ACCEPTANCE
The kitchen filled with the soft clinking of plates and the steady sound of running water as Christine and Auntie Fe cleaned up together. Every now and then, their laughter drifted into the dining room, making the house feel even quieter.
Tito Samuel leaned back in his chair and looked at Jeffrey with an easy smile.
"You know, Jeffrey, it's rare that I get to have a conversation like this."
Jeffrey looked up from his glass. "How come?"
Tito Samuel chuckled. "Most people who sit across from me either want a favor or want to impress me."
Jeffrey smiled. "I don't think I can do either."
That earned a laugh from the older man. "I like that answer."
For a moment, the room settled into a comfortable silence before Tito Samuel spoke again. "So... how's work treating you?"
Jeffrey nodded. "It's been busy."
"I've heard your company has been handling more large projects lately." Tito Samuel asked.
"We've been fortunate." Jeffrey shrugged. "It also means more responsibility."
Tito Samuel nodded in understanding. "That's the part people don't see."
Jeffrey agreed. "Most people only see the finished building... They don't see everything that happens before that."
Tito Samuel smiled. "What do you enjoy most about it?"
Jeffrey thought for a second before answering."Solving problems."
The older man raised an eyebrow. "That's it?"
Jeffrey laughed. "Pretty much."
That made Tito Samuel laugh too. "I was expecting a longer answer."
"I could give you one," Jeffrey replied with a grin, "but that's honestly what I enjoy."
Tito Samuel rested his arms on the table. "I've known your father for a long time."
Jeffrey nodded. "He always speaks highly of you."
"I hope I'm living up to that." Jeffrey answered
"You'll spend your whole life trying." Tito Samuel smiled. "That's what sons do."
Jeffrey laughed quietly. "I think you're right."
Before either of them could leave the dining room, Christine and Auntie Fe walked back in carrying slices of mango float and fresh coffee.
Auntie Fe smiled as she set the dessert in the middle of the table. "I hope you two didn't solve all the world's problems while we were in the kitchen."
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Tito Samuel laughed as he pulled his chair out again. "Not even close."
Jeffrey smiled. "We barely got through engineering."
Christine looked at the two of them before taking her seat beside Jeffrey. "I'll take that as a good sign."
Her father nodded."It is."
Christine raised an eyebrow. "Should I be worried?"
"Not at all," Tito Samuel replied. "Your boyfriend survived."
Jeffrey let out a quiet laugh. "I didn't realize this was a test."
Christine's mother smiled as she poured coffee into everyone's cups. "It wasn't."
Auntie Fe looked at Jeffrey with a teasing smile. "We were just making sure you were real."
Jeffrey placed a hand over his chest. "I was hoping to keep everyone guessing a little longer."
The table filled with laughter.
Christine shook her head, smiling to herself. "I think he's getting comfortable."
Jeffrey glanced at her. "Should I not be?"
She smiled warmly. "I didn't say that."
Auntie Fe looked between the two of them before smiling at Christine's parents. "You know..." she said. "It's been a long time since I've seen this house this lively."
Christine looked around the table. Her parents were smiling, Auntie Fe looked happier than she had in a long time, and Jeffrey was laughing over something her father had just said.
She hadn't realized how much she had missed evenings like this until now.
Her mother noticed the quiet smile on her face. "What are you thinking about?"
Christine looked at everyone before answering. "Nothing." She smiled softly. "I'm just happy we're all here."
A quiet silence settled over the table for a moment. Not an awkward one. The kind that didn't need anyone to fill it.
Jeffrey looked around the room, taking in the laughter, the empty dinner plates, and the coffee everyone was slowly sipping. Without realizing it, he'd stopped thinking about making a good impression. He was simply enjoying being there.
Tito Samuel picked up his cup and looked at Jeffrey with a small smile. "I hope this won't be your last dinner with us."
Jeffrey met his eyes and smiled back. "I'd like that too."
Christine reached for Jeffrey's hand beneath the table, giving it a gentle squeeze. She didn't say anything. She didn't have to. The laughter around the table slowly settled as everyone finished their coffee.
Tito Samuel leaned back in his chair, a playful smile slowly appearing on his face as he looked across the table at Jeffrey.
"So..." he said. "When can we expect a grandson?" Christine nearly choked on her coffee.
"Dad!"
The whole table burst into laughter. Her mother reached over and gave Christine's hand a gentle pat, trying not to laugh herself.
"Don't mind him, Jeffrey." She smiled apologetically. "He's always been like that."
Jeffrey rubbed the back of his neck, unable to hide his grin. He looked at Christine for a second before turning back to Tito Samuel. "We're just enjoying where we are right now, Tito."
Tito Samuel nodded, still smiling. "Good answer."
Jeffrey chuckled softly. "But... when that day comes, I hope he grows up with the same kind of family Christine did."
The room grew quiet for a brief moment. Christine looked at Jeffrey, surprised by his answer. Her mother smiled softly. Auntie Fe lowered her eyes with a quiet smile.
Tito Samuel looked at Jeffrey for a few seconds before giving a slow nod. "I appreciate that."
He reached for his coffee before looking back at Jeffrey. "Take care of my daughter."
Jeffrey met his eyes without looking away. "I will."
A small smile appeared on Tito Samuel's face. "I believe you."
For a moment, no one said anything. The silence wasn't awkward. It was the kind that settled naturally after words that didn't need anything added to them.
Auntie Fe was the first to stand, gathering the empty cups from the table. "I'll wash these."
Christine stood almost immediately. "I'll help you."
Her mother smiled as she pushed her chair back. "I'll come too."
The three of them carried the dishes into the kitchen, their quiet conversation soon mixing with the familiar sound of running water.
Jeffrey watched them disappear down the hallway before looking back at Tito Samuel. The older man smiled and gave him a small nod.
Jeffrey returned the smile.
Nothing else needed to be said.
A few minutes later, Christine walked back into the dining room and stopped beside him. "Ready?"
Jeffrey stood and smiled. "Yeah."
They thanked everyone before making their way toward the front door.
Auntie Fe hugged Christine first before turning to Jeffrey. "Don't wait too long before you visit again."
Jeffrey smiled. "I won't."
Christine's mother hugged them both before stepping back."Drive safely."
Tito Samuel walked with them to the door. Before Jeffrey stepped outside, the older man rested a hand on his shoulder.
"Our home is always open to you." Jeffrey smiled and gave a small nod.
"Thank you, Tito." He opened the passenger door for Christine before walking around to the driver's side.
Neither of them spoke as he started the engine.
Christine quietly reached across the center console and slipped her hand into his. Jeffrey looked at her and smiled. "That went better than I expected."
Christine smiled back. "I told you."
Jeffrey laughed softly as he pulled away from the house. "Yeah."
He glanced once at the house through the rearview mirror before looking back at the road. "You did."