Tracers of Time

A Little Reunion

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Present

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Tracy, wearing a simple blue jeans, white T-shirt and a black ball cap, waits for Glenda at the entrance of Café Letty for their talked - about meeting that day.

Undoubtedly, even if Tracy was only wearing simple clothes, people around could still see her attractive face and hourglass figured body.

Looking at the watch on her wrist, the time stated that it was still six in the morning. When suddenly a blue Land Rover Range Rover parked in front of her.

From the fancy car, Glenda came out of it which grabbed the attention of the people in that area. But Glenda ignored the attention and happily hugged Tracy and kissed her on her cheeks.

"Aahhhhh !! I'm so excited for our trip today." - Glenda greeted Tracy warmly.

"Thanks for inviting me, Glenda." - Tracy smiled gratefully.

"Gosh, that's nothing. Let's get in the car and I have a surprise for you, Tracy." - Glenda said that after she and Tracy got in, she quickly started the car.

"Surprise? What kind of surprise is that?" - Tracy wondered.

"You'll see! Hehehe" - Glenda said anxiously towards Tracy.

Tracy just smiled as she looked down the driveway. She thought that this has been her first time hanging out with someone from her hometown after living alone for a year in Erish City.

A few minutes passed and they've finally arrived at a stunning beach resort in the southern part of Erish City. It was Tracy's first time exploring this part of the city hence she cannot afford to travel over the luxurious area of Erish City.

After getting out of the car, Glenda called someone on the phone then they went inside the beach resort afterwards.

Inside, you wouldn’t think of just a simple beach resort. Very clean and very beautiful place. Truly a place of luxury and extravaganza. It is surrounded by white sand and beautiful cottages with a turquoise sea perfect for a stress-free day off.

Tracy was amazed looking at the place. It took away her loneliness. And the sea breeze that blew fresh air to her face, calms her heart from all the problems she is battling right now.

Breathing the fresh air in her lungs soothes her dark thoughts of pitying herself. Though, she knew that this is just a small token from God, she completely obliged to receive this small gift and would enjoy this day to its fullest.

Tracy was deep in her thoughts watching the unending sea and enjoying the fresh air when a voice she heard greeted Glenda and her as they arrived at a luxury Cottage at that beach resort. A voice very familiar to her.

"Welcome to Casa Maria Mrs. Glenda!" - The speaker said.

"Thank you for inviting us Mr. Spencer." - replied Glenda after making a bisuo.

Shocked, Tracy looked at the speaker and she saw Ryan. He was wearing a white polo shirt, shorts and an expensive watch. He is way more different now than before. His face, body and aura is way too contrary to the Ryan she used to know.

Smiling and with a twinkle in his eyes seemed to indicate the joy of seeing Tracy.

"Nice to see you again, Tracy." - said Ryan.

"Oh, It's good to see you too." - Tracy replied.

Ryan and Tracy looked at each other. There was joy in their eyes. It was eleven long years since Tracy saw Ryan personally and heard about his life. Tracy wanted to hug Ryan, ask the questions that had also been lingering in her mind for years and recite the words that Tracy should have said to Ryan before.

"He is the "surprise" that I was talking you about, Tracy girl! We met last night at the dinner party with my husband. After knowing that we came from the same place, we talked a lot about our common ground. Then, I told him about you and that you are also from the same place. It was then that he offered me to invite both of us to his beach resort." - reviled Glenda.

Shaking and building up her courage to say something, Tracy was stopped when a boy suddenly run towards Ryan.

"Daddy Ry! Daddy Ry! I found a seashell, look!" - The boy happily told Ryan.

Seeing the child, Tracy froze. She looked at Ryan in confusion. But Ryan didn't noticed Tracy's confused look because he is still focused to the little boy infront of him.

"It's good to know that you're happy with your life now Ryan." - Tracy praised Ryan.

"Thank you, Tracy." - Ryan replied then he instructed the boy to play along with his friends.

Silence filled the air. Tracy felt the pain in her chest that she didn’t know where it came from. Pain that slowly builds up small tears in her eyes.

