“OK, mate, that’s good advice from a great friend.”
“You know me, Harry, I’m always here to talk to you—anytime.”
“By the way, I’m staying an extra two days.”
“You told your boss?” Matt asked.
“Yes, but I am not sure what awaits me.”
“Don’t worry, mate—you won’t lose your job. They need people like you.”
“You think so?”
“Where are they going to find someone with your skills and knowledge? They’d just be annoyed, if anything. Don’t worry about it. I can call your boss and speak to him … smooth things over?”
“Nah, it’s fine, and thanks for helping out. I will see you when I get back.”
“Goodnight, Harry, and take care—call me anytime, all right?”
“I know I can. Have a good night.”
Harry could always trust Matt to give him a positive spin on life’s events. He relied on his advice; Matt was a well-travelled man and understood many cultures. He had been to Manila to meet Alicia and was still in contact with her.
He understood the complexities of their culture and how it worked. He was more in tune with people and had greater social awareness. It’s what you would expect from a person in a sales profession who has travelled throughout South-East Asia.
9 The Pellegrina
Harry and Clarisse decided to have dinner at the hotel restaurant next to the main lobby. If he had not cancelled his flight back home, the special dinner would never have taken place. Harry had taken a big gamble with his job and did not know what awaited him upon his return. He had been with the company for a long time—he was regularly sought after by their competitors. His company was aware that people like Harry were not easy to find. He took a punt they would forgive him, and he’d get away with a slap on the wrist.
But in the back of his mind, there was a rebellious contempt—he did not care about the consequences. It was only a job, and if need be, he would find another one. It was not something he would have contemplated a month ago, far from it—the diligent, structured and routine person he was would not have allowed for it. He had changed his outlook on life, and it had taken a turn for the better. The material things underpinned by his career did not mean as much to him anymore. Harry could always find another job, a source of income or another way to live. Finding someone like Clarisse again was not a guarantee in life.
Clarisse had arrived at the restaurant to greet Harry at the entrance near the hotel foyer. Their table was located in the open area leading into the courtyard. It was a picturesque and romantic setting that was popular amongst lovers. It was a tropical courtyard—Harry noticed the sampaguita growing in the background. The fragrance of jasmine reminded him of Clarisse and their time together at her hometown.
All the tables were reserved by hotel guests dressed immaculately for their night out. Most couples chose this venue to share a special moment with their loved one. It could be a marriage proposal, engagement or wedding anniversary. Everyone had their love story to tell—every romance was different from the other. There were also foreign men with their partners, like Harry and Clarisse, celebrating their time together.
Clarisse looked immaculate, and he could not take his eyes off her. She wore a short crimson dress with outlines of tropical leaves and palm trees. She was by far the best-looking girl in the restaurant and Harry was proud to be in her presence. Some men secretly glanced over their shoulder to peek at her when their partner was not looking—it was subtle but noticeable enough for Harry.
They settled in with a Chandon champagne; they lifted their glasses and toasted to their good fortune. Le Petit Chandon is a bottle of elegant Australian champagne with a balance of sweetness and aged complexity—perfect for their occasion. It also made Harry feel proud that this well-known local winery was exporting their product overseas.
“I was not supposed to be here tonight—according to my watch I should have been going through customs at the airport,” Harry said.
“I thought I was going to be saying goodbye. But I am so happy to be here instead.”
“I managed to get another two days. Not sure what will happen when I arrive home.” He took another sip of his champagne. “Hmm, this is nice.” He looked at Clarisse with glee and said, “And to be honest, it’s the first time in my life that I don’t care—they can do whatever they want with me.”
“I prayed for you. Everything will be OK when you return home,” Clarisse said.
“Thank you so much for your thoughts.” They smiled at each other and said nothing for a minute as they soaked up the atmosphere. They enjoyed each other’s company and every moment was an occasion they cherished. As much as there was uncertainty around Harry’s job, he believed meeting the right girl only happened once in a lifetime.
Some people spend their whole life looking for the right person and fail in their quest. There are people who let the perfect person go by thinking another one will take their place. How naïve that would seem when the ideal person never showed up. It was the mystery of life—a hard lesson that people learned. Harry was very cognisant of this.
“There is something I want to share with you … a family secret that goes back to my great-grandmother,” said Clarisse.
“OK … tell me.” He took another sip of champagne and waited.
She pulled out a fancy garment from her bag that was folded carefully in a white cotton mesh pouch containing a red cross sown onto it. It was handmade by a skilled artisan, and of the highest quality.
“This is called a pellegrina.” She lifted it to chest height to show its craftsmanship and elegance. The couples at the nearby tables looked around and glanced at it, recognising its significance. It was not something the ordinary person would possess. In a Catholic country where people took their religion seriously, this was a big deal. One girl from the table directly in front performed the sign of the cross while her partner followed suit.
“Where did you get the pellegrina?” Harry asked. He was intrigued by the reaction it conjured around them.
“This is the shoulder cape worn by a Catholic cardinal. Notice it’s buttonless and in the traditional scarlet colour?”
