Then Claire panicked as she tried to look for some excuses, as an act of revenged every time her mother told her give him some breakfast and dinner.
She always feeds it to some dog since she finds it more worth it than feeding it to this guy, but if she said this it will just make her mother mad.
"I... I, ahhh..."
Claire was sweating profusely trying to find some excuses and after a while that she almost finds herself crying.
John seeing her pitiful expression, quickly took over the conversation before Claire could break down.
"Aunt Ruth," he said calmly while raising his hand slightly.
"This is actually my fault." he said.
"It is?" Ruth asked not believing it at all.
As a mother she knows her daughter's personality very well, but for Claire this is her chance to escape a disaster.
"Yes it is mom," she said nodding her head frantically.
Seeing how Claire was acting he could not help but feel amused.
"Yes it solely mine, I just didn't want to make a fuss about it," John continued, scratching the back of his head with an awkward smile.
"I'm not really used to eating early in the morning. Back when I lived alone, I usually skipped breakfast."
Aunt Ruth blinked finding this excuse somewhat made up, "Skipped… breakfast?"
"Yes," John nodded seriously.
"The first day I came here I was very rude which I want to apologize again. And after that, I told Claire not to bother me anymore. I thought it would just be a waste if she kept preparing food I couldn't even swallow, which is my bad again.
"Wow this guy lying skills is top notch," Claire said inwardly.
"But I really didn't expect her to take it so seriously," John added quickly.
"I should've explained it better. If there's no food in the morning, that's because I told her it was fine."
Aunt Ruth's frown slowly eased, but some doubt still lingered.
"So you're saying," she said slowly.
"That you told my daughter not to give the breakfast to you?" she finished.
John nodded firmly, "Yes Aunt. Completely my decision."
Claire finally founding some leeway added, "H-He said he was uncomfortable eating alone too," she added quickly, latching onto his words.
Clearly adding more sauce to a burger to make it more believable.
"And I didn't want to force him, so I just give it to some tray dogs to show love in nature" she said while acting cute and innocent.
John reading this looked at her deeply, what she said clearly dictates that a dogs life is better than his. Which is absolutely true in the past but now he is above than those dogs.
Thinking about this he really wanted to slap himself, "Why am I comparing myself to a dog?" he uttered inwardly feeling bemused.
Ruth hearing this took a deep sigh while rubbing her temple, "You children…" she muttered.
"If you don't speak clearly misunderstandings might pile up."
She then looked at John again and said, "But meals are important you can't just skip them got it, Johnny."
John almost falls down the chair hearing her call his name like that, "What the heck is Johnny?"
Then a familiar scene from a children's show resurfaced in his mind, "Johnny, Johnny, yes papa…"
In order to not continue he quickly shook his head, pushing those childish thoughts away.
"I understand Aunt. I'll try to eat properly from now on. I promise," John said with a polite smile.
Seeing that John was finally learning how to listen made her very happy. After that, John finally decided to bring up the topic he had been holding back.
"Aunt is it okay for me to ask," he asked.
"Sure, what is it," she said while smiling finding the child more favorable in her view.
"Well if you want to know actually I started a small business earlier this morning, mostly selling fried chicken."
"I sold everything but because I priced it wrong, the money I earned did not even cover the cost of the ingredients. So I was wondering if it would be okay to borrow some money. I promise that once I go back and deliver their orders later, I will pay you back," he said.
"It's just that I really have no choice right now. I already promised them this morning, and since it's my first time selling, first impressions are important. "
"Also Aunt, I'm not lying to take advantage of you. Please look at the messages," he added as he handed her his phone."
Since he wanted her to believe him showing proof was important.
When they saw the flood of messages, clearly filled with pre orders for his fried chicken, both the mother and daughter were surprised.
"When did you learn how to cook, let alone start a business?" Ruth asked.
John not knowing how to explain just fiddled his nose with his fingers and replied.
"Just now, after looking at my current situation I discovered that if I did not change then it will be my doomed," he said with a shake of his at the end shaking his head.
"Sure honey, this is a lot by just starting your business" she complimented.
"So how much do you want?" she asked for a number.
"About two thousand five hundred pesos," he said after a moment.
"I already have the tools, I just need enough to fulfill the orders properly."
"Oh sure wait I'll go and get some money," she didn't question anymore as she took some money from the drawer.
The money she gives was over three thousand, John took it and offered his deepest sincerity. Then he said his goodbye but before he can leave someone called out.
"I want to come if that's alright with you," Claire said eyeing him deeply.
Not finding anything bad about it, he just nodded his head.
"Sure,"
Then the two left while Aunt Ruth looked at them and smile as she also prepared for the dinner.