Sir Andrew Morris, one of the panellists in our final defence gazed at them with glimmering eyes. His expression made us feel like he commands to be heard with his body gestures that scream authority. He's with Asher who had been silent in the corner and looking at me intently. I don't know if it was me who was been looking at or I'm just formulating a hypothesis.
"I mean, don't act so childish," he clapped his hands instructing us to go back to our site and that's what we did. He went in front while Asher remained on his post. "Well, I'm with Mr SSG President and I asked him to tour me around the senior high school department. You knew me, already. You met me during your defence. And I will be your Work Immersion teacher on Business Enterprise Simulation or Work immersion. I want you to prepare for yourself for this, though, I know some of you was eager to spend their short vacation."
A lot of side comments from my classmates were heard. Some groaned in frustration because all we thought was that after the periodical examination was a rest day.
"Enough," Sir Andrew stopped them. "As I said, for preparation.
"Mr Valderama, kindly distribute the paper to them," Asher distributed the paper by giving enough paper in every row. He handed the paper to the person in the front and the one in the front will pass the paper to the person behind him until everything is passed. Since I was in the right corner in front, I will be the last. When it's my turn, all I thought was Asher would ignore my presence but I was wrong. He gave me a contagious smile and I can't help but smile back.
"Thanks," I murmured. He returned to his spot. I roamed around and I saw how Gelou glared at me. Based on her expression, he saw what happened. I had enough and looked away.
"You have all the time during your short vacation to think about your deployment. You can choose where but it depends if I will approve it." I looked at the paper I'm holding and it was a list of Partners Institutions such as companies, banks, agencies that are willing to lend their expertise and resources and to accept students for immersion. One of the companies included in the list was my family company and some of the companies entailed was my family business partner companies.
I sighed. I don't need to choose which among the list. I expected that Auntie Julie and Dad knew where I should go.
During our short vacation before the second semester, I stayed at home. I made an effort to limit my time spent on social media and watching Korean dramas. I might just be jealous of my classmates spending their vacation overseas, do what they want and attend events unlike me who stuck at home. All of them are busy with their own lives and Amber was one of them. Amber was in New York with her family.
I was currently staring at the ceiling, pondering the various options available to me. I was laying on my bed after helping our helpers doing household chores.
So when Frida asked me to go to the mall for refreshments, I immediately say yes. I wore modest clothes as always, a denim jacket with a black sleeveless blouse inside and white pants matched with white sneakers. I just let my hair down. I grabbed my small backpack and went to Frida's room.
"What are you doing there? Where do you think you're going?" Auntie Julie asked when I was about to knock on the door and looked at me from head to toe. "Don't tell me you are going to meet your boyfriend?"
"No, Auntie," I defended.
"Ah, okay! I knew it. You gave him potion so he gave attention to you," she mocked.
"Why would I do that?"
"You can. It runs in your blood."
I was about to respond when Frida opened the door of her room and looked at us back and forth. She looks surprised and asked us what's going on.
"Mom, what are you talking about? I asked her to go with me. I want to visit my friend for the wedding cakes," Auntie's annoyance seemed to subside because of what she said.
"Are you sure? I thought you will go with Dondi?"
"No, mom. He has an urgent meeting with their clients and not sure if it will end early," Frida said that convinced Auntie
.
"As you say," Auntie sighed and looked at me with her usual signature smirked. I bowed my head and started as t the ground. "Don't do anything stupid."
"Let's go, Andrea," and Frida pulled me by the arm leaving Auntie alone.
Frida drive to the nearest mall where we can meet his friend. We entered a fy shop of desserts. The motif of the shop was like the colour of cherry blossoms and the ambience was refreshing. The aura of the shop depicts simplicity yet elegance. Their course menu was also affordable. No wonder, many customers went in and out of the shop.
We sat on the left part where we can see people outside passes by.
"What do you want?" Frida asked.
"Anything can do," I answered. She looked at me as if she was not convinced. "I don't mind Frida. Just choose."
She sighed and excuse herself and went to the counter to order.
I looked outside and I can see a lot of people doing what they want. I saw as well a group of girls choosing what flavour of waffles they want, a young boy who was insisting to buy cotton candy when his mother didn't want to and a girl who's alone picking his preferred items. Looking at them was like wishing that someday I will be like them. I was like a prisoner whatever she do was calculated, reaping someone's deed and paying for being alive.
"Here we go," Frida proudly said. "I know you are fond of carrots so I ordered a carrot cake for you."
"Thanks," I muttered and taste the cake. I slowly nodded and I can say that they serve the good quality.
"This dessert shop was owned by my classmate in college in one subject," she said.
"The cake is good," I commented honestly. It suits my taste bud. "All I thought, we are going to meet your friend.
"She will be late."
Frida talked a lot and I just answered when needed. After a while, a petite girl approached us. Frida and the girl hugged each other.
"This is Andrea, my sister," introduced me to the girl. She looks familiar and somewhat resemblance to whom I know.
"I'm Sam," she said with a wide smile. "Nice to meet you. You look like your sister. You are pretty."
"Nice to meet you, too! And I'm not pretty," I honestly said. Sam looked surprised at what I said but she disregard it after a second. She was the one who's pretty even though she's wearing makeup and sat beside Frida.
"I think I saw you somewhere. I just can't figure out where. I just don't know. Never mind," I frowned. I was not the type of person who always roamed around or was friendly that everybody knows. It was my first time seeing her, either. "By the way, I'm sorry for being late. I'm with my little brother and we dropped by some deliveries."
"It's okay. I'm with my sister, as well. But where's your brother."
"I asked him to get the folder in my office."
They kept on talking about the wedding and I can't relate to what so I just focus on my phone while eating. I realized that preparing for the wedding requires a lot of time, from small things to big things. I can't believe Frida handled her time preparing and full time working.
I was engrossed reading an online novel on my phone when a familiar voice and scent came near our table. I didn't waste any second and diverted my gaze at the person who came. I looked at him and our gaze met. We both looked surprised seeing each other unexpectedly.
"Asher."
"Andrea."
Frida and Sam looked at us and maybe, they didn't expect that we knew each other.
"So, how did you know each other?"
"We are schoolmates. She's from ABM strand, Sam," Asher replied to his sister. Sam looked in disbelief and immediately changed into a teasing smile. Now, I can figure out why because they are siblings.
"So, that's how it works. Now I know," Sam muttered out of the topic like she realized a big puzzle in her mind I frowned what does she mean by that.
"Sam," Asher said that sound like a warning. "Just mind your business. Here's the folder and focus on that."
He handed the folder to his sister and Sam's teasing smile didn't vanish. "Okay, thanks, my little brother."
"I'm not little anymore," Asher protested like a child who had been robbed of his favourite toy.
"You may take your seat," Frida offered.
Since the table can only occupy four people have no choice but to seat beside me. It was as if I was sprinkled with melted salt and suddenly felt nervous about what I was going to smell. I seemed to be sweating from the cold but I didn't make them notice and pretended that I was cool seating with him when the truth was, it would be my first time seating beside him.
"Asher, are you sure you wouldn't be tired if you just stood there until it's over? Don't dream to get taller when you are already taller than her," pointing at me. If I were in my right state of mind, I would laugh because I was small but now, I can't. Asher had no choice but to seat beside me.