"Where do you put these boxes, love?"
I spread the receipt on the counter, not minding Peter since I have too many orders following. We already hired a delivery, and now we had a lot of orders on our shoulders.
"Love?"
"Hmm?" I asked, not looking at him, "In the room. Backroom--no, storage room," I pointed at my back.
I was making a Strawberry Frappucino when I felt something inserted inside my ears. I jumped from my stand and calmed down after hearing music from it. And Pete's beside me.
"Bruno Major, your favorite," he said, making orders with me.
He was wearing the other piece of earbuds on his right. Working with music calmed me down. It felt like time was slowing down and giving time to enjoy every minute.
I've done the orders with everyone's help, especially because of Peter. He took his day off working with me where he could choose to rest at his place.
"Do you have any plans this upcoming Christmas?" he said, packing the last order.
"I'm thinking of bringing Mom to New York or Disneyland. She dreamed of going there," I replied, "Where are you going to celebrate?" I asked back.
"Anywhere. With you,"
I turn my back on him, close the cup with its lid, and hide my cheeks that are blushing because of him. I hate him.
I couldn't look back at him since I'm still recovering from his word, but then I felt his embrace on my waist, "Do you like that plan? New York or Disneyland, or maybe both? Or maybe Christmas in New York, and New Year in Disneyland,"
"Possible,"
I wiped a whipped cream on his nose, and he scrunched his nose, looking at it. He wipes it out, licking it on his finger.
"Yuck,"
I placed the coffee on its plastic. I gave it to the rider, and at the same time, Lyv came in.
"Hey, lovebirds,"
"Hi," I greeted her back while cleaning the counter.
"I bought..." she took everything from the plastic one by one, placing it on the table nearby, "Lunch and Dinner,"
I left the towel in the sink before going to the table, "You haven't your lunch?" I asked, wiping my hands on the apron and hanging it on my chair.
She shakes her head. It's 5 in the afternoon. She's way too busy at her work and the position she had that she forgot to take her meal.
"Archer..." he looked at her while wiping his hands with a towel, "... By any chance, can we request you to make us a drink?"
"Lyv, stop. I'll do--"
"No, it's fine," he smiles at us, "What do you prefer?"
"Anything, what about you, Sue?"
"Nothing," shortly I said.
He nodded and walked back to the counter.
I turn my attention to Lyv with a crinkled forehead, "What was that?"
"What?" she rested her chin on her hands, "I'm just asking him, he could say no. I just wanted to try the drink he'll make, you know, you had another barista in the cafe," she joked.
"He's tired of working with me the whole day, and then tomorrow he had another work to do. Let him rest,"
"Okay, okay, sorry. At least I also bought dinner for the both of you, I didn't forget your boyfriend,"
She pushes his food beside mine. Peter came back after I had a few spoons on the food.
He came back, carrying two cups in both his hands, "Frappe Salted Caramel, " he placed the cup on Lyv, and gave me also a cup of drink, "And Vanilla Strawberry for the lady,"
Lyv's drink was full of whipped cream and caramel, while mine looks like he used all of the stocks of fresh strawberries I have, and I barely see the liquid on this cup.
He then sat on the chair beside me, "How was it?" he asked us.
"It's so good. You got my taste. You should hire him immediately, Sue," she commented.
She sips her drink to the bottom without taking a break. Is she serious? I bowed my head on the straw and had a sip. It was rich with strawberry flavor.
"Is it good?"
"Yeah, super. You used a lot of strawberries,"
He scratches the back of his neck after my reply. I love strawberries, and he got it so great than the way I make it.
I heard the bell run again, and it was Carter walking in, "Hey,"
Lyv coughed from her cup and heard whispered a curse, "Shit,"
He stood between us, holding our chair, "Hi, Ms." he greeted Lyv.
I gave her a tissue to wipe her mouth. She kept from coughing, so I offered her water.
"Are you still open?"
"We just closed," I frowned.
"Bye, Sue!" Bri waved at me, and I waved back at her.
After I looked back at our table, she was fixing her bag, "My Dad's calling me. I have to go,"
I didn't hear her phone ring or play a notification. She was in rushed that she left her food behind. She also didn't eat a lot.
And as the door closed, Carter had his phone in his hand as if someone messaged him, "Work's calling," he also left after Lyv.
Peter hold my stare on him for a moment, and he shrugged his shoulder, drinking water. Without speaking, it felt like our minds are connected.
I DROPPED THE BOX ON the floor, holding my hips, exhausted from carrying it from upstairs down here.
I looked at the tree has nothing on it, standing beside the sofa before kicking the box in able to reach there. Another year, another Christmas to celebrate.
Our plan to go to New York was canceled, all of the flights were taken, and Peter could only go by tonight. But for New Year, I booked a flight to Hongkong, and he said he'll catch up after some papers to sign.
"Sue, I'll do it,"
"No, Mom, it's fine,"
Mom still insisted on helping me hang the Christmas Balls on the tree. It's already Christmas, and we haven't finished decorating the tree.
While hanging the balls in the tree, I could smell something burning, "Mom? Mom," I called her, that was busy untangling the Christmas lights.
"Hmm?"
"The cake! Mom, the cake!"
"Wait!"
She jumped over the decorations scattered on the floor, running to reach the kitchen. I could smell how its aroma started to burn. I almost forget about it since I'm too focused on our Christmas Tree.
We'll have a simple celebration tonight, since only Peter can come. Lyv is celebrating Christmas with her Dad in Paris. Angelo has his family with him. Peter tried to invite his friends, I mean I let him invite them, but they had different plans too. Mark and Mika will celebrate together with their families.
