July 29, 2020

Wednesday, 3:18 pm

Well, I’m back from my lunch with Madame Toussaint. Geez, I’m exhausted and stuffed. That quiche aux champignons (quiche with mushrooms) was phenomenal! Her magical touch in the kitchen is still the same as always. I didn’t even know I was craving her scrumptious, home-cooked meals. When I told her that, she just gave me this warm, grandmotherly grin and told me to come to her place for breakfast, lunch, and dinner everyday. Haha, she’s still the sweet old lady I came to trust and love!

I feel like I was supposed to tell you something… Give me a sec, let me… Oh. I remembered! Don’t worry, I ain’t that far gone. Yet.

So, I was able to talk to Olive before I had to head out for lunch with Madame Toussaint. It was a bit awkward to bring up Alex since I always avoided the topic with her. But man, it’s insane how intuitive/ perceptive women are! We made some small talk, just, you know, catching up with what’s been going on in life and whatnot... Until suddenly, she asks me why I came back to France. 

I mean, I don’t blame her for asking, since I immediately left the country after I got a job offer from the big boss. I was just taken aback. I forgot how straightforward she was. And, without even giving me a chance to comprehend her question, she stared at me straight in the eye and asked if I was here to find Alex… Like, dang woman, take a chill pill.

I sort of nodded my head and avoided eye contact with her. God, it’s still freaking embarrassing to think about! She just looked at me for a couple of seconds and sighed, you know, the kind that moms give you for doing something you shouldn’t have? I felt so pathetic and stupid. I knew what she was thinking: “Why is he looking for him after all these years?”

...It’s not like I can just tell her the reason. I mean, I can, but… Would you want to tell an old friend you haven’t met in the past four years? I think not! I just told her to forget about it and left before she could say anything more about my idiotic plan to see him again. I didn’t want to deal with all that nagging that was bound to ensue if I stayed. Knowing her, she would have probably dissuaded me from meeting him. I get that it’s for my and his best interest, but I already promised myself to not run away.

Ergh… After I finish writing this diary entry, I’m going to shoot her a text, telling her that I’m sorry for leaving so abruptly. Ha, I’m a mess, aren’t I?

I think I’m just going to stay in for the rest of the day. I’m tired and still a bit jet lagged. Besides, I have what, nine days to look for more clues about Alex before I start my new job? I’m sure I can just take it easy for now. If I can’t find anything out in those nine days… Well, I have about eight, nine months to figure it out.

Don’t fret, my future self. I’ll fulfill my quest before my 32nd birthday. Let’s hope for the best!

**NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.**