The Cat's Tail-Chapter 31: Her Heart Knows

The personnel only door was pushed open by Selly from the inside, her gaze zeroed in immediately on Patricia who was bantering with Hinata in front of the counter.

"Hey," Selly called, her usual strong voice drawing the two and Callisto's attention like a powerful command. "That's enough chitchat, you two. The next shift is about to start. Go and get ready, Pat."

"You got it, Boss!" Patricia quickly walked past the boss and entered the personnel door.

"I'm done with reorganizing the shelves, Boss," informed Hinata to Selly. "Is there something you'd like our help with before our shift ends?"

"No," Selly answered after shaking her head. "I just figured I'd check on you guys. How's the study going?"

The young lady and fellow looked at each other before returning their gaze to the boss, soft smiles tugging the corners of their lips.

"It's going well," said the silver-haired girl. "I've learned a lot thanks to Hinata."

Hinata chuckled softly, he could feel his heart warming at the young lady's flattering words. "I'd say it's going well because of you, Callisto. It's so easy to teach you because you learn really fast."

Selly gave the two a satisfying nod.

"And what about your friend?" Selly curiously asked. "What was that red head's name again? El—"

Just then, the chime on the convenience store's entrance sounded.

Hello! Welcome!

Beaming a bright smile, the red-haired girl made her presence known in the establishment with her vibrant aura.

"Hey, Calli, Hina!"

"Hi there, Elesis."

"You're early today."

Selly faced the red head as the girl stood before her and the others. "How's your studying going with Callisto and Hinata, Elesis?"

"I'm definitely feeling smarter by the day," Elesis responded with a wide, confident grin, a sheer contrast to the deadpan expression on Callisto and Hinata's face.

Their thoughts about the red head were something they deemed should just stay hidden in their minds.

"She said she's gonna help me study, not the other way around, though."

"I hope she really gets everything we taught her. It should help her a lot in the coming school year."

Right then, the personnel only door opened up once again and there came out the four next shifters.

Shino and Josephine headed in the dining area to take over for Francis and Lewis right away while Hugo and Patricia went to the counter where Callisto and the group were.

"Oh, El!" Patricia called after her gaze zeroed in on the red head. "Hi!"

Elesis gave Pat a bright smile, waving at her. "Hello, Pat! Did you watch this week's latest episode?"

"You bet I did! I've read the manga, but seeing that scene being animated still gives me goosebumps!"

Visit ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com for the 𝑏est n𝘰vel reading experience.

Hugo looked at the two ladies as if he was already tired of their chatter.

"They're at it again," he said under his breath.

Callisto could only chuckle at his comment. Selly clapped her hands together, breaking the conversation between Patricia and Elesis.

"It's time, everyone. Callisto, Hinata, you can go. Pat, Hugo, man the counter."

"And I'll be waiting for you guys in the lounge area~" Elesis spoke as she tailed Callisto and Hinata inside the personnel only door and towards the dressing room.

Right as they entered the changing room together, the young man voiced a suggestion.

"Actually, rather than studying again today, why don't we just relax and hang out for today?"

Elesis' features lit up as soon as the young man's words rang through her ears. "That's a good idea! We could use a change of pace for once."

Callisto shot a nod of approval and understanding at the red head, a boggled expression washed over her afterwards.

"But where should we go? To the nature park?"

Deep lines formed around Elesis' forehead as she went deep in thought. "But we've been going in the park every once in a while to study already. I think somewhere we haven't gone to yet would be nice."

"Then how about the Riverbanks in Marikina?" Hinata interjected.

Callisto and Elesis' eyes shot up wide.

"That's a good idea," replied the red head, a glint of excitement in her crimson gaze. "Let's go there!"

Callisto agreed. "It's settled, then."

*

*

*

Inside her white car situated in the corner of the street, Adela couldn't help but wonder what compelled her to come to their hometown, barangay Silangan.

With Karen calling in sick, she couldn't do her daily tasks before going to Silangan to keep an eye on Callisto like usual today.

Though it falls on Adela to do all the tasks Karen couldn't work on for today, going to barangay Silangan wasn't really part of them.

So then, what brought her to Silangan?

Was it because she could not find someone else to do it for her? Or was it something else entirely?

The glass door to the convenience store was pulled open by someone inside. Three people came out.

A young red-haired girl, a tall, handsome boy, and Callisto walking out of the store right in the middle of them.

Gasp!

As soon as Adela's eyes zeroed in on Callisto's features, her surroundings changed.

Standing under a spotlight in the middle of nothing but the defeaning quiet of the dark stood Adela. Before her was a single bed where the unrecognizable corpse of Leona was laid.

She wanted to walk away, to turn back, her body convulsing and her breathing quickening. However, she couldn't muster the strength. If anything, it seemed as though her gaze and the sight of her Leona's lifeless body was closing in on each other.

"A-Ah... Aaaahhh!!"

Adela screamed on top of her lungs. Only then did the scenery returned to normal. She was sweating profusely and her breathing was labored still.

*

*

*

"Do you want to wait for a jeep from the Mt. Tierra, or should we just walk to the Langka Terminal?" Elesis turned to Callisto and Hinata, awaiting their response.

"Maybe there's one from Mt. Tierra already on the way," answered the young man. "If we can catch it, we won't have to wait for it to fill in with passengers like in the Langka Terminal."

Callisto turned to the direction of where the Langka Terminal was. She found herself looking at a white car that was just about to turn back.

She didn't pay it too much attention. Instead, she turned the other way.

"Let's go for the one from Mt. Tierra Terminal," said the silver-haired girl, taking the first step forward. "Let's wait for it in front of the covered court."