CHAPTER 2 “CITY OF PINES”

AFTER lunch when Jenny arrived in Baguio City. She rented a nice cabin for her two-week stay plan. But just like what her mother Rowena said, there is no problem if she wants to extend her vacation. With that thought, a simple yet beautiful smile tore Jenny's lips.

"Thank you," the young lady to the elderly woman who handed her the cabin key.

"If you need anything, just come to my house," she said, pointing to a house not far from the cabin she rented.

The woman nodded while staring intently at her face so Jenny's smile widened even more.

"All right," was her sparing answer again.

“I'm sorry sweetheart, you are so beautiful that I can't stop myself from staring at you. But you know, your face looks familiar. I just can’t remember when or where but I'm sure I've seen you,” she said in a tone that seems to be very sure of what she was saying.

Jenny just shrugged her shoulders at what the woman said who she thought was just a few years older than her mother. Because of that thought, she suddenly missed Rowena.

“Oh that’s interesting,” Jenny said unable to hide the exhaustion in her voice. Whether it is because of the long driving time or the reason why she decided to go up to Baguio, she is not sure.

It was then that the woman smiled at her before opening her mouth to speak. “All right. By the way, your first meal here is free. Malou will just deliver it to you,” the landlady said. "Before I forget, you can call Mama Loida," she introduced herself and then extended her hand to her.

"Jenny," the young lady replied then accepted the handshake.

*****

JENNY immediately surveyed her vision inside the cabin when she entered.

Clear and beautiful but simple.

Well, she already saw that in the picture when she booked it using a booking app. But it still feels different when you are in the very place already. She could feel the good ambiance of the place that is why she is having this feeling that it will not be difficult for her to move on.

It's just a small cabin that is perfect for couples. There are a small living room and kitchen. Complete with necessary appliances and furniture. She entered and then pushed the door shut.

In the bedroom, she continued. The beautiful four-poster bed of medium size immediately greeted her. By the window, there is a coffee table set. While a built-in closet is near the bathroom door.

Jenny took a nap and then she started arranging her clothes in the closet when she woke up. After that, she went to the bathroom to take a bath. She had just come out when she heard a series of knocks on the door.

Jenny glanced at the watch hanging on the wall of the room. It was too early for dinner time because it is only past five o'clock so she thought that is not the free meal that Mama Loida was telling her.

"What is it?" she immediately asked when she opened the door.

A woman greeted her who she thought was just a few years younger than Mama Loida. She carries a tray. In the tray is a cup of hot coffee.

"Good afternoon, I'm Malou, Ma’am Loida asked me to give this to you," the woman smiled sweetly at her.

"Wow thank you so much," she said and then accepted the tray.

Malou nodded first before speaking again. “Later I will deliver your dinner. What Ma’am Loida said was true. You are very beautiful and polite, that may be the reason why she liked you right away,” Malou said in an admiring tone.

Jenny's cheeks warmed quickly at the compliment by the woman in front of her. "Thank you," was all she could think of to say.

Malou just smiled then left her.

Again, Jenny was left alone. She went inside and sat down in a love seat made of narra then laid the tray on the center table. She quietly sipped the coffee given to her by Malou and then smiled when she tasted its deliciousness.

When she was in college, she took a Hotel and Restaurant Management course. But when she graduated and had enough money to support herself, she also studied cooking and baking so she got the title of a chef. It was for the bakery that her mother Rowena used to support her.

Over time, she and Rowena were able to develop their small bakery. And she dreams of building its branches when the time comes.

There are many more reasons for her to continue her life despite all the bad things that happened to her because of what Ryan did. But that will not happen if she will not help herself.

*****

“THE next day is my birthday but why are you still not coming home? What's your plan? Do you have no plans to celebrate with me?” Jason's mother's sermon was loud on the other line.

Jason smiled because of what his mother said. “Of course, I will be home for your birthday. I am just finishing something at work so I could not leave here in Manila yet,” he explained then picked up the mug of his coffee.

The young man immediately shook his head when he realized that his coffee has gone cold. From being seated in front of his working table Jason got up and left his room to brew a new one.

“Then why didn't you call? If I hadn't contacted you, I would not have known your plan?”

The tone of his mother Loida did not change, so this time Jason could not stop himself from laughing softly.

“Mama, I’m sorry. I'm just really busy. You know it is not easy to run a business,” he admitted in a more soft and tender tone that he knew could relieve the annoyance his mother feels.

Paul was one of his classmates and friends when he was in college.

At first, he was not close with him. His first college best friend was Daniel.  But because Daniel turned out to be his rival to Ara, he chose to put a space between them, so he had the opportunity to meet Paul.

They both started as engineers in Uncle Robert’s firm, Paul’s uncle. But because of the dedication that they both did and showed, Uncle Robert decided to sell to both of them half of the business.

And since they have enough savings, they both did not miss that opportunity. Until Uncle Robert fell ill. Then his family decided to take the man abroad for treatment. And since neither of his two daughters took an engineering course apart from the fact that they had no interest in the business, Uncle Robert resold the rest of the firm to them.

Uncle Robert is now a cancer survivor who lives happily in Canada with his family and grandchildren.

“Oh, you and your friend Paul are the same. So, what if you get really rich? Do you still have no families? What are all your efforts for?” upon hearing his mother say that Jason quickly seemed to wake up from his deep thought.

"Mama, Paul has a girlfriend, I'm the only one who doesn't," he said softly then poured the newly brewed coffee into his cup.

“Nonsense! The good thing for you to do now is to come home here! For what else that you became the boss if you could not tolerate me with simple things like this?” in the tone of his mother he knew he could no longer refuse.

"All right, I'll tell Paul," he said with a smile while returning to his room to finished his work.

“If you want to invite him, bring him. This house is big, or if he wants, I can give him that vacant cabin for free,” with what his mother said Jason felt that she probably is missing him so much.

He does not often return to Baguio. They are actually from Manila and the house he is staying in now is the old house that his father inherited from his parents which is still a Spanish-style house. It was just taken care of so it was not completely damaged and so far, that is what he is still doing.

"It looks like your business is going well," he told his mother.

“Yes, only one cabin is left vacant. Oh, by the way, I hope you could meet our lady guest here. She is so beautiful and you two can be a perfect match!” he even sensed the intense admiration and excitement on his mother’s tone.

That would be the second time he heard Loida say that so Jason couldn't help but be amused. The first time was when he was in college. When he showed to her the picture of the girl he was dating, Jenny.

Jason smiled bitterly at the memory as the delicious caress of emotion that deep inside him is still, as before, seemed permanent.

"All right, if you are that excited to see me, this afternoon, I will be leaving for Baguio City."

That's true. But other than that he knew he had another reason why he suddenly able to decide so quickly. But that is something that he could not determine either.