The Quintessential Five

Chapter 1: Introducing the Fab Five

PSYCHE'S POV

"I love you. I promise I will give you the world. I will love you and only you." The guy said these words with utmost sincerity. He surely knows how to act. Guess what. This scene could melt any girl's heart who watches this drama but definitely not us.

"Psyche! I don't understand why you keep watching this movie. It is nothing but gross!" Shouted Tyche, my tan, tall, and pretty bestfriend who wants nothing in this world but to live in the mountains. Crazy, but it's true. Actually, that's not only her dream but my dream as well. To live in the mountains with duchsunds, huskies, and golden retrievers as furry companies. I know it couldn't be better.

"Shut up, Ty! What else could I watch here? I already finished all of Ryan Reynolds' films and there's nothing new. No action. I've also read every single book that I have. This totally sucks. By the way, why the hell are you wearing that funny outfit? Are you gonna work as a Marlboro girl?" I asked.

"Marlboro girl? What is that?" she asked with annoyance written all over her face.

"You know, those bitches wearing scanty dresses selling cigars to old damn men in high end bars."

"Seriously? You're criticizing my outfit like I'm one of those bitches?" She spanked my head that I almost spilled my chamomile tea. "You gave me this 'scanty' dress which you obviously did not remember!" She shouted like there's no tomorrow. She doesn't really know how to talk nicely. A real b***h. "And besides, this is the only one I found more suitable for going out. You know the clothes that I have. Ugh."

This is the daily scene in our apartment. Yes, I'm living with my bestfriend. After college, we have decided to move out of our parents home and live on our own in a big city. Well, basically not on our own since we have each other.

Tyche and I have been friends since time immemorial. Our parents were friends and we have decided to become friends as well. But for one reason, we clicked because we have something in common, not because of how our names rhyme but because we're both ambitious.

We both aim big in the careers that we took, Tyche's an artist who seems to be living in her studio, and I am an aspiring journalist who currently got laid off after my hilarious previous job. The reason why I've been binge-watching these boring romcom films.

"Anyway, Tych. Where are you headed to with that choice of clothes?" I asked. "To meet Sandra, of course. I don't know why I said yes to her invitation to go into this newly opened bar."

"Hahaha. Now I know why you're wearing that. Sandra's gonna reprimand you if you wear one of your jumpsuits!" I laughed so hard that made Tyche's face gloom. "Yeah. You're right. I really hate it when she blockmails me to go party with her" she answered looking like a little kid in tantrums.

"I'm gonna head out now. I'll just leave you here fantasizing romance with whoever those guys you're watching in that gross film. But, are you sure you don't wanna come and save me from Sandra?"

"No. I'm on a hiatus right now. But you go girls and enjoy yourselves. Bye!"

Tyche immediately vanished from my sight. Great. I'm gonna spend Friday night alone here in our apartment again.

I don't know with that girl. It seems like she only goes here to eat, bathe, and sleep. It's not like that before, or is it just me who recently noticed it because I am here all the time now. I can't even remember when was the last time I went past that small white door of ours.

Now that I have nothing to do, I might as well get up and go to my room. I had too much screentime today and our living room looked like a mess with our cushions everywhere.

I went into my room and opened the lights, and I was quite in awe of how my room is way more of a mess than our living room. Since it's Friday night and I have nothing to keep my hands on, I decided to tidy up a bit.

Books, books, books everywhere. They didn't get the chance to be back on their shelves for quite some time and they're just scattered on the floor. So, I started to pick them up one by one when I suddenly tripped on one of my book piles. "Arrrgh. I feel like my toes are broken!" I groaned.

I was about to stand up when something caught my eye. A small white envelope. I opened it and saw my name on the back. It was my acceptance letter from my previous job.

Memories rushed in and I could remember how happy I was when I received this on the mail. I can't seem to believe that day that I got accepted into one of the well-known publishing company in the country. It was too good to be true. But it was.

"No." my editor answered. "We cannot just let you write anything you want! You are not a freelance writer. You are under this publishing company. In every article you write, you bear our company's name. I'm sorry Psyche but you can't, we cannot allow you to publish that."

Tears started to fall in my eyes. Those words seemed to crash my whole world that day. It was my first time to experience such humiliation and rejection. I immediately went to my desk and cleared it up. That day, I have decided to never come back.

________________________________________

TYCHE'S POV

"Ugh! Why did I decided to wear this dress? It's so itchy and I can't move freely."

I'm quite hesitating to open the door of the bar when someone grabbed my shoulders from behind. "Tttttttttt! OMG, you're here!"

"Well, obviously. You forced me to be here tonight" I answered. "Hey! You're such a mood. We're supposed to enjoy here" Sandra said with a pouty lips.

We went inside the bar. I'm quite surprised it's not something with loud music and drunk teenagers sneaking out of their homes on a Friday night.

This bars exude an inviting, warm glow as a sea of low-hanging, Edison-style filament bulbs casts a soft, golden radiance that dance playfully on the worn, mahogany bar top.

The air is alive with a symphony of clinking glassware and laughter, a harmonious cacophony that weaves its way through the cozy, dimly lit space.

