"The Familiar Man"

Hi, my name is Ashley Smith, Half Pilipina/ Half Canadian. I am 17 years old from Philippines but currently living in Alta Vista of Ottawa Canada together with my dad (Radnor Smith). We've been here for about 5 years? I'm not really sure but I guess it is. My mom (Reese Smith) and my brother (Rocky Smith) are both living in the Philippines. My mom owned a university in the Philippines and my dad is currently managing our company he inherited from my grandparents here in Ottawa Canada.

My dad keeps on reminding me every day to study hard so that I can take over some of our businesses. But as of now, my mindset is to enjoy, just like other 17 years old girls out there. So, here I am right now at the mall buying some stuffs like branded clothes, bags and shoes.

"Are you done ma'am?” Ashley's private chauffeur asked.

“Wait a minute po. I forgot to buy something” Ashley responded.

*Addressing elders and authority figures in Filipino culture requires using honorifics like ‘po’ and ‘opo’ to show respect. This is a sign of respect deeply ingrained in Filipino society*

“You can take your time Ma'am” Ashley's private chauffeur responded and took all the paper bags on her hands." l will bring these to the car. Just let me know once you're done ma'am" he added.

"Thank you, you can go ahead now. l'll send you a message once I'm done." Ashley responded.

*Ashley's private chauffuer left*

*Ashley POV* While I am roaming around the mall looking for something\, someone caught my attention. At first\, I ignored it but when I pass by he looked at me and our eyes meet for a minute I guess. After a few steps away from him\, I remember someone who's similar with that guy. I think I've seen him before but I can't remember when and where.

The Man👇

*Someone came into Ashley's mind*

"No, no. It's impossible" Ashley stated to herself.

"Haissttt Am I hungry? Why Am I thinking someone who's not even here?" Ashley stated while walking.

*After a few minutes of shopping\, Ashley decided to contact her private chauffeur*

*Time check* 6:30 pm

*Ashley sent a message to her chauffeur*

“I’m done po, please pick me up now.” Ashley texted her private chauffeur.

“Noted, ma'am.” Private chauffeur responded.

*Ashley POV* As soon as my private chauffeur arrived\, he took all the papers bags I'm carrying.

"Are you done Ma'am?" Ashley's Private Chauffeur asked.

"Yes po" Ashley answered.

"Should we go home now ma'am or you wanna go somewhere else?" Private chauffeur asked again.

"Since dad will not be at home for dinner today. Let's drop by at Atelier" Ashley responded.

"Noted ma'am" Chauffeur responded.

*After 30 minutes Ashley and her private chauffeur arrived at Atelier*

Time check: *7:00 PM *Inside Atelier*

* Ashley POV* Atelier resto is one of the best restaurant in Ottawa. This place is one of my favorite resto here in Canada.

*staffs greeted when Ashley enters the restaurant*

"Good Evening Ma'am" staff greeted while guiding Ashley and the chauffeur to an available table.

"Good Evening." Ashley responded.

*Ashley and the chauffeur seated*

"Here are the list of menu ma'am" Atelier staff.

"Thank you" Ashley responded and took the menu list.

*Ashley is looking at the menu*

"I want to order this, this, and this" Ashley pointed her favorite food.

"Anything else ma'am?" Atelier staff asked.

"You can add what you want." Ashley said to her private chauffeur.

"I just want this and that" Chauffeur informed the staff.

"Anything else sir?" Staff asked.

"That's enough. No need to add on" Ashley's Chauffeur responded.

" Alright then that's all. " Ashley added.

"Sure ma'am. We're gonna place your order after a 15 minute" Atelier staff stated.

"Alright, Thanks". Ashley responded.

*The waiter left and handed over the list of orders to an another staff to prepare and serve the food*

*7:15 PM O'clock*

*Ashley POV* After 15 minutes of waiting\, our order are finally here.

*Staffs serves their food*

"I apologize for the long wait ma'am" staff stated.

"It's fine. Thank you." Ashley responded.

*Ashley and her private chauffeur started eating*

*7:45 PM O'clock*

*After 30 minutes they finished their dinner*

*Ashley called one of atelier's staff to pay off the bill*

"Excuse me" Ashley.

*Waiter came*

"Yes ma'am?" Waiter.

"Our bill please" Ashley.

"One moment ma'am" Waiter.

*Waiter went to front desk to get the bill and a few minutes later she went back to Ashley's table*

"How much is it?" Ashley asked.

"Here ma'am" Waiter showed the bill.

"Okay, I'm going to pay using this card" Ashley said and swiped her dad's card.

"Hold on ma'am" waiter said while processing the payment.

"Sure" Ashley responded.

*A few minutes later*

"All good ma'am" Atelier staff said.

"Alright, Thanks". Ashley stated.

"Thank You for choosing Atelier as well ma'am" Atelier staff responded.

"Will always do" Ashley responded and smiled.

The waiter smiled and said "See you again ma'am".

*Ashley smiled back and stood up together with the chauffeur*

"Thank you once again ma'am and stay safe" Staffs said with a bright smile when Ashley and chauffeur are about to go out the resto.

"Very much welcome. See you" Ashley responded.

*Ashley waited in front of the resto while her private chauffeur went to the parking lot to get the car*

*After few minutes chauffeur arrived*

*Chauffeur went out and opened the door for her*

"I told you many times not to do that anymore" Ashley said while entering the car.

*Chauffeur just smiled and went inside the car as well*

"It's my job ma'am so please let me do it for you" Chauffeur stated.

"It's fine so don't bother yourself anymore. Okay?" Ashley responded.

"Alright ma'am. If that's what you want" Chauffeur responded with smile.

*Chauffeur started driving*

*Ashley puts her earpads on while travelling*

*8:30 PM*

Ashley: Finally, we arrived at home.

*When Ashley enters the house\, their housekeepers greeted her*

“Good Evening Ma'am” housekeeper 1.

“Good Evening Ma'am” housekeeper 2.

*Ashley just nodded to them since she felt so tired, and then she went directly to her room and as soon as she enters she jumped on her bed and took her phone out of her bag to check something before taking a bath.

*When Ashley is about to go to the restroom\, someone knocked on the door*

“Ma'am? Can I come in? ” housekeeper.

"Yes, come in" Ashley responded.

*Housekeeper entered*

“Here are your stuffs' ma'am” housekeeper said.

"Put it there please." Ashley responded while pointing the corner of the room.

"Noted ma'am" Housekeeper.

While housekeepers are putting the paper bags on Ashley's room, she went to the restroom to take a shower.

*9:00 PM*

*When Ashley came out from the restroom\, she was surprised seeing those things she bought*

“Did I purchase all of these?” (Shocked) while looking on those branded things.

“Yes, ma'am” someone responded from behind.

"I guess it's too much" Ashley responded without knowing who she's talking to.

Ashley then realize “Oh, you're still here” she said and awkwardly smiled.

“Yes ma'am". housekeeper responded while giggling.

Ashley smiled at her and after a few minute, the housekeeper went out the room"

"Everything is there ma'am. I'll go down now. " House keeper said.

"Alright, Thank You!" Ashley responded.

*9:30 PM*

*After drying her hair, Ashley decided to go to bed early today since she felt so tired however when she's about to sleep she suddenly remember the man she encountered at the mall.

Ashley: "I think I saw him before? But I can't remember where it was".

*Ashley is preoccupied with the man she saw and while thinking too much about it, she fell asleep.

P.S

Alta Vista of Ottawa is a real city of Canada and Atelier is one of the best restaurant in Ottawa Canada in real life.

Disclaimer:

This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this story are the product of my imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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