Both busied themselves with eating as more food came to the table, including the delicious Fricasse. A savoury fried doughnut with various fillings and a generous topping of harrisa, it had been Jia Li's favourite street food on her last visit here.
"You are welcome to stay here for as long as you like. And I am here to help you with whatever resources I have at my disposal," Karim said warmly.
Jia Li was comforted by his kind words. They sat discussing various work options for her, while the main course gave way to Mint tea for her and a strong cup of coffee for him.
"I am surprised that you quit your job at the embassy. I thought it was something that you really enjoyed," she said to him as they walked back towards her hotel.
