The Devil's Trap

Chapter 18: Drift

Chapter 18: Drift

Nagmamadali akong pumunta sa Library noong umagang yon. Mahigit isang oras pa bago ang aking unang klase pero maaga akong pumasok sa university dahil sa text na aking natanggap.

Tulad ng dati, maaga pa lang ay may mga estudyante ng makikita sa Library. A lot of them were reviewing for the upcoming quarterly exams. I went straight to the Librarian's desk.

"Good morning, Mrs. Jamieson." Halos hinihingal na bati ko. Nakatalikod siya sa akin habang nagsasalansan ng mga libro sa shelf. Lumingon siya nang marinig ang boses ko. Her face lit up. Inaasahan niya ang pagdating ko.

"Denise, I'm glad you're here. I took the freedom to forward your résumé in the desktop file yesterday since hindi kita macontact. I hope you don't mind."

"It's fine, Mrs. Jamieson. You saved me from a lot of time."

Kahapon nakareceive ako ng text mula kay Mrs. Jaimeson tungkol sa bakanteng position sa shop ng kanyang kapatid. At dahil alam niya na nangangailangan ako ng pera, nirekomenda niya na ako ang ilagay. It's a coffee shop several blocks away from the university. A decent job.

"My sister told me to inform you that you must report today, preferable after class. And hopefully you can start."

Umaliwalas ang aking mukha.

"Marami pong salamat."

--

Matapos ang huli kong klase ay dumerecho ako sa shop ng kapatid ni Mrs. Jamieson. The shop's small yet cozy. The glass walls are adorned with potted plans. Tables outside are shaded by green umbrellas. The comforting smell of brewed coffee was the first thing that would greet you when you enter the place. Karamihan sa mga customers ay mga matatanda o di naman kaya estudyante.

Binati ako ng isa sa mga staff pagpasok ko. Noong tinanong ko kung saan ang owner tinuro niya ako sa isang babaeng nakaupo sa sulok ng shop habang nakaharap sa kanyang laptop. Hindi ko inaasahan na isang babaeng halos kaedad ko lang ang aking makikita. She must be just a few years ahead of me.

Lumapit ako sa kanya. She took a sip of her coffee as she stare at her laptop monitor. Nang maramdaman niya ang aking pagdating tumingala siya upang pagmasdan ako.

"I'm Denise Limerick," sinabi ko. Sa pangalan palang ay bumakas na ang recognition sa mukha niya.

"Oh, hi! I'm Van. It's Vanessa Jamieson." She smiled this bedazzling smile. Straight pearly teeth behind a nude tone lips. A hint of curiosity pricked me. I know this kind of aura.

"And you're my sister's assistant?"

"Yes." Sinabi ko. I tried to shake the previous thought away. I don't want to sound outlandish at our first meeting. Specially if she offers me a job I needed so badly.

"My sister forwarded your resume. It's for formality purposes. You can start today."

I blinked. "Now?"

She stared at me with a intriguing smile. There's something about this lady... something in the aura she gave that was familiar. "May iba ka bang gagawin?"

"I mean no. Yes, I will start today."

Dapat ba akong magpasalamat sa mabilis na proseso?

"Ang papalitan mong staff ay hindi na pumasok pa mula noong nakaraang linggo. He already AWOL-ed with his girlfriend. Kaya kulang kami sa mga oras na ito."

"Naintindihan ko."

"Maureen will teach you the basics of serving. Pero dahil may experience ka na I'm sure you'll do fine. Coffee shop is less hectic than a fast food or restaurant."