Past.
"A period of time that no longer exits. It may be a period of time which we either desire to come back or forget."
But for Senthie Salvador, the past was something she didn't want to reminisce about. She despised her past but she also didn't want to forget it, because if it weren't for the past, she wouldn't be the Senthie Salvador we knew now.
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"Okay, Sen. You haven't seen any suspicious man yet. Better not to worry much," SENTHIE muttered to her reflection in the mirror in the ladies' room.
She sighed and then contemplated again. "And even if he is here, so what, right? I can just pretend that I don't know him. I'm not her anymore, I'm Senthie Salvador, and besides, he may not even remember me."
Senthie was determined to face anything that could happen right now. Leaving her past behind and moving forward was the thing that made her stronger. She believed that she was a brand new person when she became Senthie Salvador.
After she washed her hands and let them dry using a tissue, Senthie stepped outside the restroom and closed the door behind her. She inhaled deeply and exhaled through her mouth, then gulped before she headed towards their table. Her heart was beating faster and harder with every step she took.
"Babe, I mean, Sen, you're finally here. We've just ordered, the owner just left. Are you okay with chicken barbeque and pizza?" Kenzo asked as soon as he saw Senthie nearing their table.
"Yeah, I love pizza! Are we having rice, too?" she said. Her hands were cold in sweat, so she wiped them on her jeans after she took her seat beside Cecile.
Cecile giggled as she slapped Senthie's shoulder. "Of course! You love rice, too, right? Everything he ordered was all that you love."
Senthie turned her gaze at shy Kenzo whose hand was on the back of his neck. "Really? But are you okay with that?"
He smiled as he shook his head. "Nothing to worry about. I just ordered the best sellers."
"Oh, is that so? That's a relief, then."
Senthie noticed her best friend at the corner of her eye that she seemed to hesitate to say something--her mouth was twitching as she bit her lower lip.
"What's wrong, bes?" Senthie asked. "You look constipated."
Cecile pouted and then leaned forward to reach Senthie's ear and then she whispered-shout, "the owner is Rychie! Well, he looks different. He dyed his hair burgundy and a bit more mature, but he's still hot as ever and O-M-G he wears his hair in a samurai bun! Can you imagine what I'm saying right n—"
Senthie cut her off by placing a hand on Cecile's mouth. She then whispered-shout at her too. "Hey, what are you doing? Are you fantasizing about him right now? Seriously? Your best friend is on the verge of dying at any moment, how could you?"
Cecile rolled her eyes and took Senthie's hand away from her mouth. "You're overreacting, bes."
"I hope you know that you were super duper OA, too... But are you sure he's the owner?"
"Of course, I am!" Cecile replied defiantly.
The two ladies were interrupted by Kenzo's voice. "Uh, guys? Everything alright? What are you talking about? Is it something I shouldn't hear?"
Cecile shrugged as she shook her head slowly. "Ah, no! We were just talking about girl's stuff. Yah know...stuff that would make a man embarrassed."
"Oh, sorry... By the way, how are things with your business?" Kenzo asked, changing the subject.
Senthie was about to answer when Cecile took the initiative. "We're doing great! We already made a profit that will suffice the rental fee in the mall." Cecile looked at Senthie. "Thanks to Sen, finishing that gown in just three days! She's amazing!"
"Hey, stop it," Senthie uttered, she didn't know how to take compliments. She was instead embarrassed, rather than grateful.
"Indeed. She's really amazing," Kenzo agreed.
A few moments later, their order was finally being served.
"Hey, Sen, he's coming!" Cecile murmured as she elbowed Senthie's arm.
Senthie swallowed the lump that suddenly formed in her throat and then blew out the air that had stuck in her lungs.
Cecile was right. The man that was holding a tray was indeed him, it was Rychie. He put the plates with chicken barbeque and rice on the table for each of them, and then their drinks. When the tray was empty, Rychie stood straight and informed them that the pizza would be served shortly. Senthie secretly sighed in relief that Rychie didn't recognize her.