"Let's eat first, Ryan. Where do we eat here?" - Glenda breaking the awkward silence.

"Oh, I'm sorry." - uttered Ryan. "Come. Our chef made all our specialties today just for us. Follow me!" - He offered.

Tracy and Glenda followed Ryan into a grand dining room that overlooked the turquoise sea while you can truly feel the relaxing sea breeze.

Inside stood and waited a beautiful and welcoming woman. Its hair is blonde as beautiful as the sun. Aside from that, the woman's skin was smooth and her face very humble.

"Welcome to Casa Maria Mrs. Glenda and Miss Tracy." - the woman's polite greeting to Tracy and Glenda.

"Thank you." - Glenda and Tracy replied happily.

"Please sit here." - she is referring to the chairs opposite to her while Ryan seated at the edge of the table. In Ryan's right side seated Anna and on her left side seated Tracy then Glenda. "I'm Anna. The food will be serve in a few moments." - she added.

After they greeted each other casually, Ryan saw the chef brought out the food from the kitchen and placed it on their table.

Tracy couldn't help but be amazed for all the delicious foods infront of her. There are crabs, prawns, fishes and other seafood that are too expensive for Tracy's wallet.

"These are all our special cuisines, I hope you like it." - Ryan announced looking at Tracy while she responded with a smile.

"Okay, let's dig in!" - Anna spoke.

While eating and doing small talks, two men entered the dining area wearing suits. One of the two men looked like he is still in his prime age while the other man looked like he is on the verge of retirement.

"My honey, baby!! Come, sit besides me." - Glenda pronounced upon noticing the two men's arrival. "Tracy, this is my handsome husband, Leonardo." - Glenda introduces her husband to Tracy. "Baby my loves, this is Tracy. My schoolmate in highschool who helped me during my trying times back then." - she added.

"Nice to meet you, Sire." - Tracy gladly said.

"Wonderful to see you too, Tracy. Please don't call me Sire, just call me Leo. Glenda talked a lot about you last night. She is really fond to your meeting yesterday." - Leonardo mentioned.

"I am too." - Tracy happily responded.

"So, you are Tracy. Hi! I'm Clint, Ryan's business partner and Anna's husband. That kid over there is my only son, Rio. Nice to meet you, Tracy." - Clint introduces himself.

Hearing this, Tracy was utterly dumbfounded. Her thoughts about Ryan was proven to not be true. She looked at Ryan who's also bewildered by her sudden gaze.

"Ahmm.. It's nice to meet you and your family too, Clint. To be invited in this breakfast is truly remarkable for me." - Tracy responded then she looked at Ryan who looked back at her with a gentle smile on her lips as though he already knew the reason of Tracy's confused stares.

"Same here, Tracy. You see, Ryan here is lonely man. Still single while most of our friends are now married including me. It's great to know that he found friends here in Erish City after we moved back to Ridgewood County next month." - Clint affirmed.

After a very unforgettable breakfast, Leonardo, Clint and Ryan went to their ongoing business conference. But Ryan asked Tracy's phone number first before leaving and asked her to meet him soon to talk privately. While Glenda is more enthusiastic about Tracy and Ryan's future meetup, Tracy on the other hand is scared. She is scared to many thoughts and possible additional pain she might encounter.

After shopping and great talks, Glenda drove Tracy back to her small rented room.

"Are you sure you're alright here, Tracy? I can buy you a decent apartment for your safety." - Glenda worriedly told Tracy.

"I'm fine, Glenda. Thank you so much for this wonderful day with you." Tracy responded.

"I am too. I'll be going now, take care Tracy and I really-really hope you could come tomorrow. Let's have dinner together after your shift okay?!" - Hopefully pleaded Glenda.

"I'll try. Thanks again, Glenda. Goodbye!" - Tracy said.

Watching Glenda's car drove out, Tracy's dark depression then comes. She is now facing reality. Her loneliness, broke and failures surrounded her and crept deeper to her heart killing her slowly.

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