A Twist Of Time

four

"They've finally found the lost lamb sauce they've been arguing about for days," Margaux said, sighing and shutting my bedroom door. "I mean, Jane already brought Barbara a new pack of lamb sauce, but Barbara here doesn't like it! Ano ba 'yan! Napakamapili naman niya!" (She's so picky!) She sat down beside me and changed the topic. "So, where have you been? You've been gone all morning."

I widened my eyes and shook my head hardly. "Sergio the perfectionist called me again this morning because he wanted to talk to me about me being unprofessional! Well, sorry, it's not my fault I'm not Raven Turner who he thinks is a rich sophisticated woman!"

"Sounds rough. Did he get mad, though?"

I thought for a second. "Now that you mentioned it, he didn't. He was so relaxed about it. But either way! I didn't get to have my breakfast because of him!"

"You could've just went downstairs," she suggested. I bit my lip.

"That's not the point. What I'm saying is that he needs to stop! Alright, I get it, I'm not perfect, but if he thinks I'm that much of a messed up person then why doesn't he just let me go?"

"If he lets you go, where are you going?" she interrogated. "I thought you were from 2016. How are you going to get back there?"

"I-I don't know, really. I just want to get out of here."

Her arms were crossed. "Really? When millions of Filipinos out there who are suffering in the war would kill to live in here, safe from everything?"

And I fell silent. She had a point. Actually, two points. I was amazed at how smart Margaux was, but was also terrified. What more can this young girl discover from me?

"Alright. I'm staying until the case starts investigation. It's today, right?"

"Yes it is. And I better see you there or else I'll have Manuel this time run after you."

I nodded. She smirked and left my room, happily strutting. Great, I have to face a case in front of people who I don't even know.

I took Margaux's suggestion and went downstairs to have breakfast. A small chef served me a plate of steak and rice, along with some appetizers. It was noticeable that Jane and Barbara weren't there; their flamboyant screams weren't heard from the kitchen nor anywhere. Turning around, I called for the small chef's attention.

"Hey, where did Barbara and Jane go?" I silently asked. He frowned.

"I don't know; those two are always making trouble. Napakakulit at maingay sa kusina, halos wala ka nang marining kung hindi 'yung mga sigaw nila," (They're so rowdy and noisy in the kitchen, you can almost hear nothing but their screams.) he replied. I nodded my head understandingly as he went back to the kitchen where chefs probably dwelled.

After I finished eating my breakfast, deciding to take on an adventure before I look for Margaux to take me to the investigation, I walked down an unfamiliar hall that I never saw before. My feet silently tiptoed their way around, my head getting confused as to why this hall was so quiet.

"We meet again, Miss."

Who else would it be? God? A giraffe? A demon? A cow? It would be no one else but Sergio. His voice was so familiar to me now.

"Yes, we do," I answered nonchalantly before turning around to face him. "And I believe you still think I'm Miss Turner, hence why you just call me 'Miss?' "

"That's true," he replied. "And I believe you have a case regarding that. Unless you want me to investigate it myself."

"Let's see, what's the more practical choice?" I asked satirically.

But he didn't seem to get my sarcasm. "I'd say having me investigate it. All you have to do is to walk with me down the gardens and tell me everything that happened and why you're here."

I raised my eyebrow. "That's it? Is there a catch? Because that's one easy deal if you ask me."

"Oh yes, it is. I'm not a mean person. I'd like to make things easier for you. And if you're having vague suspicions of me wanting to do something else to you, I'm not. I simply just want to talk to you."

"About the easy investigation?"

He looked taken aback. "Uh, yes. About that."

I crossed my arms and raised my head. "Then it's a deal. When will we talk?"

"Are you alright after dinner?"

"I'm okay with that. But what about—"

"Margaux? Oh, I'll just tell her myself."

I was surprised at how easy this was going to be, but I still thought that there was a catch. There was probably something that he'd ask me to do in exchange for an easy investigation. But like what he said, he didn't. Was I to trust him, though?

"I guess I'll be going back to my office. See you later, Miss." He walked out of the hall, his footsteps losing their volume as he went farther.

Confused and shocked, I continued on with my journey around the huge mansion. Many guard were standing still, watching me, and I could hear typewriters as soon as I got out of the empty hall. I also caught sight of Jane and Barbara chatting as if they didn't hate each other.

"Ma'am! You're here! Oh goodness, I just caught up with Sergio and he told me about this easy investigation. Is it true?" Margaux suddenly asked, appearing out of nowhere. I looked at her weirdly.

"Where did you come from?"

"My mother's stomach. Anyway, don't skip my question. Is he really going to do it himself? Am I going to tell the court about it? Last time I checked, that was illegal."

"Illegal? Then why would he want to break the rules like that? And he calls me unprofessional."

"I don't know. Should I just ask him about it again? Since I don't want to bother you."

I nodded. "I don't really know a lot about what's illegal and what's not in the 1940s."

"Yes. Goodbye!" And she ran off quickly, along with my trust in this "meeting" he's planned of.