Present Day 2014
Gena is in a hurry she received a text message from her new part-time job as a tutor and baby sitter of a 6 years old boy.
One message received
0999xxxxxxx
Hello Gena! This is Mrs. Kim, we read your resume and we would like to meet you in person so that we can brief you regarding our son.
Me:
Hello Mrs. Kim, alright then I will be on my way give me 30 mins.
I was really in a hurry when suddenly someone called me.
"Gena!" Ralph called.
"Hey, sorry I'm in a hurry now Ralph I have a part-time job I need to meet personally with Mrs. Kim," I said as I finally got out of school.
"Ahh, I'll take you Gena where is their location ?" Ralph offered.
"They live in Brentwood Village," I said. Looks like I need to ride two public transportation today, or maybe I can just take a taxi with me? I was still in deep thought.
"Really? Ahh ... Gena I live in that village what a coincidence." Ralph said.
Wow, I will not refuse Ralphs' offer as I really need to get to Mrs. Kim right away. I thought to myself.
"Wow! Really? You're heaven scent!" I said with joy in my voice.
"I will not decline your offer, I really need to get to Mrs. Kim as soon as possible," I added and then smiled at him again.
"Shall we?" He paved the way to the school parking space exclusive for school owners and admins.
"Is this really your parking space?" I asked him curiously.
"Ahh yes, the guard agreed because it's safer to park here." Ralph just scratch his forehead avoiding Gena's curiosity.
Ralph opened his car it's a red mini cooper. Gena was amazed but she didn't say anything. She knows how expensive the car was because she loved to read and search for everything because as a vlogger she must be knowledgeable in every little thing around her.
They have already started on their way it's quite a long distance because it will take Gena 20 or 30mins more if ever she will ride the public transportation, it's a good thing that Ralph offered to give her a ride.
"Ahh Gena, I have something to tell you, it's about the fitting of what you will wear for my 16th birthday. It's supposed to scheduled today but I can have it postponed or reschedule?" Ralph hesitated but he still tried to ask Gena because his birthday is coming in two weeks.
"Huh? Of course Ralph sorry I lost count, you know it was very toxic lately and my parents died last month so .." said Gena who was then cut off by Ralph.
"Uhh no .., it's okay I understand let's reschedule it," Ralph said gently.
"It's okay don't mind it okay? I still have free time then let's go there I think it wouldn't take long for Mrs. Kim." I said trying to lift the situation that is starting to feel a bit awkward.
After 20 mins they reached the house of Mrs. Kim. Gena immediately went out of the car and said goodbye to Ralph, she said that she won't be long so Ralph just offered to wait so they can go straight to do the fitting.
Fortunately, the briefing with Mrs. Kim only lasted 20 minutes. So as soon as she bid goodbye they went on with their way.
She will be starting this weekend with 4 hours of tutoring and 4 hours of babysitting. She knows she can do it.
When Gena came out, Ralph opened the door again for her then they went straight to the shop for a fitting. While Gena was choosing her gown, Ralph got bored, so he also tried fitting and took a mirror selfie. Her hair was getting longer it's almost 3 months since he had a haircut because he is still thinking if he will get a haircut then suddenly observed his appearance he looks like a bad boy so he made up his mind and thought that Gena might be turned off by it.
While Gena on the other hand has already decided on her fitting and this is what she chose in the magazine. It's a black prom dress ball gown maxi dress.
Finally the fitting ended that lasted for 2 hours. Gena did not notice that it's already 6 pm. Her eyes almost widened in shock because she was so comfortable during the fitting that she looked like a barbie doll.
"Uhmmm Ralph, I need to go I think my sister is already waiting for me, I just left her with our neighbor," I said trying not to sound so nervous.
"Sure Gena, sorry for the inconvenience," Ralph replied.
"I'll take you so you can go home right away," he added.
I agreed because I really have to go and it's a bit embarrassing thinking about Doc Xander.
"Where will I take you?" Ralph asked and I answered him.
"Really? My sister's childhood friend is from that neighborhood, I'm going to drop by then after I take you home. I heard that he arrived from the United States 3 months ago." Ralph said while continuing to drive.
