Chapter 19: The Fated Encounters

"I'm so sorry, Jenny. I'm sorry for using you." Cody starts after they eat. They are at the restaurant where Jenny works. It's also a day off, so it's okay to eat here.

The girl couldn't help but sigh. "Is it possible that you attacked Percy because of me?" It's been a few days since they last met.

He leaned against the chair and drinks the wine in the wine glass. "Kinda. Because you're my girlfriend back then. And of course, Honey is with her. Jealousy had eaten me up before. That's why, I'm sorry. I am really sorry."

Although she is mad with him, in an unreasonable reasoning, she thinks his apology is sincerely because he has been thinking. "I can't say I forgive you, but I accept your apology."

"Really? Thanks!" It was about to stand and hug her but...

"No more."

"Oh? All right."

"Do you have anything else to say?"

"Are you in a hurry?"

"I have a flight going home to the province."

"I can give you a ride?"

"Cody, please. This may be our last conversation."

"Oh, all right. I understand."

"Thanks for the food."

"No, thank you."

"I'm going ahead."

"Take care."

Cody was relieved when Jenny say that she had accepted his apologies even though he's not been forgiven. He texted his uncle in the course of their conversation and all his life, Manley was proud of him.

He looked at the watch and it was two o'clock in the afternoon. After paying the bill, he hurried to his next meeting.

He could see people in the small office busy. So he immediately sought the person he's looking but was disappointed that he did not see. The old Hugo said it had been a few weeks since Percy had been in Singapore.

--

Although Jenny was lazybones, she still chose to go the mall for some fun. She feels like she's going crazy about thinking. She remembers Honey. How they met and became best friends. And it is her fault why this is so.

Yes. She does not deny it anymore.

Jenny climbed to the second floor on the escalator. He goes straight to the grocery store to buy some flavors she can't find in the market. Her aunt had ordered her to shop and to breathe fresh air. It had been almost a month since she had returned to Pampanga, and she had not even went out than in the four corners of their house. After shopping, she went straight home.

--

"Honey, can you do me a favor?" Honey stopped folding the clothes she had seized from the rooftop of the lodging because the sky was suddenly turned dark. The clothes were dry already.

"Sure. What is it?" She answered.

"My tummy's kinda bloated. I think, any moment by now, I'll consume much my time in the toilet. Could you buy me medication for my dysmenorrhea?"

"No problem, Jessie. I actually go out later to buy some stuff. Alright, I'll just finish this. Is there anything else?"

"Nah. That's all. Just knock on my door if you have it, alright?"

"Yeah."

Since Honey arrived in London, Jessie has been with her in the house. They were only two and at the same time, girls, so she was a bit scared too. With the exception of women, they are strangers. Eventually, she was able to adjust and here, though it's cold, she still had the courage to come out.

Jessie is Thai, actually, half Thai, half British. Growing up in Thailand until her father picked him up before her mother died in an accident. Although her father's family accepted her here, she did not want to be burdened. After college, she decided to be leave her father's family and here, with Honey in Fiona & Goons and working together.

When the medicine was purchased for friend's dysmenorrhea, Honey went to the nearby bookstore. She was a bit stressed out lately and didn't want to get worse so she had to buy a book. If she finds it cheap, she might buy two or three.

As she looked around, she noticed a book that was not too thick. Maybe, more or less, 2 inches thick and 6 inches long.

It's just a matter of price.

And before Honey finally got the book, someone bumped with her. It came from the left shelf, and he didn't even help her!

She looked at it and was on the counter already.

"Buwisit naman!(B*llsh*t!) Not a gentleman!" She whispered and then stood up and leaned over. She approached the shelf and took out the book. When she looks at the counter, the man gone. She would have bumped it, but he was gone.

And she didn't want to get tired anymore. She feels cold.

Honey handed the book to the sales clerk and then paid. She was about to go out when someone hit her again.

"Goodness!" She shrieks upon falling down, it's raining! She hit the accumulated water opposite the bookstore. Honey slowly got up and picked up the purchased book. Fortunately, it was not submerged in water, at least, it was only slightly wer.

"Ahm, I'm sorry." A voice came from a man standing before her and sheltering her from the rain.

She was annoyed, because it was the one who bumped her earlier. Wearing a long coat and scarf. But she felt even more cold.

And what's even more annoying, is he crazy? I am wet because of his actions, then his umbrella is too late?

"Did I hurt you?" Honey could see the concern in his eyes. His eyes is the only visible because it also has a mask under the scarf that is tucked into the face.

"Just… send me home." She didn't know if her trembling voice was because of the cold, or because she suddenly missed the family in the Philippines.

She should be scolding it.

But it's too cold, and it's cold, isn't it.

"Alright."

Jessie shrieks to see Honey trembling in cold. She knew she easily getting cold, so she felt a little nervous that it might get sick. It is leaning against the side of the door. There was a doorbell because she knew it wasn't her friend because she had made a code for her to convey.

"Oh my! What happen, dear?" Jessie looked around, but to see the one paperbag was on the side, next to it.

"I think, I can't go to work tomorrow."

"Sure! I got you! Change your clothes first.".

"Thanks, Jess."

"Don't mention it. Just sleep early tonight."

