Kapitel 28: Trust

After Judith left the restaurant, Kim could no longer concentrate on her work. She burnt the food and almost set off the water sprinklers. Madam George seeing her so distracted knew it was because of whatever the lady told her. Knowing Kim was an orphan, she didn't know what news the lady brought to off set her. May be it was related to her parents? She decided to give her the day off.

Kim was not bothered by what Judith told her. Not the accusation, she trusts him. After all, they've lived together for five months, if he wanted to r-ape her, he would have. He had lots of opportunities, yet he never took liberties with her. She was much more concerned about the fact she knew nothing about him.

She realized that living with someone does not equal knowing that person. On getting home, she spent the bulk of her time going over what she knew about him. His name is Carl.. no surname, she realized. He was kicked out, yes he mentioned that but he said he wasn't sure why. He is 21.. when is his birthday then? She totally forgot to ask him. What exactly does she know? He's nice, his eyes made her heart beat unstably, she was attracted to him, he worked at a local firm.. they certainly needed to talk.

'Does he know anything about me?' She wondered. It seems it goes both ways. They knew almost nothing about each other. What are his dreams? What motivates him? What about his family? There were so many questions, she decided she would get enough answer tonight. So rather than cook, she ordered chicken and beer. Not that she had ever tasted alcohol before but from what she had seen from the dramas she watched, it was something she had to try. And what better day to have alcohol if not today?

At 4:30pm, she placed and order while she waited for him to arrive. At exactly 5:00pm he arrived. He was smiling warmly at her, she shuddered as goose bumps covered her skin. Pushing outside her feelings for later, she asked him to go take a shower that they needed to talk.

Carl was oblivious to the main reason for the talk. He thought it was because of the hug or how he had been treating her. He wasn't sure of what to tell her. He did that because he wanted to? He liked her? What explanation should he give? He wasn't confident enough to accept those feelings yet.

After a quick shower, he went to the living room, she was sitted on the floor and on the table was chicken and beer. He raised his brow. Was she trying to get drunk then confess to him? Thinking that, he blushed. He started feeling nervous, was he ready to hear her say that? What should he do if she confesses?

Kim saw him lost in thought, so she called him out. "Hey! Have a sit." He complied and quietly sat down like a student before his teacher.

"I met a woman today." She said, looking into his eyes. He knew she was serious so he composed himself and asked, "So?"

"She said you r-aped her." Kim stated flatly with an even tone.

Hearing this, Carl frowned, he knew it was no one else but his stepmother, Judith.

"And what do you think?" He asked cautiously.

"You mean if I think you did?" She questioned, maintaining the even tone. Carl was so nervous he started sweating. He didn't even know the truth, what was he supposed to say?

He nodded with dull eyes.

She opened the beer, took a sip and frowned from the awful taste, so she set it aside and picked up a chicken. Rather than answer, she said, "Today, I realized I know nothing about you and you also know nothing about me.. how about you tell me your story, I'll tell you mine."

"Aren't you interested in knowing if I did?" He questioned.

"You didn't." She said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"How do you know that? I don't even know if I did." He said, rubbing his neck.

"Why don't you know?" She asked, her voice laced with unease.

"The lady you met today is my stepmother, her name is Judith." He began.

"A day after my brother's birthday, I was accused of attempted r-ape, I don't know when I did that.. I only remember having a glass of wine and going to my bedroom with the help of a maid." By this time, his eyes were lifeless.

Kim felt her heart tighten. He wasn't someone like that she knew it. "I'm sorry." She apologized, she felt guilty, she didn't know why.

"You did nothing wrong you don't need to apologise." He said with a sad smile. Kim could tell he was in pain. She wondered why she never saw the sorrow behind his bright smile. She couldn't help but question her feelings for him.