She swung off her feet from the table, and sat upright. Desperate to look normal, she unwrapped her waffle and began eating slowly. Out of the corner of her eyes, she could see he had entered fully now. Walking towards her in his masterful gait full of confidence that screamed ACKNOWLEDGE ME. A blip blip was resounding in her ears, her chest was pumping too fast. Oh God. What effect this man had on her. Though to be honest, it was not only him. A lot of people had this type of effect on her. She just wasn't used to talking to others.
Before she could realise it, he had pushed back a chair next to her and sat. "Mind if I join you?" His deep voice filled the air.
She shook her head and shrugged. Calm down, Faride. It was then that she realised they were the only two in the room. Oh no.
"So how have you been?" It was clear he didn't know how to start a convo. Surprisingly, she felt slightly at ease then. She could do with that.
"Fine. You?"
He paused for a beat. "I've been busy."
No wonder she hadn't seen him again. Or maybe he just didn't want to see her. "Ohh. With work?"
"Yeah. With work."
Before she could stop herself, she blurted out, "What type of work? I mean what sector?"
He bent his head to one side, inspecting her face. "Let's just say, I have some businesses here and there."
Thank God he didn't get annoyed. What sort of question was that!
They were silent for a beat. The only sound, a humming sound coming from the AC. "I followed your advice."
"My advice kuma?" What could he be talking about?
"Yeah. I enrolled my brother here. He might be joining you guys next week."
"Ohh." The sudden thought of this man's brother joining them in class was unnerving. No way. There has to be a way to stop that from happening. Think, think. "But you know, we have, um, gone far in lecturers like that."
"Oh don't worry. He'll cope."
"Okay. I hope so."
"Have you been in KL long?" He asked out of the blue.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. I mean, we've been here for some months. About 6 months."
"And how's your dad's business going?"
She was surprised to say the least. How did he know of her Dad's business? Oh God. Was this man really a spy? "How do you know of that? Do you know him?"
He smirked. Something close to a smile on that face finally. He looked more handsome if that was even possible. He should smile more often, she thought. "I know of him, yeah."
She was getting scared now. "How?"
"You don't expect me to not do a background research on my friends do you?"
Huh? What normal person does background research on any one they meet? Abnormal people that's for sure. Yep. Alessandro was definitely abnormal. And what was that about 'friends'? Did he consider her to be his friend? She felt hot all over but managed to keep her composure. His friend? Wow! She had a friend? No, no Faride. Don't get carried away, she urged herself. Act normal. Behave nonchalant as if you are used to having many friends that you don't even want to be this man's friend. She simply sipped her juice. "But that's not a normal thing to do, you know."
"I never said I am normal."
They looked at each other, each with their own thoughts. Who was this man? She was determined to find out.
Not wanting the conversation to end, she jumped into another question. It was probably time for her next class but she didn't care. "Have you been in KL for long?" Her voice sounded soft and serene in comparison to his husky one.
Sighing, he replied, "I have been here for some time. Few years actually."
"Wow. Do you ever visit home?"
"Home?"
"Yeah. I mean, your mom, dad, family. Or do you have family here too?"
"Actually yes, I do. Sometimes you don't need to be family by blood. You create your own family. But I do visit my country from time to time. I have business there as well."
Now was the chance for her to know where he was from. Naples?
"Ohh. Which country is that?"
He smiled for the first time, while leaning against the table with elbow. Gazing at her. "You, Faride, are an inquisitive little thing."
Her heart stopped. The way he rolled her name was intensifying. She felt he was the only one that knew how to pronounce it well. She simply smiled, hiding her face behind her waffle.
"Well, to answer your question, I'll have to take you out for lunch."
She looked at him dumbfounded. What? Was he insane? That was practically impossible. He was still very much a stranger. She had heard stories like this. The girls end up missing or dead or raped after accepting rides or free lunches from strangers. If he thought she was dumb, then he had another thing coming. How was she going to say no? "Um, I am very busy and I don't think…"
"Not today. I was suggesting maybe tomorrow? Since its Friday." Was it just her, or had his stony façade disappeared. He was still sorta scary but he seemed to be at ease now. Maybe he was also interested in their conversation? Or was it all a lie? Perhaps that was how he lured his female victims.
"Oh. I have classes tomorrow actually."
"Doesn't matter. You can always skip a day, right?" Seriously? This man was a bad influence. Advising her to skip class! She briefly wondered what Papa would say if he saw her now and the conversation she was having with this stranger. Legit have a heart attack.
Better be upfront and honest. "Yeah. But to be honest, I don't even know you."
"Of course. That is why I am giving you a chance to." He moved closer. Too close that their noses were touching. He smelt of minty aftershave. She noticed the fine lines on his high cheekbones. His eyes were really brown up close. Oh God. This man was too much of a temptation. She felt as if he was drawing her to himself with a magnet. "I have a feeling we'll get along pretty well. Faride."