"Berto, I heard your youngest son is hardworking and very diligent in his studies." Don Maximus was talking to his newly hired gardener. His family just arrived for their vacation in Bukidnon of which is his very own hometown and at the same time where his Pineapple plantation is located. He had a vast land that made him think of settling down back to his hometown for good when his only child would be mature and old enough to handle their business. They stayed at the rest house that had been built by his father for almost two decades already.
"Yes Don Maximus. I am very much proud of this son of mine because among the three of them, he is the only one who has the courage to fight off our poverty and strive to get good education for his future." Berto proudly told Don Maximus. His family once had a vast plantation of pineapple too but since none of his parents sibling nor his father had any interest in managing it, so it was sold by their grandmother to Don Maximus father. Apart of which four of the other land owners of the pineapple plantation in Bukidnon had also sold their plantation to Don Maximus when the time came that he was the one managing their plantation.
"So where is your son right now?
"He is at home preparing the tools I needed for your garden Don Maximus. He will be coming and helping me out since it is the beginning of their school vacation."
"Oh, so he is indeed of great help to you. Is he still in high school right now?" asked Don Maximus in curiosity. He was really curious of Berto's son since he heard a lot of talks that this son of Berto was exceptionally a brilliant kid.
"He just graduated this March and he plans to go with his friend in Baguio to study there that is why I'm very much thankful that you offered me a job here Don Maximus, perhaps I could send him off without too much burden on his part."
"If that's the case Berto, he can have a part-time job at my plantation there. I also have my strawberry plantation there in Baguio. My Nephew Theodore is managing it for now." Don Maximus offered.
"That would be great Don, my wife and Augustus would be very much happy to hear this. Thank you so much." Berto was almost bowing non stop until Don Maximus patted his shoulder.
"Just do your job well and tell your Augustus to stay focused on his ambition. Tomorrow will be the start of your job so go home for now and prepare everything. I have a hut near my rest house, you can stay there if you like with your family."
"That would be too much Don Maximus, but still I will tell my wife and sons about it. Thank you again." And Berto left with a big heart knowing that his son would definitely have a bright future ahead of him.
Meanwhile, Madam Odette heard the discussion between his husband and the new gardener. He was way too happy to hear that Don Maximus is preparing the garden for her satisfaction. She loved to grow flowers a lot and she remembered that she had old friends in town that could help her begin to create a beautiful landscape outside their rest house. She knew that she could make it possible since they will be staying for awhile for little Olivias' sake.
She then hurriedly run towards the patio and called out to the gardener.
"Berto! Wait, I nees to tell you something." Berto nodded and listened to Madam Odette speaking, "Please buy me different kinds of flowers downtown, I know there was this flower shop called Milings' Flower Garden and she sells variety of flowers. Can you please reserve all of it for me?"
"Sure madam, but how will i reserve it for you?" asked Berto.
"Oh, that. Sorry, wait for awhile there," and Madam Odette went back inside the house to get something. When she came back, she gave Berto an envelop and instructed him to give it to the owner of the shop, "Let Nang Miling open it and I'm sure she'd get excited if she knew I'm home."
Berto just nodded and went straight ahead.