章 6: Hate at first sight 2
Inayah walked out with her after putting on her pajamas. ''That reminds me. A certain elder came today and wanted to buy my house.''
''What? So, what did you tell him?''
''I told him I couldn't sell it.'' Inayah sat down to apply her face cream.
''This house has been here since 30 years ago, even the recent development in District H hasn't affected it. Why would someone want to buy it, suddenly?'' Clara asked, taking a seat on the bed.
''I don't know and I don't care because I am never selling this house.''
''This house has your memories with your grandparents.''
''That's why, I'm never going to sell this house.''
''So, what are you going to do when he comes again? This real estate people don't back down that easily.''
''I already told him there is no way I was going to change my mind. I think I might live here till I die.''
Clara yawned and laid on the bed, ''I feel so tired.''
''Me too. Let's sleep and stop talking about the mystery man.''
...
HANNA'S DINER.
Inayah walked into the restaurant and went to the counter and saw Bertha chatting with another worker.
''Hi, good morning!''
Bertha looked at her and response awkwardly, ''hi…Ayah?''
''No need to be awkward Bertha. Where is Mrs. Hanna?''
They didn't have the best relationship but she was already over the past now and all of that didn't matter anymore.
''She went out to get groceries…'' Bertha saw Mrs. Hanna getting down from her car, ''oh, there she is!'' She said pointing at the entrance.
''Thank you!'' Inayah turned to go and Bertha asked curiously.
''Ayah, are you coming back?''
Inayah smiled and stuffed her hands in her and asked, ''where? School or here?''
''Both?''
''Yes, but Mrs. Hanna hasn't hired me yet.''
Inayah went out and took some of the grocery bags from Mrs. Hanna. ''This work should be left for we youngsters. You never listen.'' Inayah said to Mrs. Hanna.
''Tsk! Look who is scolding me? You just came and you are already nagging me.'' Mrs. Hanna rolled her eyes.
''Now that I'm back, why don't you leave grocery shopping to me?'' Inayah helped her to the kitchen.
''What are you talking about?'' Mrs. Hanna turned to look at her.
''I'm saying I need my old job back. You promised me that I will always have my job back once I return. So, I'm, here and you have to keep your word.''
''Who is the boss here?'' Mrs. Hanna asked.
''Of course…is you!'' Inayah said and chuckled.
''Thank God you know that at least.''
''These need to be kept in the fridge very quick.'' Inayah opened the chicken box.
''That's why you are here, silly girl. Do it!''
''Does that mean I'm employed already?''
''No, this is free service you little wench.''
Inayah smiled and hugged the woman. ''Only you love me the most, that is so sweet of you, Mrs. Hanna. Thank you so much.''
''Stop hugging me, silly. I can't breathe.''
''Just for a minute. I haven't hugged anyone since I came.''
At the counter, as Bertha was working two of the other girls asked her.
''Who is that girl?''
''Her name is Inayah and is a long story. All I can say is that she is not your average 18-year-old girl.''
''You seem to hate her?'' One of them asked.
''Well, I don't hate her, but I don't like her either. She attracts too much attention for her own good. Listen to me Gloria. There are some people in this world; they don't have to do anything at all to be popular, branded or even ostracised."
Bertha looked at Inayah and added. "She is one of those people. You can't hate her yet you can't like her either. But, all the same; she is too bold and doesn't care about anything happening around her.''
''Then who exactly is she?'' Gloria asked.
Inayah stopped at the door and listened as they talked about her. She had a smirk on her face but didn't show much emotions apart from that.
''I've known her for four years now but I still can't tell what goes on in her head. Stop trying to figure her out; is tiresome!''
Inayah nodded her head and muttered, ''at least she knows better.'' She walked out to the counter and looked at them saying. ''She is right. Don't try to figure me out, is tiring. But, I must say, that's the longest sentence you've ever spoken about me…well if I leave the school group chats out of it.''
When she left the diner the other day, she knew that Bertha was going to tell everyone that she was back.
