ARRANGEMENT

CHAPTER 4: Operation Nudge

Then Megan, who was behind Alaric, even seconded, “Whatever plans you three are cooking with regards to Drew’s love life, I think we must also be included.”

Alaric reacted, “And you are even tolerating them, babe. You even want to join them.”

Megan reasoned out to her husband calmly, “They also schemed on us for us to become much closer, remember? They gave us more privacy just the two of us after our engagement. We should also give a slight nudge to your brother. It is quite obvious that he is attracted to Kat. But I think he was just thinking that Kat is Ashley’s best friend, so he has been hesitating to make his moves.”

Alaric then asked his parents and his sister, “Is Kat the lady involved in this scheming you are doing for Drew?”

Ashley admitted, “Yes. Anyway, Kuya Drew had already agreed to stop his playboy ways or else he would be experiencing drastic measures. We could just slightly nudge them to each other.”

Alaric stated then, “Okay. But we should not overdo it. Let them develop feelings for one another,” and then even admitted, “Yes, I think Drew has been physically attracted to Kat even as she turned eighteen. But then she was shipped to Canada by her parents. Then we were just here during school breaks because we were both studying in US. When he returned after his MBA, Kat was totally gone and then he met Rachelle, fell in love deeply with her, only to be cheated on by her with his other close friend Malcom. They are already married with two children. Drew seemed not to want to be in any serious relationship again, so he just opted to do the casual flings with those who are also game.”

Megan then asked, “But what about Kat, Ash? Do you think she could possibly develop feelings for Kat? She had just been in a failed engagement, right?”

Ashley responded, “Well, Kuya Drew has always been a perfect gentleman towards her. Somehow, when we were still much younger, I would catch her often taking glances at Kuya Drew when she felt I was not looking at her. Perhaps that teenage infatuation could possibly lead to something more.”

Megan then inquired, “So what will the plan be?”

Mommy Eloisa said, “They both usually work late. So we are thinking of supplying Drew with dinner as he comes home to his studio unit in Monarch Tower every night. Then we would also send some more to Kat that he could give to her once she arrived much later. The more they interact without us around, then the bigger the chance that they get to notice each other.”

Megan said, “But it should not just be just simple food. The dishes must somehow have aphrodisiac properties. Fruits rich in potassium like pomegranate, banana, avocado, watermelon, blueberries, strawberries, apples, cherries, papaya and many more must be included. Cruciferous vegetables like arugula, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and collard greens can help too. Spinach, potato, sweet potato, beans, lentils are also rich in potassium. As for the meat, salmon is very rich in omega 3 fatty acids. They can help maintain the body’s hormone production, including the production of s*x hormones, which have a direct influence on one's libido. Some nuts like almonds, pistachios, pine nuts and walnuts can also help. Dried fruits like raisins and apricots are also rich in potassium. Chili peppers, dark chocolates, basil, red wine, coffee, and honey are also known aphrodisiacs.”

Alaric was impressed by his wife and asked, “Where did you learn all of these, babe?”

Megan answered, “I have been watching Kleio’s Cuisine. It is a food channel on V+ Tube. She has almost similar cooking styles, just like me, Nanay and Lola. She will also be graduating on her degree in nutrition and dietetics at UF Vienburg. I have also been following her food blogs on her official website, kleio.com. She is very knowledgeable about food. She is also very skilled at making fermented food. She didn’t take a culinary arts degree but she finished several cooking certificates in different Asian and Western Cuisines under the tutelage of the top chefs here in the country. She has a very sophisticated palate and an excellent sense of smell. And she is just 22 years old. She lives in Vienburg. I believe she is planning to establish her own food business after her graduation. Her super fans and followers even call her culinary goddess because her name Kleio is somehow the name of a Greek Goddess. She is an advocate for a healthy lifestyle. She doesn’t share much about her personal life, but her avid fans have discovered that she is the founder of Hot Meal, which is a non-profit organization, providing freshly cooked, nutritious meals to the most vulnerable citizens of the city through a feeding program for malnourished children, abandoned elderly, and low-income families. She is also an active member of the Filipinas Red Cross Youth, regularly donating blood four times a year and joining disaster relief operations. She also volunteers and makes donations in food form at a local food bank in Vienburg.”

Daddy Antonio then asked, “So did she also mention those aphrodisiac foods?”

Megan’s reply was, “Just in passing, Dad. She did not expound on it. I just read in one of my pregnancy books that foods rich in omega 3 fatty acid and in potassium can help stimulate s****l desire. Seafood is known as aphrodisiacs too. So I do not wonder anymore why Ric is so crazy about me. His favorite dishes are rich in omega 3 and potassium.”

Alaric bantered, “As if you are not also crazy about me.”

Megan cheekily replied, “Well, we eat the same dishes. So, of course, it will be mutual.”

