"The PAST - a time no longer in existence, often holds memories we either yearn to relive or wish to forget."

However, for Senthie Salvador, the past was a chapter she hesitated to revisit. She harbored a distaste for her history, yet paradoxically, she couldn't bring herself to forget it, for it was her past that had shaped her into the person she had become.

***

Staring at her reflection in the ladies' room mirror, Senthie muttered, "Okay, Sen. You haven't spotted a suspicious man yet. No need to dwell on it." She let out a sigh and reconsidered her thoughts. "And even if he is here, so what, right? I can just pretend not to know him. I'm not that person anymore; I'm Senthie Salvador. Besides, he might not even remember me."

After washing her hands and drying them with a tissue, she left the restroom, closing the door behind her. She took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and swallowed hard before making her way back to their table. With every step, her heart pounded faster and stronger.

"Babe-- I mean, Sen, you're finally here," Kenzo exclaimed upon spotting her approaching their table. "We've just placed our orders. Chicken barbecue and pizza sound good to you?"

"Yeah, I love pizza! Are we having rice, too?" she replied. Her hands felt clammy with sweat, so she discreetly wiped them on her jeans after taking her seat beside Cecilia.

Cecilia giggled playfully while giving Senthie's shoulder a light pat. "Of course! You're a rice lover too, right? Kenzo ordered everything you love."

Senthie shifted her gaze toward the bashful Kenzo, whose hand rested on the back of his neck. "Really? But are you okay with that?"

He flashed a reassuring smile. "I just chose the bestsellers."

"Oh, is that so? That's a relief, then."

Out of the corner of her eye, Senthie noticed her best friend, Cecilia, appeared to be on the verge of sharing something important. Her mouth twitched as she nervously bit her lower lip.

"What's wrong, bes?" Senthie asked. "You look like you're about to poop."

Cecilia pouted and leaned in closer to whisper, "The owner is Rychie! Well, he looks different. Burgundy hair, a tad more mature . . . but he's still as attractive as ever! And O-M-G, he's rocking a samurai bun! Can you even believe--"

Senthie cut her off abruptly by placing a hand over Cecilia's mouth. She matched her friend's whispered-shout. "Are you for real? Are you daydreaming about him right now? Seriously? I could drop dead any moment here, and you're swooning?"

Cecilia rolled her eyes and removed her hand. "You're overreacting, bes."

"I hope you realize you were super-duper OA, too . . . But are you absolutely certain he's the owner?"

"Of course, I am!"

Their conversation was interrupted by Kenzo's voice. "Uh, guys? Everything all right? What are you talking about? Is it something I shouldn't hear?"

Cecilia shrugged, shaking her head slowly. "Ah, no! We were just discussing girl's stuff, you know . . . things that would make a man blush."

"Oh, sorry. . . . By the way, how are things with your business?"

Senthie was about to answer when Cecilia took the initiative. "We're doing great! We've already made a profit that will cover the mall rental fee." She glanced at Senthie with admiration. "All thanks to Sen, who finished that gown in just three days! She's amazing!"

"Hey, stop it," Senthie uttered, feeling unsure how to handle compliments. Instead of feeling grateful, she was more embarrassed.

"Indeed, she's really amazing," Kenzo agreed.

A few moments later, their orders finally arrived.

"Hey, Sen, he's coming!" Cecilia murmured, nudging Senthie's arm.

Senthie swallowed the lump that had suddenly formed in her throat and exhaled deeply to release the tension building in her chest.

She was right. The man approaching their table with a tray was indeed him; it was Rychie. He skillfully placed plates of chicken barbecue and rice in front of each of them, along with their drinks. When the tray was empty, He straightened up and informed them that the pizza would be served shortly.

Senthie secretly sighed in relief, grateful that he hadn't recognized her.

After a few minutes, the pizza was brought to their table. Senthie couldn't resist one last glance at Rychie, but her stealthy observation was met with a direct gaze. Their eyes locked! His gaze lingered on Senthie for a moment, while she did her utmost to appear composed. She returned his stare with a tight-lipped smile and inquired, "Is there something on my face?"

He furrowed his brows. "Hmm . . . I'm not trying to hit on you or anything. But, have we met before?"

Senthie chuckled, displaying no sign of nervousness as she shook her head. "No, I believe this is our first encounter." Well, it is, with me as Senthie Salvador.

"Ah, my apologies, ma'am. Enjoy your meal, then," he said, flashing a smile before departing.

"Hey, bes! You did an excellent job staying calm there!" Cecilia whispered.

Senthie sighed softly. "I can't believe how skilled I am at pretending."

~

A month had slipped by, and Fashion Sen's continued to struggle in its search for a part-timer. Senthie was beginning to think that a half-day off with Cecilia might be an unattainable dream.

"Bes, what if we give up on finding a part-timer?" she suggested.

Cecilia scoffed at the idea. "Are you kidding, bes? Don't throw in the towel. You're just too picky. We've had applicants, but none of them met your criteria. What exactly are we looking for?"

Senthie pondered for a moment. "Someone reliable?"

She rolled her eyes. "You can't judge someone's reliability from a single meeting."

"I know, but . . . all the applicants either seemed overly confident or too uptight. I'm searching for someone with a balanced personality. Someone down-to-earth and patient, yet confident enough not to be rattled by customers."

"Oh, you mean someone like me?" Cecilia asserted with her trademark confidence.

Senthie made a face. "Definitely . . . not."

"I was just kidding! So, you mean, someone like you?"

"No! Certainly not like me," Senthie replied, a touch embarrassed.

"But it was as if you just described yourself."

"I didn't."

"Yes, you did."

"I didn't."

"Yes, you definitely did."

"Come on, bes. Stop it."

Cecilia shrugged. "Oh, sure. If you say so, and by the way . . . you have a visitor yet again." She glanced over at the entrance.

Senthie followed her best friend's gaze and once again spotted the man who had been frequenting the store, pestering her at least twice a week since the incident when he whispered the name Rinana.

"Why does he keep coming here? Not that I mind, though. His looks are a feast for my eyes," Cecilia remarked, giggling.

She rolled her eyes. "Honestly, his presence is becoming irritating."

Cecilia playfully slapped Senthie's shoulder. "Oh, come on, bes! Admit it, your eyes are getting their vitamins from just looking at his handsome face!"

"No, bes, you should stop hitting me when you're excited," she retorted as she massaged her shoulder, still smarting from Cecilia's playful slap.

"Never mind that, he's heading our way!"

"Could you please stop swooning over him, bes?"

"Would you prefer me to swoon over Samurai Boy, then?" Cecilia quipped, her eyebrows playfully rising and falling.

"No, just don't do anything, okay?" Senthie muttered, then turned her attention to the man who had now approached them at the counter. "This must be your favorite store to visit, sir. You always show up for no apparent reason."

The man chuckled. "You've got it right, Ms. Salvador. This is my favorite store to visit. My feet seem to bring me here . . . and I'm sure you know why, don't you?"

Senthie's patience had nearly worn thin, reaching its lowest level. She took a sharp inhale and exhaled slowly, clenching her fists.

Cecilia's relentless chatter about Jimhuesh showing interest in their store, most likely due to Senthie's presence, wasn't helping the situation.

"Bes, please stop," she said, her tone calm but firm. Cecilia nodded, probably sensing the tension, and promptly fell silent. Senthie then turned her attention back to the man without flinching. "Mr. Anderson, would you mind if we had a private conversation?"