Cases Uncovered

2 | The Familiar Stranger

"It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends."

- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 17

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Chapter 2:
The Familiar Stranger

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ZANE

"Another Nuñez."

"Huh?" I asked, feeling that strange sensation return.

"You're one of the Nuñezes here, right? Known to the owner," she added. "Nephew or relative?"

"Nephew. H-How did you know? Did Auntie tell you?" I asked, turning to face her.

"Here's your order, dear," she said, her mysterious gaze shifting to a point behind me. I turned just as Auntie approached, her footsteps echoing softly.

"Oh, thank you, Auntie!" she said cheerfully as Aunt Clara handed her the cup of coffee, her serious expression replaced by a smile. "That new apron suits you."

Additional questions suddenly popped into my mind. I hadn't noticed whether Auntie was wearing an apron earlier or not. And another thing, was she also one of the tenants in the flats here?

After taking her order, she sat in the chair I was about to occupy earlier.

"I see you noticed," Auntie said with a smile. "Hold on, dear. I'll get your order as well," she added, tapping my shoulder gently.

Once Auntie left for the counter, the woman returned her attention to me, her cappuccino untouched. Instead, she retrieved a small notebook and pen, jotting down notes with an air of focused determination.

"Do you like reading?" she questioned once more.

"Is that because I took a book?" I began, glancing at the table where the book I had intended to borrow sat. She flipped it open, beginning to write notes from its pages.

"You prefer anime. If you want, I'll find an anime book for you," she responded, meeting my gaze. "I enjoy writing stories or whatever else. Do you think it's okay for us to have different interests?"

Auntie's footsteps approached again. "Why don't you sit in the other chair?" she suggested.

"He can just sit next to me," the woman interjected.

"Would you mind, dear?" Auntie asked.

"I'm just writing," the woman assured, her focus remaining on her notes.

As Auntie placed my treats on the table, I seized the opportunity to seek answers. "Did you tell anyone here about my arrival? Does anyone know?" I whispered to Aunt Clara.

"No one. It's impossible that your sibling did because she went home on vacation, and she only recently told me you were coming," Auntie responded.

"Uh, ma'am, can I ask you something?" I turned to the woman beside me. Her pen paused mid-air, and she closed her book, directing her full attention to me. "C-Can I?"

"Sure," she replied. "What is it?"

"Who told you I'm the owner's nephew? And how did you know I like anime?" I asked cautiously, not wanting to offend.

She smiled and then spoke softly, "Looks like I'll finally have someone to share my flat with." Standing up, she pushed the book that had caught our attention towards me. "Auntie Clara, can I please take my coffee out?"

"Are you going to be my flatmate?" I queried before she left.

"I finally have someone to share the expenses with," she said, a hint of relief in her voice.

When Auntie returned, she poured her coffee into a styrofoam cup labeled 'Clara's Coffee Shop'. "Here you go, dear."

"Thank you again, Auntie," she said, expressing her gratitude as I watched her depart.

She was about to reach the door when she paused and turned back to face me. I thought something had fallen, but she addressed me once more. "Let's meet at dinner."

"A-Are you really sure it's okay to have a guy as your flatmate?" I hesitated.

"It's okay with me, especially since I know I can trust you," she responded. "And because we live in a shared apartment."

My eyes widened in surprise. The way she spoke, it was as if she already knew everything about me.

"I'm sorry. Have we met before, Ma'am?" I blurted out, unable to contain the questions swirling in my mind.

She shrugged nonchalantly, glancing at the few onlookers in the cafe. "Maybe, maybe not," she replied. "By the way, don't call me Ma'am; you're older than me. Now, excuse me, Auntie, new guy, I'm off to my next destination."

"Next destination?" I murmured to myself as I watched her leave through the glass divider walls. She headed to the left side of the coffee shop, disappearing from view.

"Who was that, Auntie?"

"You guessed right earlier. She's your flatmate," Aunt Clara confirmed.

"Is she really different, or is it just because you seem close that you often mention me to her?" I asked, struggling to comprehend the situation.

"I didn't mention major things about you or your sister to her," Auntie clarified.

"Didn't Mary tell her?" I pressed further.

"Actually, Mary was supposed to be her flatmate when she first came here last year, but she preferred to move," Auntie explained.

"Why did she leave?" I probed further.

"She also had a friend who stays here, so she asked if she could stay there instead," Auntie explained.

"By the way, if you want to know her name, she's a De Verra," Auntie added.

The surname struck a chord with me, sending shivers down my spine.

"I'll leave you there for now," Auntie remarked before departing.

I sat down and began munching on Auntie's chocolate crinkles. The forensics book lay in front of me, and as I opened it, I discovered a small piece of paper with writing on it. The words read:

Cook your favourite adobo later. Let's celebrate your arrival.

Sipping my coffee, I reached for my phone, eager to find out a clue about the woman I saw earlier. "Let me search for who this De Verra is," I muttered to myself.

Opening a social media app, I swiftly typed in the surname and began scrolling through the results.

Several profiles appeared, but none matched the person I had encountered earlier. Frustration crept in as I continued my search, my hope dwindling with each passing moment.

Just as I was about to stop, a glimmer of hope emerged. A post caught my eye, featuring a full name accompanied by a cryptic hint related to the initials L.A.V.

"What the heck?"