Tina stared at Daniel, her gaze sharp and filled with a silent accusation. The thought echoed in her mind, a constant drumbeat: How could this be possible? Daniel, the man she'd known for years, the one who always kept his word, was acting strangely. Was he truly a different person now? Or was she simply misinterpreting his actions because of her sister's disappearance?
A wave of doubt washed over her. Perhaps she was seeing things through a distorted lens. She needed to step back, clear her head. She almost asked him about their conversation from the night before, but stopped herself. Maybe he was working on a plan, something brilliant and strategic, as he always was. His current behavior was just a facade, a necessary tactic.
"What?" Daniel asked, shifting his shoulders slightly, as if trying to shrug off the weight of her scrutiny. "Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something you want to say?" Daniel added following the way Tina was looking at him.
Tina remained confused, her eyes fixed on him. She swallowed hard, then shook her head. "It's nothing," she mumbled, her voice barely a whisper. "Just… I didn't like the way you spoke earlier. Keep your words normal, please. Don't use that tone with me again. I didn't beg you to get food for me."
Her words, though seemingly casual, carried a sharp edge. Daniel could sense her simmering frustration, her disappointment. He interrupted her, trying to lighten the mood. "Come on, Tina, calm down. I told you, I didn't mean it. I was just playing."
"And that's exactly what I'm telling you," she countered, her voice laced with a hint of defiance. "You need to be careful!"
Daniel understood her anger. He knew she wasn't happy with his behavior. She expected an explanation, a justification. He knew he should address her concerns, tell her the truth. But he hesitated. He couldn't bring himself to reveal the truth just yet. Perhaps later, when the time was right, he would confess. For now, he would continue to play his part, hoping to buy himself some time.
Daniel's avoidance wasn't just about avoiding a confrontation; it was about avoiding the inevitable truth. He couldn't keep weaving these elaborate webs of lies, especially not with Tina. He was worried he was leading her down a path of false hope, a path paved with empty promises.
"Alright, I've heard you," he said, trying to sound reassuring. "You should eat now, get some strength. We're running low on food, so we'll have to go out and get more. Don't worry, it's not about you. And if it's not enough, just say something and I'll get you more."
Tina nodded, her expression a mixture of dissatisfaction and resignation. Daniel saw the flicker of disappointment in her eyes, understood her silent plea for him to acknowledge her discomfort. He knew she was waiting for him to ask, to break the tension, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He was afraid that he might continue deceiving her with lies if he continues.
Their silence became a silent game of avoidance. Tina couldn't understand his sudden shift in behavior, and Daniel couldn't bring himself to explain. They were both playing a game of pretend, each trying to decipher the other's motives, their unspoken feelings hanging heavy in the air.
But honestly and naturally, Daniel was supposed to ask her what could be wrong with her, she expected that so much, but here they are, he's not ready to ask.
                   • Gina And The Stranger •
Gina paced restlessly inside the house, her anxiety growing with each passing moment. Jadon was still inside, and he is spending too much time inside already. He hadn't emerged from the kitchen yet, despite promising her a meal. The delay was unnerving, fueling her suspicions. Was he planning something sinister?
The thought of leaving, of escaping this strange place, became increasingly tempting. She couldn't shake the feeling that staying was a risk, that this seemingly harmless offer of food might be a trap. But the thought of going hungry, of facing the unknown outside, was equally daunting. She couldn't help but think, If I don't eat here, she may not find something to eat elsewhere. It's not like she will die of starvation.
As she wrestled with these conflicting thoughts, Jason finally emerged from the kitchen, a steaming bowl in his hand. The aroma that wafted from the bowl was intoxicating, a symphony of spices and savory smells. The sight of the colorful vegetables, the succulent chicken, and the glistening sauce was enough to make her mouth water.
Gina took a deep breath, calming her racing heart. She had almost fled, but thanks goodness she didn't, look what she could have missed. She waited patiently as the man approached, a sense of anticipation filling her.
He placed the bowl on the table, arranging the food with a practiced hand. "Alright, here's your food," he said, his voice warm and inviting. "I told you I was a good cook. I've never had anyone complain about my food. In fact, I've even received compliments from my families, friend and anyone who had eaten my food at all, so many tips from them also."
As he lifted the lid, the aroma intensified, filling the air with a delicious fragrance. Gina couldn't wait to dig in.
"Hmm, I think you're an amazing cook, your parents must have thought you well, you did grew up with them, I can see" Gina blurted out, surprised at her own words. She hadn't meant to compliment him, especially not so openly. Trust was a fragile thing, and she wasn't ready to bestow it on him yet. She just wanted to eat and leave, she never wanted to make discussion normal for her and Jason, she just want to make it stranger things.
But the intoxicating aroma, the tantalizing sight of the food, had loosened her tongue. The moment the words left her lips, she wished she could take them back. She'd been so caught up in the moment, so captivated by the delicious smells and Jason's confident demeanor, that she'd forgotten her initial reservations.
The man chuckled, his smile warm and genuine. "I'm glad you like it. Maybe you'll have another confession after you've tasted it. As for my mother, she didn't teach me. Actually, I didn't grow up with my parents."
He paused, stirring the food with a practiced hand. "But I've always had a passion for cooking. My adoptive mother, he's the one who taught me. I used to follow her around the kitchen, even when I was just a toddler, crawling on my knees. He'd have to pull me away from the stove, worried I'd get hurt by the hot pots and pans, but I kept on disturbing till I grew up in the kitchen."
Gina listened intently, her senses overwhelmed by the delicious smells and the man's captivating story. Despite the food's alluring appearance, her focus remained on his words, her curiosity piqued by his unusual upbringing.
She pondered the his words, her mind racing. His story, of being adopted at a young age, was a bit of a puzzle. It was hard to imagine parents willingly giving up their child, especially if they were still alive. The only logical explanation was that something tragic had happened, either abandonment or the loss of his parents.
Whatever the reason, it was clear that Jason had suffered a great loss. It made her wonder if he, too, was a victim of the city's darkness, its corrupt underbelly. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye, that his kind demeanor might be a facade, a carefully constructed mask hiding a darker truth.
But she couldn't be sure. She'd been burned by trust before, her emotions exploited for someone else's gain. She'd learned her lesson, become wary and guarded. She had to be cautious, to protect herself. Her escape plan was simple: eat, leave, and forget this encounter ever happened.
"Well, thanks for the meal," she whispered, her voice barely audible. It was the only word she uttered after Jadon had finished plating her meal, she pretended like she didn't hear everything he said about himself. She dug into the food, her taste buds exploding with delight. The flavors were exquisite, a symphony of spices and textures. She wanted to tell him how good it was, to express her appreciation, but she held herself back.
"How's the food? I hope you're enjoying it," Jadon said, his voice warm and encouraging. She knew he was waiting for her to say something, to give him a compliment, but she wasn't going to play his game, but nevertheless, just to encourage him? of course she will, he gave her food, it will be a must to compliment him for the food.
"Good! It's delicious, thanks," she replied, her voice flat and emotionless. She resumed eating, her focus on the food, determined to ignore his attempts to draw her out. She was here for one thing only: to satisfy her hunger and then disappear.