The family of four and their guest went to the dining area where foods are served. Mr. and Mrs. Alcantara were both seated at the host and hostess chair. Zick was seated at Mrs. Alcantara's left side and Nickel on the right, while Zoey was beside Nickel and Mr. Alcantara's left.
Manang was offered to join the meal, but she declined it as it is a family gathering. Although everyone on the Alcantaras considered her as their member, Manang chooses to let the offer and let the family be together with their guest.
"I'm glad to you really accepted my invited before, Nickel. My Zoey keep on telling me that you're too busy to dine with us but I doubt that you cannot spare an hour." Mr. Alcantara started.
"HAHAHA! Zoey's words are half-truth and a half just speculation. I was indeed busy but I will never let down an offer of free meal Uncle. It's been a long time that I've invited to a proper meal."
"Is that so? Why? Are your parents lived abroad or you don't have any relative around?" Fatima got intrigued by Nickel's personal life. And she thought that it isn't too rude to ask.
"My parents died last year and my only brother migrated to Canada. I don't know any relatives around me. And I've been living alone for almost nine years."
Mrs. Alcantara didn't expect that her curiosity will lead them to Nickel's sad life. "Poor child, if that's the case, you are welcome in our house anytime you want. Our doors are open to giving you warmth and food."
"Honey, please be careful asking personal questions. Okay?" Nico cannot stop himself from correcting his wife.
The two younger Alcantaras are left as the listeners as they don't know how to but in with their conversation. Zoey was even surprised that Nickel has this sad part of his life. Behind all his pranks and jokes hides his sad family history.
"When did you meet my sister? It seems like you are too familiar with her?" Zick is always the observer in their family, he sees the tiny details of everything. Like on how did Nickel knew that Zoey doesn't eat carrots, raisins and green peas from Menudo.
"You're too over-reacting Kuya. We are sharing one office, so he probably saw me separating carrots and peas. Right sir?"
"Yeah! That's right! Although we graduated from the same university before, this is the first time that I really meet Zoey personally."
Mr. and Mrs. Alcantara were both amazed that these two youngsters came from the same university.
"And I was a year older from her when it comes to seniority to Sealed Corporation."
--
The dinner finished around 9 pm. Zick excused himself to prepare to sleep as he was scheduled to have an operation tomorrow morning. Also, Mr. Alcantara that tomorrow is still a workday for both Zoey and Nickel.
"Zoey, are you gonna stay here for the night or go home with Nickel?" Zoey thought that it would give her a problem commuting if she wished to stay at home and her dad already remind her that he cannot drive her tomorrow morning. That leaves her to go home with Nickel instead of giving herself a hard time.
"I go with Nickel anyway we are leaving across each other." Manang and the rest of the house helper appeared and start cleaning the dining area when the four went to send the youngsters towards Nickel's car.
Zoey kissed her parents' goodbye and hop in the car. Nickel, on the other hand, bowed down and handshake the two Old Alcantaras as his appreciation from the warmth he felt inside the house.
"Drive safely Hijo. Goodbye, darling."
--
Before the ends, Mrs. Alcantara posted a picture of them on her social media account. It was the five of them in the dining area before they start their dinner. Fatima Alcantara is also known as the "Mother Adviser" on her social media accounts. She gave life advises and lifehacks on how to raise kids that are God-fearing and on how she managed to keep her family amidst the different obstacles they faced.
In just a few seconds after uploading the picture. Comments flooded her post asking who is that handsome man beside her daughter. Although, Mrs. Alcantara made herself popular in terms of using her accounts she never says the names of her kids. That is why after managing her account for almost three years, it is still a mystery to her followers the names of her good-looking kids.
"Mrs. A, is that your daughter's boyfriend? If not may I recommend him to my daughter? In case he is still available."
"Mommy A, ask your daughter to marry that guy. It will give you your second generation of good-looking offspring. Can't wait to see how the Alcantara genes will spread with the help of the man's line."
"Ma'am, did he asked for your daughter's hand? Did you say yes??"
From her twenty-ish to forty followers everyone was so intrigued who is the guy and what is happening. But from all the happy followers of Fatima Alcantara, there are few you dismay the post. Those are the male audience who eyed Zoey. But the most dismayed person is Michael.
"Fuck this Nickel to death!"