CHAPTER TWENTY ONE: CHILDHOOD FRIEND.

The roads shimmered in the heat of the midday sun. The sunlit skyscrapers pierced the hot, blue sky.

It was on a sunny and warm Tuesday noontime, when Quetzalli Axel pulled into the square of Que Pasta hotel and accommodation to eat at the local hot spot. Upon her arrival, she was able to find a parking place on the square adjacent to Mystic Magic Forest.

As she walked up to the restaurant Quetzalli Axel noticed that it had a pinkish peach blossom job and a wonderful location for business.

The blue sky was dotted with fluffy white clouds that drifted lazily in the gentle breeze.

Upon entering the cute and cozy restaurant she now noticed the atmosphere was relaxing and inviting. Next to the bar was a small cake rack with a glass top enclosing it, there there were different types of flavourred cakes ranging from black forest cake to strawberry flavoured cake.

Though she was expecting a quaint country restaurant she was met with the delicate atmosphere of a fine dining establishment with a homely feel.

"How have you been lately?" Quetzalli Axel asked, she was busy siting down and did not notice happily disgusted sneer on her friend's face. The hotel service was good, as Quetzalli Axel was greeted by a nice hostess dressed impeccably in royal blue trousers and a blouse, she also noticed there was abundant seating in assorted styles.

There was a full-service bar, booths, high-top tables, and smaller longer tables for larger parties. There were flat screen televisions hanging on the wall above the bar and a large fireplace in the entry area. Light popular music was playing softly in the background.

The  interruption of the nice hostess with a dominant smile on her face, one which was supposed to be a part of her uniform, made Quetzalli Axel uncomfortable, the smile the hostess put in her face was meant to welcome people yet it made her feel as if she was being watched, her every move was noted.

However, the pricing of the food seemed modest with prices ranging from 5 to 20 dollars per entree for lunch. She also noticed that there were quite a few desserts and drinks which made her suggestions seem common since it was already used to being served those desserts.

Quetzalli Axel chose to go with a meal called the free dining lunch experience which was 9 dollars. In the meal, she got a choice of a soup and sandwich, soup and salad, or a salad and a sandwich. She chose the salad and sandwich.

"Quetzalli Axel, good job." Myla Grayson said, clapping at her.

"Why?" Quetzalli Axel asked confused.

Outside the large windows, the traffic was building up. Crowds of pedestrians, shoppers and others could be seen walking along the pavements outside the shops and some trying to cross the road. The noise of cars and taxis hooting, and of scooters, flying past was deafening.

The people, mainly lady shoppers with children, lined the street as they awaited an opportunity to cross the busy roads.

The main attraction was the variety of textile shops, departmental stores, the Selangor Emporium, carpet shops, restaurants, jewellers or electrical goods shops, pavement stalls with small items like costume jewellery, toys and aluminium cooking utensils and vendors attracting customers to buy their wares.

Just the moment Quetzalli Axel took a sip of water from the glass that was just in front of her, the waiter arrived with her order and "clank, clank" she put the bowls, spoons, cups and chopsticks trimly and craftily in front of her.