Daddy's Fiance - Completed (English)

7. Candies

GESTE

*flashback starts*

"Kids, dinner's ready!" Nanay called from the dining area.

We rushed to the dining room. Yes. WE. Who else is with me? No other than my two bff's. They are having dinner with us.

We are here at our new house. Yep, new house. I rented a new house owned by Cheena's aunt. It's bigger and more presentable. Her aunt abandoned the house because she married a Korean, so her husband wants her to move with him, that's why she left the house vacant.

Cheena has their house nearby and Abel rented an apartment nearby. But actually they're crashing here every day. Cheena's aunt didn't give too much trouble in the rent because she knows Nanay and me. And I can say I can afford to pay for it now because Caramel City (CC) is paying me big time. It's really a dream come true. Little by little I'm having everything that Nanay and I dream of. I smiled at anticipation, realizing it.

By the way we finished our junior year at our old school and we are preparing for our senior year. Yeah, we again. Abel and Cheena are going to finish their senior year at UP as well.

They are really supportive friends and because they can afford it they can just easily switch schools though they have sacrificed a lot of things from our old school. Abel's basketball team and Cheena's Squad. But they said they can have it also in UP. Even if they will not be the captains but at least they could join the team.

Aww, I love my friends. What am I going to do without them? I think I'm going to cry because of their sincerity.

"Pinakbetttt! Yum!" we said in unison.

Nanay laughed at the way we reacted. After we prayed, our worms were full of Nanay's delicious foods. She is the best!

"Are you ready for school tomorrow kids?" she asked, smiling.

"Yes!" we said, and then laughed after realizing that we did it again for the second time.

Ah! School!

+++

The three of us have different schedules. I've only got 2nd and 4th period with Cheena and 3rd period with Abel. We introduced ourselves to the class, half of the day we just did the same process. We are here now at the cafeteria eating our lunch made by Nanay.

It was an awesome first day because everyone was friendly and they're looking at us with awe. I'm the small one in the group. I'm only 5'4", Cheena's 5'6" and Abel is 6' flat. We smiled at our classmates when they passed our table and I only remembered the faces. I'm not really good at remembering names at first sight.

"So you'll sign up to the Culinary Team, Kaye?" Cheena asked.

"Nah, I don't know if I'll have time for that. You know, I got a job and I'm thinking that I should concentrate on the actual thing." I said nonchalantly. She just nodded.

"So, you two signed up for the tryouts?" they just nodded and smiled. "I know they'll be amazed by you guys. You're the best Basketball player and Cheerleader I have ever known."

"We know!" they said cockily. And we laughed. Oops! The students watch us with questioning looks. We forgot we're at a public cafeteria. Hahaha!

Then suddenly my eyes went to the entrance of the cafeteria and saw the most beautiful girl I have ever seen in my life. I'm not really the type of person who is easily pleased by someone's looks but this girl really caught my attention.

She just stood there, roaming her eyes to the place as if finding someone. I can't help myself to check her out. Oh God, I think I'm gay.

She's wearing a black skinny jeans and a pink tank top matching her pink heels, white pale skin, brown long wavy hair, right sexy curves, beautiful grey eyes, pointed nose and kissable lips. Her Spanish/Mexican beauty added emphasis to her hotness.

Is she a model? Oh my God! When did I become like this? I feel that my throat is so dry, so I zip from my milkshake without taking my eyes off of her, and then her gaze went in my direction. She caught me looking at her. No, she caught me checking her out! Ah, I'm totally busted. Then to my surprise, she smiled the sweetest smile ever! My jaw dropped and felt butterflies in my stomach.

'Hey, Kaye? Where is your friendly manner? Smile back or she'll think you're a snob.' I said to myself. But I just stare at her beauty, still open mouth. I take back when I said she's just beautiful, she was a goddess for god's sake!

Meanwhile, my two bff's are just talking and seem oblivious to what's happening to me.

Then the staring contest was finished when someone hugged her back and gave her a kiss.

Ouch! Why do I feel like this? I quickly turn my gaze to my plate and play my food with my bangs hiding my eyes from her.

"You okay, best?" Cheena asked while patting my shoulder. I sit beside her by the way.

"Yeah. Let's go. Let's finish this last subject." I said sweetly, smiling to her. Then I walked to the trash to throw my leftover and didn't look back. The two of them just followed me.

