Erika and Jane settled down on a nearby café called Café France. It had the best pastries in the northern part of the Town Center and was known for its croissants. Entering the café, Jane eyed the different kind of pastries. She had this sparkle in her eyes every time she saw some pastry art. Erika could not help but notice and ask, "Never been here before?"
Unknowingly ignoring Erika's question, Jane looked at even more pastries at the counter. It was only after a minute that she remembered she was with company. She looked left and right to see Erika already sat down in a table. She approached her embarrassingly.
"I don't really know a lot of chefs but you sure took time picking what you'll eat." Erika did not have the best impression of Jane ever since she saw her in the bench and she got even weirder as time passes by.
"Sorry." Jane tilted her head. "It's Erika." Erika answered, understanding Jane's intention.
"Sorry, Erika. I got too excited. It's just that ever since I was young, I have always loved art and food. And both of them together. It's just close to my heart."
"Wise autobiographical words from a Masterchef winner." Erika then turned to the waiter and ordered some beverages and croissants for the both. "You have to try their croissants. It's divine." She gestured to Jane.
"I know. After all, France has the best croissants." Jane proudly answered. It was common knowledge that even Erika knew but Jane was proud anyway. Erika could notice glimpses of childishness in Jane's behavior but she did not put any mind to it.
When the croissants arrived, Jane went straight in for a bite and a drink. And she was not disappointed. It was divine. Erika, on the other hand, ate elegantly without any much of a reaction. After taking one bite, Erika proceeded immediately to business.
"So, Jane. I was meaning to ask you—" Erika was cut off momentarily by Jane's hand pointing up.
"I'm sorry. Could you hold that thought?" Jane was itching to go to the bathroom. She had the unstoppable urge to pee but for the sake of her dignity, she just calmly walked to the bathroom even though her mind told her to run.
Left alone at the table, Erika was idle. She was articulating her thoughts on what to ask Jane. Most of the time, when she interviews celebrities. It is almost based on her first impression of them but this time, Jane seemed like a different person than who she saw in Eri's video. The appearance is exactly the same but the behavior is a bit off.
After the shortened celebration at his office, Brian was in his car. Some things were said between him and Gabriel that triggered some memories. Memories that were both a source of joy and melancholy.
He remembered a scene at school where he was hanging around with Jane and Joanna. He remembered the scene at the beach. And he remembered the last words he said to Jane.
Oh Jane. Brian's thoughts emanated with longing that even the glare of the sun could not penetrate the coldness of his feeling.
Fortunately, this coldness slowly creeped away as she remembered the incident that morning when Jane laid resplendently against his chest. He dare not say his feelings were coming back but an unexplainable warmth is encompassing his being.
Brian's thoughts were a rollercoaster. It might be because of the champagne but he knew these feelings were buried deep inside of him just waiting to get out. It just needed some trigger. And this was it.
Brian was about to shed a tear when his phone rang. He looked at it. It was Joanna.
"Hello, Brian. It's me Joanna."
"What's wrong, Joe?" Brian was still choking some sobs which Joanna heard.
"Are you crying?" Joanna was about to tease. "Shut up. Just had a few glasses of champagne." Brian did not want to explain any further and Joanna understood. On a normal note, Joanna would not let Brian off his girly sobs but now did not seem to be the time.
"Anyway, I just want to tell you that Jane woke up already and is with this guy named John. He's your friend she said. They went to this brunch place called Oliverde's." Joanna sweated all the details she heard from Jane trying to induce a reaction from Brian.
Brian held some silence before replying with a plain old "I see." He felt a mixed of emotions. He was happy that Jane finally woke up healthy but sad since he was not there with her. Instead, she was with his neighbor in Oliverde's which was quite a romantic place for a brunch.
That damn traitor. Brian was cursing John under his breath.
Joanna totally expected the lifeless response of Brian. It was a response that fueled her suspicions. A typical behavior of a jealous man. She could not help but laugh at the thought.
"Anyway, go check up on her. Remember, you're the one I left her with. Not some guy named John." Words of encouragement were veiled in Joanna's tone. Brian understood it fair enough and nodded at the imperative.
"Thanks, Joe." Joanna's eyes softened as she felt Brian's warm words across the line. She was about to cry and she did not want Brian to know so in a panic, she quickly ended the call. It was much to Brian's dismay, but he just shrugged it off.
After the call, Joanna was wiping her face with a tissue. She was contemplating for a moment before standing up and walked over to a decorative table. In the center of the table was a picture frame which she decided to pick up. It was a family of three with a baby right in the middle. As the glare of the light swept, the face of the woman was shown. It was Joanna.
Suddenly, a phone rang which marked the end of Joanna's daze. It emanated from the center of her desk. Trying not to disturb the nearby rooms, she quickly picked it up without looking to see who.
"Hello?" Joanna asked. Giggling sounds could be heard from the other line.
"It's Mommy. Say hello to Mommy." The cute gibberish sounds echoed in Joanna's ears. "Hello, Joe. How was the meeting?" The man asked. He had this baritone voice.
"It was fine, Rick. It was good. How about you? How is Michael?" Joanna's tears was triggered once more as she held back sobs.
"Are you okay, Joe?" Rick knew Joanna just missed them but he asked anyway.
"I'm okay. I just miss you." Joanna's longing culminated with a warm chuckle. "I'll see you soon." Joanna hung up. She did not want to cry in front of her baby just because she missed them. She was a chairman of some pretty big charitable organizations so she had to save some face.
Joanna was not the typical crybaby like she was today. She had been away from her husband Rick and two-year old son Michael many times but she did not cave. Rick was always dependable and shared a sense of diligence and faith that only Joanna could match. They were idealists and action workers. But, they were not emotional.
Something else was bothering Joanna and Brian and Jane's relationship was the heart of it.