Jason's smile faltered as he noticed the sadness etched on Gina's face. It was a deep, unspoken sorrow that he could almost feel radiating from her. She seemed lost, alone, and terribly out of place. He couldn't understand why a visitor would be so downcast, especially in a place like this. He knew he shouldn't pry, but he couldn't ignore the heavy weight of her sadness.
"I'm Jason by the way," he said, extending his hand after a long stare from the both of them. "What's your name? And why were you sleeping outside the house? This isn't a safeplace, especially for someone as lovely as you. There are gangs, and all sorts of dangers lurking around. What happened?"
His words tumbled out in a rush, a torrent of concern and curiosity. He wished he could slow down, let the conversation flow more naturally, but his worry for her had him speaking too quickly.
Gina, startled by his sudden outburst, dropped the piece of chicken she was holding. She looked up at him, her eyes wide and filled with a mixture of confusion and fear. For a moment, she seemed lost in her thoughts, unable to respond. Then, she lowered her gaze, returning to her food.
Jason felt his heart sink. He'd gone too far, too fast. Her silence was deafening, a testament to the depth of her despair. He needed to tread carefully, to let her know he was just trying to help, but not to overwhelm her.
"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I just... I want to help. Can you tell me your name?" He waited patiently, his eyes filled with genuine concern. He hoped, with all his heart, that she would find the strength to speak.
Sam felt a wave of disappointment wash over him. He'd tried to be understanding, to offer her kindness and a safe haven, but she seemed determined to shut him out. He'd asked her a simple question, a basic courtesy, and she'd refused to answer. He was starting to feel like a fool, his efforts falling on deaf ears.
He decided to give her space, to let her eat in peace. He kept quiet, hoping that maybe, just maybe, she would change her mind.
After what felt like an eternity, she finally finished her meal and reached for a glass of water. Her eyes met his, and for a moment, he thought he saw a flicker of something in them—guilt, perhaps, or maybe even a hint of gratitude.
"Well, if you must know," she said, her voice hesitant, "my name is Kate. I'm just a wanderer. I was on my way somewhere, but it got dark, and I didn't have any transportation or money to get a ride. So, I slept here until daybreak. Thank you for the food. I should be going now."
She rose from her chair, her movements stiff and awkward. Even though she seemed eager to leave, Jason noticed the lingering way she looked at the empty plate. It was clear that she hadn't been entirely truthful about her reasons for leaving. He knew she was still hungry, and the food was too delicious for her to leave behind.
"You're welcome, Kate, If you would want more don't hesitate to let me know, there is more for you inside" he said, a smile tugging at his lips.
"No, I don't, I'm filled already, you ain't gonna suffocate me before you know I'm satisfied" She said faking up a smile. "I enjoyed the food though, you did well" she added.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm a pretty good cook, you know. My friends says I have a gift for it." He responded and then she only shrugged her shoulders and turned to leave.
He couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness as she turned to leave. He wanted to know more about her, to understand the sadness that shadowed her eyes. But he knew that he had to respect her wishes, at least for now.
While she was almost leaving, she halted and turned turned towards him. She had tasted the sweetness of survival, and she wouldn't let anything stand in her way. She was determined to get back on her feet, to find her own path, and she knew that staying any longer would only make things harder. But that doesn't mean she just have to leave like that without making Jason feel great for what he's done.
"Thank you again for the food," she said, her voice sincere. "You saved my life with your breathtaking meal, you are really good at it. You should open a restaurant. Your food is incredible. You'd be famous in no time!"
Her words were a balm to his soul. He'd never thought of himself as a chef, but her enthusiasm was contagious. He loved to cook, but he'd always seen it as a hobby, a way to bring joy to those around him. He hadn't considered turning it into a business, but Kate's encouragement planted a seed of possibility in his mind.
"Ever since I was born, I've never tasted anything this good," she continued, her eyes sparkling with genuine appreciation. "You're truly gifted."
He felt a warmth spread through him. She was the first person to truly acknowledge his talent to this extent. Most people just devoured his food and begged for more, never stopping to think about the passion and skill that went into each dish. Kate, however, saw something special in his cooking, something that went beyond mere sustenance.
"Oh, I'm glad you think so," he said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. "Thank you for the encouragement. I really appreciate it."
"Well, I should be going now," Kate said, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. She rose from her chair and walked towards the door, her steps slow and deliberate.
He watched her go, a mix of emotions swirling within him. He felt a pang of regret at seeing her leave, but he also felt a sense of hope. Kate had shown him a new path, a path that led to something more than just cooking. She had given him a glimpse of his potential, and he was determined to explore it.
"Kate! Kate! Wait!" Jason called out, his voice laced with urgency. He knew she was heading out, and he couldn't let her go without offering some help. She had mentioned needing transportation, and he couldn't bear the thought of her struggling by trekking on the street all alone.
But as he watched her walk away, a strange feeling washed over him. She hadn't responded to his calls. She hadn't even looked back. It was as if she were deliberately ignoring him. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, that she wasn't being entirely truthful.
"Kate! I'm talking to you!" he shouted, his voice rising in frustration. Finally, she stopped and turned, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and defiance. She was already on the edge of the road, ready to disappear into the bustling city.
He ran towards her, his heart pounding in his chest. He was confused, worried, and a little bit angry. Why wasn't she responding to him? Why was she acting so strange? He knew she was lying about something, but he couldn't figure out what.
"I... I honestly don't understand," he stammered, his voice filled with concern. "I was calling you, and you weren't answering. Are you alright, Kate?"
She forced a smile, her lips stretched thin and unnatural. "Of course, I'm fine," she said, her voice strained. "I just didn't hear you. I'm sorry."
But her words rang hollow. He could see the fear in her eyes, the way her hands trembled slightly. She was a terrible liar, and he knew it.
"Kate, you're a bad liar," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "I can see it in your face. You're not telling me the truth."
"It's none of your business," she snapped, her voice laced with anger. "I told you I'm fine. If you have something to say, say it and let me go!"
She was pushing him away, trying to create distance. He could see the desperation in her eyes, the fear that she was trying so hard to hide. He wanted to help her, to understand what was going on, but she was making it impossible.