CHAPTER THREE

FELINE'S POV

Ilang saglit akong natigilan at napako ang tingin sa baker sa kabilang side ng counter. Napatingin siya sa akin saka ngumiti at nagsalita. "Good afternoon, welcome to Twisted Muffins."

I pulled myself together before nodding my head. Hindi rin naman nagtagal ang pagtitig ko sa lalakeng iyon dahil agad na lumipat ang mga mata ko sa cakes na nasa harapan niya. Nilibot ko pa ng tingin ang kabuuan ng shop bago pumikit at huminga nang malalim. Ang sarap na ang bango.

I had to stop myself from salivating so I moved my attention from only smelling to walking towards the nearest refrigerated display case. Lucky for me, it was filled with all the muffins and cupcakes that I wanted to try. I then reached out for the tray and tongs before opening the case to try the first two muffins that stole my eyes — a carrot muffin and a raspberry muffin.

May kalahating oras pa naman ako bago magsimula yung actual meeting kaya kakain muna ako. After closing the case and putting the tongs back in their original place, I went to the cashier to pay for the muffins and order a hot cappuccino.

"Would that be all, Ms. Morse?"

I blinked a couple of times at the female cashier. I haven't told her my name though. "Ah... yes... I have a meeting with your boss, thirty minutes from now. Maybe after that, I'll order another set," nakangiti kong sabi sa kaniya.

Tumango naman siya saka binigay sa akin ang sukli ko. "I'll inform the boss, but he already saw you enter a while ago po, so he's probably inside his office, preparing the needed documents for the meeting."

Napatango naman ako. "Were you the one that reached out to our paralegal?" The lady with soft features nodded. "I see. Then, I'll just finish my order and we can proceed to the meeting."

"Thank you, Miss." I nodded my head once again before walking towards a vacant table near the window, holding my tray with the muffins and a pager for my cappuccino.

Once settled, I got the carrot muffin first and took a bite. "Hmm..." I could not help but close my eyes as I savored the taste of it. Ang sarap talaga. Walang kapantay 'tong bakeshop na 'to. I continued eating my muffin until I felt someone staring at me, so I opened my eyes and saw a cup of cappuccino in front of me, held by the handsome man from a while ago.

"My secretary told me that you were our attorney. I apologize for not recognizing you," aniya habang nakangiti, bago maingat na inilapag ang kape ko sa lamesa.

Ilang beses akong napakurap bago nilunok ang huling piraso ng carrot muffin at nagpunas ng mga daliri at ng mga labi gamit ang tissue. "Ah, yes... I also did not know that you were the owner, my apologies."

Napatingin ako sa watch na suot ko. I still have twenty minutes to enjoy my raspberry muffin, but how am I supposed to do that if my client is staring at me??

"Would you want to start the meeting now?" I politely asked, but I wanted him to say no.

Nakita ko naman siyang tumingin sa orasan ng shop bago ibinalik ang tingin sa akin at sa muffin ko. "Hmm... You still have to have your order, I'll leave you be and head to my office. Once you're finished, you can ask for me through my secretary." Itinuro niya pa ang babaeng nasa cashier na may kausap na ibang customer. He then gestured to the display case of the muffins. "If you want more, please, don't be shy to order. It'll be on the house."

Tinanguan ko lang naman siya na may kasamang professional smile saka siya umalis. Akala ko pa naman 'di makakaramdam eh. I proceeded to eating my raspberry muffins, along with the cappuccino. "Hmm... Masarap din timpla nila." Mukhang mapapadalas pa ata ang pagpunta ko rito.

I was almost done with the muffin when I felt my phone vibrated. A message from Khyla could be seen on my lock screen. "Attorney, the team here in the Philippines is still complete and they're asking me if you want to have a simple welcome party in a restaurant."

Napangiti naman ako dahil doon. We're still complete. That's cute. I sent Khyla my reply, stating that I agreed with the team dinner and it'll be on me. I also asked if everyone would be available tomorrow evening. After that, I looked at the time. Sakto lang para sa meeting.

I was about to turn my head in the direction of the cashier when the owner already stopped walking in front of my table and offered his hand for a handshake. "Good afternoon, Ms. Morse. I'm Dave Tercias, the owner of Twisted Muffins, and I'll be in your care. Pleased to meet you, attorney."

After accepting his hand and asking him to take a seat, we began discussing the case. Since I have already read about it, I only focused on the pieces of evidence that he said he already gathered. "Are you sure about this, Mr. Tercias?" I asked as I held on to the USB he gave me.

Mr. Tercias nodded, his eyes were glued to the USB. "I believe that I'm not at fault since I've done my part carefully and attentively. However, that part is not in my control."

I nodded my head in agreement. After seeing that evidence, I knew this case would not be a case. "We'll just set up a meeting with the complainants and provide a copy of this one." I waved the USB. "Tell them that the one we'll be handing over to them is the only copy that you've got. If ever their attorney asks to check for your CCTV footage, we can just show them the one on your laptop. This will be finished by then, unless of course, the complainant is not just a simple complainant," I brought up. Mr. Tercias shared a while ago that he had a lot of competitors who wanted to see him fall.

"Thank you so much for your service, attorney," aniya na tinanguan ko lang.

"It's my job, Mr. Tercias. If that's all, I can take my leave now." Of course, bibili muna ako ng desserts or snacks para sa mamaya ko.

Nauna naman siyang tumayo kesa sa akin. "Ah yes. That's all, attorney. My secretary will send a message to your paralegal once the meeting has been set. Again, thank you, and please, take home whatever you want."

Pigil na pigil naman akong ngumiti. Pasalamat na lang talaga at nakontrol ko rin ang pagningning ng mga mata ko. Muntik pa akong ipahamak ng katakawan ko. I cleared my throat and remained professional. "Thank you for the offer, Mr. Tercias, but I'll have to decline. However, I would still purchase two muffins as well as five pieces of your chocolate chip cookies."

"Okay, but can I put a croissant with your order? Treat it as a freebie," pamimilit niya naman habang nakangiti pa. Mas pumopogi siya kapag nakangiti siya.

"Okay, I guess that's fine. Thank you for the croissant." Tumango naman siya bago nagpaalam na aasikasuhin lang ang order ko. After three minutes, I paid for my orders at the cashier and he handed them to me in a paper bag. "Again, thank you. And see you at the meeting, Mr. Tercias."

"Thanks as well, attorney. Have a safe trip home."

Lumabas naman na ako ng shop saka sumakay sa kotse ko at umuwi sa condo. After getting inside, I took out my order and placed them on my island counter. Ilang beses naman akong napakurap nang mabilang kung ilsang chocolate chip cookies ang naroroon. Kinuha ko pa ang resibo pero lima lang ang nakalagay roon.

Napailing na lang ako saka nagsimulang kumain ng cookies. That stubborn baker... adding five more, seriously.

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