⚠️ : Cuss words

Serina

Eggs? Check!

Meat? Check!

Toiletries? Check!

All kinds of seasonings? Check!

I'm currently in the grocery to buy stuff in my apartment. This is my first time living alone without my Dad and Brother. I will be cooking for my own this time. I used to take culinary lessons with Mom when I was a kid. She told me that everyone should know how to cook because it's basically step one in survival.

I went to the counter to pay for my groceries when someone called me.

Gina calling...................

"Hello Madam!" it's Gina. She is my assistant in the Philippines. She's in-charge of everything happening in Manila. All my branches are handled by her because she's the only one I could trust to know my identity. We have been friends for almost 8 years. We met as interns for this local designer back in college.

"Stop calling me Madam. We're practically the same age." I replied

"It was a joke! Calm down. Did you land yet?" I am literally answering the phone.

"Do you think I would pick up my phone if I'm still in the air. I landed just a while ago. How's my goddaughter?" I was happy when I got a phone call that I'm going to be a godmother to her daughter. The father was out of the picture after he left the day after they spent the night together and disappeared without a trace. I tried finding him by using my connections but there was no news. It was 3 years ago so we stopped looking.

"She's learning to count to 100 but I'm calling on behalf of Heathers." she said. I fished out my small notebook from my bag to write down the important stuff.

"According to our yearly plan, we currently need new designs for our Winter clothing line and the upcoming fashion week. I guess you need more manpower so I posted a notice on our website looking for employees. I'll send some managers from Manila to London to guide them. We discussed that our fashion week will be held on the Shia Ballroom there in London. Lorri from Berghuis fashion is asking for a design collab with Heathers. Cazz from For me magazine is asking for a quote or an interview with you. Shall I book it? After the fashion week, one representative from Heathers is invited for the afterparty. You will need a gown. Will I get one of you'll make your own?" she informed me. I was stunned after hearing a lot of stuff. It took me a bit time to process it in my brain.

"Send Mandy here as a temporary assistant. Housing, food budget, and travel will be covered by the company and if she wants the permanent position, she can take it. For the designs in the Winter line, tell the design department I need 70 designs and I'll pick 40. As for the fashion week, tell them I'll attend it and I'll make my own gown. Call Juvia for 30 models both female and male. Separate 5 female and 5 male models for the Winter clothing line. Tell Cazz I won't set up an interview nor she will get a quote from me." I told her. I notice the lady upfront is already down. As I put my things in the checkout table, a woman mid40s cut in line.

"I'll call you back, Gina." and ended the call. The woman has the audacity to cut in line. I have waited patiently and she'll swoop in? That isn't fair for all of us standing in line correctly. I tapped her shoulder.

"Excuse Me?? I was here first. Can you go to the back of the line?" I politely told her. The woman ignored me and keeps on handing her stuff to the cashier. The girl in the cashier was hesitant in punching her goods. I will not make a scene in public.

"Excuse me? Did you not here me?" I confronted her again. She looked annoyed. Well to bad, we share the same sentiment.

"Shut up b*itch." She spoke. Good to know she can speak.

"What did you just say?" I stood up straight. She is very disrespectful to everyone here. Everyone around us is looking. As much as I don't want to make a scene, I couldn't help it.

Everyone was shocked in what I did. I gathered all her unpunched goods, put it in a basket and slid it one the floor up to the end of the line. I acted like nothing happened and put my goods in the check-out zone. The woman angrily went back to the end of the line and stayed there. The cashier did a thumbs up sign and we laughed.

"You don't belong here. Get your cheap attitude and fly back where you came from!" The woman shouted. I guess she's a Karen. I opened the newly bought toilet paper and got one roll. I walked up to her and shoved the toilet paper roll inside her mouth to shut her up. She didn't see that coming. I don't resort to violence but if I used my words, she would cry. A teen boy helped me carry me stuff to my car. I decided to connect my phone to my car and called Gina again.

"Hello Gina?" she picked up the phone as soon it rang.

"Are you ok? What happened?" I heard Via giggling. It shot a smile in my face.

"Nothing......as I was saying call Cazz and tell her that just because we're friends, I would give her an interview. She knows my rules." Cazz owns For Me Magazine and always bothering me for an interview which I don't accept. It increases the chance my father will find me and know what I've been up to.

"Ok clear..........I should go now. You know how expensive international calls are." She bid goodbye.

"Bye love yah too!" I ended the call. I continued driving to my condo. Compared to EDSA, the traffic was fine. It took me only 15 mins to get to my condo. You sure are wandering why I have a car already. Before I got here, I shipped my car which is a Mint Black Badge Wraith-Inception. I also wanted to buy a motor but for me it was too flashy. I won't be using my car to much because there are cabs available.

I got out of my car and locked it and went upstairs. I saw some boxes outside the hallways of the other apartment. I guess new movers? I unlocked my home and entered. I put my things on the countertop of the kitchen and began unpacking.

Nayeon calling...........

"Hey Babe! How's everything there?" she said. Nayeon is my best friend of all time. We were friends since kindergarten.

"Wazzup Babe! I'm fine and all that. I haven't been in touch for two months. Why did you call?" She often disappears from the face of the earth due to her job. She's working as an agent somewhere. She could never tell me. Never been in one city for more than 4 months.

