章 10: Taste
|| Carlo
After around 2 liters of coffee, some sleepless nights, and the fact that we just had our preliminary exams this week...
At last, we are fucking done with the first plan.
I know we just started, but I didn't expect that preparations can be exhausting.
We were currently in the conference room for our 4th meeting; me and Adriano were seated next to each other, Maryl and Lawreign were seated in front of us. Axis was talking in front, as usual. We all have our laptops on for notes and Google docs editing.
"We are all gathered today for the 4th meeting. I hope nothing weird will happen this time, alright?"
We all just looked at him.
He sighed in relief. "Okay, let's start!" and he looked at me. "Mobile application report please, Carlo?"
I stood up and spat all the details. "Current status of the Operation: SEIRA app, complete. Short name; OP: SEIRA. This application can be transferable via flash drive installation only, so that means we can access this in our laptop, tablet or mobile phones. While the application itself is transferable, a pin code is required for it to open. For security purposes, screenshots are not allowed, and the read messages will only be available for an hour. We are not allowed to create another group chat called 'server', but we can private message and group message other members."
"'Server?' So you mean this was based from Discord?" Maryl asked a sudden question.
"Yep!"
"So... where's the pin code?" Reign asked.
"At the invisible sticker. You can use a UV light to check. The locks sent me all the details, I already took all of the background that can be taken by the invisible sticker and your actual ID. I used that to make personal profiles in the app." I explained.
"Ah okay. We have a UV light here, right?" Reign asked again.
"Yeah." Maryl replied whilst typing. "There's unused one at the biochemistry lab."
Reign nodded and looked at her laptop again. "Alrighty! I'll just check later on."
Axis looked at Adriano "Ian, the spy camera report please."
He stood up, cleared his throat and checked his laptop for details. "Status, complete. These cameras are waterproof, shockproof, fireproof, provides high definition video of 8k resolution and..."
"8k? Is that a DSLR camera? Are you going to shoot a wedding in an engagement party? You're way too early." Reign interrupted.
Adriano gave her a glare. "I'm giving y'all a high-quality 'cctv' footage. It will be easier for us to track down people."
"Okay fair enough. Okay proceed." and she looked back on her laptop.
A few seconds later, I'm starting to smell something bad that I had to get a medical face mask from my pocket and put it on top of my cloth face mask. I'm always wearing one, whether in school or formal events. Maryl took a medical mask and put it on as well.
Adriano couldn't discuss well because of the smell, so he took a medical face mask from his pocket and put one. He looked back at his laptop after. "Maryl did the motion sensors, I did some other improvements, and Carlo did the data transferring feature. We could say that we turned this into a homework for we took some parts home and did those, but I did the final assembling in this lab. We will check its functionality on Saturday. I think it's a safe event, even for beta testing, since we need impromptu movements to check it's functionality..."
"Did someone ate durian here?!" Axis interrupted. He covered his nose with a violet handkerchief.
He looked at Reign, working on her laptop, munching something yellow. We all looked at her and the one she's munching.
Yep, it's durian. We can see something yellow inside a Tupperware beside her.
I think Axis noticed right away for she isn't covering her nose whatsoever.
"Lawreign Ellison, I thought you were being serious!?" Axis shouted at her.
Reign gave him a look. "Well, I am being serious. I just craved for durian because you know, pre-menstrual syndrome symptoms."
I saw Maryl facepalmed.
"For the love of god, please eat it later. It's pretty hard to clean here!" Axis ordered.
Which is true, this facility has to be as clean and disinfected as possible. The conference room itself is enclosed with glass, but with ventilation.
"I think we have lemons inside our fridge. We can work on that." Adriano answered and sat down. Reign ate a last piece of durian and hid the Tupperware in her bag beside her. She took a water bottle with lemon water and drank it, and hid it inside her bag after.
Yes, we also have a kitchen here with the latest appliances; a Samsung inverter fridge, electric stove, microwave oven, and convection oven. We felt like Reign will be cooking in this lab soon, so we made a separate section where we could cook and eat without damaging the important pieces of equipment.
We also have a bedroom with 2 bunk beds attached to a single stair to climb on, with drawers on the wall to store some of our personal stuff. Luckily Axis would never sleep here or we'll have a problem with regards to bedroom space. And also, luckily we don't have to worry about the bathroom since it has a shower and bathtub combined, but we also placed a comfort room near the kitchen. Adriano and I literally made this our second home so we don't have to tire ourselves when we have to cram, especially those who live far from the campus.
"So, what will we have on Saturday, Lawreign?" Axis changed the topic.
"Why are you asking me?" Reign looked at him and answered.
"Well, of course, it was written on the invitation that Maryl made that it will be held at Midford Hotel Alabang."
"Oh, that doesn't mean that you could ask me?" and she crossed her arms.
"I thought you'll be a sous chef in the morning for the desserts?" Maryl gave her a quizzical look and asked, ended a potential bicker.
"Ay hehe. Italian food. I suggested it for British food lack of spices, and they possibly wouldn't like it." she replied.
"Thank you!" Adriano exclaimed.
"Seconded." Maryl agreed.
"What's with British food and they despise those so much? I mean, it tastes okay, I guess?" I genuinely and curiously asked.
