KRISZEL parked her red sedan in front of an Italian restaurant that was quite familiar to her. She leaned back to her seat and scowled at the restaurant’s signage. She can’t believe she’ll be here again. If not for their deputy’s request, she won’t go here.

“I can’t believe Carlos would go to this extent just to prevent me from not showing up,” Kriszel said as she took off her seatbelt. “Still, Supergirl is mine.”

She was about to walk towards the entrance gallery when her phone rang. She took out her smartphone from her small purse and rolled her eyes upon seeing Carlos’ name registered on the screen. She immediately dismissed the call and made her way towards the entrance.

Dr. Carlos Santiago was one of the few numbers of men that she talked to. But sometimes, she regretted including Carlos in them, and one of those sometimes was what going to happen now inside the restaurant that she’s been avoiding to dine for a month.

Kriszel shook her head, she’ll make Carlos regret doing this to her. As soon as she stepped inside the restaurant, she heard Carlos called her name. She turned to the corner of the dining area and caught Carlos waving at her. The broad smile on the man’s face just added to Kriszel’s annoyance. She wished that Chef won’t show up tonight. Otherwise, she’ll despise this day for the rest of her life.

“I thought you changed your mind and decided to don’t show up,” Carlos told her as he ushered her on her seat.

Kriszel controlled herself from shooting him a glare, but she forgot to leave her sarcasm at home. “Really? You came with that thought?”

And the bastard had the nerve to chuckle. “Honestly, I know that you can’t afford to miss this dinner.”

Lalaine laughed. “Why do I feel like tomorrow will be a nice day for Carlos?”

“Thank you for not turning down my invitation, Kriszel.” Their deputy chief smiled and nodded at her. “How’re your today’s posts? Did your patients give you a headache?”

Angela sensed what’s going to be the next question, but she still managed to put a genuine smile on her face. “Not quite, Dr. Scarper. It was actually a nice day for me because you invited me to this dinner.”

Lalaine snorted loudly that all of them looked at her. Terence nudged her in the shoulder and gave her a warning look. “`Sorry,” she said and giggled. “Can we order now?”

“We’re still waiting for Detective Albert,” Carlos said and took out his phone. He adjusted his bar-rimmed glasses before he typed on his screen. “He’s on his way.”

As if on cue, Terence waved at the passing waiter behind them. “You may serve our orders.”

A few minutes later, their orders were served on the table. Different kinds of mouth-watering Italian Cuisines welcomed their appetite. Kriszel was not a fan of international food, but she guessed, she’ll make an exception tonight. Too bad, these delicious foods were cooked from this restaurant. ‘And why am I even thinking of him?’

“Italian cuisines here were cooked with a touch of Filipino taste,” Dr. Scarper informed them. “This is my favorite restaurant, that’s why I told Carlos to set the dinner meeting here.”

Kriszel paused. “Meeting?” she asked, a little surprised at what she just heard. “I thought it was just a casual dinner.”

“I thought it’s a team-building,” Lalaine said while serving lemony tuna on her plate.

“What made you think that it’s a team-building?” Terence asked with a knotted forehead. “Team buildings weren’t held in restaurants.”

Lalaine grinned, and then glanced at her. “Because Kriszel is coming with us.”

Kriszel narrowed her eyes at her colleague. “Is that so?” she asked sarcastically. “So what are you trying to say?”

Lalaine laughed. “Nothing!” she said with a sway of her hand. “Oh, please, don’t give me that look, Kris. It gives me creeps.”

All of her colleagues laughed while Kriszel just shook her head. She can’t blame Lalaine for saying it, she was known to be snobbish in their team, and she doesn’t hang out with anyone unless it was part of her job. She also limits herself from talking to other people—especially men—that doesn’t have to do with her profession. Everybody in their team knew that she hates men, and she guessed, she’ll live by that label for the rest of her life.

“Why Detective Albert is taking so long?” Dr. Scarper asked as she scooped rollatini pasta. “Is he on a crime scene now?”

“Maybe he was caught again in traffic,” Carlos replied, grinning like a schoolboy. “A traffic that wears police uniform—”

“So you’re talking shits behind my back, Carlos?” Detective Albert arrived with his usual worn-out hoody and ripped jeans. “I’m sorry if I kept you waiting, Dr. Scarper.”

“It’s fine,” Dr. Scarper said. “I’m used to that.”

Kriszel shook her head. Detective Albert Torres was their team’s Homicide Detective. And, he was known to be so hard-working and determined to his profession that he often ditched his bed for some rest during an investigation. Worst, most of their cases were remained unsolved for months now.

“Oh, so we have a Beauty Queen guest here,” he said and reached to tap her head but she quickly avoided it. “Why? You haven’t washed your hair?”

Kriszel rolled her eyes ceilingwards. “Sanitize your hands first, Detective. I don’t know where you used that a while ago.”

Detective Albert groaned. “It’s nice to see you, too.”

“Come on, take your seat,” Carlos told him. “We should celebrate this moment. Kriszel finally joined us in dinner.”

“Oh, please, spare me, Carlos,” she said and crossed her arms. “I didn’t go here to be bullied by the two of you.”

Dr. Scarper laughed. “They’re just happy that you’re here with us. We’ve been working for four years, and this is just the second time that you joined us in dinner without saying that it’s something important to our investigations.”

“I was actually shocked when Lalaine told me that you’re coming tonight—”

“Oh, shut up, Terence,” Kriszel cut off. “If this meant for a celebration, then we should get a wine.”

“But, before that, Kriszel.” Carlos looked at her and smile. “I want to tell you something.”

Kriszel can see mischief in his chinky eyes, and it annoys her very much. She raised her hand and called for a waiter without taking her eyes off him. “Oops, sorry,” she said. “I didn’t hear you.”

Carlos groaned in defeat. “Are you a psychic?”

She smirked. “Sort of? It’s just obvious—”

“Do you need anything else, Madame?” A rasp baritone tone of voice interrupted Kriszel’s words. “You called for me, right?”

Kriszel felt a sudden chill along her spine. She looked up, and when she saw the man’s face, a creased between her brows suddenly appeared. This night was indeed a nightmare.

***