Spencer and the Ice Queen

CHAPTER 21: PARISIAN CREPE AND STRANGE ENCOUNTERS

AUGUST 2 2014
Saturday

The Central Square at Bonifacio High Street was slowly getting filled with people mosty milling around shops and restaurants. Seated by the window of one of her few favorite tea shops, Zane let her eyes wander outside, hoping to see a familiar face. It was already 11.22 am on her wristwatch, which she checked for the fourth time now, but the area around her didn't seem that much crowded as would be expected on a Saturday morning.

She took a sip from her English Earl Grey tea, and looked around the cozy place. She has always loved hanging out here, as their characteristic aroma makes her feel nostalgic every time. This place always makes me miss home, she sighed, thinking about where she grew up in Europe.

Nang magyaya si Julianna kanina na mag-hang out, naisip niya kaagad dito magpunta. Matagal na rin kasi siyang hindi nakabalik dito. The last time she was here was more than a month ago. Besides, malapit lang din sa bahay nila. Wala kasi siya sa mood mag-drive ngayon; nagpahatid nga lang siya kay Manong Kevin.

She checked her watch again. Ang usapan kasi nila ay 10.30am, pero halos mag-isang oras na ay wala pa rin ang bestfriend niya. She opened her cellphone and texted her again.

Jules, wer r u? I'm already here at TWG. Eating Parisian crepe without u seems lame

After a minute ay nag-reply ang pinsan niya.

U r corny sometimes, Sis :D I'm on my way :)

Hay salamat naman. 'Yung babaeng 'yun talaga, parating late.

She took another bite of her crepe. She was busy breaking down the flavors with her tongue when a slender girl in white long-sleeved blouse and royal blue skirt that ended at her knees approach her table. She looked up at the girl who was smiling shyly. When she didn't immediately speak up ay tinaas lang niya ang dalawa niyang kilay.

"Oh I'm sorry for staring a bit. But you look really beautiful up close," she nervously said.

Zane pursed her lips. Sino ba 'to? "Thank you," she mumbled.

The girl cleared her throat. "Uhm, can I sit down? I don't mean to intrude on your privacy. I-I just have something to tell you..."

She stared at her. Well, she looks like a decent one. Besides, she looks rather familiar. Sa'n ko ba siya nakita?

Zane shrugged. "Whatever." She knew that came out rather rude, pero lumalabas talaga ang pagka-awkward niya sa ibang tao eh. And people always mistook her wariness for rudeness, which she couldn't help.

"Ako nga po pala si Ericka Sy. We go to the same school. I'm taking up Culinary Arts," the girl said as soon as she sat down.

Ericka Sy! Hindi ba siya 'yung isa sa mga apo ni Henry Sy? If I remember right, bunsong anak siya ni Herbert Sy, ang Senior Vice President ng Supervalue, Inc. which is just one of the many companies their family owned.

What could she possibly want from me?

Yes, they move in the same social circle. And yes, they may have met during parties or business meetings. Pero hindi sila friends nito. I think she's two years younger than me.

Are we having a business meeting here?

Zane gave her a small smile so as not to make her uncomfortable. She was sipping her tea when Ericka blurted out something she didn't quite expect.

"I came here to talk about Spencer."

Muntik na niyang maibuga ang iniinom niya. She quickly placed her cup down and started coughing violently.