. And even their quarrel with Percy thought that Jenny was stealing her too.

No words came out of Honey's mouth as she heard them. As if she couldn't absorb everything. It would have been appropriate for the young man to speak as she stopped him to thinking first.

Silence prevailed between the two of them for a while before Honey spoke.

"Jenny is my best friend, and ... if she has no objection to what happened, what sense would I be angry? She never listens to me."

"I still want to apologize."

"To Jenny you should apologize. When you made her a rebound–"

"Before I came here, I did. Percy is the only one I have never spoken to."

He barely pointed to Cody the index finger and moved it back and forth. "'That's not what you shouldn't do right now, Cody. He was very upset and he needed time. Let him come to you himself.

Cody avoids her gaze. He does expected that his actions have had a profound effect.

"In due time, Cody. For now, I'm giving you the closure you ask for." Honey smiled at Cody meaning that she wasn't angry. She didn't have to be angry - maybe she was just annoyed.

Of all the things that happened, Cody felt now that he had just breathed a sigh of relief and smiled without force.