RDD 139
A week passed after the incident and Nanny Bantot and her boyfriend were convicted of their crimes.
They were sent to different prisons and they might be there for at least 3 years. All I can say about Nanny Bantot is that she should start changing and be a good person.
As for her boyfriend-- don't drop the soap. The prisons in the Philippines are different from other countries. In one small cell, at least one hundred prisoners will live there. Diseases and many other stuff are quite normal in that place.
I believe that criminals deserve to pay for their crimes. Although the state of prisons in the country is really disgusting, I hope that people knew this information before doing something bad.
As for the situation in the shop, Old Man Jim is doing well. Because he has experience working in a restaurant, he quickly adapted to our shop. He is hard working and I appreciate him.
He was happy when he received his first-week salary.
After that, I adjusted his salary to 300 pesos a day. He was so happy that he cried and thanked me so many times.
I didn't how to respond so I just smiled. Even Waylen thanked me for unknown reasons.
"Keith, what do you think of this? Isn't it cute?"
"Mom, I believe Sophia doesn't need another doll. You just bought her one last week."
"It's because I want to pamper my granddaughter."
I sighed as I followed my mother. This past few days, my mother was very active and she visited our house almost every day. She played with the children and it seemed that both kids liked her.
Even her relationship with my wife was getting better. Still, I feel like my mother is hiding something from us.
"Then how about this? I think Roman will like this?"
"Mom, you just bought him a bike three days ago."
"I know, but isn't it better to have another bike? So that he has a spare to use. Just like when you're young."
"..."
Speechless. I am speechless. I can't believe that I grow up in a family that spends money with no care. And the fact that I asked my parents to buy four bikes all at once was very speechless. Welp, I was young back then.
I didn't know the importance of money.
"Mom, instead of buying toys and useless stuff, why don't you just save the money for their future, such as education funds? Of course, as their parents, it's our job to do that."
Penelope already open an account for the kids. Although the amount of money in that account was only around 5 thousand pesos at best. Not even enough to pay 1/3 of Roman's tuition fee.
"Don't worry, I already saved money for them."
"... Thanks, Mom."
I appreciate it. Although I'm quite embarrassed at the same time. I can't believe that my mother is saving money for my own kids... As a father, I feel like my hard work is not enough.
Looks like I have to complete the mission of earning PHP 1 million. That's the first step of my grind... I hope so.
"Keith, this is our first time going on a trip after so many years. Don't you want to enjoy it?"
She looked at me, pouting and acting cute, but her charm never work on me. Perhaps my father will nod and say yes because he really loves me.
Still, I decided to let go of my alertness and agreed. I miss my mother.
"I only Penelope and the kids outside to have some fun, but I never have a chance to do it with you because you're always busy. At least today, let's have a mother and son bonding."
I reluctantly nodded.
She smiled and lead me to a restaurant. While walking, we saw the huge building. The building was close to completion and I already deduced what kind of building it is.
"It's a mall." My mother said.
"You're grandfather, uncle, and father signed a contract with the mall to open some shops inside." She added.
Of course they would. Those three would find so many ways to make money.
I looked at the mall, it's very big. Even though it's not officially open, I believe many people are already excited to venture into the place... I'm one of them.
There's one thing about us Filipinos, we love malls. We love going to malls and spending time there even though we don't have money. The Philippines is a tropical country and the weather is mostly hot. Going to malls is some of the best ways to fight the heat.
My attention to the mall disappeared when I realized that my mother took me to a restaurant that I know very well.
Jollibee...
"Mom, I'm not young anymore." I sighed.
"I remember the time when you nag me to take you to Jollibee to buy kiddie meals and get Voltes-Five toys."
"..."
That was one of my embarrassing moments. I recalled that I cried in front of the cashier because the toy I was looking for was already sold it.
"What do you think? I know you want to go inside."
"Okay."
I answered and followed her.
"Mom, just sit down at the table and I'll order."
"Oh, here's the money--"
"Mom, let me treat you. You don't have to do that. Just like what I said, I'm not young anymore."
I'm an adult man who makes more than 100 thousand pesos last month... If we put that in perspective, I'm actually rich.
The average family in the country can earn 10 thousand pesos monthly. My business profit is ten times that amount.
I went to order the meal and I realized that their kiddie meals has Power Rangers toys... In the end, I decided to buy five of them.
Of course, I bought them for Sophia and Roman, not for me.
When my mother saw what I ordered, she started giggling.