Chapter 3: finally meeting

"It's about time we met, AJ," she spoke as she sat on the chair in the dining room.

Ms. Thompson was my homeroom teacher in my senior year of high school. She taught advanced math and usually checked on me, making sure I understood all my lectures in class.

"Come. Eat with me," I complied, shaking the thought of running away. I scooped some rice and ladled some adobo on my plate. 

The sweet scent of the mix between the soy sauce and the vinegar filled the room, causing my mouth to water. I wasted no time and took the first bite.

"Is it nice? It's my first time cooking adobo so I'm a bit worried that it might be a bit too salty for you. I wanted to prepare your favorite on our first meeting so you could have a good first impression of me," she rambled. 

I swallowed the food in my mouth and spoke after a deliberate pause, "It was a bit sweet, but it wasn't bad for your first time." 

Her eyes twinkled as her face showed an expression of delight. She thanked me and we silently finished our meal so we could clean up. 

I volunteered to wash the dishes and clean the table since she did the cooking, as it was the polite thing to do. As I cleaned, she asked me questions about myself and what I had been doing for the past few years.

"I took over the company since I lost my parents and my brother."

"I can see that you're doing well based on the news I have been hearing," her lips formed a curve as she talked. 

It was silent for a while before Ms. Thompson decided to return to her room.

"I need to get some sleep, but it has been nice catching up with you. I was worried since you disappearred during graduation day, I didn't hear anything about you for years. Good night, sweet dreams," I did not utter a word until she closed the door behind her. 

After cleaning up, I also decided to prepare for another busy day by resting early.