Just Live

Chapter 11

Sarah and Matteo wanted to make the most of every second they had before going home so they decided to start the drive at just after five in the afternoon.

At nine in the evening, Matteo pulled into a long drive way that stretched over a hundred meters before making it to the side of the house where the garage was located. In the middle of a 5-acre ranch was a large, two-storey prairie craftsman style home that belonged to the Geronimos.

"Good evening po, Sir," Matteo said as he extended his hand to Sarah's father. "Matteo Guidicelli po, or Matt."

"Good evening din sayo, Matt," Ariel said as he shook his hand. "It's nice to finally talk to you face to face."

Matteo smiled politely at Ariel before facing Gelli.

"Ma'am, good evening po. Matt po," he said again as he formally introduced himself to Sarah's mom.

"Hijo, salamat sa paghatid mo sa prinsesa namin," Gelli said as she held Matteo's hand in both of hers. "At maraming salamat din sa pag-sama sa kanya habang nasa bakasyon."

"The pleasure's mine, Ma'am," Matteo answered while giving Sarah a smile.

"Ikaw talagang bata ka, sabi ko sayo 'Tita' na lang eh."

It might've been the first time that Matteo met Sarah's parents face to face, but it wasn't the first time he's spoken to them. Just before flying to Hawaii, the two of them had a long conversation with her parents over the phone. They called not to ask permission because they had already booked their tickets prior to the phone call, but to let them know for their peace of mind that she was in good hands. Right off the bat, during that phone conversation, Sarah already knew that her mom was at ease with Matteo. When Sarah would call home to check in with her parents, Gelli would always have a brief exchange of words with him.

"Sarah, pasok na kayo ng mommy mo sa loob. Kami na ni Matt dito sa mga gamit mo tsaka tutulungan ko sya tanggalin yung hitch sa sasakyan nyo."

Sarah looked at Matteo who gave her a confident thumbs up.

"Matt, hijo, mag late dinner ka muna dito before you head home," Gelli said as she put her arm around her daughter's shoulder.

"Sige po, Tita. Thank you po."

The thought of Matteo being left alone with her father outside made Sarah nervous, but in the back of her mind, she was confident that Ariel would see how genuine he was. And she was right, because when she went to the garage to call them for dinner, she saw her first and last love laughing at something together while they finished off outside.

Sarah couldn't help but smile and lean on the doorframe leading out to the garage while watching the two most important men in her life get along.

"Daddy, Matt, kain na po," she said after some time.

"Matt, pasok ka na dun. Ipapasok ko lang tong gamit ni Sarah," Ariel said to Matteo.

"Sige po, Tito. Kain na po tayo sa loob."

Sarah watched her father give him a pat on the shoulder before Matteo walked towards her boasting a wide grin on his face. "Ang saya ko lalo," she whispered to him as she reached for his hand.

"Me too, Sarah," Matteo smiled while he held her hand.

"Ok ka lang?" Sarah couldn't help but wonder.

Anticipating that it was about his conversation with her dad, Matteo gave her a reassuring smile. "Sobrang okay, Sarah. Your dad said, next time I come visit, we're gonna play golf. Meron daw kayong mini golf course sa likod?"