Chapter 9

​Chapter 9

​VAREEN

​After he called me, my center started to get wet again. Shit, I don't have panties on! Oliver took them. Damn him. And I'm wearing a mini-dress.

​"Who's that?" Raze asked.

​"Wrong number, he said."

​After we had lunch, he immediately left, and I was left here. I borrowed a dress and pants from Helia. It's a good thing she had some with her. And thank God, I have an extra pair of panties in my drawer.

​I checked the restaurant bar downstairs. As usual, there were many people eating. The people in the kitchen area were also busy. I decided to just help with the cooking. They're all busy.

​"Wow, boss, a lot of people suddenly came in earlier. It's still a lot now, but fewer." our cashier told me.

​Oh, right. We were short on crew. Some of them filed for a leave first, and the others resigned.

​"Call me if you guys need help here, so you don't have a hard time."

​"Yes, next time." I just nodded and then helped serve.

​I found the co-manager of the hotel Raze owns at a table.

​"Our dear Vareen! You're rarely at the hotel, huh?" I handed them their food.

​"Sorry, Ma'am. I'm busy here at my resto." I told her. When I have time, I hang out wherever Raze is. I also often chat and ask for tips from their staff and managers.

​"I can see. Why don't you open a branch? We had to travel so far just for your food." There, I'm flattered.

​"I'm still thinking about it, Ma'am. Don't worry, I'll inform you."

​The regular customers here are already used to me serving their food. Many people say that I shouldn't be doing that because I have waiters and waitresses. I just always reason out that I wanted to help, and that's in my nature. They're saying that it doesn't suit me because I'm a model. And I just simply say that I don't care, as long as I help whenever I want to. The restaurant is mine, so what can they do?

​There are also a few who ask for pictures with me. It's hard to be famous. You have three huge billboards on EDSA and many more in different parts of Metro Manila. Plus, add being a featured model in different magazines and news.

​I remembered Jayce calling me again. I wonder where he got my number. And my primary suspect is my one and only best friend.

​After that day, I decided to visit the orphanage that I visit weekly. The kids who were playing in the garden immediately greeted me.

​"Ate Vareen!" They hugged me. I missed them. I've been supporting the orphanage for almost 5 years. Mom and Dad built it.

​"Ate, we have good news!" They all said at the same time, and I could barely understand them.

​"What's the good news, January?" I asked the girl. Her name is January.

​"We're going to have more people! And... Nanay and Tatay are planning to build a second house behind here."

​They call my aunt and uncle, who love kids, 'Nanay' and 'Tatay'. They've been managing the place ever since. There are almost thirty kids here, but they won't have a hard time because they have maids.

​These kids are lucky. Most of them were abandoned on the streets, and the others, just like me, lost their families or their families didn't look for them anymore.

​"Really?" I asked, smiling.

​"Yes, Ate. Nanay told us that the others will arrive in the next few days." They were so happy. They will have new siblings. I noticed a child in a corner of the garden who was just staring blankly.

​I went up to him. "Is there a problem?"

​"I dreamed about you..." My eyebrows raised at what I heard.

​"What happened?" I asked, curious.

​"You got married to another man. You should only be with Kuya Raze." I slapped my forehead at what I heard. I thought it was something serious. He made me nervous.

​"What is that! You made me nervous."

​"Because you should just say yes to Kuya Raze, and then you should get married RIGHT AWAY!" He got excited and punched the air. I just laughed at what he said.

​I want it that when Raze and I get together, no one will stop us. I want to, but I still don't want to.

​Fool! What you should be saying is that you want the two who are claiming you!

​I just didn't answer him, and we went inside. Tita greeted me.

​"Not busy anymore?" she asked. She was holding a tray of snacks for the kids.

​"Not so much anymore, Tita."

​"You're not with Raze today, huh?" I often visit here with Raze. He also often tells stories to the kids. He once mentioned that he wants me to be his girlfriend, as long as I say yes to him. Since then, the kids have hoped and believed that we will end up together. I don't know what Raze is telling them.

​"He's busy," I helped Tita Amelia carry the food to the garden. Tita never had a child. She had a disease called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, so she just decided to adopt. Tito Silvester also agreed to it.

​"How are your resto-bar and modeling?" she asked.

​"Both are good, Tita. As of now, I've already renewed my contract with Constell, and Carmelita's is still growing."

​"That's good. It's right that Dad passed down his Carmelita's to you. If Mommy were still alive, she would have been so happy." She's the daughter of Grandpa and Grandma, which means she's Mom's sister.

​"Your parents are so proud of you. Don't give up on anything, okay? Take care of your business." I nodded.

​I don't have any plans on leaving our business. That's where I learned, grew, and became good at things. I would never let that business down.

​I looked at the gate when I noticed a figure. A very familiar dark aura, smirking at me.

​Shit, Jayce.