"Guess what? I quit my job!" I almost dropped my phone upon hearing the news. She loved her job more than anything.

"What the actual hell??!!! I thought you're ok there? What happened?" This doesn't sound like her at all. Carelessly quitting her dream job? That's bold even for her.

"I was bored." She spoke. She quit because she's BORED?! She lasted 3 years and suddenly she's bored. There must be a reason and wouldn't tell me. I won't pry anymore because if she's ready to tell me I'm just here.

"Butttttt....I have good news!" she announced happily. I hear loud engine noises in her background. Where is she? Airport? Her news seems not good news for me.

"I'm here! I'm in London! I'm staying here with you. Can you pick me up?" she exclaimed. What the hell? She's staying with me? Here? In London? She lost her coconuts and common sense at her previous job.

" YOU'RE HERE?? Are you insane??!" I never once liked her surprises. Her surprises are nightmares literally nightmares. She once went to school on a car that was painted with her ex-boyfriend's d**k pic. She was pissed cause her ex-boyfriend showed everyone hers. She was pissed. I can't unsee what I've seen through her shinanigans.

"I will live with you now! Isn't that great? We will become roommates. Now pick me up!" she sounds so excited. I sighed as a sign of defeat. I can't do anything but pick her up at the airport. I need to knock some sense into this girl. Aish! Uncle Archer will scold me if I leave her only daughter stranded in the airport. I got down and drove to the Mall beside the airport. She texted me that we'll meet there.

I waited for her in the waiting area. I went outside so she can see me better. I looked at my phone, checking for new emails and texts from different people until I heard Nayeon's load voice.

"BABE!!!!! I MISS YOUUUUU!!!" she shouted and sprinted towards me leaving her stuff at the center of the waiting area.

"I MISS YOU BABE!!!" I tried covering my ears from her shrieking voice. I hugged her after all the shrieking. We got her stuff and put it beside the car. I looked at her from head to toe. She's wearing a black tank crop top and cream cargo pants with hanging belt and neon cardigan on her arm and wearing Doc Martens. She's really here.

"Miss you too. Let's put this in the trunk." I said in a monotone voice. I was still angry with her because she didn't contact me or even inform me that she'll be staying. She's here without any notice. We quickly drove off to my condo. She got me my favorite Starbucks drink as peace offering.

We arrived at home quarter to 6 because we had to wait for her cargo. I guided her to her room where she'll sleep. I toured her all around the condo. My stomach is growling and demands food right now. I wore my apron and prepared our dinner. I'm cooking creamy garlic chicken for our dinner. I'm busy cooking when Yeon embraced me from behind.

"I'm sorry Babe. I needed a place quickly and I have nowhere to go." She rested her chin on my shoulder. She's taller than me so I saw how much distance is her chin to my shoulder. I chuckled but continue to ignore her. She keeps pouting.

"Let's eat." I coldly said. The dish was finished and I placed it in a big plate and served it in the table. Her chin is still on my shoulder and refuses to let go. I let out a big sigh and removed her arms that were on my waist.

She looked sad but I had to let her know it isn't polite to just show up. Luckily for her, she was my best friend. We sat and quietly enjoyed the meal. I noticed tears building in the corner of her eyes. I panicked and hugged her.

"I'm so sorry Serina! I won't do it again. I promise" she even did the girl scout promise sign. She knows how I couldn't ignore her when she's crying. I finally gave up and forgave her. I went back to my chair and started cutting my chicken.

"Fine, but what the hell happened?! You liked your job. Don't lie to me I can sense when you are lying." I pointed my knife at her.

"Someone tipped that my dad was a Mafia Boss. If I know, it was that smug bastard Henders. They found out what happened with Mom and dismissed me." She started harshly cutting her chicken. I see anger in her eyes.

Aunt Minerva died because of a mob war. She died at a crossfire with her father's enemy. Her dad owned the biggest cartel in the Philippines but Nayeon isn't with contact with her father. She never approved the work line of her father and brother. The shooter was unknown and they are still looking at the case. Yeon hates injustice and vowed she will never join her family's business.

I held her hand and rubbed it so she can calm down. I felt bad on how I reacted. I shouldn't have asked her. This is a very sensitive topic. I guess we really clicked because we understand each other's pain. We both have dad issues and lost our moms. We found comfort with each other.

"I didn't know. I'm sorry I know it is hard. I remember how you talked highly of your job. I'm stress since the big move." She finally smiled and I felt relieved.

"It's ok. I know how hard you worked on your company. We both undergo a major change in our life. " I'm glad she understood. We talked for a bit and discussed the living arrangement. She will have to pay me for rent monthly, half for the grocery, and transportation. She planned on applying for a temporary job to afford it. Her smile turned devilish.

"I know how to relieve the stress. CLUB TIME!!" she tugged my arm until I said yes. She forced me into the bathroom and made me take a bath.

Normally, I don't go to clubs because it's noisy and dirty but there are no ideas for my sketches. I need some working juice which means booze. I feel this will lift the designers block I'm having.

Maybe something good will happen to us.......................................

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Footnote:

Hey!! I revised it as an English book so that everyone can read it. Serina is Filipino and Nayeon is only half. I wish you guys a good day. Don't forget to like, comment, and add this to your reading list.