They arrived at around 7 pm and were greeted by a quiet village. Gena pointed to their gate and went down there when she remembered Glay who was in Doc Xander's condo.
She went straight to the other building where Doc Xander lived. Ralph followed her with astonishment.
"Gena, are you going to that building too?" Ralph asked her.
"Yes, that's where I left my sister Glay," I answered, and then Ralph and I entered the elevator at the same time and pressed P for the penthouse.
When we arrived Ralph and I was both surprised when we rang the doorbell together.
"Are you going here too?" I asked Ralph in surprise. I am beginning to feel awkward, I hope no one knows about my agreement with Doc Xander because it would really feel very awkward, especially now that I am only 16.
"Yes, this is where Xander stays and he is also the owner of this village," Ralph explained.
We were in that situation when the door opened. Doc Xander was the one who opened it for them.
"Brother Xander! How are you?" Ralph immediately made a fist bump with Doc Xander.
"Hello bro! What's up?" Doc Xander replied with a fist bump and looked at me.
Doctor Xander's forehead suddenly furrowed.
"I took Gena home and I didn't know that she lived here too so I decided to drop by. I miss you brother it's been 10 years, so when can we play basketball? I am now a varsity player in basketball at school." Ralph's said full pride.
"Really? Let's see if you can beat me up this time. It's been 10 years since I last played basketball." Xander replied while looking at Gena who did not know where to go.
"Excuse me bro." he turned his back and approach Gena.
"Glay is already asleep waiting for you, don't worry she was well fed by the nanny before she dozes off," Xander said then he opened the room on the left side.
Gena was greeted by the smell of a man's perfume. She can't help but admire the combination of the room is gray and light blue with gray wall to wall carpeted floor and brown for the side table as well as a sofa and center table. In the middle of the room, Gena saw Glay sleeping soundly on the king-sized bed and hugging a huggable teddy bear that she thought came from Xander.
"Thank you Do ... Xander, it's embarrassing I apologized because I came home late because I went to Mrs. Kim's house for my part-time job this weekend then I fitted a formal dress for Ralph's birthday," I explained.
Suddenly the atmosphere in the room changed it's like she's suffocating and she could not breathe because she was in a man's room.
"I see, that's okay you can sleep here next to Glay." Xander offers to make me pity myself more I guess I can't do anything because he already owns me.
I just sighed and then nodded. Suddenly my stomach growled creating a sound in the quiet room.
Xander secretly smiled when he heard that then looked at Gena who averted his eyes and blushed with embarrassment.
"You must be starving, come on let's eat join me for dinner you're just in time Nanny Belen cooked kare kare." Xander says to lighten up Gena's embarrassment.
NOTE: KARE KARE (A popular Filipino dish)
They finally left the room and went straight to the dining area. The table was already set, Gena felt even hungrier when she smelled the fragrant smell of kare kare. She felt sad because she could not eat it because she was allergic to peanuts so that's why when her mother cooked she makes sure there were no peanuts or even peanut butter or instant mix because she would definitely die.
"Come on bro! Let's eat and take your seat I am starving." Xander offered to Ralph.
"Wow, my favorite! Does that have peanut butter bro, because I remembered godmother Monisha she's allergic to peanuts so I got used to it without peanuts or peanut butter in kare kare." Said, Ralph.
Wow, Gena thought she was the only one with such allergies.
"No bro grind rice and food coloring was the replacement so that the taste of kare kare still comes out deliciously Nanny Belen already knows that," Xander said.
Gena's face lit up and felt relieves because she has nothing to worry about.
They started eating, Gena was just silently eating while Xander and Ralph are still catching up.
"By the way bro, you can't miss my birthday that will be happening in 2 weeks. Gena will be my date at that time." Said, Ralph.
Xander tightened his grip on the spoon and fork and lost his appetite. He then released them on his plate then stood up.
"I lost my appetite. Sure bro just send the invitation I can accompany Gena to your birthday." Xander said then left without saying another word.
"Thanks, brother! I owe you." Ralph said while Gena looked at Xander walking away.
What happened to him? Gena thought to herself.
TO BE CONTINUED