Purchased a Grave, Good for Two

Chapter 05 - John is satisfied

The manager's expression has long been frozen on her face as her smile was obviously forced as she waited patiently for the old man to count every coin to hundreds, his low but solid counting voice echoed around the place as the customers on the other table couldn't help but be amused and laughed lowly as they steal a glimpse.

"Is that his driver?" one lady asked as their eyes were glued to Wilrin.

"Maybe, he must be kind enough to have his driver eat in this place."

They giggled, "But it's too tiring to count. Is it his own money?"

"Is he treating his boss??"

Several whispers started to fill the place but John was focused as he finally reached 1,000 pesos with all the coins towering on their table.

"The bill is 3,900, right?" John raised his head to look at the manager and the manager nodded.

"Okay, 2,900 left," John said enthusiastically and continued to tear another bag of coins to count. On the other hand, Wilrin had lost his energy. He could only stare at John solely focused on counting the money without giving a damn at the stares around him.

He could even clearly hear the laughter and embarrassing remarks around them but the old man was completely indulged in counting the coins. He could even see him rubbing that newly released version of coins as if contemplating whether he should exchange it with an older one in his pocket or keep it, as Wilrin wanted to laugh at this kind of behavior, it was also his frustration as he failed to make the old man be embarrassed.

All he wanted was amusement but ate a grain of salt instead.

Only when it finally reached afternoon did John finally finished counting, "It's done! 3, 900 pesos!" he exclaimed in delight to the manager who could only drag her exhausted legs back.

The manager still wore a kind smile, "Then I should..." she was about to reach for the money but her eyes got teary when she saw the towers of coins on the table, filling it whole.

After the manager shed tears right in front of them, John was immediately brought back by Wilrin in the car. Wilrin could only massage the bridge of his nose as they reached his car, he never knew embarrassment until this happened. He abruptly turned behind him which made John who was closely following him almost stumbled back.

Wilrin wanted to say something so rude to take the man's strange self-esteem but he stopped when he saw the bags of coins on the man's chest, he was hugging it tightly with such innocent eyes that he momentarily forgot what to say.

"The money you bought was around 5,000 pesos and it's all coins..." John then gave the remaining bags of coins in his arms, "Did these came from your piggy bank? Just how many piggy banks did you own?" he asked without a hint of a hidden message but Wilrin felt an angry root bulged at the back of his head hearing his ridiculous question.

Wilrin took a breath in to calm himself, "What?" he asked.

John sighed, "The next time you eat something at this kind of restaurant, you should immediately prepare paper bills. You can exchange your coins for paper bills at the gasoline stations or fast food stores. Having so many coins in such an expensive restaurant will give you inconvenience the next time." he spoke as if he was an elderly giving lecture to an ignorant child and gave a satisfying smile, "But I'm happy to help."

Wilrin already froze, his smile was stiff as his smiling eyes showed such a murderous aura that his driver could only gulp behind hearing their conversation.

"Oh." his eyes finally opened and revealed a very bright smile that John didn't even feel any strange feeling coming from him, "I was right to consult you. Thank you, John," he spoke and took the old man's hand to shake.