Chapter 5 Twenty Years Later

20 years later...

(The Buenevista's Residence)

As the morning light crept into the room, Gloria carefully set the table for breakfast. A lot of things have changed for her in the last twenty years. They had rented a new apartment far away from the previous one they used to live in Bristol. The house might not be as spacious as they had dreamed, but it's quite big enough to contain their family. While she was carefully arranging the dishes, her mind wandered back to the old times when she would eat together with Vanessa. They were very happy back then. But things are different now. She had already gone to the States as declared by madam Anita. And there is no certainty she's ever coming back. Gloria felt a pang of hurt when she initially heard the news. She wondered if she was a bad person, causing Vanessa to hide such information from her before she left. They've been together for a long time, and she didn't expect something like that from her. She didn't even bother to call ever since those years she had gone. Is she that easy to forget?

Well, those moments are in the past now. She pushed aside her thoughts and focused on the present. Besides, she has a family to take care of. Her daughter, Agnes, has now become a grown up pretty lady. She had just gotten admitted into college. Gloria and Gerald had been working so hard to give her a bright future since she's the only one who remained. That's enough for her to worry about. As she finished serving breakfast, her gaze drifted to Agnes's closed door, and she wondered why her daughter still hadn't come out at that hour.

She suddenly remembered that Agnes stayed up late working on a project given to her from school. That's probably the reason why she still hasn't woken up by now. Gloria approached the door and leaned in to listen, and knocked gently. "Agnes, dear... It's morning! Breakfast is ready."

At first, there was silence, but as she knocked again, a sleepy voice replied from inside, "Alright, mom, I'll be out soon." Gloria returned to the breakfast table and started humming a song while waiting for her daughter to come out. It's Saturday anyway. There's no reason to be worried about lateness of any kind.

In a few seconds, Gerald walked in their small parlor, his face sweaty with a slightly wet towel around his neck. He had just finished washing the taxi vehicle outside. He had never thought he would become a taxi driver one day. All he ever wished for was to make his dream big and become a millionaire in the future. But how could he achieve that where there is a low level of employment. He needs to get food on the table for his family even if it takes to become a taxi driver. At least, he was still able to send his daughter to school with that.

"You are done with the car? Gloria asked him.

"Yeah I just finished washing it"

"Well, you are right on time. I just set the table."

She uncovered his meal while he moved to the dining area and got seated. He held the spoon and cleaned it with a tissue beside his meal. Just as he lifted the spoon half way before his mouth, he paused his hand in the mid air, his attention shifted at Agnes's door.

"Why hasn't Agnes come out yet? Is she still sleeping?"

"I just woke her up. She should be out anytime soon"

"I'm just worried about the food. She might just lose her appetite if it gets too cold." He continued eating for some moment, and a question suddenly came up in his mind. He had almost forgotten about it. "By the way, do you have any news about Vanessa?"

"Nothing yet. I don't think she has any plans of coming back. I guess she's doing fine over there." Gloria never thought he would raise the matter again. She was already starting to get used to Vanessa's absence, but he just picked on her old wounds again. All the memories of her best friend came back immediately.

"But why did you sound like that? Does it still affect you up till now?"

"Nothing. I've long forgotten about her. She doesn't care about my feelings anyway. So why should I build up stress for myself because of her."

No matter how much she tried to hide it, Gerald knew for sure that she's still very much hurting till now. They've grown used to each other. Now it felt like Vanessa abandoned her after everything they've been through together.

At that point in time, Agnes's door opened after what seemed like eternity, and she came out, wearing an oversized polo shirt and a bum short. She paused at the door and stretched out her hands above her head, yawning loudly. She had her hair fixed in a ponytail and allowed it to fall on her right shoulder.

"Good morning, mom, dad."

Gerald realized it would be improper to continue discussing Vanessa in Agnes's presence. He immediately put a stop to the conversation. She should rather not know about it.

"Good morning, dear. I thought you weren't going to come out ... Anyway, come on and eat your food before it gets cold," Gloria said. Agnes walked a few steps to the table and pulled a chair backward before sitting on it. She gazed at the two couples in a strange way, wondering why they suddenly went silent when she came out– Could they be hiding from her?

"What is it?" Gerald asked Agnes.