The bell rang and we went to our different classes. Yeah, it's the last period and again I don't have the same classes with both of them. Haaay!

I'm the first to arrive in the classroom. I easily found it because I studied the school map before jumping to any directions.

I sit on the back corner and start doodling something on my notebook. I heard students coming but I continued what I'm doing a while ago.

"Okay class. You have a new classmate. Come here in the front Miss Romero and introduce yourself." The teacher said who called my name.

I walk towards him. I heard some of my classmates whistling, some shouted "sexy". Great, I'm more uncomfortable in this class.

"Children keep quiet. And boys, don't be such a perv." the teacher said looking at me sincerely. I smiled at him.

"My name is Maria Kaye Romero; I'm your new classmate." I shyly said, looking down on the floor.

"Mr. Cruz?" a guy said while lifting his right hand up.

"Yes, Mike?" Mr. Cruz said.

"I think something's missing in her name." The "mike" said with a poker face. All of us darted him a questioning look.

"Then what is that?" he asked him.

"My surname!" he shouted and grinned while looking at me. Mr. Cruz and My classmates laughed and some of them threw crumpled paper to him. I bit my lower lip to hinder myself from laughing. Hahaha! I like this guy. He is cute though.

Then I roamed my eyes to my classmates and saw a familiar grey eyes staring at me while smiling. I felt butterflies again in my stomach. Wow! She definitely has a different effect on me. Good different, maybe.

"Since Mike is claiming you Miss Romero you got your spot there beside him." I nodded and got my things at the back and sat beside Mike. I turned to him and he was smiling warmly.

"I'm Mike." He introduced himself, which I already know and handed his hand to me.

As a friendly person, I took his hand with mine to give a shake and said, "Kaye."

"Okay. Welcome class to Calculus." I heard the teacher say and my classmates groaned. I laugh at myself. This is easy, I thought to myself.

All the way to the class, I had small talk with Mike which I enjoyed because he is such a funny person. I think we could be great friends. I really like how he delivers his corny jokes and picked-up lines. But still, I manage to listen to the lectures. I'm not forgetting my agenda that my purpose why I'm here is to graduate and be successful. I stole glances at the girl but she looked at me only once, that was when the lecture began and she never looked at me again. I'm still figuring out what's happening to me. This isn't normal, right?

The bell rang and I glanced once again at the girl. She's staring at her phone and quickly gathers her things then storms out. I think she's in a hurry.

Yeah, hurrying to see her boyfriend, my mind said. I felt someone's stabbing my chest. What the hell is wrong with me?

"Hey." Mike's still here.

He is standing to my front now. He asked me if I wanted to hang-out with him this Friday. I said I had work at CC and I will not be out till 9pm. He said that it's fine and gets my number instead. I gave him my number and we walked together outside.

Everybody's eyeing us. Maybe because Mike is the soccer team captain and a handsome young man. His funny personality is also one of his plus factors. I can't believe that on my first day, I'm teaming up with one of the popular kids at school. This is really my best first day ever. Mike is also nice and he's a good talker. We separated in the hallway and I walked to the exit.

This is my first day working at CC and I need to impress them with my punctuality, so I need to go now even if I'm one hour early from my shift. I only walk from school to CC because it's just 10 minutes walk. I'm so lucky that CC was just nearby at school. I smiled when I felt my phone vibrate.

I got a text from Abel, Cheena and Mike. I texted my two bff’s that I'm going to work and replied Mike. I was at that position, texting while walking, when I bumped into someone.

"I'm so sorry." I said to the person and noticed a familiar face. The goddess! I can't breathe!

"It's fine. Be careful next time. I'm Gretzel." she said, smiling that smile again.

Oh! I think I'm going to faint because of nervousness. Why am I so nervous? And gosh, her smile. 'Is she the daughter of Venus?'

"Me? I hope so." she chuckled.

'Aww. Her laugh is so cute.'

"Thank you." she cheeky smiled, revealing her straight white pearl teeth.

'Wait! Did I say it aloud twice?' I freaked out.

"Hahaha! Thrice actually." she giggled.

I face palmed, hiding myself from the embarrassment. If only I could see my face, I know I am as red as tomato now.

"You're so cute." she said, pinching my cheeks. I drop my hands to my side. She's standing so close to me. I stood there, totally frozen.

"Gretz, come on we're going to be late." said the person in my back.

