"What a beautiful woman you are, Miss Hebiana!" Monie bowed down to Hebiana like she was some sort of a princess.

She was wearing a red dress with a black belt like Santa's but it was more of a female version. Her long hair was in a messy bun and she was wearing a pair of black doll shoes.

I introduced Hebiana to Monie last July. Monie said he heard me speaking with someone on a phone so I had no choice but to tell him who Hebiana was.

We became friends. We totally enjoy being together. Ever since that day, we began celebrating holidays together. We would help decorate Hebiana's coffee shop as she would help us cook food for a certain holiday and even celebrations.

"You look dashing too, Mr. Monie," Hebiana chuckled.

I cleared my throat, "Don't I look good too?"

She chuckled and ruffled my hair, "You look exceptional."

"Thank you, Sunshine."

Monie playfully acted as if he was vomiting, "Please stop being so lovey-dovey."

"Shut up," Hebianna rolled her eyes while Monie continued laughing out loud.

I looked at her as her eyes landed on the caramel cake by the table.

"Let's dig in, shall we?" Monie asked.

I gave Hebiana a plate and utensils as she sat down. I sat beside her while Monie sat in front of us. Hebiana again took a glance at the caramel cake.

"I can give you a slice if you want to," I said.

"It's fine," she answered.

I insisted and cut a slice of caramel cake. I placed it on her plate and smiled at her.

"Thanks," she smiled back.

Monie cleared his throat, "I want some too. Can you give me?"

I pushed the cake gently towards him, "Get it by yourself."

Hebiana laughed as Monie pouted at me, "Why do you only love her? I am also your friend, buddy! Have you forgotten the good old days?"

Monie made crocodile's tears which made Hebiana laughed more. I giggled as I playfully rolled my eyes at his silliness.

"It tastes good right?" Hebiana asked me about the caramel cake. I nodded while enjoying the luscious caramel sweetness that melted into my mouth. "It tastes better with red wine."

"Did you bring red wine?" Monie asked.

Hebiana shook her head and went to the fridge. She brought out ingredients for making caramel macchiato frappe.

"But I brought these... Hehe. Sorry," she made a peace sign with her forefinger and middle finger.

I smiled at her. Monie spoke, "Did you know that reversed V-sign is culturally inappropriate in some countries?"

I raised an eyebrow, getting a little intrigued by the random fact that Monie was saying.

Hebiana looked at her fingers that were in a peace sign and reversed them curiously, "Like this?" She asked.

Monie nodded. "In the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand, the V-sign is a rude gesture which means defiance towards authority. I am not sure of the reason why but that is what I know."

"Ohh," Hebiana said while prolonging the 'o' sound as she nodded slowly. "I get it. I get it."

Monie smiled proudly. I smiled a little seeing how happy he was.

"How did you know that?" Hebiana asked.

"I am an Oral Communication teacher. I know those," Monie answered.

Hebiana looked at me with a frown, "Cody never told me what his profession was."

"Well," Monie smiled. "He was a Science teacher. He loved teaching kids."

"Was? You mean, he isn't working anymore?" Hebiana asked as the blender went on.

I sighed, feeling the misery of not being able to see my students for two years already. I was already unfit to work due to the trauma that 'that' event gave me.

"Well, tragedy..."

"Oh..." Hebiana said as she nodded slowly. "You do not have to tell me. I know that."

"Anyways, it's Christmas! We must be enjoying this night!" Monie said.

"Yes, let me just finish this caramel macchiato!" Hebiana chuckled which made me smile.

I stood up from where I was seated and went towards my room. The moment I opened the door, my eyes immediately landed on the red velvet box that was on my opened drawer. A wave of longing struck me but soon it faded after hearing Hebiana's voice calling me.

"CODY! COME HERE!"

I closed the drawer and grabbed my gifts for Monie and Hebiana. Upon getting their gifts, I immediately went downstairs.

There I saw them holding two gifts.

"Exchange gifts?" Hebiana raised the two paper bags on her hands.

I smiled and nodded at her. We sat on the couch and Hebiana raised her hand like a kid, "May I go first?"

Monie chuckled and I smiled. We both nodded.

Hebiaa gave a green paper bag to Monie, "It is not really expensive, but I hope you like it." Monie opened the paper bag and saw a leather jacket and some books.

"Oh, my," Monie smiled seeing the books. "Thank you so much."

My eyes then met Hebiana who was smiling at me, "Here. I hope you like that."

I smiled, "Thank you." I slowly peeled off the tape from the paper bag and looked at what is inside. There I saw a leather jacket and a small box. I opened the wooden box and inside it was a mixtape.

"Oh wow," I said with a small smile on my face. "This is pretty."

"Listen to it" she excitedly exclaimed.

"Isn't mixtape so last season?" Monie asked.

"Hey, mixtapes are not that 'so-last-season'. They are very pretty and hear-touching. Plus, they are like a CD type!" Hebiana pouted and crossed her arms which made me laugh.

I put the mixtape in a player and played it.

I heard Hebiana's voice. She was singing melodiously like a pretty bird does in the morning as the sun rises.

"I am your sunshine, your only sunshine. I make you happy when skies are gray. I'll never know dear, how much you love me, please believe that I love you too."

To say that I was shocked was not enough. I was completely starstruck as if I had seen someone like Celine Dion or even Beyonce!

"What?" I whispered breathlessly.

"I love you too!"

I looked behind me and she was standing inches away from me. She was smiling sweetly.

'Please stop killing me with your smile, Sunshine.'

"H-How did... you... know?" I asked, trying to suppress that nervousness that began taking over my body.

"Blame Monie," she innocently pointed at Monie.

"What did you tell her?" my eyebrows met and Monie made a peace sign.

"I never said anything! I told her that I saw your wallpaper and it's a picture of you and her so I assumed that you are both in a relationship--OH MY GOODNESS DO NOT KILL ME!"

Monie began running around as I ran after him. He went towards the kitchen, around the dining table, then back at the living room where Hebiana was. We were laughing so much.

"Merry Christmas," Hebiana said which made the three of us laugh.

End of Chapter 5.