''Are you angry? I was the one who asked her.'' Gloria said, trying to protect Bertha..
''Don't worry, she is not angry. She can't be mad about everything. Is not like I said something which is not true.'' Bertha said and Inayah chuckled.
''She is right. I can't be mad at everything; is too tiring and I'm so lazy.'' Inayah smiled and put her earphones on as she walked out of the diner.
She answered the call from Clara and walked towards her house as they chatter over the phone.
''Where are you?'' Clara asked.
''From Mrs. Hanna's diner and now on my way home after getting my old job back.''
''You got your job back at Mrs. Hanna's place?'' Clara asked.
''Yes. Why, is that surprising?'' Inayah adjusted her cardigan and zipped it up as the weather was becoming cold.
''No. I'm not surprised at all. But, seriously? I asked her for a job a month ago and she refused and you just came barely two weeks and she gave you a place already. This is so unfair.''
''What is so unfair? I am an orphan, okay?''
''Yeah, right? An orphan with a big house and an inherited money you wouldn't be able to spend all your life. You are the richest orphan I know.'' Clara said sarcastically.
Inayah chuckled and changed hands as her left hand was getting tired from holding the food she brought from Hanna's diner.
''How is aunt doing?'' Inayah asked.
''Busy, I hardly see her because of a case she is currently handling. Oh. So, school is Monday. Are you ready?''
''What is there to be ready about? I still need to go to school if I don't want to go to jail, remember?''
''That's true, you don't have a choice. But, at least you were found not guilty. You are innocent.''
''It doesn't matter. Everyone still thinks I have a hand in what happened. Anyways, that's in the past now.''
Inayah paused in her strides when saw the familiar Maybach parked at her apartment and a man standing beside the car.
She didn't need a shaman to tell her who he was. She already had a premonition. ''Lara, I will talk to you later.''
''Why? Did something happen?'' Clara asked worriedly.
''The mystery man…''
''What about him?'' Clara interrupted with a question.
''His car is parked by my house and he is standing beside it.'' Inayah took careful steps towards him.
''What? Ayah, do you need me to call the police?''
''No…'' Inayah could already imagine her cousin dialling the police hotline, ''just hang up. I will talk to you later.''
''Alright, bye!''
''Bye!'' Inayah hung up and curled the earphones along with the phone and put them into her baggy jeans pocket as she approached him.
As if sensing the presence of someone, he turned and their eyes met but, he was wearing a face mask again so Inayah couldn't see anything but his eyes.
But, she recognised him. Those were the same eyes that looked at her last night at the night market.
Inayah was a little frightened as she clenched her fists tightly but she wasn't about to let it show as she looked at him indifferently.
Jasper turned and looked at the petite girl coldly and asked. ''You won't sell the house, right?''
''Huh?'' Inayah flushed. His voice sounded oddly familiar. ''What did you say? No, who are you and why are you looking at my house?'' She asked.
Jasper chuckled and took in her dressing. Her outfit made her look like she was plump but he could tell she was slim beneath the clothes because he had seen her almost naked before. If he left out the underwear that was covering her vital parts.
Jasper frowned. Why was he suddenly thinking about such things? Was he becoming a pervert? She was clearly underage, why was he even thinking about her body?
His frown deepened as he asked. ''That is my question. Who are you?''
''Wait!! Are you the mister from that mansion?'' Inayah asked and held the door as he was about to enter into the car. He stopped and looked at her questionable. ''I'm right. It's you, isn't it? What do you want from my house?'' Inayah's suspicion was confirmed.
''If I were you, I would stay away from me Miss Ibrahim!'' Jasper threatened Inayah.
''How did you know my name? Also, why are you wearing a mask and shades at night? Are you a stalker?''
Jasper got into the car and drove into his mansion as Inayah continued to shout at him.
''Hey, I'm talking to you!'' She looked at the secured gate and pouted. ''Who does he think he is?'' She returned to her apartment.
-- 贈り物
が届きました 
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット