123 For Someone Else

Soon, the dinner was served. Anthon was amazingly able to prepare six dishes alone in few hours. He, then, laid it on the table with a touch of a chef's art as the delicious aroma spread into the house, making everyone hungry.

Food presentation was also his forte, considering it as an essential matter to the success of a dish just as equally as its taste and flavour. 

Jian bounced and clapped his small hands in happiness when he saw the same chicken dish Anthon made for him days ago. It was the grilled, chicken adobo in thick soy sauce, vinegar, honey, garlic, bay leaves, and pepper. He quickly ran to him and tugged his arm while his shining eyes were on the chicken plate.

"Daddy, can I eat, please? "He said in a cute and pleading look.

"Sure, my love. " Anthon chuckled as he squeezed and hug him first, before picking up a plate.

Jia was really amazed at how quickly and deftly he turned common vegetables like green beans into attractive and mouth - watering dishes. Like his beef dish today. It was just a ground beef topped with sauteed green beans, carrots, red onions and his secret spices. There was also his tanguige steak done in pinoy, beef - steak style. It was only a marinade of calamansi, garlic, ground black pepper and sugar that made the magic.

Aside from those three, he also prepared a vegetable soup, chicken - vegetable salad and fish fingers for Jian. Yet, the most appealing stuff in her eyes was the red rose centerpiece crafted most especially for her. A note was in it, scribbled by his own hand. "We Thank God For You Today."

As they gathered around, Jia could not stop her tears from rushing down. It was her first dinner with them, a celebration dinner for being able to return home safe and alive. Who knew then, when she was yet within the jungle, that this day would come? And this dinner was prepared by the man who was too stubborn in removing her from his heart.

Then, kuya Nap opened their special dinner with a long prayer of thanksgiving. He emphasized the gift of family and friendship and how it beautifully painted their lives. He also made a special mention of Jia's rescue as an evidence of His power and love. Then, he closed it with a humble request for a continued guidance as they were facing a greater battle ahead.

After that emotion - stirring prayer, the three men simultaneously stood up and took turns in hugging her again. The handsome little man also sprang up from his feet and leapt into her waiting arms. It was indeed a memorable event.

The dinner went very well as kuya Nap graced it with his joyful presence and humurous tales. He initiated a happy conversation and made everyone partake in their exchange of ideas and experiences.

Soon, despite their reluctance, the night had to end and they finally separated ways. Oblivious to them, while they were enjoying their meal, certain calls were made.

"Kuya, Miss Jia has already moved to a new house."

"Rex, can you please make a request to tighten the security in the area?"

"I'll send men over. "

"Arvin, please tell miss Jia I'm coming over anytime this week. "

___

Madamme Ybañez got on the line with her daughter when the silence of the night couldn't help a tiny bit in her haunts of guilt. She was tossing in her bed and drank lots of chamommile tea leaves but it did not help.

"Gracie dear, how are you? "

Dr. Grace was tagging along Dr. Aijohn as he moved around the lab, working into different machineries. He patiently oriented her into its different functions but she could only grasp a little of it, despite her great amazement of how intricate all those apparatus worked. It was totally different from her own world though the science of cardiology had lately garnered several leaps of breakthroughs and innovations.

"I'm fine, mom. I really love it here. "

Madamme Ybañez tried to figure out what coud she be feeling right now. She was greatly worried that her unexpected bumping into the Wayne couple would disturb her emotionally.

"That's good. When are you going back to Georgia? " She wondered because she had been rescheduling her flight back to USA.

"I'll think about it, mom. "

"By the way, I have a good news."

She added. "But before that, I need to know your status with Dr. Jim.

Do you still like him? " There was really no amount of joy in her heart when she asked this.

Dr. Grace almost stumbled upon hearing it. What does it have to do with her next topic?

"Mom, what do you mean? " She was a bit annoyed at her invasion of the private matters of her heart.

"Dr. Jim asked me to arrange an engagement dinner as soon as possible."

"Engagement dinner? Dr. Jim? "Her eyes opened wide in astonishment.

"Yes, we will be discussing about your wedding details. " She said plainly, waiting for her reaction.

"My wedding details? With Dr. Jim?"

"Yes. "

"But he is married already! How is that possible?" The news seemed so unrealistic to her ear.

"Nowadays, you know that it is no longer a problem as long as both the parties are willing. "

Dr. Grace could not believe her ears. The dream that she had been cherishing for many years was now coming true? And what's going on behind her back?

Dr. Aijohn saw her uneasiness. He placed down the handle of an apparatus then led her out of the lab. They went directly inside his room.

"What's going on? " He asked while he guided her towards a couch.

"I do not understand mom. "

"Why? "

"She tells me about wedding plans. "

"Aren't you happy, then?" Dr. Aijohn asked, observing every little reaction she had.

"I'm confused on how it became possible. " She answered.

"That's how money works. "

Dr. Grace shook her head. "I still don't understand. How does money work with Jim when he himself has lots of it? "

Dr. Aijohn understood that she still did not know about the plan. That her marriage to Dr. Jim equated his her family's hosting of the research.

"When is the dinner?"

Dr. Aijohn asked, wondering how Dr. Grace felt about it. He had not mentioned his marriage proposal to her again, allowing the magic of time to work it out for them. They had been with each other for more than a week now but still he could not see any hint that she had learned to consider him. She was not resisting to his romantic approaches but he could not see yet her response. He did not realized that the game he had played on, turned out to be a realistic endeavor.

He was first attracted to her because of her identical features with Hailey, the only woman in his life. But when the full status of the research launching and the contention behind it was revealed, he swore to carry out his own plan. If he was an object to a heroistic act before, it would now his turn to become a hero this time. Who knew that some roads in life were meant to entwine for a reason?

Dr. Gracie was not difficult to love but the challenge was how he could make her forget Dr. Jim in her heart. He knew she was also struggling between her own desire to have him and the acceptance of her defeat. Choosing him would never make her happy. If that marriage with him be actualized, she knew that they would only be players of a drama in real life.

"I'll let you know. " She did not know that her answer created worries in the heart of the man beside her. Not for himself only, but for someone else.