He Married the Stripper.

Oreo O's - One.

---EMILY---

Nasa private room ako ng isang sikat na Thai Restaurant sa Makati at kasama ko ang ama ni Alex. Nag-imbita kasi sya na mag-lunch dahil kababalik lang nya from the US at dahil day-off ko naman, umoo ako. Si Alex syempre ayaw sumama pero ngayon na kasama ko na ang tatay nya at wala siyang ginagawa sa office, binubwisit nya ako sa katetext at pag-pilit sakin na i-ditch ko ang tatay nya at makipag-kita nalang sa kanya. Hindi ko na siya ni-replyan, paulit-ulit na kasi kami and honestly naiinis na ako sa kanya. Kung naiinip sya edi sumunod sya, alam naman nya kung nasan kami.

"Is that Alex?" Tanong sakin ni Sir Xander, I try to avoid addressing him since he insisted on being called Dad but I can't bring myself to call him that, specially with the real circumstance surrounding my relationship with his son. 

"Ahh... opo... busy daw po sa office so he can't make it." Pag-sisinungaling ko.

"You don't have to cover for him, Emily. I know his meeting got cancelled. I saw Mr. Malabanan yesterday at the airport. May family emergency daw siya and that's actually one of the reason I asked to meet today because I know he's not going to be busy but of course I should've known he still wouldn't show up. I just thought it wouldn't hurt to try." He calmly explained, he looked up from his meal and smiled at me. Urging me to try the other dishes he ordered.

Katulad ng dati, sinabi nya sakin na wag ko daw sanang husgahan si Alex kung paano siya i-trato nito. Kasalanan daw nya kung bakit malayo ang loob nito sa kanya at kung  bakit ang tanging ugnayan lang nila ay trabaho. Matagal na daw ganoon ang relasyon nila sa isa't-isa and he knows its not gonna change just because he wants it too, he accepted the fact it may never change and he's fine with that. He just wants to try as long as he can.

Kahit kailan siguro hindi ko maiintindihan ang relationship nila. I could ask one of them and I know they'd tell me but what's the point in knowing. I think their wounds are too deep to ever heal. I can see how hard Sir Xander tries but I guess you just can't put a band-aid on a gunshot wound and hope it heals, it will only stop the bleeding but the bullet is still there, damaging your insides and wreaking havoc until it becomes worse.

---NARRATOR---

After lunch, Xander insisted on driving Emily home because he got her some souvenirs from his trip abroad and it would be hard to haul everything home by herself. She accepted after some prodding and asked if they can go somewhere first. He already knew where they were heading before they got there though. 

"Ito po ang favorite store ni Alex, hindi matatapos ang isang linggo ng hindi siya pumupunta dito." She explained as they got off the car. Of course he wouldn't, it's everything Alex wants and more.

They're in a specialty store that sells breakfast food from all over the world and Alex being obsessed with cereals thrives here. He used to come here everyday and most of his meals consisted of most, if not all the products they carry. However after he started living with Emily, his visits have been less frequent since she cooks and prepares all the meals he eats now.

Manny the store manager saw them as soon as they walked in. He immediately chucked the magazine he was reading to the side and told the staff who was on his phone to straighten up and look busy. He nervously walked towards the two of them, a panicked smile on his face.

"Hello Sir---" Manny started as he stood before the two but before he can finish his greeting Xander interrupted him by talking to Emily.

"Emily, why don't you go on your own. I'm gonna ask this gentleman to help me find what I need." 

"Oh, I can help you if you want." She offered.

"No-no, baka naiinip na si Alex, we should hurry up." He insisted.

Emily nodded, she grabbed a basket and started shopping. She should look for something Alex really wants to appease him. Maybe she can bake a breakfast cupcake, that will make him less pouty. 

"Sir Xander, hindi ko po alam na darating kayo." Manny said as him and Xander walked to the opposite direction.

"Don't worry about it. I didn't know I'd come here either. Can you take care of that lady over there and do not let her know I own the place, okay?"

"Y-yes sir! Ako po ang bahala."

"The place looks great, keep up the good work." He smiled as he grabbed a random item on the shelf, he finished paying and quickly went to his car.

Xander knows Alex loves breakfast food, he had a childhood phase where all he ever ate were cereals and waffles. He used to bring him all sorts of cereals from his trips when he was younger but as he grew up he stopped accepting them but his love for the breakfast staple never waned unlike his feelings for his father.

Xander knows he deserved it, Alex grew up in a messed up family and he did nothing to help him adjust. He stood on the sidelines and pretended that he would be better of without him. He can see how wrong he is now but no matter what he does, he knows it'll be hard to earn his trust nor his forgiveness, maybe even impossible. He opened the store close to where he lives and in his own selfish way, takes pleasure in knowing he can still provide some semblance of happiness for his only son.    

Manny hurriedly looked for Emily and he found her at the their promotional shelf. She was talking to another woman and they seemed to be holding on to the same box of cereal. 

"Jusko naman?! Nasa isang teleserye ba ako? Iisa nalang yung box na yun!"

"H-hi! Can I help you ladies?" He said as he reached them.

"Ah, may stock pa ba kayo nito?" Emily asked motioning to the only box of Limited Edition Oreo O's on the shelf.

"A-ahm! Iisa na lang po yan e! Kung gusto nyo po iwan nyo po contact details nyo, tatawagan ko po kayo kapag available na ulit?!" He lied as he turned to the other lady. 

"Malamang wala ng dadating na shipment. Limited Edition nga diba?! Hindi ko kilala tong babaeng to, siguro dayo lang or bago sa area. Pero itong isa, kilala ko, madalas syang pumunta dito kasama yung boyfriend nya. Kaano-ano kaya siya ni Boss?"

"But I need it now." The other lady answered firmly. Manny wanted to cry. 

"Test ba ito? Nasa Undercover Boss ba ako? Kapag ba na-resolve ko tong problemang to mapo-promote ako?"

"P-pero Ma'am..."

"That's okay, I'll look for something else." Emily smiled, Manny wanted to say something but both ladies were already walking away, he followed Emily and made sure she gets whatever she needs.

She walked out the store with the her purchase and sat in her car, staring at the box of cereal she just bought. She feels ridiculous now that she has it. Who in their right mind would drive around Manila just for a box of cereals? She almost fought for it too. She embodied a typical Karen at a small store. How pathetic is that. She sighed. 

"I'm pathetic. Why am I even doing this? A stupid box of cereal will not make him forgive me. He probably has one by now too and if he doesn't he has the money to buy them off someone else. So why did I even try? No the better questions is why did I even come back?"