"Bland." Maryl answered... blandly.
"So, what's on the menu Reign?" Adriano asked her.
"Hm... wait wait." she checked her laptop and read the details. "Here's the menu: Bellini for aperitivo, antipasto, the meat and cheese are all placed in the same platter, so I'm not sure if they'll include bruschetta. Spaghetti alla puttanesca for primo. The secondi and contorno is pretty long that Ian and Carlo might hit me, wait..."
"Don't worry about me, I don't speak Italian hehe." I answered.
Reign shockingly looked at me. "Really?!"
"Yeah. My older siblings know but I don't so..." I replied.
"So only Ian..." she looked at Adriano. "You're the only one who'd hit me."
"Shoot your shot." he answered while typing on his laptop.
Reign looked back at her laptop, breathe deeply and tried to mention the dishes' names in one take.
"Costata di Manzo Ai Porcini con Aceto Balsamico for secondi. Verdure Invernali con Pancetta e Uova for contorno."
"The pronunciation is actually good." Maryl complimented.
Adriano nodded in approval.
I don't speak Italian but she did it in a perfect Italian accent, the pronunciations are right.
She looked at him for confirmation. "Was my pronunciation right?"
He gave him a thumbs-up of approval.
"Is Lawreign cursing me, Ian?" Axis looked at Adriano for confirmation as well. He looks legit scared.
"Lol no." Adriano answered. "It means 'Beef Short Ribs with Porcini Rub and Balsamic Vinegar' for secondi or main course and Winter Greens with Pancetta and Egg for side dish."
Axis sighed in relief. "I thought this woman was cursing me."
Reign looked back at her laptop and smirked. "I'm so close to do so." and she continued. "Tiramisu for dolce. We shouldn't forget caffè of course, which espresso for one shot. Not sure for the digestivo, Zia Donatella may change her mind soon."
"Kindly tell mom that she doesn't need to be indecisive when it comes to late-night drinks. Thanks." Adriano interrupted.
"Well, I don't have a choice. Your mother said so." Reign answered.
-----
|| Adriano
Saturday, 0930H
Phew. Gladly it's easy for me to install the spy cameras. I brought 10 improvised spy cameras and had five of those mimic some decorations; facing the front and side of the stage, and facing the audience from 3 different angles. The other five would be spare ones.
I'm currently in one of the rooms of the presidential suite, which Carlo and I had to share. This room has two beds, so it's fine. I'm wearing casual clothing, just a gray t-shirt, and olive pants so that my skin would breathe while before the event. This is not my usual attire, but I know the reporters won't find out anyways.
I'm sitting on my bed, with my back laid onto the soft headboard, watching the footage from what I call "mini command center"; all of the information gathered by the main command center will be sent in this device as well. Nothing special actually, I just made one of my laptops into one.
How would I get those informations? Wifi and Operation: SEIRA app.
All of the devices are wifi-operated so that the data will be easily transferred device to device. OP: SEIRA has all of the information that we could get access to, except for Axis. Gladly this hotel got a strong connection, Lawreign's family got some fine taste in everything. From the exquisite ambiance of the hotel to the technological details to assure the efficiency of the staff-costumer cycle.
After a few moments of monitoring, I felt something fluffy jump onto the bed and lay on my lap. When I gave it a conjecture look, I found out it was from the movements of a gold-colored shih tzu. I left the door open so it indeed surprised me.
I placed my laptop onto the side and carried him rapturously. "Hey buddy, what's your name? Are you a boy or a girl?"
I checked onto the collar. It was blue, so I'm assuming that he is a boy. I checked onto the private parts and looked at his adorable face again.
He is a boy that looks like a girl. How cute.
I read his name that is engraved on his metal collar nameplate. "Hm.. Pot—"
My collar reading got interrupted by a familiar baby-talk voice approaching the room. I laid him on my lap and looked at the door.
"Potatooo? Where are you baby?" Maryl, in her ponytailed hair, denim shorts, and plain baby blue sleeveless top, entered the room worriedly and felt such relief when she found the dog on my lap. She gave an alluring smile. "There you are. You seem to like Adriano huh?"
Potato stood up on my lap and wagged his tail, like a happy and friendly dog that he is.
Maryl looked at us and left out a faint giggle. "It's okay, you can have him for a while."
"Your dog is so... adorable. I like him." I complimented while hugging such a wonderful creature.
"Thank you. He's very friendly, so you guys can play for a while."
Potato and I gazed at each other as if we've been companions for years. "Did you hear that buddy? We can play for a moment! My name is Adriano, and I am so glad to meet you!" and he laid his head on my chest. He's clingy, his mom must've been spoiling him like her own son.
Maryl's lips formed a faint smile. "Stay there baby ha? I'll finish some of my homework, or it will pile up. Have fun with Adriano!"
"Leave your homework behind. We're here to relax, not for school." I teased.
"And for work." she added and left the room.
Not gonna lie, I like how hardworking and resilient she is.
She's amazing.
Thinking of her capabilities and looking at her existence warms my heart.
I guess I shouldn't think that, or should I?
_____
Beyond the Spectrum | Wave 10: Taste • © mxylms
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