11 Chapter 9

Moments later Audrey started to count down for Christmas.

"Guys, ten seconds before Christmas!" Audrey shouted.

Renzo is busy on his iPad.

"10, 9, 8, 7, 6..." We started counting together.

"5, 4, 3, 2, 1..."

Renzo turned his head to me, I was surprised when my Mom's face appeared on the screen.

"Merry Christmas!" They all shouted.

I was so surprised. A tear fell from my eyes.

"Merry Christmas, Kiana!" My Mom said.

Tears began to trickle down my eyes.

"Merry Christmas, Ma," I said.

"I love you..." She said.

I couldn't stop my sobs anymore.

"I love you too, Ma. Take good care of yourself for me." I told her.

"Hi, Tita! My foot size is eighth." Audrey said trying to lighten up the mood.

My mom laughed because of what she said.

"By the way, Thank you, Renzo. Take care of my child, ok." My mom told Renzo.

"Yes, Tita, there's nothing to worry about. Take care of yourself too." Renzo said.

After that short conversation with my mom, we started exchanging gifts. My cousins were very happy with the gifts Renzo gave them. As well as my Aunts and Uncles.

Brent's gift for Audrey is sandals.

"Wow, this looks so nice!" Audrey exclaimed.

"That fits you so well, you know why?" Brent asked.

"Why? Is it because I look like Cinderella?" Audrey asked with a smile.

"Of course not, It's because you look like a foot," Brent said while laughing.

Audreys smile immediately fades. She rolled her eyes at Brent.

"Here's my gift!" Audrey said then she handed her gift to Brent.

Brent opened it and his eyes twinkled when he saw what's inside.

"Oh, it's a wristwatch," Brent whispered.

"Yes, so you can give me time!" Audrey shouted at Brent before walking out.

Oh, shoot. Brent was also surprised by what Audrey did.

"What did you do, Brent?" Kuya Lloyd said.

"What did just happened." Ate May said with her hand on her mouth.

"Uhm, I think I need to talk to her," Brent said before he went out.

"They're both like a child." Ate May said.

Renzo stood up.

"I think I need to go home and wait for Brent," Renzo said.

"Are you sure? You're drunk, can you still drive? You can stay here if you want." I told him.

"As much as I want to spend time with all of you, I can't. I need to look after Brent." He said.

"Okay," I said.

He said goodbye to my family first.

"Be careful on the road, Renzo. Take Renzo outside, Kiana." Aunt Liza said.

I nodded at her and we started walking.

We are both quiet the whole time. Maybe we're both saving what to say later.

When we are already in front of his car I handed him my gift. It is an explosion box.

"What's this?" He asked.

"It's for you to find out. Open it." I said.

He opened it slowly and his lips formed into a smile when he saw what's inside the box. It's our very first picture together. When we first met. When he asked me to be his date at the acquaintance party. I printed all of our pictures together. I also wrote short messages in every picture.

"Wow, did you made all of this?" He asked, still looking at our pictures and reading the messages I wrote for him.

"Of course, I did! I wonder if you still need material gifts. But I guess you don't need those cause you can afford one. I guess our memories together would be enough. Memories will last forever unlike those material gifts." I told him.

I was so shocked when I saw a tear fell from his eyes.

Why the hell is he crying?! Did I say something wrong?

"I'm sorry I just can't help it... You're making me cry!" He said.

I wiped his tears.

"I'm so lucky to have you." He whispered.

"Don't cry... You're ugly when you cry." I said.

He laughed at what I said.

"Wait..." He said while getting something from his pocket.

It's a small red box.

"Turn around, miss." He said.

I immediately turned my back on him. I felt something cold around my neck. I caressed it and it's a necklace.

I turned to face him and hug him tight. He was stunned by what I did but after a while, he hugged me back.

"Thank you so much, Renzo," I whispered onto his ears with a wide smile on my face.

He laughed softly at my ears.

I turned my direction on the mirror of his car and looked at the necklace he gave me perfectly placed on my neck.

It's a gold necklace with a heart pendant. There's a small letter engraved on the pendant. Letter 'R' and 'K'.

This may be so expensive.

"It's so beautiful," I told him.

"Just like you, baby." He said.

Did he just say I'm beautiful?

"Oh, small thing," I told him and he just laughed.

"Hey, you have to go home already. Text me when you're already home." I said.

"Is that all? Is there something you want to tell me?" He asked.

"Nah, that's all I wanna say. Thank you again, Renzo. Merry Christmas!" I said.

"Thank you too. I will never forget this Christmas. Go inside your house so that I can leave. Good night." He said and finally went inside his car.

I waved at him before he finally disappeared from my sight.

When I entered our house my cousins are already cleaning.

"Do you guys need help?" I asked them.

"Nah, go inside your room and rest." Kuya Lloyd said.

Ate May was about to complain when he saw Kuya Lloyds eyes glaring at him so he just continued what she's doing.

I went inside my room and took a shower before going to bed.

After I took a bath I faced the mirror in my room and look at the necklace that Renzo gave me. I caressed the engraved letters and I couldn't help but stare at it.

I'm very grateful to my family and friends. I had a merry Christmas even without my Mom. And it's all because of them.

Moments later my phone beeped. It's a message from Audrey and Renzo. I opened Audrey's message first.

Audrey: Girl! Guess what, Brent told me that he also likes me. I can't believe it, all this time we both have feelings for each other! I can smell the label coming up already.

Ah, silly.

I immediately replied to her.

Me: Don't assume too much, dear. You might end up crying. It's not about the label, it's about the feelings.

I sent it to her immediately.

Hay, I hope this girl won't cry late at night because of Brent.

After that, I opened Renzo's message.

Renzo: Hey, Kiana, I'm home already. Don't think about me too much. I might not be able to sleep.

A smile plastered on my face while reading his message.

Moments later my cellphone beeped again.

Renzo: You're my home...

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Hi everyone! Let me know if you enjoyed this chapter. Stay safe and Thank you!