We sat on one of the booths on the corner away from the big groups exuding big laughters, avoiding their gazes while we pass.

"Really. What is it that you wanted to say that you dragged me out of my jumpsuits and sneakers?"

"Well, I just missed you!"

"You're kidding. You know you're welcome anytime in our apartment so you could have seen Psyche as well. "

"Actually, she's the reason why I wanted to meet you here instead. I'm quite worried about our friend. It's been two months since she left her job but I feel like she haven't gotten over it yet. She doesn't even go out to hang-out anymore."

"Yeah. I know. I think she deserves that rest, she's on a hiatus as what she calls it."

"I don't believe that. I know Psyche as someone who doesn't rest. Before, she can't come along with us because she's swamped with so much work but now that she's jobless, she's still not here."

"I guess she needs some time to think for her next big move. You know our girl, she's always up to something unexpected."

"I agree" Sandra said with a sigh. "But she should go out from her hole sometimes. Angel and Thalia are gonna come home in a few weeks. We should meet up."

"Anyway, what do you want? It will be on me. My friend owns this bar and we're also here to congratulate him."

"Who is that? All I know is you have four girl friends."

"Girl. You gotta meet other people sometimes. He's just someone I met from a trip."

As soon as Sandra finished her sentence, a tall striking figure strode confidently towards the table where we were sitting. His dark hair was impeccably combed, and his tailored suit exuded an air of sophistication, obviously hinting that he's the owner of this bar.

"Hey, Sandra! I'm glad you came."

"Hmmm. Even his voice sounds sophisticated." I said on the back of my mind.

"Of course! I wouldn't miss your opening. I was quite convinced that this would turn out impressive after hearing all of your stories about this. And I wasn't wrong! I'm so glad you were able to materialize everything you said. Congratulations, Nate!" Sandra exclaimed.

"Thank you, Sandra. I'm glad you liked it here. I hope you and your friend are enjoying your night."

"Oh! I almost forgot! Anyway, here's my friend, Tyche. T, this is Nathan."

We shook our hands, creating a delicate yet electric connection, a dance of fingers and palms that spoke of both familiarity and the thrill of a new encounter.

I immediately draw my hand back and fixed my dress to avoid his gaze that seems to send chills on my spine.

"Anyway, Sandra, Tyche, I hope you get to enjoy the rest of your night here. I'm just gonna go and head back to the counter to check on something and welcome a few guests. I appreciate you guys for coming and it's nice to meet you Tyche."

The rest of the night was full of Sandra's story about her trip to Thailand where she and Nate met. They were on this entrepreneurship symposium and they instantly clicked because they both have start-up businesses.

We ended the night on a good note. Of course, we know how to handle our alcohol. Sandra drove me home. I was already so sleepy when I arrived in our apartment that when I woke up this morning, I realized I sleeped through that uncomfortable dress I was wearing last night.

"Good morning, Tych. How did it go last night?" asked Psyche who seemed to just finished cooking our breakfast.

"It was great. It turned out that Sandra's friend owns the bar and we had our drinks for free." I answered while pouring coffee to my white plain mug.

"Friend? I can't recall Sandra having a friend except us four."

"Yeah, right. But that's Sandra. She can immediately be friends with anyone given the nature of her job. Apparently, she met the guy during her trip to Thailand."

"Oh. I see. That explains why he owns the bar. Anyway, what are your plans for today? It's a Saturday."

Psyche handed me a plate with fried rice, egg and spam. It's tantalizing aroma wafted through the air my stomach started to rumble.

"Unfortunately, I have something to finish in my studio. It's a comissioned painting that needs to be done real soon."

"Oh. I was hoping we could go and buy some groceries if you weren't busy. Anyway, I'll just go myself. Is there anything you want me to buy?"

"Nothing except the usuals. I'll try to finish early so we could have dinner together later. I will cook this time. I promise."

"Alright. I'm gonna head out now. Adios, my friend" Psyche said before closing the door.

I finished my breakfast and headed to my studio. It's just a few blocks away from our apartment and I would always enjoy my morning walks going there, with the sunlight striking on my face giving me a warm greeting for the day and the cool breeze refreshing me for a good start.

My small studio is a haven of inspiration, tucked away in a cozy corner of my world. The gentle sunlight filters through the window, casting a warm, inviting glow on my work. The walls are adorned with my ever-evolving gallery, each canvas bearing the soulful imprints of my creative journey.

A worn wooden easel stood proudly in one corner, holding a canvas in progress, while a cluttered but cozy worktable occupied another, adorned with an array of brushes, paints, and pallete knives. I took my stool and sat before my ongoing work.

I have been working on this project for a week now and I can't seem to grasp the reason why my client wanted me to paint a chair. She said that I am free to paint what I want for that chair to be as long as it would look really old and worn-out.

A chair could be a metaphor for something, I guess. But as I look at my work, I could feel a yearning of a break from all the physical and mental exertion that I've had. I could imagine myself sitting peacefully on a chair without having to worry about a single thing in the world.

Oh. I wish I could.