Ashley then said, “Okay, lovebirds. Let’s go back to the plan. I will visit Kat on Tuesday because she has no classes in the morning. I will then bring her those fruits, nuts, dried fruits, dark chocolates, and red wine. Sis, you are in-charge of deciding on what menu Manang Elma should cook for them. Of course, there should always be a variety every night. So, they would have no idea what we are up to. We could also include their favorite dishes every now and then.”

Megan agreed, “Noted, sis!”

Ashley continued, “Dad, Kuya, you are in charge of telling Kuya Drew in advance during your lunch about Mom’s plan of sending food for him during dinner at his studio unit in Monarch Tower. Also, mention how I and Mom feel so worried about Kat because she seems to not be eating well. So, as his neighbor, he must somehow check on her every once in a while, and also hand her the food that Mom wishes to send her.

Alaric and Daddy Antonio chorused, “Approved!”

Ashley then told their mother, “Mom, you are in charge of giving orders to Manang Elma and Manong Edo. Just let them be clueless about our plan. That way they won’t be able to slip. Kuya Drew must not know the little nudge that we are doing.”

Mommy Eloisa affirmed, “Yes! I already know what to do.”

May 13, 2019. Monday. It was already around 5 AM when Andrew and Katherine both stirred from their sleep. It was the alarm she usually set so she could leave for work at 7:15 AM. She already had a regular taxi driver fetching her from the driveway of the condominium building transporting her to Maunni City where Athenaeum de Missi University is located, and another regular taxi driver transporting her back to Sourisse City directly to M + H Art Gallery after her class.

Katherine had to stand up and leave Andrew in bed as she turned off the alarm on her smartphone, which was inside her bag. She also charged her smartphone, and then wore a silk robe so she could cook the couscous and heat up some of the food that Andrew’s mother packed for her. She decided to heat up the Seafood Kare-Kare. Andrew had also stirred, dressed up and then hugged her from behind, “I got to go now, kitty. Also buy one of those multi-capsule coffee and tea maker. A small cup of espresso every morning keeps me awake. I have one in the office. We can also have one here if you drink coffee or tea.”

She faced her, “Yes, I drink coffee and tea. I will buy one then.”

He told her, “I will go now. I don’t want to ruin your routine this morning. Tomorrow, we will have more time. I left my personal number near your smartphone. Save it and message me if you need my help, okay? See you tonight,” and then kissed her forehead.”

She felt so warm inside that he was very considerate of her morning schedule. After eating breakfast, she took a shower and then dressed. She opted to wear an off-white half turtleneck sleeveless top under her light pink pantsuit to cover up the hickeys that Andrew gave her. She had all her linen pantsuits washed and pressed weekly in the laundry shop, which does special care wash and ironing for the same fee as dry cleaning, near Monarch Supermarket. She had just seven of them in light pink, dark purple, navy blue, blue green, terracotta, burgundy, and grey. Then all her other clothes (except her undies and other delicate clothes), she just washed in the available automatic washer/dryer at her unit. Her house clothes were just all 100 percent cotton sleeveless crop top and drawstring linen pants or shorts. Her casual clothes for going out included a few dresses, 100 percent cotton white slim tee shirts, and denim jeans.

She paired it with her off-white pair of pointed low heel loafers, which were already included among her four pairs of shoes. The three others included nude pumps, light grey ankle boots, and white sneakers.

Most of her clothes and shoes were already included in the luggage she brought home from Toronto. She just bought a few more additions. She didn’t bring anything that her mother had recently purchased for her.

She just usually maintained a short bob haircut for her slightly curly black hair. She put on the dainty hair clip that Ashley gave her to the right top side of her hair so the strands wouldn’t cover up her face. The only jewelry pieces she bought on her own when she was still in Toronto were her moonstone gold drop earrings, moonstone thin gold bangle bracelet, moonstone gold cocktail ring, and moonstone pendant on a gold chain necklace. Her only wristwatch was a secondhand Omega constellation quartz ladies watch with an 18 karat yellow gold and stainless steel strap. Of course, she didn’t pack her winter clothes and shoes as she returned to the country. She sold her other clothes and shoes and saved money.

Her two bags were just the off-white cross-body bag, and the brown leather laptop bag. Her DSLR camera, lenses and other accessories had their own provided bag when she purchased them on complete set.

She was already set to go down to meet the taxi driver when the doorbell rang. She looked at the security monitor and saw her mother.

She opened the door and also went out and locked it as it shut.

She told her mother, “I am already on my way to work, Mom. The taxi-driver will already arrive sometime soon. I cannot be late,” and continued walking towards the elevator.

Inside the elevator, they were just both silent for a while.

Then Mommy Dessa started talking by asking her, “Have you even been eating well? You lost weight already.”

She told her, “I am just fine, Mom. I won’t return even if you beg me. I love all my jobs. They are all related to the degree that I finished.”

