Dei prefers to remain silent until they reached her office. Since the beginning she could not get use to this behavior of Richard, he often has jumped into conclusion and often times resulted to an abrupt mood swing. She has to teach him a lesson now she promised herself.
"Thank you for driving me here at work. You don't have to pick me up. I will just take the cab going to Dad's house later." Dei said after she had kissed the girls, then fastly walks went inside the building without looking at Richard. Richard and the girls were left shocked at Dei conduct.
"She is still upset Daddy." Athena sadly commented.
"I know sweetie." Richard replied.
Grandpa was so delighted to see his only son's princesses. Though he invested a house in Taguig City, he still prefers to live in Laguna, therefore, Richard and Athena seldom sees him. "Are you staying here for good Charmaine?" he asked Charmaine.
"Ask Mommy herself Grandpa when she gets here." Charmaine replied while she gives him a tight hug "Oh, I miss you so much Grandpa, I hope you'll find time to visit us in Cebu."
"Not a bad idea Charmaine." Grandpa replied "How's your Mom?" he asked.
"Pissed off." Athena quickly replied which made Richard exclaimed "Athena." Grandpa just laughs at Richard's sudden reaction."Today is just Dei's second day, how come you two are already bickering?" he said.
"No we are not Dad" Richard denied.
"Is that so son? Then why are you in a bad mood?" Grandpa asked chuckling. Richard did not reply but instead take a deep sigh. "With that deep sigh, obviously it is your fault." Grandpa commented which caught Richard by surprise. How can he forget that this old man knows him too well? That even a single sigh, he knew what its meaning is. "It's a small thing Dad, only a bit of misunderstanding." Richard politely said.
After a while, Richard decided to grab his phone "What time should I pick you up?" He sends to Dei's mobile number even he is anxious if Dei would reply into it, because he knows that she is still pissed off. But then, he still tries, he has to try.
After almost 30 minutes of waiting for a reply from Dei, she finally responded "I will be leaving after an hour, like what I have said earlier, no need to pick me up. I will just take the cab."
Richard: I will be waiting in the parking lot. I will be there in 45 minutes.
Dei: Don't bother; I said, I will just take the cab. Please, I don't have time for stubbornness.
Richard: I am not being stubborn; I just want to do this for you.
Dei: Alright then do whatever you want to do, nobody can stop you anyway.
Richard: Thanks.
Dei: I'll see you then.
Richard: Ah... Dei, I'm Sorry.
Dei: Later
After 45 minutes, Richard's car was already parked near Dei's office. He was composing his text message for Dei when he heard knocks at his car window. Richard unlocks the door when he saw her. Quickly, Dei hopped into the car and did not give Richard a chance to open the car door for her. "Would you like to have some coffee first?" Richard asked Dei as soon as she closed the door. "Nope, let's just go straight to Dad's house that was the first plan." Dei replied.
"Athena and Charmaine requested for a Belgian waffle from Starbucks" Richard relayed."Then let's grab some. Anyway, Starbucks is just a few blocks away from here." Dei said. The all smile Richard immediately started the car engine and drove to the nearest coffee shop.
"Are you going with me?" Richard asked as soon as he parked the car in front of Starbucks.
"I'll just stay here in the car. Buying a Belgian waffle will not take much time." Dei quickly replied.
"Are you still mad at me? The girls have forgiven me, but you haven't." Richard said.
Dei had taken a deep sigh before she replied, "I am not mad, I am just too upset on what you did earlier during breakfast. It was such a small thing for you to act that way. I guess I have to remind you of your boundaries. Things are no longer the same as before remember? It is not proper that you start being grumpy because of such a small thing and you easily jump into conclusion. Until now, I am really irritated in that behavior of yours." Dei said.
"I am really sorry, forgive me please. It will not happen again, your highness, that's a promise. I will not do it again." Richard said with pouting lips.
Dei can't help but chuckle as the pouting Richard gave her that puppy look "Stop pouting, it isn't cute!"
"Maybe I am not cute, but the important thing is I was able to make you smile, I hope I get your forgiveness, too." Richard said.
"You are very insisted Richard?" Dei said, beaming. A smile that she could not hide every-time Richard will give her the puppy looks.
"Please forgive me my queen. I promise it will not happen again." Richard said.
"Stop doing that" Dei said but she could not help but chuckle "Alright, you're forgiven. Make sure that this will not happen again or else I will never talk to you again... ever again." Dei finally conceded.
"Well noted, your highness. Are you sure you don't want to have some coffee first?" Richard again asked, beaming.
"I don't want to lose my appetite. I'm sure Ms. Virgie has prepared something really special." Dei replied, now with a lighter mood.
"Alright, I'm sure Dad is excited to see you too. I'll be quick." Richard said then he quickly went to the coffee shop to buy the Belgian waffle that his girls asked him to buy for them.
Only after a few minutes, Richard and Dei already arrived at the Reyes' place. Grandpa was all smiles upon seeing Dei. It's been more than two years from the last time he saw this lady, the time when she pays her respect to him to say her goodbye. In his heart he knows, these two were just taking a few steps back, so they could see things clearly and eventually figure out how to do things in a better way.
"I thought I would never see you again." Grandpa said and gave Dei a hug. Dei with a huge smile hug him back "I missed you Daddy."
"Seems that Cebu is good for you, you are more stunning now." he said. Dei chuckled then replied "You really are my Fan Dad."
"Next time I want you guys to visit me in Laguna, the air is fresher there." he said.
"I'll see what I can do Dad, my complete itinerary for this trip will be available only by next week. I'll let you know when the girls and I will visit in Laguna." Dei replied.
"Why am I not invited, again?" Richard butt-in.
Dei throws a glance to Richard and said "Maybe with Richard too, if he is not busy" Dei said and sarcastically asked Richard. "Satisfied Mr. Ricardo Reyes, Jr.?" Richard just shrugs off his shoulder and went inside the house.
"Oh Dear Lord, the kids are starting their bickering again, please spare me" Grandpa said chuckling as he and Dei followed Richard inside the house.