Always And Forever

Cookies

Manila, Philippines
November 8, 2018, 9:21 p.m

"Malapit na birthday mo"

Francisco said in between of their silence while  both of them stood near the ginormous window that gave them an overview of the city.

"Sadly, I won't be around",He continued after talking a small sip from the liquor that he was holding. T

They watched the barely moving cars that was stuck on the road due to heavy traffic and listened to the distant honks and soft jazz who filled the gaps of deafening silence.

"I know you have a lot of resentments towards me",Francisco nervously smiled as he faced his granddaughter, "But please... allow me to be your grandfather... again"

Leonor scoffed upon hearing her lolo's words.

"Again? Bakit naputol ba?"

"Dili(No), what I mean is-"

"There's no need to explain"

She sarcastically cut him and placed her glass of liquor on the near table.
"You are my grandfather, that will always be a fact"
The younger Romero said as she walked towards the couch to get her hand bag.
"But you never really acted like one"
Leonor flashed a cold smile while uttering those words.

Since her parents passed, her grandfather took custody of her, but considering Francisco's position in their company and his aspirations to establish a political career, he didn't gave her the attention and affection that a child might need. She grew up by herself, became independent at an early age, and manually molded her whole stand as a person, all by herself.

"Thank you for the dinner"

She kissed her grandfather's cheek and went out of the penthouse without looking back. While walking through the hallways of the building, she kept touching the cold gold piece of jewel that was hanging by her neck. She can't help but feel delighted and dejected at the same time, it's been 32 years since the disaster happened, but she cannot seem to move on and was stuck by the pain and grief.

The elevator ding brought her back to her senses, she checked her watch, it was already 9:34 p.m.

"Asa ta ma'am?"(Saan tayo ma'am?") ,David asked her when he saw his boss exited the elevator while rubbing her forehead.

"Sa condo"

Leonor replied casually and got inside the car, she did not even bother to wait for David to open the door for her. Her buddy got in shortly after and drove to her place without uttering any word.

-

"Wala akong shift bukas",She sighed and began to unbuckle her seatbelt, "Wala rin akong gagawin, you can rest"

"Noted po",David replied and nodded despite the fact that he knows Leonor's schedule very well.

"Uhm ma'am!"

He called and hurriedly got out, she turned to David and waited for him to speak. He scratched the back of his neck feeling shy of what he was about to say.

"Kung may kailangan po kayo"

David stated while consciously tapping his foot and fidgeting the car keys around his finger.

"Tawagan n'yo lang po ako"

"Yeah, thanks"
—
"Hey" A man that was leaning near her unit's door spoke.

"Hey",Leonor weakly smiled and replied, "Kanina ka pa ba?",She gave him a kiss on his cheek and hugged him.

"Hmm no", He lied and shook his head, he was actually waiting for her for almost an hour.

"Sinungaling", she chuckled and lightly poked his nose, "Ang haggard mo kayang tignan".

The tiredness on George's body language was inevitable for her. He barely stood straight his neck tie was loose, his coat hanged by his arm, and his sleeves were folded up to his elbows.

"Okay sige", He threw his hands on the air and chuckled, "been here for...quite a minute already, gusto ko lang ibigay to"

George handed her the box of  cookies that he brought,

"I had to wait in line just to get those", he added,

Since he started courting her, he never missed a chance to give her the little things that she love, especially cookies.

"Thank you", Leonor hugged him tightly, she always appreciate the little things that George do for her, "Since you're here, why won't you step inside?" she offered after she withdrew,

He chuckled and shook his head before responding, "You're not mine yet, I respect you"

"Naku ang OA, ayan na naman yang gentleman etiquette mo"  Romero sarcastically replied and pinched his cheek,

"As I should"

"Okay Mr. Gentleman, since you're declining my offer, you can go"

The sweetness in her voice never failed to lift George, its always a harmony for his ears and the bane of his heart's triumph.

"Mauna kang pumasok, I'll go after you get in" 

"Okay, ingat sa pag da-drive",

She entered her door passcode and went in, George left shortly after, making sure that she was home and safe.