Mommy Dessa then informed her, “The high-class matchmaker has already found a suitable husband for you. Romano Ruiz is a multimillionaire who is interested in marrying you. Just meet him once, okay.”

She then told her mother, “I don’t like to date, Mom. You cannot force me to do anything against my will. I am of legal age already. Dad already gave me an ultimatum that if I don’t follow what he likes then he will cut me off financially. I have already left. I am already trying to live my life without your financial backing. I have already found not just one job but two jobs that I both love. So why are you still her convincing me to date?”

Her mother explained, “Do you honestly think that those jobs can sustain your lifestyle? We raised you in luxury. Just go back and follow us.”

She spoke her mind, “You and Dad have no right to control my life. Parental authority is for minor children only.”

Her mother still insisted, “Why can you just not be filial?”

She was getting irritated already, "Can you not understand? After what happened to me and Henry, do you still think that I can ever fully trust a man? He was so good to me from the very start. But he changed the moment I found out he was a gambling addict. He slapped me so hard that I fell from the stairs. I lost a baby that I did not even know existed until that night. My baby bled out to death. And now, you are forcing me to do all this matchmaking. Why? Does Dad have any problems at the company? And then you want to sell me to the highest bidder to save it.”

Her mother was speechless.

She then realized, “So it is true. You and Dad would rather sell me to the highest bidder, as if I am just an object. Do you not even consider my happiness? You just asked me to come home so that I will be some sort of business bargaining chip.”

The elevator door had already opened. She immediately walked out, not letting her mother even say a word.

The taxi driver, who was already waiting for her, opened up the door for her. Then they had already left.

The driver told her, “Ma’am, we are being followed by the black Mercedes Benz.”

She responded, “Don’t mind her, Manong. That is just my mother wanting me to quit work.”

The driver reacted, “Other parents feel proud with their son or daughter working. You are even a professor at a prestigious university,” then the driver asked, “Pardon my asking, ma’am. Does your mother want you to marry someone you don’t like? I thought that only happens in soap operas.”

Such a reaction from the driver made her smile, “Thanks for making me smile, Manong.”

Her smartphone then sounded from a message notification from Andrew. She messaged him before her mother even rang the doorbell.

Andrew’s message was – Good morning, kitty. I saw you and your Mom walking towards the elevator as I went out too. Is everything okay? I am already on my way to work also. I will just have breakfast at the office with the Cosmos Breakfast Box that I ordered.

She messaged him back – Good morning too, handsome. Mom just wanted me to date someone recommended perhaps by that high-class matchmaker that she hired. She said a multimillionaire was interested in me.

Andrew responded with – I am also a multimillionaire. If she doesn’t stop bothering you, then use me as your excuse.

Her reply was – No need for that. Let us just stay as we agreed on. See you tonight.

Meanwhile, Mommy Dessa called up her husband.

Daddy Julio answered the call – Yes, hun. Have you already convinced our daughter to come back?

Mommy Dessa responded – She is already suspecting that we are selling her off to the highest bidder just to save the company. This is not a good idea, Julio. Our daughter had just suffered from Henry. She even lost a baby. She is an emotional mess. How can she be a good wife? She has got trust issues. Besides, you already gave her an ultimatum. She does not even mind if she is not living in luxury anymore. Let us just sell some of our properties. If it is still enough, then just sell the company or file for bankruptcy. We don’t have to live a life of luxury. All of our offspring have finished their studies. They could just work and start anew like what Kat is doing.

Daddy Julio replied with – We should then talk to our three other offspring. Henry could have helped us if only they had not broken up. Selling all our properties would not be enough. Kat is our only hope of saving the company. If she agrees to marry that old man, then all of our problems will be solved.

Mommy Dessa then questioned her husband – Does our daughter’s own happiness not even matter to you at all, Julio? She has always been willful. Even with your parents in Toronto, she also did what she liked. She worked while pursuing the degree that she liked. Yes, she lived with your parents only for a while, but the only thing she had done that they approved of was going steady with Henry. Henry just slapped her because of her willfulness. Even if Henry apologized to her over and over again, she wouldn’t just forgive him. She lost their baby because of her sudden fall from the stairs. They were arguing and Henry just lost his temper. They both didn’t know she was pregnant at that time. The fall was an accident. It was witnessed by all the neighbors. I won’t be able to convince her. Even if we admitted to her that we would lose the company if she didn’t marry this man, I don’t think we can change her mind. You heard her when you gave her an ultimatum. She just left, not taking anything but all the stuff she had with her from Toronto. We didn’t pay anything for her schooling in Toronto because she was on scholarship. She even worked while studying. She spent most of her time in the dormitory rather than in your parents’ house.

Daddy Julio then said – Go home here already. Don’t follow her anymore. I will just think of another way.