Traces of Her

CHAPTER 16 Past

Stephen noticed his hand are in sweat. Thanks goodness that the car has a control navigation, so even he could not grip firmly the wheels it would still drive on its own safely. Though he used the full maximum of the air conditioner, his whole body is still nervous. He could not understand himself either. The last time he set his foot on the office of her mother was the time he and Axcel was called by their Godmother regarding about the house and insurances of their parents. Since their dad died Katrina used her husband insurances to put them in school and now it was all spent. Their mother hasn't finished the ten year term of payment so the four year payment on the insurance that Katrina paid was forfeited. They only got fifty thousand pesos which was already spent on Andrea's bill.

He carefully parked the car on parking lot. Julia was right, car has really a big help on his work and awkwardness. The office of his Mom and Jessica is located in Makati so it took him an hour and thirty minutes to travel from Quezon City to here. (though Makati is just near Quezon city but because of traffic it took him one hour and thirty minutes). Also he spend lunch in a eatery near the hospital, well being stingy as he is, he decided to eat in a eatery(home made cheap foods) instead of a fast food.

He wipe both of his hands on his handkerchief and put on his sun glasses, thinking it would decrease the stares of women whenever he would pass by them, while walking inside the glass door. He smiled at the guard.

"How can I help you, Sir?"the guard greeted him while simply stopping him.

He took off his sun glasses ah okay they have already changed their guard,"Um, I have an appointment with Aunt-I mean with attorney Jessica Hernaez,"

"Um, okay I'll call the office," the guard said as he press a number at the phone that is on his desk. Then the guard ask for his name and he gave it. When the guard mentioned his name on the phone, then said 'okay' and put down the phone. "You can go inside now, Sir, sorry for the inconvenience,"

"It's alright," he replied and went inside.

The building consist of twenty four floors and the office of Jessica is in the twenty first. He arrived at the front of the elevator and press the 'up' button. The elevator opened and two girls went out and noticed him. Their eyes went wide and they suddenly giggled when they saw him. I wish I could just have an ordinary face... Up until now he is not used of this kind of flattery in public. But at least this face has a big help on his work. He would not have many clients if he have not kind of this face and build.

He went inside the elevator alone. He is still nervous and to think he is just being called in his auntie's office! But that call was sudden! There was something in his auntie's call that cannot make him calm.

Ping! The elevator opened and he was on the twenty first floor. There are many doors at the corridor, aside from firm's offices, there are also architectures and insurances offices on the lower floors but the firm offices was put on this floor and his mother's, which is his aunt's office was on her own now. Actually, Jessica even at her young age, is a famous lawyer. Most of her clients are mostly businessman, political and in entertainment industry. And because most of her case are successful she was more exposed in the news and more clients walked on her office to ask for her service. And it is rare for her to have an appointment with them.

He then turn left and saw the door with a plate named 'Attorney Jessica E. Hernaez' but the glass door says 'out'. He then knocked twice and the secretary wearing a peach suit and and peach slacks opened the door. Her white hair was tied neatly up. She was wearing her thick glasses. This is Jessica's secretary, Renisa.

"Oh, Stephen, how are you? You've grown tall! And you become more handsome! Come inside, Ma'am was waiting for you for already two hours,"

"So sorry, it is traffic," Stephen apologized then genuinely smiled. This is the only lady and Jessica could not be swept by his looks.

"Oh you boy, don't explain to me, explain it to ma'am," then she suddenly whispered on his ear," she is really pissed off waiting for you,"

" Good afternoon," he greeted when he step in unto Jessica's room to his godmother who is leaning on her swivel chair, her feet(wearing black stripped slack) were above the table. Her blue Armando Caruso handkerchief was covering her eye shadowed blue eyes. Her arms was folded on her chest which on her black suit and with matching white cotton shirt. Compared to Renisa her secretary would mistaken as the lawyer than of her. The way she dress herself is like his mom when she was alive. So simple.

Jessica suddenly jumps off the chair and stood up glaring at him. He suddenly backs off.

"I-I'm so sorry..." he apologized.

"You should be! I have cancelled my appointment just to wait for you?! And I have spend two hours here in the office! And to think you are using an Audi Sports Back-"

Stephen was stunned then confused, " wait, how did you know that?" he frowned, " don't tell me you've been monitoring me?!"

"Well, I am your godmother after all," she explained. Then went back on her swivel chair behind her desk and seated.

"You are not my godmother, you're godson is Axcel, not me!"

"Well, same as goes with you since you are their brother,"

"I can't accept that!"

"Just bear with it since I am still the guardian of your siblings," she replied nonchalant, "Also, be thankful for the person who just arrived. She really amused me. For a very young age, she have beaten me in the game of chess, which is there is only one person who can beat me, your mom,"

A sudden silence went in between them. Yeah he remembered when he was young whenever this lady would visit on their house her mom would play chess with her. And her mom would always win.

"You know what, I think you should get married, Auntie, so that you wouldn't have time poking your nose on other's business," he suggested changing the subject.

"And then pull me out of my office and isolate me inside the house? No way! It would kill me if I will be doing that! Anyway, can you look at this," she pulled out a long brown rectangular envelop from her drawer under her table.

Stephen seated at the chair that is in the front of the table. He took the envelop and opened it. His eyes widens at the thick, glossy paper that he took inside the envelop. The glossy paper has the seal of PSA(Philippine Statistics Office).
The name was : Mishka S. Mordicella

He looked up at Jessica with a wide eye in shock. Jessica was just smiling at his shock expression, "No way!"