"Merry Christmas, Everyone!" Uncle Arthur welcomed us cheerfully, as we went to his house for the celebration of Christmas.
"Merry Christmas, Tito!" I exchanged hugs and kisses with everyone and immediately put my gift under the Christmas tree.
I see that the visitors are not complete yet. I guess I was too early for the dinner.
I looked around and looked for my cousin Bea. And when I didn't see her in the living room. I assume she's in the kitchen baking cookies.
And I was completely right when I smelled the taste of her smoked cinnamon cookies.
"There you are! Merry Christmas bea!" She was yet to put the cookies in decoration when I hugged her and took one cookie away. And gave it a bite.
"This is so amazing!" She looked at me with a proud smile on her face and put her hand on her chest in a dramatic way.
"What do you expect? I am a beautiful woman with a great sense of taste."
"And a poor taste of men." And before she can hit me with a spatula I immediately covered myself with the pan on the side. And enjoyed the look on her face right now.
"The only thing you're good at is ruining my mood."
"And I won't fail you, I promise." I even made a cross in my heart.
Bea is the only cousin I'm very close with. Ever since I came to the US to work, we made a great bond with each other. I remember the first time I got homesick and badly want to go back in the Philippines. She asked me to drop by their house cause she's gonna comfort me with her cookies.
And she never failed though, cause even now her cookies can literally change my mood.
We continued exchanging conversations in the kitchen. And even argued with either to top the cookies with an icing or not.
"Just leave it like that. Your cookies are best when it's simple."
"But it will look good on pictures if there's an icing on top." she took one cookie and decorated it with the icing bag. She then turned at me and raised her brows.
"What do you think?"
I just rolled my eyes and let her do what she wants.
After everything is set in the kitchen. Tito Arthur called us to ask for help with the table. While Tita Amy is busy taking the plates out from the cabinet, and bea is setting the pastries out. A bell disturb the busy people.
I guess it's the visitors they told me last week.
"Can you please open the door for them Venice?"
"Yes Tito."
I look at the hole and saw my cousin Sam, with three other unfamiliar faces. I opened the door and welcomed them with a smile.
"Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas Venice! By the way these are my friends. Luke, James and Kento. Guys this is my cousin Venice. " I smiled and shaked hands with her friends. Though I'm not sure whose Luke and James. But, the Kento boy is distinguishable since he look like a Japanese. And I bet he's Japanese.
He has that kinky black eyes and thick eyebrows. His pointed nose fits perfectly in his small face with a small yet kissable lips. And I have to mention his sharp jaw that made him look dangerously cute.
Who ever allowed this Kento boy to look this hot?
"Pogi." I was too late to stop my mouth from saying handsome in my native language. And since Sam speaks filipino he heard what I said. And looked at me playfully.
But, before he can tease me I immediately turned my back and went back to the dining table. God! Was I too obvious? I was worried that I might have look like a thirsty cat there.
You just met Sam's friend Venice. Behave.
"Was it Sam?" Bea asked me.
"Yeah, with his friends." I continued putting napkins on the table when Sam eventually came to the kitchen with a wine. I bet he bought that just now.
Everything on the table is already set and the foods are ready. Tito Arthur's Brother Gary had also arrived on time. And bought everyone's favourite cassava cake. Bea is even whining because the cake might outshined her cookies.
Since everyone is complete. We gathered and started the dinner with a prayer. I was sitting next to Bea with Luke on my right and Kento in front of me and Sam beside him.
I cannot even understand myself because Im feeling conscious that I might not look attractive while eating. That's why even though I'm not the prim and proper type when on table. I did my best to look like one even though I badly want to eat three servings of the pasta and stuff my mouth with the roasted chicken.
And I think Sam noticed my reservation since he knew I'm a big eater. Yet, I only have few dishes on my plate now.
"Why are you not eating Mother's chicken Venice? I thought its your favorite?" Sam started his tease.
"Can you please hand it to her Kento? I think she's conscious at you."
I shot Sam my dagger look to make him shut up. The bastard! This is why you should not tell Sam the name of your crush. He'd annoy you to the bone.
I faked a laugh and saw Kento already handling me the Chicken.
"Thank you." I got shocked for a while when I felt that I touched his hand when I returned the dish to him. He saw my reaction and just nod his head.
God! Why can't I hide my feelings when I'm flustered? You're being too obvious Venice.
Tita Amy cleared her throat and started a conversation with the boys.
"How's Med school son?"
"I'm doing fine Mommy, Though this week was tough but, I'm doing great." I heard Sam is already starting his residency so he is kinda busy these days already. We even thought he might not join the celebration since he had busy schedules.
"Luke, how about you? You still haven't get the girl son?" Luke just chuckled with Tita Amy's question. I guess Tita must have known Sam's friend for a long time. With the way how they talk with each other, very casual and fun. I believe they're close.
"Im hopeless Tita, I think Im gonna focus on my residency first before anything." I can sense that Luke was not comfortable with the discussion. He seems sad. Though I don't know who the girl is but with the look on his eyes, I bet someone just got his heart broken.
The little chats on the table went on and on and I found out that Luke, James, Kento and Sam are High-school buddies. I just also found out that Kento is studying in Law school. I even thought he is also a Surgeon like his friends. But turns out he is Lawyer to be.
"Enough with us. How about you Venice, I heard one of your workmates is courting you?" I was silently eating my cookies when Sam made me the topic. This bastard! He knows I don't like it when I'm the subject.
"I-i turned him down already." on my pheriperal view I see that Kento is looking at me.
"Well, that's good news. Our kento here is single." my bastard of a cousin just casually said that while sheppishly drinking his wine with a sly smile.
Wait until this dinner is over. I'd really rip your ass off.
Everyone in the table seems to see my reaction. Well, for sure my face is as red is tomato right now. And the fact that I csn feel kento boy's stares doesn't help at all.
I tried to laugh the situation away. Come on get your shits together Venice!
"Im not looking for a man."
I can hear bea's 'ohh' beside me right now. She looked so proud and I look flustered.
Well, he's really cute though. Shut up! Venice dont act easy.
"U-uh I'd like to be friends anyway." I proudly stared at kento and gave him a warm smile.
"I can't be friends with someone as beautiful as you."
What the hell?! I didn't expect that. Is he flirting with me? God! Where is my flirty bone right now, I need you!
Everyone is enjoying this for sure and I might as well go with the flow.
"Well...... I guess I lied. I really am looking for a man."
