Traces of Her

CHAPTER 23 Past

"Did you enjoy the food?"Stephen asked Mishka while they are going out from a big mall.

They just finished buying school supplies and since it was already in the second quarter of the school year, Stephen decided to buy her things before they would enroll and since she was and advance student in Bukidnon, he decided to enroll her in DepEd advance school (a government school for advance children). He never heard her complain after she took the entrance exam and because of her high IQ, she passed the exam. The only problem he had right now is that he needs to look for a full time job since his savings is starting to drain off. His job as a dance instructor cannot support Axcel and Mishka's school. Especially he needs to save money for Axcel since his going to college.

Mishka nodded in response. Stephen pats her head while smiling.

"Felix!" Someone called out to him in a familiar voice.

Stephen looked back and he was right it was Julia.

Mishka studied the woman carefully whom Stephen was looking at. The lady was wearing a peach spaghetti knee dress with a white throw over top. She had her designer cream bag on her arm and she is wearing a high heeled cream sandals. She wears a pearl earrings matching with a pearl necklace and bracelet. This lady doesn't looks like an ordinary person...she thought. She estimated the lady's height which is tall for an ordinary woman about five eight feet and she looks like mixed race of British.

"Oh Felix, I never thought we would bump each other here!"Julia said while giving her sweetest smile at Stephen.

"Yeah, I never expected it also...." Stephen replied while scratching his head.

Why is it she was calling him Felix? Is this name he was using at the job which Miss Jessica referring to? Mishka thought. Yes, she was briefed by the attorney when she arrived at the airport when she was picked up there by the lawyer. Also, that is one of the reason why she was asked to be here. Though Axcel (which she never met before and heard had a grudge on her also before because of the accident) agreed with the lawyer to let her stay with him to help Stephen change his lifestyle.

"Oh, who is she?" the lady ask. Bend down and stare at her.

"Um, this is Mishka our youngest sister," Stephen said introducing her.

Julia held out her hand to give a hand shake, "Hi! I'm Julia your brother's girl--"

"No, she's a FRIEND," Stephen cut off. He went beside Julia and simply grab her arm and whisper something on her ear.

"Why? But it's true, I am your GIRL FRIEND, right?" she complained and looked back at Mishka smiling while putting her hands around Stephen's arm.

Mishka just stare back at her with no expression. She knew the lady's smile at her was a fake one.

"Anyway, Mishka did you enjoy riding at your brother's car? Actually it is mine..."

So she's the owner...

"So it means you are the owner of the box of condo-"

Stephen suddenly covered her mouth before she could finish her sentence leaving Julia confused.

"Um, I think we need to head back home since it's getting late," Stephen changing the subject and took off his hand from her mouth when she stopped struggling and carried their shopping bags.

"Can I tag along, Felix?" Julia asked Stephen while wrapping her hands on him, allowing her.

She then just silently followed them going to the car park while observing Julia.

"Um, Mishka can you please open the compartment?" Stephen asked her when they arrived at the back of the car since his hands are full plus Julia is still wrapping at his arm.

Mishka passed at them and mumbled...like a snake....

Both Stephen and Julia look at her furrowing their eyes wondering what is it all about.

Mishka was glued outside of her window since Julia seated at the front with Stephen. Julia was so noisy while giggle and sometimes when her eyes accidentally wander at the front, she can see Julia's hand would slowly crawl towards Stephen's thigh. His gaze would suddenly jump on the rear view mirror to see if she was watching but before he could catch her, her eyes were already outside the window.

Stephen step on the brake when they arrive at the front of their boarding house.

"Mishka, go ahead inside. I'll just send off Julia to her hotel," He told Mishka.

Mishka then obeyed him without saying a word, went out and took all the shopping bags in the compartment.

When she is done she passes by at the passenger window where she saw Julia's hand going around Stephen's neck. He then suddenly grabbed her hand and put it away.

Stephen presses down the window. "Don't wait for me. You go eat your dinner first. I might go home late, okay,"Stephen said.

Mishka nodded in reply.

"Don't you worry Mishka I'll take good care of your kuya," Julia assured her and gave her a wink while closing the window.

Mishka's eyes followed the car that was leaving. Then she went inside the gate.

"Oh, Hi Mishka. You're alone? Where is Stephen?" Edelle, the landlady, asked while meeting her at the gate.

"A huge snake caught him and he couldn't break free," she simply replied and went up stairs while imagining Julia like a huge snake crawling at him.

"A snake! Oh my! Stephen was bitten by a snake!" the land lady shouted. Sending all the borders gathering outside of their rooms asking about Stephen. While Mishka locked herself in their room.