Apology.
"A real apology is an expression of regret. Admitting that you've made a mess or might have pained or hurt someone. Acknowledging that you were wrong, and swallowing your pride to accept that it was your fault."
Some people would find it hard to forgive people that had hurt them, but there were also some who would not think twice to give a second chance. But for Senthie Salvador, it might have been another case, she could easily forgive but would find it hard to give another chance--unless, she thought the person deserved it, otherwise, she would just cut off people out of her life.
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"Dear Ms. Salvador, please accept this bouquet of flowers as my sincerest apolo--"
"I don't wanna hear it anymore, bes, I'm sick of it," SENTHIE said, cutting off Cecile. She had been reading the note every time there was a delivery.
"But bes? Won't you accept his apology? He's been sending you flowers every day since that incident," Cecile replied as she crumpled the card. A week had already passed since the incident at Enchanted City.
Senthie rolled her eyes and folded her arms. "I don't care if he sends me flowers for the rest of his life, I'm not falling for his empty words--he didn't even make an effort to change the content of the card, it's the same note every time. And besides, if he is truly sincere, he would come here in person to apologize."
Cecile rolled her eyes as she tossed the crumpled card into the trash bin. She then grabbed the flowers and shrugged. "Duh, you said you didn't wanna see his face again. He's just keeping his promise."
Senthie pressed her lips together and chuckled. "Yah, yah, I totally forgot about that. Thank you for reminding me, bes."
"So, should I throw this for the eighth time?" Cecile asked as she held up the bouquet above the trash bin and then dropped it before Senthie yelled "no!"
"Oops, I thought you would say yes."
Senthie sighed. "I am feeling guilty about those poor flowers, I think we should just give them to anyone instead of throwing them."
Cecile chuckled and picked up the bouquet. "Good decision!"
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"Flowers for Ms. Salvador!" was the overused word that Senthie would always hear in the morning for the past weeks.
Jimhuesh didn't miss even a single day to send flowers to Senthie.
The delivery man went straight to the counter and handed the same bouquet of white and pink tulips to Senthie without looking at her. His eyes were fixed on Kassandra. He cleared his throat and smiled. "Hi, Ms. Kassandra, you look prettier than those flowers as always. Would you like to have lunch with me?"
Kassandra said "no" flatly and flashed a smile as if telling him she was way out of his league to even try to ask her that.
He frowned. "Come, on. You've already rejected me four times, aren't you gonna say yes this time?"
"I won't gonna say yes even if it kills me." She folded her arms as she raised a brow. "But I might... If it snows in the Philippines."
Cecile suddenly burst into laughter, she even snorted. "I'm sorry, I just remembered something funny I couldn't help but laugh so hard!"
Senthie widened her eyes to Cecile and grabbed her hand. They made their way to the VIP room.
"That was so rude of you, bes. Why would you laugh at that man?"
"I wasn't." Cecile shook her head, trying her best to hold her laughter. "I told you I just remembered something funny--"
Senthie huffed and then smiled as she raised a brow. "I know you, bes, so don't deny it."
"Well, bes..." she began, laughing again. "It was clear as day that Kass is not interested in that guy, but he seems to be so dense or not, but persistent. I'm feeling the secondhand embarrassment for him and I cannot!"
Senthie giggled. "You're so bad."
When Cecile stopped laughing, her gaze went to the bouquet of flowers that Senthie had been holding. "So... Are you finally accepting that?"
Senthie sighed. "Well, yes and no. I've decided to give it a chance. If the note is not the same as the last ones, then I will accept these flowers." She then handed the note to Cecile.
"Dear Ms. Salvador, please accept this bouquet of flowers as my sincerest apology. I will be waiting for your call until you forgive me." Cecile paused and then sighed. "It's still the same."
Senthie groaned as she took out her phone from her pocket and returned her attention to Cecile. "I'm gonna call him, can you give me a moment?"
"You're gonna call him? You will accept those flowers even if the note is still the same? I thought you--"
Senthie sighed and looked at the bouquet in her hand. "I'm not even mad at him anymore. Actually, I've already forgotten that day being a big deal for me."
"Then why didn't you call him to say you have forgiven him?"
Senthie chuckled. "Duh, I didn't want him to take the easy way out and forget what he's done to me. I want him to at least feel guilty and realize that he was being an asshole to me..."
"And?"
Senthie smiled. "And I think three weeks is enough."
Cecile chuckled and nodded. "If you say so."
When Cecile left the room, Senthie dialed Jimhuesh's number three times until he picked up.
"Ms. Salvador?" he spoke first, sounding surprised.
