"What is so special with this director of yours that makes your father asked him for a meal in our house? Alfie helped you a lot, but he never gave him favor the same as what he did to your director?"
--
"Achoo!"
"Achoo!"
"Achoo!"
Our Alfie, who is meeting his prospect partner, sneezed for three times. It actually made him happy after he had released his third that makes him asked his Australian businessman any number that he thought.
"What was the number for?" The Australian asked as he was confused whether this number will lead him to pay any monetary condition to their deal.
"Mr. Smith just chooses any number from one to twenty-six, then I'll tell you why."
Mr. Smith scratched his head then casually said the number 'twenty-six'.
Alfie smiled from ear to ear after hearing his favorite number. Twenty-six correspond to the letter 'Z' in the English Alphabet. Z means Zoo or Zebra. But for Alfie Z only means Zoekella or Zoey.
Mr. Smith somehow feels chills from the way Alfie grin from ear to ear. His smile will soon rip his face it won't stop smiling.
"Mr. Smith because of this I will approve this proposal and ascend it to my father. No need to explain nor elaborate my questions a while ago. This is perfect for me. Ask my assistant later for the further procedure."
Mr. Smith didn't know if he already hit the jackpot but just choosing a number, to cure his curiosity he asked Alfie, who is already packing his things up.
"Mr. Hidalgo may I ask what is happening??"
Alfie stops what he was doing than sit down and looked at Mr. Smith with is shining eyes.
"Here in the Philippines, once you sneeze three times in a row it means that someone remembers you or talking about you."
"Wasn't it a bad thing if they are talking behind your back? Like Bad-mouthing?" Mr. Smith couldn't stop himself asking.
"Well that would be true but good or bad mouthing depends on who remembers you."
"So how would you know that it's a good or a bad mouthing them?
"Remember that I asked you from one to twenty-six, right? That represents the alphabet as one for A, two for B and so on. Twenty-six is for Z and that letter is the first letter of my amour." While explaining this Alfie saw he reflect the mirror ornament of the restaurant.
He wants to act like himself, but he tried to stop it because he was in front of a business partner. They might think that he is weird.
"Wow! I didn't know that Mr. Hidalgo is a lovesick man. Congratulations with you and your mon amour."
--
"I don't know. It was all of a sudden offer from dad that day."
The household became busy after the arrival of Mr. Alcantara that night. He arrived with a bunch of fresh ingredients and pastry.
He asked his daughter whether she knew his preference but his daughter didn't know anything.
"You know nothing."
"Maybe you can answer this question now. What time does Director Fuentes leave ASC?"
Zoey wanted to say that she doesn't know because she really doesn't know. Nickel sometimes stays in their office late at night. He stayed they when Zoey instill in the office. He always said that he would drive her home as they are living in the same building.
"He will be out after 6 pm dad." Zoey just estimates that he will be out by that because he is the one request for this.
"Okay then, stay here, and no one enters the kitchen. I don't want one unskilled person to spoil my specialty."
"Zander, I heard you. Don't make me let you sleep at the couch later. I'm warning you!"
Inside the Alcantara residence, the ranking in terms of culinary skills is Mr. Alcantara, followed by Zick then Zoey and lastly their mother, Mrs. Alcantara.
The simple dinner turns to be a grand festive to the family, even Zick, who haven't had any complete sleep for three days, was confused whether he entered a wrong household.
"Mom!" He shouted after seeing his dad inside the kitchen. Mrs. Alcantara was busy finishing her masterpiece, the cross-stitch project that Zoey gifted her.
"Son, right here." Zick saw his mother busy doing her thing. He wanted to ask if she knew that her husband was doing.
"Mom, didn't you see dad inside the kitchen? Or am I seeing things now??" Mrs. Alcantara knew that her eldest child will ask why on earth is his father is inside his forgotten place.
"Your dad is expecting a guest tonight. Take a rest for a while then change into your casual wear. Zoey said that her boss would probably arrive by 7 pm."
P.S. phone update :))