Two days later,
['Keep in mind that your past does not define you']
Phoenix read the reminder that popped up from an app that she accidentally downloaded a few months ago. She meant to delete the app, but the reminder that it gave daily resonated with her life, so she just left the app as it was.
Standing by the window, basking in the morning sun, Phoenix inhaled and exhaled slowly, blessed to be alive. After a few times inhaling and exhaling, she retreated from the window, picked up her bag, and tossed her phone inside. She took a quick scan in her room and went out the door and headed for breakfast.
Phoenix was walking to the hotel restaurant when a girl approached her.
Mia was waiting for Phoenix at the hotel waiting area since early morning. She was glad she caught sight of Phoenix when the latter headed towards the restaurant.
She smiled happily, as she knew she could count on her brother's hotel for its scrumptious breakfast buffet.
Most of the patrons in the Camellia Hotel preferred to have their breakfast in the hotel restaurant. The hotel breakfast buffet had a wide range of food varying from Western, Asian, Middle Eastern cuisine, with a wide selection of fruits and pastries which were carefully displayed to entice one's appetite.
Mia hurriedly approached Phoenix to get her attention.
"Excuse me, miss. Do you remember me? You helped me two days ago," Mia said with a smile on her face.
Phoenix paused from walking and turned to the voice.
The girl in front of her was dressed in a short sleeve red A line dress that reached until below her knees, with platform white sandals.
Phoenix scanned the girl carefully. She recognized the girl, how can she not? It was not like she had a short-term memory loss. And to top it off, the girl was the reason she missed her daily phone call!
The girl looked much better than a few nights ago. Her once pale, sweaty face now looked brighter.
"Yes. I remember you, miss. How are you feeling?" Phoenix couldn't help but to be polite and asked the girl about her well-being. Her sister had taught her to be a better person.
"Well… thanks to you, I'm fine now. I can't thank you enough for helping me that night. I don't know what will happen to me if not for your help," Mia said with a tungstate face, making her look like the most pitiful girl in the world.
"You're welcome. It was nothing," Phoenix replied, her practiced smile plastered on her face, showing that she didn't think it was a big deal.
"It is not nothing for me. I was feeling hopeless about my situation before you helped me. I thought I'll be defiled for sure." Mia was quivering and biting her lips, her hands at her side were clenching, digging her nails into her palms. Her body shivered, remembering that night.
"I happen to know some self-defense moves," Phoenix shrugged. She really felt like it was not a big deal for her. Secretly, she was a bit thrilled when she was fighting with those guys in the elevator. She hadn't displayed her fighting skill for years and she was glad her body seemed to remember the moves.
Mia's eyes lit up hearing Phoenix's words, and she immediately asked, "are you going for breakfast? Can I join you? I came here early in the morning so I can catch you heading for breakfast. I don't know how long you will stay here. I don't want to miss a chance to thank you for your heroic deed," Mia's mood switched so fast, the girl that looked sorrowful just now suddenly looked energetic like someone just presented her with a Christmas gift, making Phoenix raised her brow.
Phoenix contemplated for a while about Mia's self invitation for breakfast, she really thought that the girl was too forward making her feel uncomfortable. But Mia's bright smile and hopeful eyes made Phoenix relented with her invitation. There was just something in those eyes that didn't allow Phoenix to say 'No'.
"Sure," said Phoenix.
Mia clasped her hand and smiled brightly, blinding people who looked at her.
"I'm Mia Qin, by the way. What's your name?"
"I'm Phoenix Li."
"Wow. What a unique name."
"Thank You, Ms Qin."
Phoenix and Mia both entered the restaurant to have their breakfast together.
The smell of delicious food permeated the air and the display of an abundant selection of dishes was making their mouths watered.
Once the server had guided them to their seat, Phoenix headed to the egg station and ordered an omelette. She then looked at every station, picked a little bit of everything that caught her eyes and went to her seat.
Mia was already sitting on her seat munching on a meat bun. There was a bowl of chicken porridge topped with condiments, and a glass of warmed soy milk on the table in front of her.
Mia saw Phoenix coming with two plates in her hand,
"Wow! That is a lot of food," she commented, looking at the mix of different dishes on Phoenix's plates.
Phoenix put down her plates on the table and sat on her seat across from Mia.
"Yeah. I eat a lot."
"Okay. It's good that you eat well," Mia smiled. Once she saw that Phoenix had settled down comfortably, she asked. "Anyway, where are you from Ms Li? What brought you to City M?" she asked, while looking at Phoenix curiously.
"I'm from Country B. I got promoted and will be moving to this city."
"Congratulations! and welcome to City M!" Mia said enthusiastically. "I'm from here and have been living here all my life, if you need help, or a guide, you can ask me. I know all the best restaurants and the most hip bars here. If you are not keen on crowded places, I know some hidden gems that other people don't know about." added Mia.
Mia couldn't help but be her friendly self. She liked to meet new people and made friends, and as Phoenix was new to town, she talked about things that she knew about the city.
Well, Phoenix did save her the other night, Mia felt obligated to help Phoenix settle in the city and feel welcomed.
Phoenix only listened to Mia's chattering, as she was not much of a talker. Besides, it looked like Mia liked to talk, too, and she didn't mind that at all. Phoenix savored her food while listening to Mia's endless chattering. Mia would ask questions from time to time to Phoenix and she only replied with short answers.
Soon, both of their plates were wiped clean, and Phoenix needed to go to work. Before Phoenix left, Mia asked for Phoenix's phone number so she could contact Phoenix easily. She badly wanted to make friends with Phoenix as the latter had saved her life, but her brothers had warned her to be careful and not to easily trust strangers.
Mia already planned to slowly get close to Phoenix and made Phoenix her friend. Her saviour must be a good person! Her brothers were just worrywarts!
There was a quote from an author that Mia remembered clearly, it said,
Every new friend is a new adventure… the start of more memories. -Patrick Lindsay.