A Family Breakfast
The morning sun streamed through the kitchen windows as Jessica's mother busied herself at the stove, the sizzle of garlic and the rich aroma of fried rice filling the air. Alexa had already left for summer classes, her schoolbag and a half-eaten piece of toast the only evidence of her rushed departure.
The front door creaked open, and Annette called out, "Mom? We're here!"
Jessica's mother turned with a smile as Annette and MJ entered. "Good timing! I made enough breakfast for everyone."
Annette kissed her mother's cheek. "We just wanted to check on you all. Where's Jessica?"
"Meeting with the wedding sponsors," her mother said, stirring the pot. "Apologizing, sorting things out... you know how she is."
MJ raised an eyebrow. "On a Sunday?"
Before her mother could respond, the back door opened, and Jessica walked in, her heels clicking against the tile.
"Oh, you're here," she said, surprised but pleased.
Her mother waved a wooden spoon. "Enough talking! This food won't stay warm forever."
As they settled around the table, the clatter of plates and serving spoons filled the comfortable silence. Jessica picked at her food, her mind clearly elsewhere.
The Announcement
When the last bites had been eaten, Jessica cleared her throat. "Guys... I have something to tell you."
Her mother set down her coffee cup. "What is it, dear?"
Jessica took a deep breath. "I've decided to leave for the city. I'm still young—I want to build my own future there."
Annette's paused. "What about your business here?"
"Would you manage it for me?" Jessica asked. "The profits can go to you, Mom, and Alexa. That way I'm still helping, even when I'm gone."
Annette reached across the table to squeeze her sister's hand. "Of course. We're sisters—you don't even have to ask."
MJ, ever practical, added, "You'll need seed money to start over. Do you have enough?"
Jessica nodded. "Some vendors refunded our deposits after... what happened. It's enough to get started. Don't worry," she added with a wry smile, "this isn't my first time making my own way."
Her mother's eyes shone with unshed tears, but she simply said, "Just promise to call often. And be careful."
As Jessica and Annette hugged their mother tightly, the older woman asked, "When do you leave?"
"Next week," Jessica said. "There are still things to arrange here first."
The kitchen clock ticked loudly in the silence that followed, each second counting down to the new future waiting just beyond their doorstep.
Homecoming
The car rolled to a stop in front of their modest house, the engine's hum fading into the quiet neighborhood. Percy stepped out, stretching his stiff limbs after the long drive. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the front yard as he retrieved his luggage from the trunk.
Mrs. Rachel (leaning against the car door): "Oh Percy, is that room next to yours still available? The one we've been trying to rent out?"
Percy (slamming the trunk shut): "Yeah, still empty. I posted flyers at the grocery store and community center last week." He wiped his brow. "Though at this point, I'm starting to think the 'No Pets' rule might be scaring people off."
His mother sighed, adjusting her sunhat. "Well, we can't force fate. The right tenant will come when they're meant to." She gave him a knowing smile. "Just make sure you're home by six. Victor's coming into town, and I want all four of us around the dinner table tonight. It's been too long."
Percy's face lit up. "Count me in. Is little Ramoncito coming too? That rascal must be what - three now?" He grinned at the thought of his nephew's endless energy.
Mrs. Rachel (nodding): "Venice promised she'd bring him. That boy asks about his 'Tito Percy' every week."
Percy (yawning): "Okay, Ma. I'll be there. But right now..." He hefted his bag onto his shoulder. "I need to crash for a few hours. That wedding weekend took more out of me than I thought."
As he trudged toward the house, Mrs. Rachel called after him: "Don't sleep through dinner! I'm making your favorite - kare-kare!"
Percy simply waved over his shoulder, already dreaming of his pillow. The screen door creaked shut behind him, leaving the quiet street bathed in golden afternoon light.
Family Dinner with Ghosts
The grandfather clock in the hall chimed six times as golden evening light spilled through the lace curtains of the family home. Percy sat on the worn leather armchair, tracing his thumb over the framed photograph on the side table—his father Ramon's proud smile frozen in time, arms around a teenage Percy and his siblings during better days. The glass felt cold beneath his fingertips.
Four years since you left us, he thought. And we're still trying to fill your chair.
"Another subdivision project approved!" Victor announced, loosening his tie as he flopped onto the couch. At twenty-eight, the youngest Reyes sibling already had the confident bearing of a successful real estate developer. "Fifty luxury units with ocean views. Take that, Manila slums!"
