Absquatulate (MaColet) [On hold]

Chapter 7

Cole's POV:

Confusion clouds her expression as her beautiful eyes scan the surroundings while tiptoeing. Cute. Gripping her luxurious bag tightly, she clenches her fist, looking like searching for someone or something.

The same girl has returned, and this time, I am in my uniform. Should I approach her? It's my duty as a crew member, so I should approach her, shouldn't I?

Gripping the mop handle tightly, I felt my hands tremble, slick with sweat as I cautiously approached her. She hadn’t noticed me yet, too focused on whatever she was searching for. Each step closer, I caught the subtle, enchanting scent that clung to her—delicate and sweet, like the first breath of spring.

I was mesmerized. Her beauty seemed to grow even more radiant the closer I got.

The feeling was all too familiar, the same overwhelming pull I had felt the first time I saw her at the tavern. She seemed to bloom with every step, her flowing hair catching the light just right, while her bangs swayed softly, framing her face in a way that made everything feel like a scene straight out of a movie. Time seemed to slow, and all I could do was watch her, entranced by the way she moved, as if she carried her own cinematic atmosphere with her wherever she went.

I couldn’t tear my eyes away. There was something about her—an effortless grace, a presence that made everything else fade into the background. Each moment in her presence felt like it lingered, stretching out, leaving me lost in the beauty of it all.

"Good evening, Ma'am. Welcome to Jollibee! May I help you? Looks like you're looking for something? Or table to dine in perhaps?" I asked confidently, hiding the nervousness and setting aside what happened earlier.

Girl: "Oh, uhm, good evening. I'm just looking for someone." She answered without looking in my direction, still focused on searching.

"May picture ka ba niya or anything that would identify him or her? Baka makatulong ako." And with that, she turned to face me.

At first, I thought I would fully appreciate her beauty when I approached her. But, I saw it even more when our eyes met.

Ang ganda talaga.

I have met a lot of hazelnut brown eyes, but hers are the most perfect orbs I have ever seen. We did a short staring contest, wishing to have it longer. Sana meron pa. Next time.

Girl: "Uhm, ano kasi. Pa'no ko ba ito ie-explain." She mumbled as she opened her bag and started searching for something.

Malia's POV:

After finishing my lunch at Jollibee, I had planned to search for the person who left me the mysterious note. But before I could even begin, my phone rang—it was my father’s secretary. She informed me that my presence was required in his office immediately.

As always, a wave of anxiety washed over me. Calls like this never brought good news. The joy I had felt earlier evaporated, replaced by a growing sense of dread. I drove my car slowly, trying to calm my racing thoughts, but the 20-minute drive passed in what felt like seconds. The fear was all-consuming, making everything seem like a blur.

When I entered the building, the employees greeted me with their usual polite gestures, some bowing their heads as I passed. I barely acknowledged them, sensing that many of these greetings were just for show—an attempt to curry favor or prove themselves worthy of promotion within my father’s company. I wasn’t in the mood to engage with their false respect.