Take Your Time, My Love (Forbes Series #1)

Chapter 10

We went to New Zealand for Christmas vacation. It was already a family tradition and we all agreed din naman kasi miss na miss na namin si Daddy... We haven't seen him for a year!

Understandable naman dahil busy talaga siya sa trabaho niya. I don't want to stop him from being the best cardiosurgeon in the world.. This opportunity for his idea is only once. Hindi na 'to mauulit pa. It's not that easy. I know how much he had to earn his resources for this. Wala siyang sinasabi sa'kin but sometimes, I do my own research. I know I really can't be much of a help so I want to be there to support him, atleast.

"How about this one, Bella? Will your friend like this?" Dad asked and showed me a pen.

I smiled at Daddy and nodded.

It was already a week since we came here. Pauwi na kami nila Mommy sa susunod na araw kaya naman pinagbigyan ako ni Dad na samahan sa mall. He took a day off which he probably only does once a month. Now we're roaming around the store to shop pasalubongs.

I really wanted to buy my friends gifts.

Palagi ko naman talagang pinaghahandaan ang regalo ko sa'kanila. It's like my tradition to make an effort for them. I also donate a lot to charities tuwing December. I give half of the money I earn in a year to people I care about.

Marami naman akong ipon. May binibigay din kasi sa'kin 'yung parents ko palagi aside pa sa talagang allowance ko. They also gave me a large amount of money as a gift for being top 1 in my strand. Kakatapos lang din ng sem bago kami umalis 'e.

I told Daddy about my friends as well. Kwinento ko sa'kanya si Egan, lalo na since bago siya. He was curious about him and our relationship pero nilinaw ko naman na strictly friends lang kami.

I seriously don't know why Egan and I being friends gets doubted everytime.

"Does your friend like writing?" He even asked.

"Kinda. His strand's about a lot of writing."

Tumango siya. "Is he good at school?"

I nodded again. "I competed with him in a school quiz bee. And... sometimes him and I are in the same team when we compete with other schools."

"Who won in the quiz bee?"

"Of course it's me Dad," I said and playfully rolled my eyes.

Nilagay ko na sa cart ko 'yung ballpen. It's a bit expensive since ito lang talaga 'yung regalo ko kay Egan. Naisip kong bilhan nalang din siya ng banana milk pag-uwi sa Pilipinas. I don't think may exact brand ng banana milk na favorite namin ni Egan dito sa New Zealand 'e.

"How about this for Phoebe?" Nakangiting tanong ko.

"A journal?"

"Yeah 'coz she likes to pour her heart out. I feel like if she had a journal, it wouldn't last a month," medyo pagbibiro ko pa.

"Why not buy designers for your friends? Do they not like it?" Tanong niya.

I thought about that for a second. I'm pretty sure it's only Gia who actually cares about designers. She's a big fan of the famous fashion houses.

"I guess I'll buy one for Gia. Probably a pair of shades or a wallet," sabi ko nang mapag-isipan.

"The others?" Dad frowned.

"They like other things more."

"Okay," he smiled and continued to follow me with our cart.

Maya maya pa nang matapos na kami ni Dad mag-shopping, kinita na namin sila Mommy sa isang restaurant.