KALDERETA

FAST FORWARD. 

It's dinner now. I was gossiping here with a nanny who I became close to a while ago. 

That is Manang Tess. 

Manang Tess is one of the longest-serving and most trusted nannies here. 

She also took care of the siblings when they were children until now. 

That's why Feliz's respect for her is so high. 

Me because even if he respects me as a person, he can't do it. 

Which is sad because I have feelings for him.

Manang Tess is now cooking the siblings their favorite Kaldereta. 

Kaldereta is also my favorite. 

I also have my own Kaldereta recipe. 

I begged Manang Tess if I could cook Kaldereta today. 

"Manang Tess, can I cook the Kaldereta now? I just want to try my recipe," I said. 

She refused, but I persisted. 

For a long time, she also agreed. 

I added paprika to the sauce and thickened it to make the taste stronger. 

I have finished cooking. 

And Manang Tess has tasted my cooking? 

"How is it?" I asked. 

"Wow! How did you do it? You're better than me."

The three siblings are already sitting at the table, and Michael and I. 

They can taste my cooking. 

I helped the maids prepare and serve. 

"What are you doing, Ija? Why are you helping us?" Manang Tess said jokingly.

"Nothing, I'm just working hard! I'm getting ready for my future husband," I said

"Your husband will be lucky." 

“True, kind and hard working”

I saw Feliz looking at me again, but now his look was mixed with surprise. 

HAHAHAHAHAHA

This is it! The moment of truth! 

My heart pounded when I saw that Feliz was already scooping up what I cooked and putting it on his plate. 

I was even more nervous when I saw that he was about to eat the rice that I cooked

He chewed and seemed to notice a change in the Kaldereta he usually eats. 

I bit my lower lip. 

"Momma Tess? Did you change the mixture of Kaldereta?" Feliz asked Manang Tess tenderly.

"It's delicious! It's so delicious! It's even better than last time!" said Francine. 

"It's good, Momma Tess." Felix. Feliz's twin. 

"Umm kids, I didn't cook that... Maxine cooked that. It's good and you liked it!" Manang Tess said proudly. 

I saw the shock on the faces of the three of them. Especially with Feliz

"What?! That's why it's different! It's too salty! And that's not good for your kidney! But it's a waste if I persevere," said Feliz. 

I fell into sadness. 

"What are you saying?! It's delicious!" Felix looked at him. 

"Don’t listen to him, it is delicious, sister Maxine!" said Francine. 

I lost my appetite when I heard those words from him. 

I burst into tears, so I left and ran into my room. 

This is it. Crying 

I just know that he really doesn't want me anymore. 

At first I saw that he was amazed when he didn't know that I was the one who cooked. 

But when he found out that he hates food so much.

I don't know what I will do to make him like me. 

He really doesn't like me...

MANANG TESS POV. 

"You really don't like the dish?" I asked Feliz because he seemed to be shaking while chewing his food. 

"Because if you don't want it, I'll just order," I added. 

"Don't like the dish?! Or the cook?!" Felix's groin.

"Fuck you!" Feliz exclaimed. 

"Watch your words! That's not what I taught you!" I will warn Feliz.That makes him stopped. 

"Sorry, Momma Tess. It's ok, I can eat it, it will be a waste if we just going to trow it," he said. 

"Eh, why do you look like a very much disgusted? Besides, you're the only one who acts like that! You are acting like you're eating dirt!" I preached to him. 

That makes him bowed his head.

"Be honest with me, Feliz, what's your problem with Maxine?" I asked. 

He was speechless. 

"Hey, Bro Felix, what's the plan later?"His brother asked him.

I just shook my head.

They finished eating, and I saw Feliz going to his room. 

I pulled his arm, causing him to wonder. 

"Where do you think you're going?" I asked him firmly. 

"To my room? Why?" He replyed.

"You broke Maxine's heart! Maybe you want to apologize to the girl," I said. It retreated from its place. 

"I'm going to apologize to her?! No way! You must be joking!"

"Does it look like I'm joking?!" I said loudly, and his eyes widened. 

He frowned. 

"Fine!" He spoke briefly and went to Maxine's room.

MAXINE'S POV. 

I'm still crying now. I still can't move on from what happened earlier. 

I was startled when suddenly I heard someone knocking. 

It only took three knocks before I opened it. 

And Feliz exposed himself to me. 

I was about to close the door when he stopped me. 

"Let me talk to you for a while," he promised coldly.

He opened the door and went straight inside. 

He approached me and looked me in the eye.

"I'm sorry," he said coldly. 

"I'm sorry for how I treated you earlier." He said.

I didn't say a word and just looked away. 

"Don't you hear me?! I said I'm sorry!"He said irritably.

"You can go now." I was a cold demeanor that made him wonder. 

"Are you accepting my sorry or what?!" He shouted annoyingly.

"I don't need your dmn fake sorry! I want to be alone! Leave me alone!"

"I'm apologizing; you should be thankful!" 

"Don't you hear me?!! I said, Go! Get out of my fcking room! Get out of my fcking life!" I shouted. 

"If that's what you want! Then OK!!" he shouted and went straight out of the room.

He left me in tears. 

Am I really that useless? 

Is it against his heart to treat me right?! 

How can I convince him to love me?

Even just respecting me as a person is something he still can't do? 

Is that really it? 

Maybe the time will come when I will get tired and give up.

FUN FACT:

Kaldereta is a Filipino meat stew that is traditionally served with a side of white rice. Although any kind of meat can be used in the stew, beef and goat are the preferred options. The dish is influenced by three centuries of Spanish colonization, and the word kaldereta is derived from the Spanish caldereta, meaning cooking pot or cauldron. Besides meat that is used in the dish, other ingredients include mashed liver, tomato sauce, and seasonings such as onions, salt, pepper, and garlic.

Kaldereta is often garnished with sliced tomatoes, chopped onions, or fried potatoes on top, and can be found in numerous Filipino turo-turo joints.

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