Venice rolled her eyes, adjusting Ramoncito on her hip. The three-year-old giggled as she twirled, her theater-perfected movements making even this simple gesture graceful. "Please, Mr. Concrete Jungle. My Ophelia interpretation just got extended for another month at CCP. The critics called it 'heartrendingly authentic.'"
Victor smirked. "Speaking of fiction—" His eyes darted toward Percy.
Mrs. Rachel swooped in before the teasing could begin, brandishing a lacquered box like a shield. "Ah-ah! Look what came by courier yesterday." She lifted the lid to reveal two gleaming awards—Best New Fantasy and, more damningly, Best New Romance.
Ramoncito clapped his sticky hands. "Tito Percy kissy-kissy book!"
The room erupted. Victor nearly choked on his iced tea while Venice fanned herself dramatically. "My big brother! The love expert!"
Percy felt heat creep up his neck as he scooped up his giggling nephew. "In my defense, the romance subplot was only thirty percent of the—oh forget it." Even he couldn't suppress a grin. The absurdity was too perfect—Percy Reyes, chronic bachelor, winning hearts on paper while striking out in reality.
"Where's Spencer tonight?" Percy asked, deftly changing topics as he bounced Ramoncito on his knee.
Venice's smile tightened slightly. "Shareholder meeting at his father's conglomerate. Again." The unspoken as usual hung in the air before she brightened. "But he'll make Ramoncito's recital next week!"
Mrs. Rachel clapped her hands. "Enough chatter! The kare-kare will get cold."
As they gathered around the table where Ramon's place setting still sat unused, Percy caught his mother glancing at the empty chair. He reached over and squeezed her hand. The stew's peanut aroma wrapped around them like a memory as laughter filled the spaces between the silence.
A Bittersweet Departure
The morning sun streamed through Jessica's bedroom window as she zipped up her suitcase with finality. The past week had been a blur of canceled wedding arrangements, awkward explanations to vendors, and quiet evenings spent reassuring her family—and herself—that this was the right choice. Now, her bags sat by the door, packed and ready.
Downstairs, her family waited in the living room, the air thick with unspoken emotions. Alexa fidgeted with the hem of her school uniform, while Annette and MJ stood close, their expressions a mix of pride and worry. Jessica's mother hovered near the doorway, clutching a steaming cup of tea like a lifeline.
Jessica took a deep breath and descended the stairs.
"I guess this is it," she said, forcing a smile.
Alexa was the first to rush forward, throwing her arms around her sister. "You better video call me every day," she muttered into Jessica's shoulder.
Jessica laughed, ruffling her little sister's hair. "Only if you promise not to spam me with memes during work hours."
Annette stepped in next, her embrace firm and lingering. "You're doing the right thing," she whispered. "And don't worry about the business here. We've got it."
MJ gave her a brotherly pat on the back. "If you need anything—anything at all—just say the word."
Finally, Jessica turned to her mother, whose eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
"Oh, my girl," her mother murmured, pulling her into a tight hug. Jessica inhaled the familiar scent of jasmine and cinnamon, committing it to memory.
When they pulled apart, her mother cupped her face. "Which city are you heading to?"
"San Isidro," Jessica answered. "It's up north—about three hours by bus. I found a small apartment near the business district."
Her mother's eyebrows shot up. "San Isidro? That's where Mrs. Rachel lives!" A visible wave of relief washed over her. "Oh, thank goodness. At least I know someone will be there to look out for you."
Jessica blinked. "Wait—Percy's mother lives there?"
"Yes! In that Big blue house near the town square. You remember—we visited years ago when the boys were still in school."
Jessica's stomach did a strange flip. The thought of Percy being in the same city was… unexpected. But she pushed the feeling aside. This wasn't about him. This was about her fresh start.
"I'll be fine, Mom," she reassured, squeezing her mother's hands. "But… maybe I'll stop by and say hello to Mrs. Rachel once I'm settled."
Her mother smiled knowingly but said nothing.
With one last round of hugs, Jessica hoisted her bags and stepped out the door. The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of blooming champaca flowers. As she slid into the waiting taxi, she cast a final glance at her family, all waving from the porch.
The engine hummed to life. Jessica exhaled, her fingers tightening around her phone.
San Isidro awaited.