Chapter 287: The Bonding

July 16th, 2028. At Myra's residence in Tagaytay. Michael woke up early in the morning. He stretched his limbs and felt the cool, fresh Tagaytay air through the open window.

He got out of bed and headed downstairs, where he found his mother already in the kitchen, preparing breakfast.

"Good morning, Ma," Michael greeted with a smile.

"Good morning, Michael. Did you sleep well?" Myra asked, looking up from the stove.

"I did. It's so peaceful here," Michael replied, taking a seat at the kitchen island. "What's for breakfast?"

"Just something simple. Eggs, bacon, and some fresh fruit," Myra said, placing a plate in front of him. "I thought we could have a nice breakfast together before you head back to the city."

Michael nodded, appreciating the thought. "That sounds perfect. I could use a quiet morning. Anyways...what happened to the large numbers of maids here? Aren't they the ones who should be making breakfast?"

"Well, I gave them the morning off," Myra said with a smile. "I wanted to make breakfast for you myself. It's been a while since we've had a quiet morning like this."

Michael felt a warm glow of appreciation. "Thanks, Ma. This means a lot."

They ate breakfast together, chatting about small things and enjoying each other's company. After finishing their meal, Michael helped his mother clean up the kitchen.

"So, what are your plans for today, Ma?" Michael asked as he dried the last dish.

"I'm meeting with some suppliers for the store. I want to keep improving it," Myra replied. "What about you?"

"Well, I figure I can stay a day here and help you in the store," Michael said, smiling. "It's been a while since I got my hands dirty with some real work."

Myra laughed softly. "That would be wonderful, Michael. But are you sure? Shouldn't you be back at the BGC?"

"It's okay Mom. Besides I have thousands of employees working on the Reyes Corporation that can keep it running even without my supervision," Michael smiled reassuringly. "So, it's settled. I'm all yours for the day."

Myra's face lit up with a mixture of joy and relief. "Alright then, let's make it a productive day!"

They finished tidying up the kitchen and soon set off for the convenience store.

. The morning air was crisp, and the walk was refreshing. Michael felt a sense of calm, enjoying the simple pleasure of spending time with his mother.

When they arrived at the store, Myra introduced Michael to the staff, who were all excited to see him.

"Thank you," Michael replied warmly. "I'm glad to hear that. If there's anything we can do to improve, please let us know."

The customers smiled and nodded, appreciating his openness. Michael continued to help around the store, stocking shelves and assisting customers.

As the day went on, Michael decided to try his hand at the cash register. He had never worked as a cashier before, and he thought it would be a good experience. Myra watched him from a distance, a proud smile on her face.

Michael stepped behind the counter and took over from one of the cashiers. "Alright, let's see how I do," he said with a grin.

The first customer approached, a middle-aged woman with a basket full of groceries. "Hello, ma'am," Michael greeted. "Did you find everything you needed today?"

The woman looked a bit surprised to see Michael at the register but smiled. "Yes, thank you. It's a bit of a treat to have you ringing me up."

Michael laughed. "Just helping out today. Let's get these items scanned."

He worked carefully, scanning each item and making small talk with the customer. "Your total is 1,350 pesos," he said, handing over the receipt.

"Thank you, Mr. Reyes," the woman said as she took her bags. "It's nice to see you here."

Michael continued working at the register, serving more customers. He enjoyed interacting with the locals and hearing their positive feedback about the store.

Myra approached him during a lull in customers. "How are you holding up?" she asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.

"I think I'm doing pretty well," Michael replied, wiping his brow. "It's actually kind of fun. I'm getting a firsthand look at how things run here."

"You're doing a great job," Myra said, patting his arm. "The customers seem to appreciate it too."

"Thanks, Ma," Michael said, smiling warmly. "I'm glad I can help out."

As the afternoon turned into evening, the store began to quiet down. Michael and Myra took a moment to sit and rest, enjoying a cup of coffee together in the small café area.

"This has been a really good day," Michael said, looking around the store. "I've learned a lot, and it's been great spending time with you."

"I've enjoyed it too," Myra replied. "You've been a big help, and the staff loved having you here."

"Maybe I'll make it a regular thing," Michael said thoughtfully. "Whenever I can, I'll come down and lend a hand."

"I'd love that," Myra said, her eyes twinkling with happiness. "You're always welcome here."

"And it always made me realize that..." Michael paused and then continued. "That we should really build our own mall."