Safety first.

The mall incident was an exercise in caution.

Wila and Batchi weren't exactly fun company after what happened.

I dropped them off at the office and went home afterwards.

Once I was in the comfort of my own house, I dialed the number of the detective.

"Castro Detective Agency, how may I help you?" A friendly voice came on.

I was surprised that she picked up the phone.

I checked my watch and realized that it was almost eight in the evening.

"Hi," I answered.

"May I speak with Angel?"

The woman asked me to wait a moment and then transferred the call.

***

A deep voice came on and I recognized the tone from the conversation I had a week ago.

I cut straight to the chase.

I scheduled a meeting with Angel for Monday, first thing in the morning.

She checked if she had any available spot and there wasn't any.

"But don't worry about it, Althea." She assured me.

"I'll open the schedule for you,"

"How does 8 am sound?" the tone was confident and accommodating.

I couldn't help but be impressed with the service.

"Sounds like a plan," I replied.

"See you then," I said goodbye and hung up.

***

After talking to the woman, I went to the kitchen and opened one of the cabinets searching for chamomile tea.

I looked around me and shook my head at the exaggeration of my living space.

The open modern kitchen was huge.

The walls were white, the appliances mostly aluminum from the microwave, the fridge and the stove.

An island was at the centre of the kitchen, also painted in white, with a sink and a sensor motion faucet.

Four wooden black square bar stools faced the island, the color adding contrast to the otherwise sterile space.

Overall, the place was utilitarian and it made me feel distant.

This place is too big for one person. I thought.

Well, I am not really alone.

The help keeps me company but that's it.

When Batchi and Wila visit, that's when the house comes alive.

Otherwise, it's just me.

I lived a lonely existence.

The solitude was highlighted with Jade's return.

Her reappearance was a reminder of how much I needed her in my life.

I sighed and placed the box of chamomile back in the cabinet.

"I need something stronger," I walked to the mini bar and opened a bottle of Grey Goose Vodka.

I didn't even bother to get a glass.

I drank the liquor straight from the bottle.

The warm liquid flowed smoothly down my throat and the sensation titillated me.

The thrill of holding the bottle in my hand felt like I was committing a crime.

Maybe I was.

I've been sober for two years and I blew it this very second.

My hand quivered from guilt and I let go of the bottle.

The tears poured down my face as I leaned on the mini-bar.

"What recovering alcoholic has a mini-bar in their house?" I asked myself.

Someone who can afford it? An inner voice answered.

I inhaled deeply and tried to find a happy place.

Ironically, it brought me back to the mall.

On the way to the office, I forgot to ask Batchi if she saw Jade.

Before I walked away from the mini-bar, I poured the entire contents of the vodka on the sink.

I watched the clear liquid flowed down the drain and held my breath lest I was tempted to drink again.

On Monday, I'll ask my assistant to find a contractor to renovate the kitchen.

I will start with removal of the mini-bar.

***

Castro's Detective Agency was a close distance from my Makati office.

It was on the 26th floor of Tower One and once I got there, I was greeted by Elsa, a woman in her early fifties.

She had a ready smile, and offered me a drink as I waited for Angel.

I declined and took a seat on the brown leather sofa.

Elsa was on the computer checking a template.

There were various magazines on the table and I picked a copy of Vogue Magazine with an older Taylor Swift on the cover.

A few minutes later, the door opened and a woman who was close to six feet tall, entered.

Her skin was tanned, like she's been living on the beach her whole life.

She was wearing an unbuttoned black suit, and a white satin shirt underneath.

Her black hair was loose and it framed her attractive heart-shaped face.

The badass personality instantly showed and I had to admit that it was intimidating and sexy at the same time.

Our eyes met and for a moment, no one said a word.

Elsa cleared her throat.

"I'm Angel," she smiled and offered me her hand.

I stood up and took her outstretched hand.

I couldn't ignore her strength and confidence.

A silver Rolex watch peeked from her sleeves and my mind wondered how lucrative a detective business is.

Angel motioned for me to follow her to her office but before she went in, she reminded Elsa to reschedule the nine o'clock appointment if she could.

Elsa nodded in agreement.

"Come on in, Althea" Angel opened the door and stepped aside to let me in.

On my way inside, I caught a whiff of her perfume.

It smelled like a combination of jasmine, sandalwood and vanilla.

The scent was alluring and I did my best not to get carried away.

Besides, I am here on official business and not to be ensnared by a very beautiful woman.

***

The office was small and sparse.

The morning light streamed from the huge glass window, giving me a view of the city.

A rectangular black desk occupied most of the space and a red leather office chair was behind it.

An iMac sat on the right hand side of the desk so as not to obscure Angel's line of sight.

A coffee machine was on a corner table beside a mini-fridge.

Angel offered me a seat in one of the cushioned black chair.

"Can I offer you a drink?" she asked before she sat down.

I shook my head.

She sensed the urgency in my visit so I told her what I came here for.

Angel listened as I talked and occasionally wrote on a small notebook.

When I finished, she folded her hands on her chest and looked at me seriously.

"It's easy to provide you with security and gadgets," she began, her voice sounding deeper than on the phone.

"I will personally attend to the security part and I'll asked one of my colleagues in the business to provide us with one more person, perhaps the best they had to make sure nothing happens to you, Althea,"

Her gaze was unnerving.

The light brown eyes seemed to see right through me and I am having difficulty concentrating.

I looked away.

Angel smiled, noticing my discomfort.

"There is one thing I would like to know before we discuss this further," she leaned on her chair.

I noticed a silver necklace with a cross hanging from her neck.

"Are you ready for the consequences?"

The question threw me off guard and I didn't know how to respond.

"What do you mean?" I asked, puzzled.

Angel explained that it's usually the first question she asked her clients, if they are truly ready for what they might discover.

"I asked Batchi the same question when she called me." Angel's expression was serious.

I told her I was ready.

She stared at me, gauging my conviction.

I met her stare and tried not to blink.

Damn! I thought. This woman is very attractive.

She could make me say yes to anything.

I pushed the thought away.

I came here for Jade not to lust after a detective.

"Well then," Angel straightened from her chair and opened one of the drawers under the desk.

She pulled out a brown folder and took one of the forms.

"Do you work out Althea?" she asked without looking at me.

"I beg your pardon?" I frowned.

"You have toned arms and you look strong," she replied and the comment made me blushed.

Angel flashed me another smile.

"The promise of my business is satisfaction guaranteed, first and foremost." She explained.

"I assure you that I won't let anything bad happen to you while we are pursuing Jade but you have to learn basic self-defense just the same."

The color on my face brightened not because I was flattered but because I was embarrassed by the thoughts running through my head.

The longer I sit here talking to Angel, the more I realized how difficult it is to keep my emotions under control.

This woman is a charmer and it comes naturally to her.

I focused on the words she was saying.

"It doesn't have to be extensive," she explained.

"I'm thinking more along the lines of an easy escape in case Jade's security try to attack you,"

The mention of Jade's name made me aware of my behavior.

"Perhaps we'll start with your footwear," Angel's eyes shined and my cheeks flushed one more time.

"Batchi told me about the wardrobe makeover and it's a good call," she beamed.

"Common sense is a handy tool,"

I smiled at what she said.

I also wondered why Batchi was sharing this matter with her.

Angel handed me the form.

It was a non-disclosure agreement.

"This is one way to assure you that no matter what happens, your secret's safe with me,"

I quickly scanned the document and when I finished, Angel gave me a pen and I signed the document.

When I looked up, Angel was staring at me.

"Jade is one lucky woman," she exclaimed.