“Oh yes, I remember that when I was at a Catholic school. But why show me this?”
Clarisse shifted in her seat to make herself more comfortable. “It belonged to my great-grandmother Elena, and just like the scarlet chair, it has been in our family for generations.”
“Elena keeps popping up in mysterious ways,” Harry said. She was a puzzling and surreptitious person with lots of folklore. Clarisse asked Harry if he wanted to hold the pellegrina.
“It feels very smooth and silky … oh and look at the intricate stitching. It’s divine,” he said.
“The story of how she got the pellegrina is full of mystique.”
“I am curious.”
“Yes, it happened when a bad energy entered her house and took over the scarlet chair.”
“You’re kidding me? Bad energy embodied by the chair?”
“The cardinal had to leave abruptly for an overseas posting to the Vatican, and before departing, he gave her the pellegrina as a blessing.” Clarisse sipped on her champagne while a tear formed in her right eye.
“That’s an amazing story.”
“Yes—she kept it secret until her dying moments.”
“It’s possible the church found out about the pellegrina and that it had gone missing?” Harry asked curiously.
“That’s what people were saying at the time.” Clarisse fidgeted with the table napkin in front of her.
“Do you believe the story, or did someone make this up?”
“My mother has evidence—a black-and-white photo of Elena and the cardinal together. She also has the church records showing his posting to the Vatican.”
“That’s very compelling information.”
“I don’t want there to be any secrets between us, Harry. That’s why I am telling this.”
They w
ere interrupted by the waiter asking for their food order—they decided to pause the conversation by nodding to each other discreetly.
“So, who is keeping this pellegrina?”
“My uncle Pablo is the caretaker—he keeps it locked away at home.” Clarisse was starting to show early signs of being tipsy from the champagne. Harry thought she was cute. When she consumed alcohol, her already talkative self became more animated—she could be very entertaining.
“I don’t mean to be a sticky beak, but shouldn’t your mother keep it?”
“When I was growing up, my mother had it removed from the drawer in the backroom with the scarlet chair.”
“Was there a reason for that?”
“She told me strange things were happening in the room. Once she found the pellegrina pinned to the wall as though it was stuck.”
“That is scary.”
“It’s superstition, Harry—it depends on how much you want to believe.”
Harry poured more champagne into his glass as he felt he needed another dose. “I’m not into superstitions, but I respect your culture and what it means.”
“My mother felt the pellegrina was blessed and that it was fighting with the negative energy from the chair.”
“A spiritual war between good and bad?”
“Something like that.” She folded the pellegrina very neatly and carefully back into the pouch. She kissed it and performed the sign of the cross. The other couples seated across from them did precisely the same. It was an uncanny feeling, and it gave Harry the shivers.
“Your uncle Pablo doesn’t mind you taking it?”
“He gave it to me before leaving at the bus terminal—he said it would help both of us.”
“That’s nice of him to think about us that way. I like your uncle Pablo, he is a good man, he’s always looking out for you.”
The waiter delivered their food, and the smell was so inviting they could barely wait to start eating. Harry had ordered a local dish that was oxtail with a creamy peanut sauce. Clarisse had settled on a rice dish with vegetables and pork ribs.
“Putting all the superstitions aside—I love the food in your country,” Harry said while gesturing with his fork.
“I know how to make that dish you’re eating.”
“If you can make it like this then I am a lucky man,” Harry said enthusiastically.
The champagne was starting to take effect on Harry, and his personality took on a more humorous character. They told funny stories about their families and laughed throughout the night. Somehow, his experience with Clarisse had shown another side of him. In the short time they had known one another she had changed him forever. Harry was unleashing his inhibitions, prepared to see the world differently. He was ready to take a punt or a risk on something worthwhile.
Before the night was over, Clarisse invited Harry for a day out to see the historic centre of the City of Affection. They would visit the former Spanish fort and Manila Cathedral where Clarisse planned to have the pellegrina blessed. Harry was looking forward to the day out. It would be his second-last day in Manila and visiting a historical tourist site full of history and culture suited him. Harry would go anywhere with her—it didn’t matter what she suggested, he would go along for the ride.
Harry escorted Clarisse to the front entrance of the hotel. They kissed each other on the cheek, hugged and said goodbye. Clarisse stepped into the cab and pulled down the window, blowing a kiss with her hand more than once with an electric smile. He reciprocated with a flying kiss as he pointed his hands towards her.
The people around them watched with glee and smiled, caught up in the emotion between two lovers. It’s not something Harry would generally do, but the Chandon was having an effect, and he was uncharacteristically letting loose. He had found a side to him he wanted to explore and unleash to the world. It was the real Harry coming out and not the one bound by controlled rituals and routine. He was done with the old Harry.
10 within the walls
Harry was looking forward to his day in Manila. For the first time since his arrival, he was going to be a tourist for the day. He enjoyed reading about the history of South-East Asia and wanted to see the Spanish influence in Manila. He had prepared an itinerary that would take them to several historical sites. He was surprised to find out that Clarisse had never visited these places of importance, considering she was a local. It was almost like saying that Harry never visited the Sydney Harbour Bridge. He found it odd, but it was not unusual for locals not to explore their heritage.