"I called you to say that I forgive you, so stop sending me flowers and forget about what happened. But please do keep your promise forever. That's all. Thank you."
Senthie hung up and didn't wait for his response. She left the VIP room and headed to the counter. Her phone vibrated so she checked the message and saw Jimhuesh's name. "Thank you for accepting my apology." She then smiled and put her phone in her pocket.
"Oh, your suitor has left. Did you scare him enough, Kass?" Senthie said when she didn't see the delivery man. She was now in front of the counter facing Kassandra and Cecile that were sitting on the counter bench.
Kassandra puffed as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Eww, I didn't allow him to court me so he's not a suitor." She rolled her eyes. "You've offended me, Sen, but... I'll let it slide since you've called me by my nickname."
Kassandra wanted Senthie and Cecile to be called by her nickname "Kass." They agreed right away, but Senthie still kept on calling her by her real name. At first, she was uncomfortable calling her "Kass" since they barely knew each other. Senthie thought that she could only call someone by a nickname if they already bonded, genuinely laughed together, or at least felt a connection somehow with the person.
Kassandra only reported to work four times, but Senthie felt a connection with her, or at least could relate to her. Kassandra was open to any questions about her life, and so this was the time when Senthie thought that everybody had their own stories to tell. Kassandra wasn't born lucky to live her life the way she wanted it to be without any difficulties. Her dream was to become a model, but her mother told her it was stupid and instead to just focus on learning how to manage their company, which was Rebeau Cosmetics, and obviously made Senthie and Cecile surprised again.
Senthie became drawn to her story since it was the same for her. Both of their mothers didn't support their dream and thought that they would not achieve anything from it. Nonetheless, they still chase their dreams and succeeded, leaving their mothers awed and speechless.
Senthie giggled. "Thank you for letting it slide. I sure won't bring it up again since he won't be delivering any flowers here anymore." She then set aside the bouquet at the corner of the counter.
"Oh, that's good news to me!" Kassandra exclaimed. "But bad news to your suitor. Did you reject him?"
Cecile laughed and so did Senthie.
"You would be surprised to know who sent those flowers to her," Cecile said, she was beside Kassandra and now seemed close.
"You bet I would. Who is it?"
Senthie flashed a palm at Cecile. "Wait, before you say it..." She then looked at Kassandra. "I just want to clarify that he's not courting me or something. He's just apologizing."
When Kassandra nodded, Senthie leaned her elbows on the counter and chuckled silently as she gave a go signal to Cecile.
"It was from the Vice President of GMC! Jimhuesh Anderson!" Cecile squealed.
Kassandra's eyes widened in surprise. "What? Why would he?"
"It's a long story, and too personal for me. So, please do understand if I won't be able to tell you anything," Senthie said. "Uh, Kass?"
Kassandra seemed to not hear what Senthie was saying, so she breathed in relief when she thought that perhaps Kassandra wasn't curious anymore, but then she suddenly flashed a wide smile and uttered, "Kenzo."
"Did you just say Kenzo?" Cecile asked.
Kassandra laughed awkwardly and blinked a few times at Cecile, then at Senthie, and shrugged. "Uh, yes, Kenzo is here, I mean, there!" She stood up and pointed at the entrance, and then Kenzo appeared.
"You know him?" Cecile wondered, looking at Kenzo who was now headed their way, and then back to Kassandra whose eyes were still glued to Kenzo, but still had managed to nod.
Cecile stood up. "When did you meet?"
Ignoring Cecile, Kassandra greeted Kenzo first. "Hi, Kenzo! It's good to see you again!"
"Oh, hi Sandy. How are you?" Kenzo replied with a shy smile.
Kassandra shrugged. "Better than ever!"
"When did you two meet?" Senthie asked Kenzo and fought the urge to ask why did he call Kassandra a different nickname, but Cecile was as if could read Senthie's mind and asked it instead.
"And why do you call her Sandy?" Cecile asked as she raised her brows.
"Uh, she said... I can call her Sandy when we met last time. It was her first day as a part-timer if I'm not mistaken," he answered and then looked at Senthie and smiled sweetly. "I'm glad that you've already found a part-timer, Sen."
Senthie smiled back. "Thanks, Ken."
"Oh, I have an idea!" Kassandra exclaimed.
They looked at her waiting for her to continue, and so she did. "Let's have a welcome party for me tonight!"
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Hello, Noomiells!
Thank you for reading this chapter. Hope you liked it. :D
What do you think is the best way to apologize?
Do your parents support your dreams?
Can you easily forgive?
I would like to know your opinion. Please, let me know! :D