A017's POV
Another week of chasing leads and facing dead ends had left me feeling frustrated. Despite my best efforts, Rafaela remained as elusive as ever. The more I dug, the more I felt like I was running in circles. The mounting pressure of the investigation was beginning to weigh on me, and I could feel my patience wearing thin.
In an attempt to clear my head, I decided to grab lunch at a nearby café. To my surprise, I found myself sitting at a table with Eric and MJ, who were also there for lunch. It was a welcome distraction from the endless loop of dead ends I had been facing.
"Hey, Liezel!" MJ called out with a friendly wave as I walked in. "Join us! We were just about to start."
I took a seat at their table, trying to shake off the stress of the investigation. As we settled in, the conversation naturally shifted to the upcoming trip to La Union.
"So, Eric," I said, trying to divert my thoughts from work, "what's the plan for our trip next weekend? I'm looking forward to it."
Eric smiled, visibly pleased. "I've been working on the itinerary. We've got surfing lessons lined up, some hiking to beautiful spots, and a visit to Macho Temple. We're also planning to check out some local eateries and possibly catch some live music in the evenings."
"That sounds fantastic," I said, feeling a genuine sense of excitement. "I've been needing a break, and this trip couldn't come at a better time."
MJ chimed in with a playful grin. "Eric's been really on top of the planning. He even asked me for some tips. I think we're going to have a great time."
The conversation about the trip was a welcome diversion. It was refreshing to focus on something enjoyable and to see Eric's enthusiasm for the plans he had put together.
As lunch came to a close, I felt a renewed sense of optimism. The trip to La Union was a bright spot in the midst of my otherwise frustrating week. It would be a welcome change of scenery and a chance to recharge.
After lunch, I returned to the main office of the CBI for a briefing on the Rafaela investigation. My supervisor was keen to hear any updates, and I had to report the current status of my leads.
Meeting at CBI Headquarters
In the briefing room, I presented my findings, or lack thereof. "I'm afraid I don't have any new leads on Rafaela Nasyon," I said, trying to keep my frustration in check. "Despite my efforts, everything's been a dead end."
My supervisor nodded sympathetically. "I understand. Sometimes these things take time. However, we've come across some new information that might be relevant. It turns out that Rafaela was known by a different name in her earlier years. There are records indicating she might have been assigned male at birth, which could be significant for our investigation."
I was taken aback by this new detail. "So, Rafaela was assigned male previously? How does that fit into our current investigation?"
"It's unclear yet, but it could provide new leads or contexts," my supervisor explained. "We'll need to dig deeper into this information and see how it might connect with her current activities. Keep this in mind as you continue your investigation."
I left the meeting with a mix of confusion and renewed determination. This new piece of information could be crucial in uncovering more about Rafaela. Despite the frustration of the past week, I felt a flicker of hope. The upcoming trip to La Union was still a bright spot, but now I had a new lead to pursue as well.
