My mom's best friend

Chapter 2

I was at the hallway heading towards the front desk of the hotel, as soon as I became nearer to it, a familiar face stood out from the group of people who were sitting together at the lounge.

"Therese! Over here."

Despite all the different noice that surrounded me, her voice resonated in my ears the most.

As I walked across to where she is, I had a moment, a dream like state of mind when everything was in slow mo. Her brown eyes twinkled as she smiled at me. I was in awe. I never noticed how perfect her teeth are, till just now. She wore a nice shade of red lipstick to match her raven black hair and it softly brushed on her shoulders. She reminded me of Snow White. She sat with her long legs crossed on one of the white lounge chairs that decorated the reception area.

"Aunt Elicia, what are you doing here?"

If you are all wondering why I call her 'Aunt' instead of first name basis, Elicia is not blood related to me, but she and my mom knew each other since childhood. Its common practice in the Philippines to call anyone whos older than you an "aunt" or a "grandma", even if you don't know them.

"It's so nice to see you again dear, how did you do on your interview?"

She motioned me to sit on the opposite chair infront of her.

"It's nice to see you too! Wait, how did you know about my interview?"

"Your mom told me, silly." She lightly spoke taking the tea cup to her lips to sip on.

Of course she did, how can I not know that. As much as I love my mom, she can be very meddling at times, but I guess thats just instinct making sure her kid would be alright, considering I am in another country by myself.

"Your mom wanted me to check on you, so I got out of the office early."

Her eyes focused on mine, but all I could stare at were her lips, and the little curve she made with them, smiling.

"Therese?"

I quickly snapped out of it, and brought myself back to my senses.

"Umm, what were we talking about?"

Jesus Christ. What was wrong with me. Dont do this to yourself, Therese!

"I was asking how your interview went. So tell me, how did it go, kiddo?

She giggled to herself to find that I was spacing out.

"Oh. It was hella crazy, you should have been there, cos I needed all the emotional support I can get, but in the end I got the job."

She clapped her hands together once and gasped at me.

"I knew it! Nothing less from you, Therese. Your mom will be happy to hear it from you."

She reaches to hug me from the other side of the small round coffee table. She didnt give me the chance to stand and in one swift motion, there I was with her bosom squished on the side of my face. I smelled her perfume. It was intoxicating. A mix of dark chocolate and aged old red wine. The hug was inconveniently short and she pulled away to sit back on her chair. She fixed her long sleeved green fitted dress before taking another sip of tea.

"You know kiddo, with talents like yours, you could be anywhere you want, why did you choose to come here?"

She caught me under her spell, and she doesn't even know. I'm here because of her. I wanted to see her, and her mere presence at this very moment is perfect coincidence.

"Um, mom grew up here didn't she. I think its nice to be where she once was, it makes me feel alot closer to her than before."

She grins at me kindly,

"Thats very sweet of you, my inaanak (godchild). Tell you what, once you're settled and found a place to live, I'll tour you around myself."

Yes! She offered to take me out!

"Cool! I look forward to doing that with you....(and a lot more. Hehe)"

Elicia turns to look at the silver watch on her wrist.

"It's 8:30pm, have you eaten dinner?"

"If you can call a pack of cream biscuits dinner, then I have, but I'd say yes to a plate of warm food right now." I replied.

"Hmmm." Was all she said as she looked down on her left to take something from under her chair.

She grabs her purse and took out a black leather rectangular wallet, calls for the waiter and used her credit card to pay for the tea we both had.

The waiter didn't take long until he came back with the receipt. He handed it to her and she gave him a smile. The waiter gave her a nod in return.

"Thanks, sweetie."

She stood up and I did the same. I followed behind her as she went her way. Her hour glass figure was outstanding. Her waist swayed in her movement. I was tantalised. She slowed down and before I knew it, she took me by the hand as we went out of the golden revolving doors of the Marriott hotel.

The night air was fairly warm. There were bystanders who were walking on the bricked pavement across the street, their silhouettes drawn by the orange glow of the lamp posts and a small line of luxury cars waiting to drive by at the hotel entrance.

She held my hand as we came to a halt outside. She is quite a tall woman in her early 50's. I am 5'2 and she is 5'6. She wore four inched skin-tone heels. I felt like a small child by her side.

"Therese, I parked my car across the street. Stay here and wait for me."

She let go of me but smiled at me softly before she crossed over, leaving me behind.

After a couple of minutes a white Toyota Fortuner rolled by and the black tinted window by the driver's seat slid down.

"Get inside, kiddo."

Wow. Even her car is sophisticated like her. I opened the car door and got in. Her smile never fading from her beautiful face. We drove away into the night, the hotel dissapearing from the distance. On the radio was a bossa nova song cover of "Tattooed on my mind".

She giggled as I started to humm to the song.

"You like bossa nova?"

I smiled back.

"Yes I do. I play bossa on my guitar."

She drove calmly, street lights streaked her face once in a while.

"Thats wonderful. Perhaps you could play for me one of these days. I. LOVE. BOSSA."

She clearly gave emphasis on the last part, maybe to let me know exactly what she's into. Gosh, she's making me melt inside.