[7] Petrichor

SPEAK OF THE DEVIL, Isabella emerged from the elevator reserved for executives. She opted for a makeup-free look. She ditched the black ensemble to don a wrap front off-the-shoulder white shirt dress. A crystal drop three-strand silver lariat necklace with dainty chains adorned her neck. A geometric-frame sunglasses concealed her eyes. She sauntered across the lobby towards the exit. 

Meanwhile, Charmaine couldn't help but overhear the murmurs around her. The nosy bystanders noted Isabella's allure and fashion; but, especially the controversial ankle boots she wore. 

Charmaine wondered what was controversial about the footwear. As the whisperings continued, she pieced together the story from the grapevine. 

The footwear was from the Luxietude XOXO Collection, where they collaborated with various women artists in the country. The black ankle boots featured doodles on their block heels with bleeding hearts chained in barbed wires, teary eyes, and screaming mouths. The doodle was created by cheeks, an elusive artist known for her stylized mononym and unconventional lifestyle. cheeks collaborated with a female celebrity who recently made headlines due to rumors that behind closed doors, she was suffering from a toxic relationship.

The tea was that cheeks and the female celebrity were inseparable and had an unusual friendship since they collaborated on the project. To avoid hurting the brand and diverting attention from bad publicity, Luxietude launched a campaign to support the livelihood of women and donated a portion of the sales from that collection. 

Charmaine was quietly observing from the distance. 

Isabella was a showstopper; when suddenly, a gorgeous man met her halfway. They exchanged pleasantries. He must have admired her look or said something nice to her because she bestowed him a charming smile. She was glowing and friendly. Her vibe was a contrast to how she acted in the conference room. Back there, she was abrasive and the epitome of a resting bitch face. 

The handsome man wore a bespoke navy suit and polished cognac leather cap-toe oxford. His coat hung neatly over his left arm as he held a black automatic folding umbrella. His demeanor signaled that he's a prominent person in the society.

Bystanders were glued in their direction. Curiosity from most of the crowd. Some were taking receipts for the tea, while others couldn't hide their envy towards Isabella for snagging the impeccably dressed man. Who wouldn't recognize the ambitious heir of the city's wealthiest and most flamboyant family? Were they an item now? A mere few months after breaking up with his rumored girlfriend?

Charmaine couldn't care less. She has no iota of interest in the couple. She's still hurting from the outcome of the interview. Who cares if they're popular? Or maybe she's oblivious to the who's who of Blake City.

As the pair headed to the exit, some people continued to take photos of them. The couple passed by Charmaine and a few other people who were gathered near the exit, waiting for the rain to stop.

As Isabella walked by, her perfume wafted in the air. It was a fragrant floral scent with hints of some strong scents that Charmaine couldn't name. It was pleasant, an olfactory delight to the senses.

A moment later, the couple were out of the building. Even though the rain was reduced to a pitter-patter, Isabella's date opened the umbrella for them. They crossed the street to have lunch at Cafe Tendre. The couple was a beautiful contrast to the bleak ambiance of the rainy Friday afternoon. Eventually, they reached the cafe. He opened the door for her. 

Charmaine's attention shifted to the upscale cafe. She thought that's where sophisticated people go for lunch. She muttered, 'It's gotta be an exclusive place for people with a fancy job title.' 

She wondered if she could ever drop by at that fancy place. Sometimes, she can't help but wonder what if—

What if she's still the same Charmaine as before the incident that turned her world upside down? Doted by loving parents, blessed with beauty, confidently talented, and filthy rich. When she was admired and envied by her peers. When they dubbed her as the Queen of Charms.

But that was years ago. Her past. Now, she's trying to make ends meet. It's worse because she's unemployed and running out of cash.

Drawn by curiosity and a tinge of envy, Charmaine's gaze fixated on the cafe across the street. But the view was momentarily obstructed by a car suddenly parked outside Cafe Tendre. The driver hopped out of the car, carrying an umbrella, and quickly opened the backseat door for a man wearing a tailored suit. The driver opened the umbrella for the man and ushered him inside the cafe. 

Charmaine observed, 'He must be the driver's boss.' 

The driver opened the door. They chatted a bit. They parted ways and the man stepped inside the cafe. He was carrying a cake box. He quickly made his way to the mezzanine, where a pretty woman greeted him. He gave her the cake box. She beamed with excitement.

Charmaine's love life sucked. She had a lot of regrets enough to summon a deluge of tears. She mused, 'A date with a handsome rich guy on a cold day. She must be one lucky girl.' 

Meanwhile, in the farthest corner of the mezzanine, two men sat at a table and engaged in a heated discussion. An exasperated man threw his able hand up in the air. He couldn't win an argument; too bad because his injured right arm was wrapped in a cast. But his self-assured interlocutor sat still with an unperturbed demeanor, savoring an espresso.

Since the rain had slowed down, the stranded crowd began their exodus. But Charmaine remained. She continued to survey the cafe out of curiosity. It was a perfect place to hunker down on a rainy day and indulge in coffee and desserts while chatting with friends. The atmosphere was warm and cozy.

Her mom would cook champorado, a sweet cocoa rice porridge, on rainy days to warm their stomachs. She missed those happy days. But now she's a mess. She's alone; without a family to turn to.

She'd move on; like she always does. She's remarkable at moving on. Year after year. One failure after another.

Charmaine once has everything. But the fire claimed the lives of her parents. Creditors seized their assets. Her relatives and family friends kept their distance from her. They wanted to avoid any incrimination that might link them to her parents' questionable wealth. The fire incident left a scar that would never heal. Physical and emotional trauma she has to bear in her lifetime.

That's why she would never wear sleeveless. The turtleneck long sleeves she wore were a sartorial must-have. She's dressed in layered clothing like she's unconsciously hiding the traces of the fire that ravaged her life.

She shifted her attention to the black pumps she wore. She ordered the pair of heels online for this interview. She even shaved her legs so she could sport this knee-length black pencil skirt. The navy blazer was a new purchase as well. Her money and efforts were all for naught.

Her cheeks were getting warm. Her eyes were watery. She clenched the strap of her messenger briefcase and mumbled, 'I-I'm doomed.'

The fire incident happened on her 20th birthday. But she hasn't recovered from that traumatic experience. She hasn't found closure even after a decade has passed. Wasn't that the reason why she came back to Blake City? To find the truth of what happened that night of February 29th.

But heaven interrupted her gloomy and painful reminiscence. Suddenly, the rain poured from pitter-patter to a torrential downpour. The noise of heavy raindrops hitting the ground and thunder distracted her from reminiscing.

Charmaine unclenched her hands. She tried to relax. Breath in. Breath out.

From where she stood, the heavy rain blurred the view of Cafe Tendre. As heaven continued its torrential outburst, the rain washed the scent Isabella left; from perfume to petrichor.