The first stop was Manila Cathedral, where Clarisse was going to have the pellegrina blessed for her uncle Pablo. After that, it was the old Spanish fort at the fortified city of Intramuros (within the walls). That would include a walk around the Spanish streets and a ride on a traditional horse and cart. The last stop was Manila Bay, where Clarisse insisted on watching the best sunset in the world. She said a lot of couples frequent Manila Bay to view the sunset. Harry felt it sounded romantic and suggested they have dinner at one of the many restaurants along the bay afterwards.
Clarisse was on time with the cab, and he was not kept waiting—a stark difference to the second time they met. She wound down her window and waved at him to step inside. She showed no signs of being in a small incident the day before. The bandage next to her eye was gone, and there was no sign of swelling.
She was wearing a smooth lilac jersey dress without any prints. It was a tight fit just above her knees, and it emphasised her slender and perfect bodyline. Rather than wavy curls, she opted to tie her hair back in a flat and dead-straight style with an embroidered ribbon. She resembled a beautiful Spanish flamenco dancer—he could not stop gazing at her until Clarisse snapped him out of it and told him to hurry.
“Good morning, Harry,” Clarisse said. She kissed him on the cheek and moved close to him while readjusting the seat belt.
“You look terrific today, and I like your hair.”
“Thank you, Harry. It took me a while to prepare my hair this morning … it has to be styled in a particular way—are we going to Manila Cathedral first?”
“Yes, that is the first stop on our itinerary.”
“You are so organised,” Clarisse said. She tended to go with the flow without the need of a list to keep her in check.
“Yep, after that, Intramuros … if that’s OK?”
“That’s fine by me—and considering I have lived in this city for many years, I have never been to any of these places before.”
“I think it will be interesting to learn about the rich history of your country,” Harry affirmed.
“I think you know more about our history than I do.” They both smiled, realising how ironic it was. Clarisse leaned closer to Harry and held on to his arm. Harry couldn’t help noticing the jasmine scent that filled the back seat with its addictive fragrance. It was a pleasant reminder of her mother’s garden back in her hometown.
The cab left the hotel for the main thoroughfare and onto the street towards the cathedral.
“So, what do you know about Manila Cathedral?” Clarisse asked.
“Is this a test?”
“No, just wondering if you studied up on it?”
“Well, I did actually—it is known as the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, after the Blessed Virgin Mary; it is in the walled city of Intramuros. Initially built in 1571 and rebuilt after an earthquake damaged it.”
“That’s very good, you like your history.” Clarisse was surprised by his knowledge of history.
“I can tell you more if you like?”
“That’s more than enough,” Clarisse said, impressed by his retention of information.
Harry was looking forward to visiting this church of cultural significance. They were dropped off near the main entrance of the cathedral and made their way steadily to the large doors covered in stained-glass depictions of the Virgin Mary. It was a magnificent church with a marble floor and columns that led to the high altar. The central nave h
ad high, vaulted ceilings that created an atmosphere of heaven and spiritual being.
“This church is so impressive,” Harry said. He looked around with a 360-degree turn before focusing on the iron gates near the high altar. “It has a feeling I have not encountered before, like being at peace with oneself.”
Clarisse removed the pouch from her bag containing the pellegrina and unfolded it. “Should we take it to the steps of the altar and have it blessed?”
“Yes, I think that’s the holiest place in the church.” Harry glanced over towards Clarisse and asked her to take the lead. “Have you thought of a prayer?”
“My uncle Pablo gave me some words to say in our native language—you may not understand what I am saying.”
He took Clarisse’s hand, and they walked together to the iron gates near the altar. As they came nearer to the steps, an elderly priest approached them politely and in an unassuming way. He adjusted his glasses and leaned forward to inspect the pellegrina.
“I have not seen one of these for a long time. They don’t make them like this anymore.” He raised his hand with an open palm and leaned forward. “Can I hold it?”
“Yes, Father, of course,” Clarisse said.
“My goodness, this is the old-style pellegrina, and it would have belonged to a cardinal.” He turned the pellegrina over and inspected the garment around the collar. “Here it is, the letters ‘AJR’; that would have been the initials of the cardinal.”
Harry and Clarisse looked at each other, unsure of what to say next. “I have never seen those initials before,” she said.
“It was done that way on purpose—somewhat of an identifier in case it got lost or mixed up.”
“You know a lot about the pellegrina?” Clarisse asked.
“The last time I witnessed one like this was when I was a young altar boy, and ever since I have become intrigued by the symbolism and beauty of the clothing—call it a hobby.” The priest folded it back together and handed it to Clarisse. “Can I ask where you got it from? It’s unusual to have this type of garment outside the church.”
The Girl in the Scarlet Chair: A New Adult and Clean Romance with Supernatural Elements (City of Affection - Book 1) Page 11
