Dinner (5)
Nickel dialed Zoey's number but no one answered and directed into her voicemail. He tried one more time before stepping out the car and press the gale's bell but his second call still turned into a voicemail.
"Why didn't Zoey answer her phone?" He asked himself.
He waited for five minutes before opening the car door and hop out the car. He gathered all his gifts to the Alcantaras and then press the gate's bell. Before anyone inside notice his presence. He again tried to call Zoey, that's the time he sighted a blinking light on the swing next to the garden flowers.
"Probably she left it here."
His inner monologue was put in to stop when a house helper appeared in front of him.
"Who are you?" The helper asked.
Nickel swallowed his lump saliva before answering the question. "I am Nickel Fuentes, Zoey's Director, and friend." There are only a few people that he felt intimidated and to add this old lady into his list is not a good achievement for him.
The short interrogation stopped when a sweet voice called out someone.
"Manang do you see my phone?" Zoey was kept looking for her phone and when she lost hope to where did he last put my phone she needs to ask her savior which is Manang.
Nickel's jaw drop after sewing the approaching Zoey, she was wearing a floral midi dress. Overthought it was already 7 pm, Nickel suddenly thought that Sunday morning is coming for him. As of the sun is set to rise because of this girl.
"Keep your mouth closed so the fly won't mistakenly enter your body," Manang remarked.
"Oh! You're here!" Zoey opened the gate and let the guest entered their premises.
"Manang, this my boss, Nicanor Fuentes. Nickel, this is my Manang."
Nickel bowed his body 90° to Zoey's old nanny. He wasn't fond of nannies because they never experienced to have one. His mother and father raised him and his brother alone with the help of anyone. But he wasn't belittling the nannies.
In the house, Mr. and Mrs. Alcantara were waiting for the guest arrival and tried to fix what their daughter ransacks awhile ago.
"I told you before that never let her touch you little Pablo. See how she became so forgetful." Mrs. Alcantara was blaming her husband for letting the baby Zoey touch the turtle pet of Mr. Alcantara.
"That was just a myth mom! There is no connection between the poor turtles and Zoey's ability to forget everything. And speaking of the witch, she is here."
The three entered the house. Zoey was slightly informing him of what should and shouldn't say inside the house. Most especially the annoying babe thing Nickel called Zoey.
When Mr. Alcantara saw that Nickel is now in the house. He went to him and bear hug the young lad. Mr. Alcantara cannot explain how much fondness he had this young man in front of him. As if he is seeing himself to this guy.
"Long time no see, Nickel. I'm glad you made it, I mean coming here and share a meal with the Alcantaras."
"It's my pleasure, Mr. Alcantara."
"Didn't I tell you to call me Uncle? Anyway, let me introduce you to my family. This is my beautiful wife, Fatima. My eldest son, Zick and of course that lady beside you is my daughter. Hahahaha!" Mr. Alcantara presented his family to their young guest.
"And this Manang, our very own family member."
When Mr. Alcantara mention Manang's name, chills once again embraced his back. He already forgot her presence but after these introductions, he remembered to keep away from this old lady.
Nickel composed himself calmly and gave Mrs. Alcantara her flowers and fruit basket. "For you, Mrs. Alcantara. I also bought some fruits your family Madam."
"Na-ah! If you're gonna call my husband, better call me Aunt too. Now come inside. Zoey why are you just standing there? Make him feel at home."