Say what now?

Nica POV

2 –day vacation is really fun but draining at the same time. I'm here in my room right now staring at the ceiling. I remember Meg will go back to work so we can't spend much time together while Nate will go back to the province. Good luck with my alone time for the next few days. It's been years since I graduated but still, I don't know what I wanted to do with my life. I'm really blessed that my parents are not pressuring me. Maybe... soon I will realize what I really want.

***

When I woke up the next day, I only saw mom, dad and Nate eating breakfast. Mom says Meg already left for work. "Good morning mom", I sit next to Nate and said hello too.

"Nate love can't you stay for a couple of days?" mom asked Nate.

"As much as I love Tita, I really need to go back to check my Bar." Nate answer apologetically.

After we ate, I went out to the garden. I don't know why but I can't stop myself from thinking about Nate. Not sure if I will watch her leave or I'll just stay here in the garden. Tsk! I hate it! Since I can't decide let's just rely on the flowers. I picked a flower and plucked its petals.

Should I stay in the garden or say goodbye to Nate?

No, Stay.

No, Stay.

No...

I throw away the last petal and quickly go to the living room. Gosh this petal plucking is not true!

I saw Nate saying goodbye to mom and dad.

"Hey." Nate greeted me.

"Leaving?"

"Yes, so, see you when I see you?" There she goes again with her sweet smile.

"Yes, I guess. When are you coming back?" I asked hesitantly.

"Wait! I haven't left yet, do you already miss me?"

"Silly, my sister will miss you of course!" I looked away so she won't tease me anymore.

"Ahhhh, your sister? Meg will miss me of course, but how about you? Are you going to miss me?" she said, then she walked up to me and squeeze my cheeks.

"Ugh! Nate stop! It hurts come on! You're crazy!" I also pinched her cheeks to retaliate.

Both of our cheeks are so red now. We just laugh at each other and bid our goodbyes after a couple of minutes. When she enters her car, I suddenly feel emotional. When will she comeback? When will we meet again? What do I really feel? I asked myself as Nate's car slowly fades away. I was about to enter the house when I received a notification.

Naance started following you

I automatically smiled when I saw her name. And the butterflies in my stomach gone wild after reading the next notification.

Naance: I will miss you. Hope to see you soonest

***

It's been 3 months when Nate go back to the province. But guess what, we've been exchanging calls and messages since then. It makes me happy and makes me excited every time I wake up. It's been part of my daily routine that when I didn't receive any message from her it makes me sad. I didn't tell it to anyone since I feel like no one needs to know. Sometimes I ask myself. Is there something going on with me and Nate? Friends do this right? They update each other right? I keep asking myself these question ever since we started talking almost every day.

Aside from daily conversation with Nate. I decided to open my own business too, so I spent my time researching about it. Of course it needs to be unique and different from other Cafes. Fortunately, my sister helps me even though she's busy. I'm waiting for her here in Mesa, so we can have lunch together and talk about my Café.

"Hey sis! Sorry traffic." She looks really exhausted when she arrived.

"What happened to you?" I handed her a tissue to wipe her sweat.

"I'm just irritated with my client but it's all good now. Have you ordered yet? I'm famished."

"Yes sis, oh there you go. Eat slowly okay?" I let her eat first since she looks really hungry. While eating we also talked about my Café. Meg gave me different suggestion for the name of the Café. The one I like the most is "Aroma Mocha". I really can't believe I'm doing this. I'm happy that my parents really show their support and they're so proud. I really don't have plan on staying here actually, but something happened. Nate happened.

Well speaking of the devil.

OTP

"Hey Nate! Yes, Meg and I are eating.

"Wow! You're calling my sister but not me?! How dare you? I'm your best friend." My sister tries to interfere, while Nate and I just laugh at her.

"Yeah, I'm going home after this and Meg will go back to her office. Alright, talk to you later."

My sister smiles and didn't say anything until we got into our own car. She goes back to her office and I went home since I'm done with my schedule today. I saw dad talking on the phone. I overheard that he's going to Bicol. After I washed and changed I went to the living room and I saw dad still not done with the phone call. I have this urge feeling to tell dad that I wanted to come.

I just laughed when I ask him and he didn't hesitate to take me with him. Dad just asked me how I'm going to open the Café. I assured him that I can monitor it even though I'm in Bicol and besides we will just stay there for a week. After dad and I talked, I quickly enter the room and do a video call with Nate.

"Hey! I have a good news." I told Nate after she answers the phone.

"Oh! What's the good news?"

"So dad said he's going to Bicol. Since I still have one month before the opening of my Cafe, I thought I can come with dad when he goes there." I love it when her face lights up when I said that.

"What?! That's great! So it's just you and Tito right? Meg can't come?"

"Ahh, yeah it's just me and dad. Meg is busy. Why? Are you disappointed? I think I will just stay here in Manila, since I'm not the one you're expecting." I rolled my eyes at her. I'm just teasing of course.

Nate's just laughing all trough out our call. Often times when Nate and I talk this is what we do, we just laugh and have an endless conversation. She is easy to talk to. I also learn a lot from her. After our video call I go to bed early since I have to go to the Café tomorrow. I'll be interviewing some people for the managerial position.

***

I just finished interviewing 3 applicant but all of them are not qualified. I advise them to take a lunch break first then we will continue with the interview after 30 minutes.

After lunch break I asked for the next applicant. I frowned when I saw him. He looks familiar, where did I meet him? At a friend's party? At the bar? On the beach? My eyes widened and I stared at him as I remembered. He's the one I kissed on the beach. What the heck! And he's here to apply?! How can I interview him?

We stared at each other for a while, and the thing we did that night flashed back to me. Ugh! Monica! I wanted to pull my hair. It's obvious as well that he remembers me. I tried to be as professional as possible and asked him to sit down and begin with the interview.

"So, can you tell me about yourself?"

"I am Jay Francisco, 25 years old. I've been a manager in a fast-food chain for four years now. I decided to apply for this position to widen my knowledge on managing different establishment."

"I see. Do you have any moment in your previous job that you're proud of? Can you share it with me?"

"Yes I do have. That time that we're able to surpass our quota for straight 6 months and received an award for the best manager of the year."

"That's great. Aside from the one you mentioned. What else can you contribute to the Café?"

"I can say that I already am experienced when it comes to handling or managing business, the ins and outs of it is not new to me. I can do my job smoothly and can come up with ideas to promote our business".

"Thank you Mr. Francisco for answering all of my questions. Please keep your line open. If you pass you will get a call from me within this week."

Fortunately, I was able to survive the interview. I still can't believe it. It's really a small world after all. I interview four more applicants and compare their skills and experiences. Unfortunately, Jay seems to be the best candidate. I'm still having second thought about it though but it looks like I don't have a choice.

I decided to take a rest first and drink some water before going home. As I approached my car, I was surprise when a man suddenly blocks my way. "Oh my god! Jay?" He scratches his nape and he looks like he wanted to say something.

"Look, I know you remember me and what we did on the beach. But I hope you don't base on that if you will hire me or not. He was not able to looked at me while saying those words.

"Don't worry about it Jay. I 'll handle that matter professionally." I told him even though I'm really having second thought on hiring him. "I base on experience and skills Jay, I want nothing but the best for my Café, so you don't need to worry about it."

"Perfect! I assure you I'm the best choice. Thank you Miss Bautista!" He smiled at me and I smile back. Later on a car stopped in front of us. A man in a white polo shirt and color cream pants came out. He went straight to Jay and I am little surprise when they kissed. Later he introduce him to me.

"Ah by the way this is Quintin, my boyfriend."

Say what now???