The old man was looking at me gratefully.
I smiled and bowed apologetically to him. "I'm sorry about that."
"I should thank you dear lady for stopping the child. It's rare to see a good woman like you nowadays."
"It's just the right thing to do, sir."
"Please call me Daniel." He extended his hand and I received it.
"Nice to meet you Mr. Daniel, my name is Diana and I'm new in this place." I chuckled.
"Oh, okay." his face showed an uncertain gaze. "Well, tell me if you need anything and I shall be of help."
"Thank you, Mr. Daniel but I am good. I am only trying to find a specific merchant store."
"Do you want me to show you around?" he offered. I was thinking of declining his offer but seeing his sincere face, I nodded.
"I don't want to bother you Mr. Daniel but if you want to then I'll be more than glad!" I exclaimed with joy. Now I have made a new friend.
"My pleasure." he smiled at me and I was surprise to see his complete teeth. It's not fake too. ah, this old man is sure handsome when he was young, I'm sure of that.
We found the store and I was glad to know that they have some stuffs like mine. However, everything were old models and I couldn't see one like my cam. Too bad the owner isn't around to answer my queries and I was advised to come back the day after tomorrow.
When the old man noticed the camera that I was holding, he asked a lot of things about it. I gladly explained it to him while borrowing an old camera at the store. I captured some photos of him and he couldn't stop laughing when he saw all that I have captured.
"This is awesome!" he squeaked. "My wife will surely be happy to see some of this."
"Why don't you give her a gift like this?" I suggested.
"Nah, neither of us knew how to use this." he rejected the idea and sat on the chair before.
"I can teach you." I sat beside him and started to show him the buttons and explained their usage. I can see he is listening but I'm not sure if he understood. There's still a hint of confusion in his eyes.
"Ah, I hope I can remember everything you just taught me. I'll surely get one, though not now." he chuckled.
I return the cam to the sales boy and left the place. But since it was too early to go back to the inn, I offered to accompany the old man into buying some furniture. Not because he doesn't know how but we are enjoying each other's company.
I helped him choose some items for his house and after having a light snack, I bid him goodbye. We have spent more than 2 hours already and I don't want to take more of his time. looks like he is a prominent man so he must be busy.
I thought of sending him home but he rejected my offer. He said he will wait for his granddaughter who is on her way to fetch him.
"I'll be going then, Mr. Daniel. Thank you so much for your time."
"I enjoyed the day as well, Diana. I hope to see you again." He smiled contentedly. "And tell your boyfriend that he is a great man too."
I blushed.
He knew about the horrible experiences I've been through and how Liam searched for me and saved me from those awful goons. He even laughed at me when he learned about me throwing tantrums in front of Liam.
"You did a good job of embarrassing your boyfriend that very moment." he kept laughing.
"Mr. Daniel, he's not my boyfriend, he's just a friend." I kept correcting him but he kept addressing Liam as my boyfriend and I got tired of it so I just let him have his own say.
We'll, I suddenly got sad thinking of not seeing him. he is definitely a good old man.
I was walking mindlessly when I suddenly bump into someone. Ouch! I touch my forehead but I got shocked to see Liam standing in front of me with his brow raised.
"L-liam!" I blurted. "What are you doing here?"
"Looking for you?" I somehow sense an upset spirit in him.
"And now I'm here!' I grinned but he's still upset. "I'm sorry." I pouted. "I forgot to leave a note."
I heard him heaved a heavy sigh and pat my hair. "So have you found the store?"
"I did!" I finally look up to him. "But the store owner is not around so I'll be coming back the day after tomorrow."
"That's okay since we will be staying here for a few more days." He heaved a heavy sigh.
"Is it a bad idea?"
"Not really." he partly smiled and turn around. "Let's go back to the inn now."
"Wait!" I unknowingly cling to his arm. "Since you are already here, why don't we go around for a few minutes more? we might find something we want to buy… you know."
"I don't have any interest of buying some stuffs here." he retorted.
"Please…?" I'm not sure if showing him my puppy eyes is effective but I need to try.
The truth is, I need his money. If I did not miscalculate, I think I'll be having my period tomorrow or worst today, so I need to find a pad.
And who knows it'll make us a little bit closer as we stroll around with just the two of us. he-he.
He's checking me out, that I know. but I finally heard him heaved a sigh of defeat. "Fine." he groaned.
We've been into some stores, unfortunately, they do not have the thing I am looking for.
"Can you just tell me what you're looking for?" Liam snorted. "What's the point of bringing me with you?"
"E-eh? T-that's…." I really don't know if I can tell him since it's kinda awkward. Does he even know such thing?
"What? tell me or I'll leave."
"Pads!" I exclaimed. "I need some pads for my, you know… uhm." I couldn't look at him in the eyes but I know he felt a little embarrass since he suddenly cleared his throat.
"Why didn't you tell me earlier? I should have taken you to the right store. tsk!" He snorted and walked away. Guess he is not ignorant about women at all. ha-ha.
I run to his side and cling in his arms once again. This time, I was looking at him mischievously.
"I thought you're innocent about girl's thing. Ha-ha!" I teased. "Guess you had a lot of girlfriends before, huh."
"You thought men are ignorant?" he glared at me in a challenging manner. Fudge. He's so cute.
"I…I didn't say that."
"tsk!"
I chuckled silently. I didn't know we are capable of having conversations like this. Unlike before, he was too cold and distant towards me. But for the past few days, I was able to talk to him normally just like the others does. I could even see him scoffed, blushed in embarrassment and he smiles too.
And I am more than happy. I wish he could open up with me as days passes by. ^_^
***
"Is that the woman you're telling me about, grandpa?" A long hair woman asked while sitting opposite an old man.
"Isn't she lovely? Ha-ha-ha!"
"But I am more interested with the handsome guy she is with."
"I bet you are. Hahaha!
"But I don't think that the woman is his lover."
"There's only one way to prove it." the old man chuckled as he speaks.