After a few minutes, the pizza was served. Senthie for the last time, glanced at Rychie only to be caught. Their eyes met! Rychie stared at Senthie for a moment, while Senthie did her best to be calm. She stared back at him and gave him a tight lip smile, then asked, "what's the matter?"
Rychie wrinkled her forehead and hummed briefly, indicating he was thinking. "I'm not trying to hit on you or something, but...have we met before?"
Senthie chuckled without any hint of being nervous as she shook her head. "No, I believe this is the first time we've met."
"Oh, sorry about that ma'am. Enjoy your meal, then," he said as he flashed a smile and then left.
"Hey, bes! You did a great job keeping your cool there!" Cecile murmured.
"I can't believe I'm so good at pretending."
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A month had passed, and Fashion Sen's failed to find a part-timer. Senthie thought that having a half day off with Cecile was just not meant to happen. "Bes, how about we give up on finding a part-timer?"
"Are you kidding, bes? Don't give up. You're just too picky. There were applicants but no one met your standards. Just what are we looking for?" Cecile said.
"Someone reliable?" Senthie answered.
Cecile rolled her eyes. "You cannot judge someone if they are reliable or not by just meeting them once."
"I know, but... All the applicants were either overconfident or stiff. I want someone whose personality is well-balanced. I mean, someone who is down to earth and has a lot of patience, and at the same time, confident enough not to be intimidated by customers."
"Oh, you mean someone like me?" Cecile asserted confidently as ever.
Senthie made a face. "Definitely--not."
"I was just kidding! So you mean, someone like you?"
"No! Certainly, I'm not like that," Senthie replied, embarrassed.
"But it was as if you just described yourself."
"I didn't."
"Yes, you did."
"I didn't."
"Yes, you definitely did."
"Come on, bes. Stop it."
Cecile shrugged. "Oh, sure. If you say so, and by the way... You have a visitor yet again." She looked over at the entrance.
Senthie followed her best friend's gaze and saw yet again the man that had been pestering her at least twice a week since the last incident where he whispered the name 'Rinana' in her ear.
"Why is he always visiting this branch? Not that  I mind, though. His looks feed my eyes," Cecile said, giggling.
Senthie rolled her eyes. "His face is starting to annoy me, bes. For real."
Cecile slapped Senthie's shoulder. "Shut up, bes! I know your eyes are getting enough vitamins just by looking at his handsome face!"
"No, bes, you shut up. Why do you keep on hitting me when you get excited?" Senthie argued as she massaged her shoulder that had been slapped by Cecile.
"Never mind that, he's coming our way!"
"Can you stop swooning over him, bes?" Senthie uttered in disgust.
"Would you prefer for me to swoon over Samurai boy?" Cecile asked, her brows raising up and down.
"No, just don't do anything, okay?" Senthie murmured and then turned to the man who was now in front of them across the counter. "This must be your favorite store to visit, sir. You always show up for no damn reasons." Senthie mumbled the last sentence, not intended for the man to hear.
The man chuckled. "You got it right, Ms. Salvador. This is my favorite store to visit. My feet keep on bringing me here... which certainly, you know why I guess?"
Senthie was hitting her limit. Her patience was near the lowest level. She took a sharp inhale and exhaled slowly as she clenched her fists. Her best friend was not helping with the situation. Cecile was slapping her shoulder as she kept on spouting nonsense about how lucky they were for the VP of GMC to take interest in their store, but most probably because of her best friend. Senthie's nose flared up and she could no longer tolerate what was happening.
"Bes, stop it," Senthie said calmly but firmly. Cecile nodded and seemed to read the situation as she backed down immediately. Senthie then continued, not batting eyelashes at the man. "Would you mind if we talk in private, Mr. Anderson?"
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Hello, Noomiells!
Thank you for reading this chapter! Hope you liked it. :)
Would you reminisce or forget your past? What would it be?
Do you love rice, too? What's your favorite food?
Do you also have a friend who hits you when she/he gets excited? XD
What do you think will happen in the next chapter?
I would like to know your opinion. Please, let me know! :D