The Sleuth Project ✓

Chapter 26: Morse-Coded Apology

"Never akong nilabas ni mommy para gumala sa mall. She was always so busy. All my clothes were just given to me so I really had no fashion style of my own." Sambit nito, laughing awkwardly. "Now that I think of it, most of what I wear are skirts and white blouses — like a secondhand copy off our uniform." Ann remarked, feigning a smile.

"At least the clothes they gave you complimented your looks." Komento ni Queenie na mukhang hindi komportable. "All I have are secondhand oversized pants and baggy shirts that I got from Quinn. Alam niyo na, mas matanda kasi 'yon sakin ng ilang minuto kaya siya ang priority nina mama pagdating sa pagbili ng gamit. Mukhang first time ko rin ata na mag-shopping, kung 'yun ang gagawin natin."

"Are you girls serious??" Sera guffawed at them in disbelief, wrinkling her nose. When the two merely stared at her, napailing na lamang si Sera.

"Wow," She whistled, putting on her sunglasses. "Then it's a good thing that our professors scheduled our afternoon classes for independent learning today. I'm going to make sure you girls have the best day of your lives."

She then flashed the two a devilish smirk, inciting Ann and Queenie to give each other terrified glances.

"Okay so just to be clear, what we're doing isn't going to be some kind of makeover." Sera briefed her friends as the three of them entered the mall. They were still in their school uniforms since they had just gone from their morning classes that day. It was barely around lunch time as they walked down the glassy floors of the mall.

"We're just going to the spa for deep-cleansing," Sera started, raising one finger as if counting off the itineraries on their checklist. "Then a quick visit to my dermatologist — who's also my tita — which might help solve Queenie's low-esteem problems with her face. And then of course hindi tayo aalis dito nang hindi nag-sha-shopping. We're going to scour every store until you two find your aesthetic."  She said airily, emphasizing the last word.

"Aesthetic??" Ann frowned, walking side-by-side with the girls.

"Yeah, like your overall style." Sera responded, strutting with an air of confidence that the other girls lacked. Sure, Ann was more confident than Queenie whose shoulders were hunched, but the mall wasn't her territory and it was only right that they let Sera lead them.

"For example, I believe my aesthetic is old Hollywood." Kibit-balikat ni Sera as they enter a fancy salon named "Beauty Butter Spa" with an interior that seemed to be designed with diamonds and black marble. "I'm a vintage soul you see." She winked, and Ann couldn't help but snort.

"I beg to disagree." Ngisi ni Ann nang inassist na sila ng isang assistant na mukhang kilala na si Sera. "I know what your aesthetic is and it isn't old Hollywood, Seraphim Louise Madrigal."

"Sige nga, ano 'yon?" Pang-hahamon ni Sera before instructing the assistant to give them complete facial and skin care treatments, mani-pedis, and full-body massages.

"Your aesthetic is simply femme fatale. It's your whole vibe." Ann pointed out as a salon assistant started putting cucumbers on top of their eyelids.

"Now that you've mentioned it, I think  Ann has a point." Tawa naman ni Queenie, who loved watching 1940s noir films with femme fatale leads. Na-i-imagine niya si Sera na isang seductress wearing a red, lacy dress.

"O sige, kung anong gusto niyong paniwalaan." Sera rolled her eyes before snapping at one assistant. "Cher, please give my curly friend over there a chic hairstyle." Sambit ng dalaga at tinuro si Queenie na mukhang kinabahan. "I-wax niyo na rin siya."

"Wax??" Queenie repeated, her eyes widening like saucers.

"Relax Q. Pagkatiwalaan mo lang si Sera." Ann chuckled, seeing Queenie's frozen expression.