January 24, 2021: Vade Mecum

{{ "Syn, did you meet one?" }}

Mina reiterated her query. However, Syn remained unresponsive. She had a bad premonition that she didn't want to be confirmed. But at the same time, she wanted some clarification. 

Unless Syn spoke of it herself, nothing would be guaranteed. 

Syn, in the meantime, shook her head ever so slightly. She was trying to erase the countenance of the man who had been persistently bugging her mind. The fatigue in her eyes perfectly reflected her weary tolerance as she ruminated, 'Why can't you just leave my head? Stop, stop already.'

Although it was concurrent with the resurfacing of her trauma, her thoughts were dominated by a single man. It became a bother to her, considering she was not one to believe in a first sight attraction nor abhorrence.

However, she ought to be grateful. Syn had yet to notice that the fear from remembering her ordeal was kicked out of her consciousness by the mere image of the man.

'To begin with, I don't think he's the one who is behind the invasion. It's too simple of a scheme to be perpetrated by someone of his status.'

The lady deeply soon took a deep breath to clear her cluttered mind. Shortly thereafter, she responded to Mina. 

"Aside from Tristan, I haven't met with any other individuals of high status. That is unless they didn't pose as a one-time client." Syn said while she gave a nod to Helena, mouthing a 'thank you' along.

Helena patted the lady's head once last time before going back to doing her chores.

{{ "Syn, I do trust you, but I can sense that you're hiding something. Then, who is this Larry Herse? He seems to have some grudge on you." }}

Syn raised an eyebrow upon hearing the name of the suspect. She felt like she wasted a moment in pondering regarding an irrelevant person.

Syn proceeded to get a move on, attempting to recall if she ever heard such a name.

'If this Larry Herse did pay for my services, I should be able to recognize him, yet his name doesn't ring a bell. Larry Herse, Larry Herse, Lar-'

"Oh! I met him in that rundown bar," Syn suddenly spoke, much to Mina's startlement.

A shallow sigh was heard from the supervisor before she replied, {{ "Rundown bar? Someone searched the records for me, but they didn't see his name. Was it on a date?" }}

"No, I was together with a client when this Larry started to pester me out of the blue. He came up to me and annoyed me the whole night. The client ended up dragging me out of the bar."

{{ "I see. Syn, until this man is caught, you don't have to visit the agency. I have already contacted the managers in all of your part-time jobs. Please refrain from going outside too often because your safety is still at risk. Stay there with Mr O' Connor." }}

It was noticeable in the woman's voice that she was worried, nearly overbearing even. 

Withal, Syn didn't care if the woman was domineering. She knew that Mina was doing everything out of the sisterly love she had for her.

"I will probably resign from my other part-time jobs, though I'll be keeping the one at my uncle's coffee shop. Tristan was urging me anyway."

{{ "It's good that you decided to heed someone else's request. Alright, I need to go and assist the management. I'll be meeting you soon, Syn," }}

"Call me when you're available. Have a good day and please be safe."

{{ "You too, bye." }}

Syn allowed the beeping sound of the dropped call to echo three times ahead of taking the phone off of her ears. She then closed her eyes, internalizing all the information that Mina provided her.

'I guess I can't keep being stubborn, else I'll trouble everyone around me.' The young lady began to contemplate her circumstance, 'Well, seeing the cut that I'm going to get from Tristan's payment, it almost multiplied the combined salary from all of my part-time jobs by ten. With that in consideration, I'd rather preserve my health than work myself to death.'

As Syn opened her eyes, one could marvel at the conflicting emotions that were clashing on her eyes. She was not used to living a sedentary life, so it was a tad difficult for her to arrive at such a decision.

The lady audibly exhaled her vexation, resuming to finish her meal that had turned cold.

Once she's done, Syn sauntered back towards the main bedroom to prepare her change of clothes. Halfway along, she stopped her movements altogether as she remembered something. 

'I should've drunk my medicines a couple of hours ago. I need to get them from my apartment.'

Without any more delays, Syn picked up her pace and entered the closet in no time. Syn had no problems in choosing her clothes, opting to wear her usual get-up of a plain shirt partnered with a pair of sweat pants. Following that, she took the robe that was hanging on the hook attached to one of the cabinets and made her way to the shower inside the room. 

She placed her clothing articles on the sink counter made of the greenest of jades. The lady removed the clothes she was wearing thereafter, folding them neatly beside the new ones.

Syn stepped into the shower, proceeding to tap on the digital panel to adjust the temperature of the water. When the panel showed that the water was ready, she clicked the button below it to turn on the shower.

While the water slowly cascaded the curves of her body, it also washed away the additional anxieties that the lady was still holding on to. Syn found her repose under the warmth of the drizzles that duly eased her tensed muscles.

And just like that, an hour had passed with Syn staring at the green tiles, sinking into the sensation of her perturbations being gradually assuaged.

In less than no time, she exited the bath and covered herself with the white robe.

Consequently, the young lady picked up the hairdryer that was on the other counter. She did the remainders of her routine in quietude, concluding in a matter of a quarter of an hour.

Syn quickly went out of the bath, her laundry in her hands. She stopped afore where her belongings were placed, procuring the face mask and cap that Tristan bought for her, and also her winter jacket that was on a hanger.

She promptly went out of the bedroom and went straight to Helena to drop her dirty garments.

"Oh dear, are you going out?" Helena asked, stopping her task of vacuuming the carpet in the living room.

"Yes, Helena. I forgot to bring my medicines. I can't really ask Tristan to buy it for me since the prescriptions are also in my apartment."

"Well, are you going to be fine? Do you want me to come with you?"

"I'll be alright, madame. You have a lot of things to do. I shouldn't implore of your kindness any further." Syn said as she smiled to assure the old woman.

"If you say so, dear. What time will you be back?"

"Around nine in the evening because I have to go to my part-time work. Oh, can I ask you to wash my clothes for me? If I can't, then I'll just wash them when I return."

Truthfully speaking, Syn was reluctant to let Helena do the washing of her own clothes However, she figured that piling up her laundry wouldn't be desirable to see in a well-maintained place.

"No problem, it's my job after all. Here, give it to me." Helena stated before holding out her hands.

Syn carefully positioned the folded clothes on top of the woman's hands, bowing once to express her gratitude.

"Thank you, Helena. I'll go now."

"You go dear, be safe."

"Sure."

Helena simply watched as the young lady strolled in the direction of the doorway. Syn pulled out one pair of her black running shoes that were arranged inside of the shoe cabinet by the main entrance. She slipped them on and wore her jacket prior to taking her leave.

Syn rode the elevator, from the 56th floor of the building down to the lobby, for a good minute. 

Although she had only seen it twice, the lobby of the condominium seemed to be more crowded than usual for the lady.

'Why are there so many men in black suits?' Syn questioned herself, curious of the influx of people in the same uniform.

Though she was curious, she merely began to walk her way out of the building.

On the other hand, a man could be seen trailing the young lady with his fixed stare. The glints on his eyes revealed a frolicsome intent, bearing his interest. He lowered his cigarette and purged its ember on the ashtray. The man then stood from his seat as he slipped his hands in the pocket of his trousers.

"Found you."