She sat down on her office chair, and digged out her phone going through her gallery she muttered
' it's really his'.
She waited for some minutes before she walked out again.
walking towards the table near the window, she sat down.
" I can see that you're done, did you enjoy the food", Zaynella asked smiling.
" Yeah, it's nice, the taste is subtle and great".
" You know how to cook".
" A little, why do you ask".
" There is no how someone would have tasted the food and given the taste the exact way it is unless the person is a cook".
" Oh".
" Is there something else you need, I can help you with it if you want".
After staying quiet for a while he finally talked.
" Can I use your phone".
" Sure".
She handed him her phone.
" I will clear the dishes now, do you want a drink or something don't worry it's on the house".
He hesitated for some minutes before he finally nodded.
" A cup of strong plain coffee please".
" Alright I will have some one deliver it", she picked up the dishes and left.
He sat on his chair after the coffee had arrived trying the numbers he remembered, but most of them were out of service while the rest were directed to voicemail.
After working, Zaynella packed up here things and made to the same table Lionel was currently sitting at. as she approached the table she noticed that his face was slightly anxious and he was gripping her phone. She sat down and didn't talk she was watching him and he was too worried to talk to her. When she noticed that he wasn't planning to say something, she spoke.
" You OK", her voice was laced with sorry.
" Yeah am good", he denied.
" Your face is unsightly, is there anything bothering you I might be of help".
The table became silent after she spoke, she was waiting for him to talk and he was worried that he was being a bother to her.
" Hey Leo come on I might help out just say something", she probed after noticing that his face was switching before worrying and anger. He hesitated then took too large breaths and finally spoke.
" Am stranded and I need a place".
when she heard him, she didn't know how to approach the issue, she had been wondering why he came to a restaurant without cash, as for the phone she thought it was stolen, but now he needed a place to stay. She was getting more confused by all this.
" Can you explain I mean I really don't get it".
" I just keep out from prison and I need a place".
Her eyes enlarged with shock, ' prison', she thought, ' no wonder he looks worn out, it was all due to his stay in the prison, he must be thinking now that she wouldn't help, she decided not to ask him why he went to prison she will help him just like he did that day, she could still remember it vividly.
* * * flash back * * *
" Hey are you okay", the boy asked the girl the was currently sitting under a tree tears falling from her eyes. When she heard the question, she looked up to see a guy few years older than her standing in front of her, his face contorted with worry. She glanced down again after looking ignoring him and went back to what she was doing earlier, still he didn't leave he stood there more determined than ever.
" Do you need my help".
After ignoring him again he still didn't leave and she had no other choice that to nod her head, her voice was currently hoarse due to tears.
* * * End of flash back * * *
She took a deep break and released it.
" Let's share my apartment together, come stay with me for the time being, till you find your own place", she smiled at him after talking. He started at her with surprise.
" Why are you offering me your apartment", he asked looking at her warily.
" Let's say that am too kind hearted", she replied with a smile.
" I just came out of prison, are you sure you want an ex convict in your house", he asked still doubting her sincerity.
" What does you being an ex convict have to do with me , am just offering an apartment to Lionel not an ex convict as you are saying".
" What is your motive in doing this".
" I have plenty of motives, the first being I need help around the house with some of the hard tasks like plumbing and the likes of them, it's too tiring for me to do that and hello I need to save money, so if I could get a helping hand around it would be better, secondly that house is too big and empty coming home alone everyday is boring so I need an apartment make", she concluded not bating n eyelid.
He looked at her with a face screaming ' are you kidding me'.
" What else do you think I have in mind by sharing my apartment with you, of course I need help I can't deny it, so are you in".
He sat there rigidly he needed a place to stay and he was being offered one, but he was worried this kind of offer didn't come every time without a payment, but the girl in front of him looked sincere, there was no harm in trying after juggling through so much thoughts he finally came to a decision.
" Fine let's do it".
" Is that a yes".
He nodded.
" Welcome to my humble home friend", she said bringing out her hand for a handshake.
He grasped the hand and shook her mildly.
" Now that is settled, can you give me back my phone I need to make a few calls before we leave.
" Sure", he replied and handed her phone back to her. She picked it up from the table and dialed a number.
" Hi Emma I need your help", she said and stood up walking towards the exit, " I will be right back", she mouthed to Lionel as she left.
" What is that", the voice at the other end asked.
" I need a new set of beddings including a mattress, have them delivered to my house, I will be there soon".
" Alright, any color in mind".
" Any color should do, the mattress should neither be too soft nor too hard, it should be a little bit bigger than the last one you delivered".
" Alright am on it".
" Thanks Em".
" No problem".
The phone disconnected after the call and she walked in. Getting to the table, she picked up her things.
" We should get going".
" Okay", he replied he stood up and followed her outside.