As Ronald woke up the next day, he found himself lying on a bamboo bed with a blanket on him. He felt a little lightheaded, and so he thought of drinking something hot. All of a sudden, he realized he could not recall how he got there. His backpack was missing as well. Panicking, he stood up and began searching.
"Boy, looking for this?" Grand Daddy lifted the backpack but did not give it to Ronald.
"Yes, Sir, so ... it's with you. Hehe, Is this blanket yours? Thanks for this and for keeping my backpack. Ah ... can I have it now?" He tried to get it, but the elder took it back and walked away.
"Follow me. I want you to meet someone," said Grand Daddy.
"Who might that be?"
"Just follow me, and you won't get hungry," joked Grand Daddy.
"Hehehe, thanks," shyly spoken by Ronald.
. . . . . . .
Due to Grand Daddy's uncanny probing yesterday night, Ronald spilled out his reason for his visit. This frustrated the latter a lot. He was facing the three as if being interrogated.
"So what you are saying is that you know who did that sabotage?" Beauty asked.
"No, I don't know who did it, but I need to investigate still. The point is someone hid the whole matter. Maybe, the culprits were captured and silenced, or someone or a group of people just don't want the media to know. And who exactly the mastermind is ..." Ronald tried to explain his mission based on what he understood.
"That's really complex; will digging out more be bad? How did they hide it from the media when there was a lot of media personnel at that time? Might somebody be affected badly? Or was it not worth displaying in public?" Beauty felt perplexed on the matter after hearing it.
"Well, for you, to know who did it will be helpful, but there's no need to know more. For me, digging out will be risky but will help me get a stable job." Ronald was trying to make Beauty understand, with his facial expression saying 'please help me'.
"I don't think it's wise for us to get involved in this. I can only accompany you wherever you wish to go. You can stay at a friend's house near the city hall so it would be easier for you," Grand Daddy intervened.
"Ah, actually, I would like to ask if I can stay here instead. Please don't be fast to say no. I want to learn the cooking methods and, if possible, some good recipes from Beauty and Granny?"
"..."
"Let me explain, my father owns a small restaurant, and I want to learn from Beauty so that I can help my father. When it comes to recipes, I need one, at least, to include in the article. If it's not possible, then no need for that. Beauty is the main person I'm here for. The gossip that my boss wants is only something he wants to use to juice up the topic. But seeing you, I prefer to talk more about how you accomplished the whole thing that got into the headlines. Do you get what I mean?" Ronald hurriedly explained.
"The main person and place are all here, so I prefer to be here. If possible, if you all allow me, I also want to interview the other booth owners who participated. Get pictures of the whole team as well."
Silence ...
"I think that's fine with me," calmly said Grand Mommy.
"Me as well," added Beauty.
All eyes were on Grand Daddy. "OK, but no drinking alcoholic drinks, you're like a child when it comes to that."
Ronald got flustered after hearing that. The other three just laughed.
. . . . .
In three days time, Ronald finished his interviews. No leads about the juicy topic his boss told him were found, but he understood the lack of it. The report he got from the police was only Grand Daddy's complaints, so, surely, it was a confidential topic. He was not allowed to eavesdrop, but he got one company name: Fancy and Elegant Food Ltd.
"I think I need to check with this company. Of all days, after Grandpa filed a police blotter, one of their staff went to the police station and the mayor's office on that same day as well? I don't think it was a just mere coincidence."
However, hearing, learning great ideas, and even cooking with the two ladies were the best experiences he ever had. After being with them, leaving newspaper writing seemed not bad anymore. Reminiscing the joy emitted from his father and mother's countenances whenever they cook and see people enjoying their food, it slowly seeped into his heart. To cook for them and help them became desires that he thought he never had.
. . . . .
In Manila, Clyde received a call from Camotes Island.
"Sir, a newspaper reporter named Ronald Kidlat was trying to investigate the sabotage. He is no longer on the island, but one of the policemen accidentally mentioned the company to the guy. He might dig into it more."
"Where is he now?"
"In the ferryboat. I'm also in it. The ferry might dock about an hour from now."
"Just stay with him. I will fly to Cebu three hours from now. Make sure not to lose him. Keep in touch, and I will drop by." Clyde instructed his men he purposely left on the island, anticipating this circumstance.
"Lisa, buy me 2 tickets, business class, Philippine Air, departing this 3 pm. Call John in Cebu to pick us up at the airport as soon as he can. Book the usual hotel suite—you already know which hotel." He gave all instructions to his secretary in one go.
"Hey, bring me with you. Lisa, make it three and another room in the same hotel." Clarence heard what his father said as soon as he came into the office. He wished to go, too. He desired to see Beauty if that was possible. Man in love indeed.
"Oh? Wanna see your Beauty?" teased Claire.
"Well ..." Flabbergasted Clarence was dumbstruck by the way his mother said it bluntly. What came out funny was that he gave them a shy smile which was obviously saying 'YES' as he scratched the non-existent itch on his head.
"Honey, I told you our boy will fall in love soon." Claire smiled with a knowing look at the two men. Clyde just raised his hand in surrender as he laughed.