Albert regretted asking Diana about Arjay Altamira. Now she wants him to meet and befriended
the guy who is possibly his rival! He just kept his mouth shut because he doesn't want to be rude and stop
Diana from talking, since he was the one who initiated it. Diana probably noticed his silence and eventually stopped talking.
They arrived at Diana's house. Diana got off from the motorbike and handed him the helmet.
"Thanks for picking me up and taking me home, and thanks again for the flowers." She said.
He just took the helmet from her and nodded. He drove off.
He looked at his side mirror to see if Diana was somehow bothered by his sudden coldness. To his dismay, she just shrugged and went inside the house. She probably didn't notice. He sighed and drove faster.
He was actually fine that the date
was cancelled because of a seminar, but he's not fine with Arjay's presence in the seminar. But what can
he do? He IS Arjay, Altamira after all! The only son of the Altamiras. The heir of the Altamira Learning
Center. The talk of the town.
'He is quite famous, what is your counter with that, Albert? You're just working in a government
office, sitting behind a desk, hunch backing over paper works, while he is, well, we're quite the same on
that field. The only difference is that, he owns the desk while me, I'm just borrowing it.' He consoled himself.
He actually heard the rumors about Arjay, but he doesn't care at all.
"So what if the man doesn't want to be a priest anymore? He was called maybe but he's probably not chosen to continue." he remembered telling Kathleen, his office mate.
And now he regretted Arjay being around, especially around Diana.
He is not insecure about his appearance, though. He is a good-looking guy, and has a nice, jacked body. He can rival Arjay with the looks, that's for sure, but he's not as smart as he is. But he is smart, too!
And now he felt insecure. He shook his head to shrugged of the idea.
He finally arrived at their house. He parked his motorbike on their garage and went inside the
house. Upon entering the house, he saw his parents on the dining area, eating dinner. His mom saw him.
"It's good you're here already son. Come now, let's eat." his mom called out.
He went to the dining area.
"Where have you been, by the way?" his mom asked.
"I went to St. Claire, ma." He answered her.
"St. Claire? I thought you said you're going to the office?" his father interrupted.
"I went there, too, and then I went to St. Claire to pick Diana. I promised to pick her up after the
seminar." He reasoned out. How could he forgot his alibi to his father!
"Diana... that's Ms. Pangan, right?" his mother asked.
Yes, ma."
"1 think you like her. She's your high school friend, right?" his father asked
Wow! Adobo, my favorite! Great, l am starving!" he diverted the topic and went to the counter
to get a plate.
His parents looked at each other. When he sat down and was about to get some rice, his father
spoke again.
"You know what, son, it's just okay if you like your high school friend! You see your mother and I
were high school friends, too. There's nothing wrong with that. Besides, you've been friends for too long!
Surely you know each others flaws by now."
He scooped some rice and put it on his plate and topped it up with the adobo sauce.
I am planning to court her, pa, but..."
"But...? What's taking you aback? If you really like her, then go for it!" his mom said.
"1 think she doesn't like me."
"What's not to like? Unless she likes someone else?" his mom asked again.
"I guess she has someone in her mind already."
"Who cares? As long as she's not married yet." His father remarked.
His mom spanked his father's arm.
"What? Im just stating a fact. Besides, even married couple gets annulment."
"You know what, you're a bad influence! Now I am wondering why I married you." his mother
snapped at his father.
"You married me because I am good-looking! Where do you think your son got his looks from?
Plus, you love me."
His mother glared at his father. His father laughed. He smiled at his parents weird way of showing
their love for each other. His mother looked lovingly at him.
"Anyway, son, a piece of advice, if you really like her, then persuade her with your efforts. A lady
always looks at how much effort a guy could show or give her." his mom smiled.
"Thanks for the advice ma." He smiled back. They continued eating. After eating, he went to his
own bedroom.
Now that he is alone in his room, he could think clearly. If he wants to win Diana over, he should
start now. He should not waste any time especially now that a rivalry could begin at any time, since it
seems that he is not the only one who is interested with Diana.
Well, if one would take a look at it, he has the advantage since Diana is his friend. They have
known each other since they were high school so he passed the knowing her stage part already. But would
that suffice? He reached his phone on his pocket and dialed a number. The line rang thrice before it was
answered.
"Hello my dear." The voice from the other line.
"Hey, Nez. I'm going to need your expertise on Diana."
"My expertise on Diana? Why, is she a degree now?" she mockingly said.
He sighed.
"I'm just kidding, Albert, don't get offended." She immediately added before he could speak up.
"A bit, actually, but never mind. So, are you going to help me?"
"1 can help you out with basic and essential facts but if you are going to ask me to sell you out to
my best friend... I can't help you with that." Nez said apologetically.
"Yes, I know that, and I am aware that she is your best friend. Just help me with the basic and
essential facts. That would help me a lot. And I will be forever indebted to you."
"Oh, please, let's not go in there, Albert. We are friends. Friends help each other. So, grab a pen
and paper because it's quite a list."
"Let me just look for a pen and paper then. Don't hang up!" he said and put down the phone for
a while to grab a paper and a pen on his table. "Hello, Nez are you still there?" he asked as he grabbed
the phone on the bed.
"I am still here, dear. Don't be such a nervous nelly." She said.
"So, basic facts first?" he asked.
"Okay, so let's go with her favorites first." Nez said and told him about Diana's favorite things.
He diligently took down everything on his notes.
"That's all I can share. I hope that helps you."
"Well, I think it will help me plenty! Thank you, Nez, you're the best!" he exclaimed.
"1 agree, dear. I am really the best. So, you still need anything?" she asked.
"This is a lot. I don't want to burden you with anything more tonight. Thank you so much, Nez."
"Good luck dear. I should hang up now. Good bye." She said and cut the call.
He threw his phone on the bed and checked his list. He particularly looked at Diana's favorite food
since he's going to ask her out to dinner tomorrow, so he could inform the restaurant on what to prepare
for the appetizer, main course, and dessert.
He suddenly felt excited for tomorrow. He dialed the number of the restaurant. After a few
seconds, the line was answered.
"Hello, good evening. Karen's Kusina. " Greeted the lady from the other line.
"Yeah, Hi! This is Mr. Esguerra. Sorry for calling this late." He began.
It's okay sir, we were just about to close. What can we help you with, sir?"
"About the dinner menu for tomorrow, I would like to have fries in cheese dip as appetizer."
"Okay sir. How about your main course, sir?"
"Steak and sinangag sa adobo. And for the dessert, a slice of blueberry cheesecake."
"How about your beverage, sir?
"What would you suggest? No liquor, please. She doesn't drink."
"How about Pineapple punch sir?"
"That has a rum in it, right?"
The other mix sir, yes. But we can serve the family pineapple punch. Instead of rum, we'll add a
lemon lime soda."
"That's better."
"So just a recap sir, your appetizer is fries in cheese dip, main course is steak with sinangag sa
adobo, dessert is blueberry cheesecake, and for the beverage, family pineapple punch"
"Yes."
"We'll take a note of this, sir. Thank you for calling."
Thank you." he said and hung the phone up.
'I hope everything goes according to plan.' He said to himself.