Odette! You're gonna anger the crowd if you don't get your ass here," Arvin shouted from the counter. "Stop watching those Chinese dramas."
From the door at the very end emerged a woman. Her eyes were as bold and round as they had been since birth. She was tall and intelligent—you could tell from the way she carried herself. Even though her lips were small and plump, her voice carried both authority and gentleness. She spoke from the heart.
"This time they've made some excellent ones, Arvin... you can't blame me."
The young receptionist chuckled. "They're trying to kill me here."
Odette smiled, greeting everyone. "Hello, everyone. Let's all be a little patient." Her eyes twinkled. She was great at speaking, especially when it came to getting her way. "The brownies are in the oven." With a wink and a humble nod, everyone began to settle.
The day was well spent. After many years of studying, graduation, her mother's passing away, and her move to the Philippines—then opening a café—all those events now seemed like a dull movie to her.
Her café was famous for its authenticity and carefree business culture, and this day was no different.
"Boss..." Azeal brought a cup of coffee and sat in front of her. "You see that kid over there?"
After a tiring day of work, the team was slowly packing up, mopping, and wiping down the counters. Odette was cleaning the ice cream station when she looked up and scanned the room. Indeed, there was a little boy. Round-faced, chubby, and small. His eyes were teary, with streaks of dried tears on his cheeks. She noticed his hands trembling.
"Where's—"
"We don't know, Boss." Azeal sighed. "In the morning, we thought he came with the crowd."
Odette walked out and took a closer look.
"But the day went on, and no one came to find him."
"I offered him a milkshake," Arvin joined in. "He refused. Didn't say a single word I could understand."
A moment of silence fell. She saw the boy start to cry again. Odette stepped forward and walked toward him.
He sniffled when he saw her.
Odette sat beside him.
"Hey," she said softly, careful not to intimidate him. She had worked as a teacher before, so she knew how children felt around strangers. "Hello..." She smiled and reached out to pat his head.
The boy's eyes welled up again, and he looked at her desperately, as if trying to say something without words.
"Where's your mama?" she asked gently, holding his hand and leaning closer.
But at the mention of that word, he burst into louder sobs.
Arvin and Azeal stared in disbelief, clueless about what to do. Odette glanced at them, then focused back on the child.
"Shh... okay, okay. Don't cry, alright?" She cupped his face delicately and wiped his tears. To her surprise, he suddenly clung to her.
A child, no more than six years old, held on and would not let go, not even when Arvin offered him an ice cream. He only agreed to eat quietly, still clinging to her arm.
By the time they finished all the closing work, he was sniffling softly against her chest.
"Look who's doing all the work now, Boss," Azeal laughed, glancing at the boy in her arms.
"Hehe... I've called the police. Let's see. For today, I'll keep him at my condo."
"You sure about that?" Arvin asked.
Odette noticed how the child watched their conversation closely. Even if he couldn't understand every word, he knew it was about him. She patted his back and smiled gently.
"Yeah... he needs a home."
Three days passed.
A week. Still no response from the police.
The child she had found at her café—lost and abandoned, she feared—had now grown accustomed to her. Living with her in her condo for an entire week, he was slowly becoming part of her life.
Two nights ago, over dinner, she had learned more about him.
They were sitting at the dining table, eating fried chicken. The drumstick he picked up was bigger than his hand, and Odette found it lovely to watch.
"So... tell me," she said, smiling. "What is your name?"
He paused, crumbs all over his cheeks, and looked her dead in the eyes. After a few seconds, he spoke softly.
"Gideon."
Odette smiled warmly. "How old are you?"
He thought for a moment and raised five fingers.
"You're five years old?" she asked. His cheeky grin lit up the room, and for a moment, she wished she were a mother. Children were such a blessing. Who would abandon this poor boy?
"Eat," Gideon said suddenly, tugging at her sleeve and nudging her chicken wing toward her. "Eat."
Odette remembered how he never picked up his food until she took a bite of hers. That little detail gave her a glimpse into the heart of this child.