"Huh?... Nothing."

"Why were you looking at us like that?"

Agnes didn't expect her dad would notice that. She thought she had done it secretly. "Oh, that?... I was just surprised about what's going on. You immediately stopped talking when you saw me coming out. I just can't help thinking you are hiding something from me."

"What do you mean by that, dear?" Gloria's heart skipped. She couldn't explain why that happened. It's not like Vanessa's issue was something to be kept a secret from Agnes. They just don't want to dig the past. Their worst fear could happen as a result. As the tension began to rise further, Liam stepped in and waved at them.

What a perfect timing!

Relief washed over Gloria at that moment. Liam's visit couldn't have been more perfect.

"Good morning everyone. Sir Gerald, ma'am Gloria, and of course... Agnes," Liam smiled romantically as he mentioned the last name, tossing his head in Agnes's direction.

"Good morning to you too, Liam," Gloria smiled back at him. She couldn't ignore how cute the boy was. Whenever he drops by, there is no day she doesn't imagine the chemistry he could have had with Agnes even though they are only just friends. Liam seemed to be a good guy. He has been friends with Agnes for long, and now they both attend the same college. Unfortunately, he didn't grow up to meet his real parents. He was brought up in a child's welfare. When he turned 12, he fled from there since the donor's support was dwindling. He began hustling for himself to survive. He did many kinds of jobs just to send himself to school. And that was what made the Buenevistas like him so much. He was such a hardworking guy even at a very young age. Gloria couldn't help but see those two as a perfect match for each other.

"Good morning, son. How was your night?" Agnes teased, and they all burst into laughter.

"Come join us, Liam. We have more than enough here," said Gerald, gesturing at the food on the table.

"It's fine uncle. I just finished eating. But thanks anyway," Liam replied.

Gerald diverted his attention back to his food. "If you say so."

"By the way, what brings you here, Liam?" Gloria inquired.

"Well, I just want to ask for your permission ma'am. It's regarding Agnes."

.

.

Hearing her name, Agnes stopped eating, and her eyes locked on Liam. She wondered what this could be all about. With a humorous grin, Gerald turned to face Liam again with his index finger pointed at him. "Don't tell me you are here to ask for my daughter's hand in marriage."

"Huh? Of course not."

"I was just pulling your legs" Gerald said, and another laughter filled the air once again. "So tell us, what's this about?"

"Actually, I need to go to the market for some ingredients. I was hoping Agnes could join me."

"That's why I've told you to find yourself a girlfriend," Gerald joked. "That way, you wouldn't have to rely on my daughter's cooking skills."

Agnes added, a mischievous grin playing around his lips. "My dad is actually right. You should be paying me for this."

"It's fine, Liam. She can come with you. Just make sure you don't take your eyes off our daughter," said Gerald.

"You can rest assured, sir. I'll never take my eyes off Agnes," Liam said as he stared at Agnes passionately, prompting Gerald to clarify his statement.

"Hey boy, that's not what I mean. All I'm saying is you should look out for my daughter since she's going to be your responsibility for today. And you'll be held responsible if she gets any scratches."

"Oh!"

Agnes interjected, "Who? This guy? I doubt he could save me from a kitten. He's such a scaredy-cat." They all burst into laughter again. Agnes knew she was only making up those lies only to sound humorous, and to create liveliness. On the contrary, Liam has been the one who defends her most of the time from the bullies in school. He acts more like a super boyfriend.

"Be quick dear. Let's not keep the boy waiting," Gloria urged. Agnes finished up her meal and went inside to take a quick bath before dressing up.

At the moment Agnes stepped out, Liam's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. He stared deeply into her eyes with a sense of passion that took his breath away, and he felt like holding her in her arms right in that instant.

"Hey, don't give her that look. She's too young for that" Gerald cautioned, giving Liam a startle.

"N... No sir. That's not what I mean"

Gerald chuckled, "I got you there. For the second time. I was only kidding you and you took it so serious."

"Oh, you scared me right there" Liam smiled as he let out a sigh of relief.

"Go ahead dear. Make sure you don't take too long" said Gloria.

"Sure mom," she lowered her back a little and gave her mother a soft kiss on her cheek and moved around to do the same with Gerald before they set out.