"Here's your med." Honey took the medicine in the pocket of the sweater.

"Alright. Thank you. We'll talk tomorrow. Change your clothes as soon as I go outside." Honey just nodded.

Although it was cold and cough, it was better to put on a pretty thick pajamas and a t-shirt that she even wore in a sweater before lying down.

Maybe it's because of tiredness, stress, and weather, everything is at the same time. Her body gave up. She also fell asleep immediately.

Honey hears a familiar voice that had been around for a while since she last heard it. She barely open her eyes that could not understand the heavy in it. She slowly got up and feel her forehead.

"I have a high fever, ah." At the same time sniffing out loud. She tried to stand up and wrapped herself in a thick blanket and opened the door.

And she was right. "What are you doing here, Percival? You should've called me first." Now, she sounds hoarse compared to before.

Percy frowned. "I called yesterday but no one answered. I have a business trip here in South Wales, and I'm here in Europe, might as well, visit you. To surprise you, and it turns out that I'm going to be surprised."

"It's cold in London." She said trembling.

"Go back to your room. I'll be back later, I'll meet someone. Do you want me to buy anything?"

"Jessie?"

"Went to work. So, you want something?"

"You cook soup." At the same time wiping the nose with the sleeve of the sweater she was wearing.

"You know all I can do is instant noodles. I'll find a way, don't worry."

"All right. I'm going to lie down again."

"Bye."

"Don't hug me. You might get cold." He just laughed.

"I said so."

Percy immediately sought the meeting inside the restaurant that texted him. How many years has he not seen it? It's been almost a decade since they met? Even he couldn't remember the exact date. He also missed it for so long.

He approached the waiter and asked for the reservation in his name. This took him to a table near the counter. He thanked the waiter before facing his meeting.

"How are you, Percy?" He greeted him and stood up to hug.

He hugged him back, "how are you, Kuya Sil? It's been so long! I heard, you're married?"

It left his hug and laughed. "Whom did you hear that? I've been single for almost 5 years, Percy." He corrected Percy.

"Really?"

"It's true! Let's eat first."

"Have you ordered?"

"Oh, it's here."

This person with Percy is Silvester Montenegro, his older brother who last returned to Philippines when he graduated from college. To support Percy's study, Silvester went abroad when he was still in his 2nd year of college.

He's three years older than Percy.

"Well, you thought about visiting me?" Silvester asked him. They started eating so he stopped himself from laughing.

"Actually, I have a meeting in South Wales, and that's it. Might as well, visits you and a friend." He replied then drank the pineapple juice he ordered.

"A friend? Is that a special friend?"

"Kinda."

"Oh. She's it beautiful?"

"For me, yes. And I'm hoping you won't meet."

He laughed at Percy's response. "And why is that?"

"I'll lose my twin."

"Twin? I thought special friend?"

"We're like twins, Kuya. Don't you like it, we have a sister? To tell you honestly, I liked her best friend so much. We really didn't just click. Or may be it's her. She didn't want to consider my feelings."

"So, was there a special connection between you and that friend?"

"Honey? Yes. But we know we are more than friends and less than a lovers."

"Is that her name? Good to know that. I plan to go back this year. If there is no job conflict."

"I'll look at my scheduled. It was as if we were heaps. So, I won't promise."

"All right. Let's just video call. Maybe I leave before our parents death anniversary. I'll keep you updated."

"Tita Karie and Sandy's present, don't forget, hmm? They'll appreciate it."

"Don't worry. I have a budget for that."

"Anyway, can I ask for a favor?"

"What?"

"You specialize in soup, right? Cook for me."

"As in now? Are we still eating, Percival?"

"I'll give it to Honey. She's sick and requested soup."

"All right. Let's go to the supermarket to shop after this."

"Alright!"

Besides Cody, his brother Silvester was his closest friend, aside from being a brother. Silvester is his comfort whenever there is a problem. When he returned home from the Philippines, their communication was sparked.

They headed to his brother's condominium after buying ingredients for the soup.

He looked into the whole condominium and said it was a good class. He sat on the couch and leaned slightly while waiting for his brother to change. Silvester a bit of a clean freak when it comes to cooking, though its work is real estate.

He was raised his gaze to see that his brother had come out of his room. "So, while I was Miles away. How's Cody? You told me that you have reconciled in when you meet in the Maldives, accidentally?"

Percy followed him as Silvester went to the kitchen. "Well, back to zero." And he laughed.

"Back to zero? And why is that?" Percy almost forgot how his older brother quite a curious.

"Because of Honey. Cody likes her. He sees me as a threat, despite knowing I liked Honey's best friend. Same goes. He was angry and we were never able to talk again. I resigned. I'm not a martyr."

"Wiw! Bromance!"

"Are we not?"

"Well..."

"Anyway, let's start this. I have another meeting later tonight. Dinner meeting, actually."

"All right."

And Percy started watching Silvester. Yes, because of he's clean freak, it does not want anyone to care every time it cooks. If something is wrong with what he did, or put it in place, he will immediately notice it.

Because, it's my recipe. If you don't like it, then don't eat it.

He laughed secretly at him.

He remembered that Jenny had opposed Honey in the procedure but Honey had just stopped it.

"We are our own technique, that's it!"

The same as his older brother.