Before I could react, Gretzel kissed me on the cheek and whispered, "Bye, Kaye." then she left. I felt goosebumps and shivers down my spine.

I stood there for 48 years and never blinked. Joke. I stood there frozen for 10 seconds and started to walk again to the exit with a smile on my face. I don't care if people think that I'm a fool smiling to myself. I'm just so happy that she knows my name. I'm mentally squealing with joy right now.

I arrived at CC humming random tunes. Aahh! Best first day ever!

The staff at CC are very friendly and nice. They all welcomed me warmly except for the person named Nika who is also a working student and another associate Chocolatier. I don't like her even at first gaze because she has this plastic smile on her face. But overall, the staff are really nice.

Even Mrs. Salazar, she personally toured me in CC and introduced me to her staff. I love my job already.

The Chief Chocolatier, Mrs. Lim was the best Chocolatier in the country. What a privilege to work with her! That's why I was so nervous when she asked me to cook my chocolates for her, but I obeyed and made the best chocolate I can.

"Hmmmmm, this. This is really great. You have a bright future in this industry, Kaye. I will train you, don't worry." I'm flattered. She complimented my work! I can feel my dreams are getting nearer and nearer in my hand. No one can stop me even the witch Nika.

I'm in the locker room and packing my things because my shift was over when the witch came in and she said Mrs. Salazar is calling me to her office. She said it with a devilish smile and warned me that I should not be rejoicing because I'll be fired anytime soon.

I just smiled at her sweetly and walked to the Manager's office. I will not let her ruin my day with her jealousness.

I knocked three times and went inside when I heard Mrs. Salazar says, "Come in."

"Hun, I'll talk to your Dad about it. How's that?" I don't know who the other person that Mrs. Salazar is talking to because there was a bookshelf covering them. Then Mrs. Salazar noticed me and gave a sweet smile, she waved her right hand to me to go near to her.

I complied. I saw my chocolates on her table then nervousness filled me again. Is she going to fire me? But she's smiling at me. I didn't even bother to look at the person she was talking to a while ago. My eyes are glued to the chocolates and her.

"Kaye, I would like you to meet my daughter, Gretzel." That's when I snapped my head towards the person she called daughter. Then there she is, staring at me also and we both smiled.

"I see you've known each other?" the older woman said.

I nodded and naughtily smiled at Gretzel. Sending my 'the one steal kiss on my cheek' look. Gretzel looked down and blushed. Now, it's your time to feel like that.

"Oh, at school I guess?" Mrs. Salazar asked.

"Yes, ma'am." I said, now looking at her.

"I see. So much for that, I would like to talk to you about this." she pointed out the chocolate. Then nervousness filled me again. I wiped my bangs unknowingly.

"These chocolate candies are the best candies I have ever tasted. I am so not regretting receiving you at CC. I want this chocolate to be part of featured chocolates this month. Please just inform anything or everything you wanted to add to the recipes and ingredients. Don't hesitate to inform me or Mila, okay?" I'm just smiling all the way she's speaking. Mila is the first name of Chef Lim. I wish I had a recorder; I would like to record what she has said to me.

I nodded and cheeky smiled revealing my two dimples. I don't know but I saw Gretzel look at me with awe when I did that but I'm probably hallucinating.

"Kaye, I would like you to have dinner with us this Friday. Don't worry about your shift because you're with me. I would like to introduce you to my husband. I'm sure he'll like to meet the future jewel of CC. And Gretz, Kaye can teach you a lot of things about the chocolates, you should learn from her." The old woman said in delight.

"Ma, you didn't bother to ask her if she wants to. You're so bossy." Gretzel finally speaks and looks at me apologetically. I just smiled at her, reassuring her that it's fine.

"Oh, sorry. I just get excited by the thought." the woman said looking sorry.

"It's fine, ma'am. I'll ask my mother's permission first, if that's okay? Then I'll inform you tomorrow." the woman nodded.

Then after 'the talk' I walk out happily from the office.

When I went home, my two bff's were there again but they are not sleeping over, they're just waiting for me. I told them everything that happened at CC except the Gretzel and me part. And ask Nanay for her permission for the dinner with the Salazar which gratefully, she approved.

They are so happy for me and after a little chit chat and eating moments, my BFF's went home and I sleep, with Gretzel in my dreams. Aaah! Best day ever!

Flashback continues in the next chapter...