I finished decorating the tree with Mom's help, and I designed the cake using a Christmas theme. I also helped Mom cook pasta, roasted chicken, and macaroni salad for tonight.
After all of the tasks, I stopped by at Dad's picture on the altar before preparing myself. I lit a new candle beside his frame and kissed my fingers, stamping it on his picture.
"Merry Christmas, Dad,"
I went upstairs while combing my hair when someone doorbelled outside. I tried calling Mom, but I guessed she started to prepare herself too.
I thought it was Peter waiting outside, but it was some driver.
He was carrying a box with him that covered most of his face, "For Susan Ochoa, Ma'am?" the driver questioned, reading my name on the tag in the box.
"Yes, that's me," I said, still with confusion stirring on my face.
He handed the box to me after, "Nothing to pay, Ma'am," he said and left.
I closed the door and went into the living room. I read the tag that he reads a while ago I want to know who's this from.
'Merry Christmas, babe
-Lyvie's present
(For Susan Ochoa please hehe)'
I was shaking my head after reading her note. That woman is so crazy. I saw Red Christmas Sweater inside with a note on top and another small box.
I opened first the card before going to the small box and sweater.
'Please, please, wear this sweater. In return, I'm going home with another present for you. It's going to be from Paris. Don't underestimate it!
XOXO Your Loving Best Friend,
Lyv'
I picked p the sweater, unfolding it, and it was too huge for my size just by looking at it. It has a reindeer design, and the fabric is so smooth to touch. I tried wearing the sweater, and it just fits me.
The next thing I opened was the small box. It's a mug with 'Merry Christmas' written on it, and I saw another note inside.
'For Auntie :)!'
The box was way too big for these two presents, no need to spend on this kind of box.
"Who was that?" Mom was standing on the stairs with a towel wrapped around her hair.
"Lyv just got you a present," I show her the mug.
"Leave it there!" she rushed back upstairs like a kid.
"What's this?"
After a while, Mom came down with her hair all dry and fixed. She took the mug I left on the table beside the sofa to the kitchen. She admires it. I think she likes it.
Susan: Mom likes it
Then next, I sent Lyv a picture of me standing in the mirror, wearing the sweater she gave me. She immediately replies with emoji that has hearty eyes, and also a picture of the houses with a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower.
Lyv: Merry Christmas!
I replied to her and shut my phone after hearing the doorbell outside. My eyes widened after seeing him wear the same sweater I'm wearing. He also checks both of our outfits, and it's the same.
"Is it from Lyv?"
"Isac said,"
That bitch. Maybe she's laughing all by herself by now. Even with that, I greeted him next with a hug.
I wouldn't let him go, so he carried me inside while still hugging me.
We're wearing matchy sweaters.
"Where's Auntie?" he asked after we both let go of each other.
"In the kitchen, admiring the present Lyv gave her,"
He placed his arm around my shoulders and we walked to the kitchen.
PETER AND I SAT ON THE FLOOR BESIDE the Christmas Tree, and Mom was on the sofa one by one we, opened our presents. I'm in first, so I gave my presents to Mom and Peter.
Mom opened hers first since it was just a bag that she could rip open. She pulls out the dress inside. It's a floral dress, two floral dresses.
When we went to the mall last time, she pointed out a dress in a store and said she liked it, but after seeing the price, she backed out. So I thought it would be a perfect gift for her.
Then, I sealed my lips after seeing Peter taking out a pen from my gift.
"I don't know what to give you anymore! I'm sorry!"
Mom burst out laughing on the sofa after, and now, she's holding her stomach.
"Mom!" I sound going to cry, "But it's 10,000, don't you dare! I gave an effort on that,"
"It's great. I could use it to sign a contract," his eyebrows also agree. He was playing with the button, pushing it to open and close.
"This is for you," Mom gave me first my gift.
I couldn't get annoyed with her since she was keeping herself from laughing at me. It's a camera. Polaroid camera, and it comes with a lot of films.
I stood up to hug her, "Thank you!"
And Peter got a set of polo from her. He places it on his upper body, looking at how it fits him. And lastly, Peter gave us his presents to us.
I watched first Mom opening hers even though he had already given me a box that was almost the size of the box of the pen I gave him.
Mom covered her mouth as she pulled a tote bag from the box. It's Chanel given from the big stamp on the bag. I could see how her eyes started to sweat, and I was about to give her a hug when Peter did it.
"I'm sorry, Auntie. I thought you'll like it,"
After he let go of Mom, I covered my mouth from laughing since Mom hit his arm, "It's so expensive, okay? You don't have to!"
It felt like his face says he was relieved and gave a smile to her. She was trying on the bag on her shoulder. And then, Peter turned on me after.
I opened the lid of the box and saw a necklace lying inside. It has a silver ring on the gold chain. I got it from its case as if it was fragile glass, looked at it, and saw how the diamonds on the ring reflected the light.
"It's a promise ring. I bought it last year,"
"Last year?"
"Last year was supposedly our seventh anniversary, so as a gift, I bought it on the same day. And kept it to give you once we meet," he explained.
I don't know what to say. I'm... speechless.
"Thank you!" I came to him for a hug.
I opened the lock of the chain, and let him wear it on my neck. I played with the ring, admiring it after he locked it on my neck. It's so pretty, the ring is light to carry by my neck.
We stood up from our sit to start eating since it was going to midnight. We hold each other with our elbows resting on the table, praying before the meal.
Praying this would last forever.