Best Regards, Feli

Chapter 28

Everybody knew that February 14 was St. Valentine's day. It was a special day for loved ones, whether they are in romantic or platonic relationships. In Feli's case, however, it was special because it was her birthday.

Her parents were dead set on naming her "Felicia"; they didn't expect Feli to be brought into this world two weeks prior to the estimated birth. So when she was born on the fourteenth, they decided to come up with a name that was related to the heart's day.

Thus adding a second name, Amor, which meant "love".

When Kai asked the history of her name, which was Felicia Amor, she gladly shared this story. And since she mentioned the special occasion, Kai asked if they could celebrate both Valentine's and her birthday together.

Of course, she agreed.

"This is crazy. It's the second time, and it's still burnt," Feli grimaced when she retrieved the cookies from the oven. They didn't look like cookies, though.

"They look terrible," Terry commented, glancing at the poor excuse of cookies. "Well, at least the chocolate cake was tolerable,"

"Tolerable. I don't want that. I want it to be delicious and sweet."

"Yeah. No. It's your first time baking Feli. Of course it will be shitty," Terry honestly said.

She sighed. She knew how to cook but to bake was a different league. She had mad respect for her best friend for being able to bake masterfully.

"Okay. I'll try baking cookies again. If it doesn't work, can I borrow your recipe for the brownies?"

"Nope. I already shared the recipe for the cake and cookies. You have to give it your best shot on your third try."

Terry reminded Feli that she didn't easily share her recipes. They were kept secret because they were standardized through several experiments and hard work. Terry considered them as prized possessions and assets against her business competitors.

But because they were best friends, Terry made an exception. She even let Feli use her kitchen which was complete with baking tools and ingredients.

"It's your birthday tomorrow. I should be the one baking you a cake and you should be sitting pretty at home or something," Terry said as she washed the used pans.

"Yeah. But Kai's visiting again so I want to give him some chocolates."

"Why don't you just buy from my shop? I have Valentine's special promos, you know?"

"I know but I'd like to do this for him."

Terry just shook her head. All of Feli's best friends knew that she liked doing things for the people she cared for.

Apart from that, she learned that in Japan, women gift their crushes or special persons with chocolates on February 14. The men return the favor after one month, March 14, on what they call as White Day.

"So, are you expecting chocolates from him next month?" Terry asked.

"Nope. I was hoping I could get something from him earlier than that," she replied as she carefully measured the flour.

"Oh? What kind of something?"

"An answer."

___

In the past few weeks, Kaito would visit Feli so that they can have dates—chaperoned dates for that matter. Still, he'd take that any day other than no dates at all.

He would arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Metro Manila after his almost five hour flight from Tokyo. From Manila to Albay airport, it would take him a one hour and a half flight. Then he would drive for another hour to reach Feli's house. So, it usually took him more or less eight hours of travel.