Chapter Forty-One
"So, what happened to your face and why did you say that you can't go to a clinic for your wound?"
I stopped myself before my mouth dropped open. Especially when I knew that no word would come out. For a minute, I was rendered speechless. My mind went blank because the question was so unexpected. Even though it should not be so surprising that he would ask me this question since I was here for the very reason-wounds on my face.
I fiddled with the idea of whether I should tell him or not. After all, he did let me in and fed me, when I was fairly sure that I would sleep in the street with an empty stomach. He seemed like a person who could be trusted. A person who genuinely helped people in times of need.
But ...
But, I could be wrong about him. I could be completely wrong about him. Like I was with Mike. He tricked me so easily that now I have a fear that anyone could trick me and I would not be able to tell. There was a firm doubt in me that I was very gullible and could not read a person well, even if I had spent some time with him.
However, that's not all.
I was in a very vulnerable position right now. I did not have a place to go or enough money to eat or to afford a clinic visit. Not to mention, there wasn't a person that I could contact right now, in case something happens to me. If I did then I would have another trouble named Error coming after me.
I was literally hunted down by my brother and if this guy got a hint that there was somebody after me then he would not keep me in, thinking that I would bring in trouble.
Which was fair but I could not afford to be 'fair' right now.
So, I went back and forth in my mind and decided to play safe and keep the truth hidden. I knew it was unfair on him but I had no other choice.
"My father kicked me out. He told me not to return to him until I learned to behave." I told him. Nelson's mug was raised in mid-air as he was about to take a sip but stopped. His shocked face made me feel a little guilty for lying to him, although not so much because my lie was not far from the truth.
"What?" He said, looking a bit horrified.
Tearing my gaze away from his expression, I pulled the bowl of cornflakes to my side and started mixing the contents with my spoon. I cleared my throat, not peeking up. "I am a foster kid. My foster parents' son and I got into a fight. He hit me with his father's leather belt. When his parents found out, they kicked me out. On their son's request." I told him.
"So, here I am. I can't go to the clinic or hospital because I do not have money. Whatever I had I gave it to you for dinner and a night to sleep in here." I told him. Eating a spoonful of cornflakes, I shrugged. My nonchalant facade was nothing but a way to hide the guilt I was feeling for lying. I hardly ever lied and when I did, this guilt always came to me, making me feel like a horrible person.
I glanced up to see him, examining me. His face was carefully devoid of any emotion. No matter how I tried I could not see if he believed my story or not. I hope he did though. He was my only hope.
Nelson took a sip from his coffee mug before picking a cookie from the plate and popping it in his mouth and eating it. His calculating gaze sized me up. So, to avoid meeting his gaze I took a sip from my coffee as well.
"How old are you?" He questioned, sipping his coffee. I tensed at his question. I looked at him and saw him waiting for my answer. Although I did not think he was trying to intimidate me or trying to creep me out, his question made me uncomfortable all the same. He must not know but his getting to know that I was younger put me in a vulnerable position. Still, I did not lie about my age.
"Sixteen." I told him, trying not to come out as nervous. People can smell fear, they say. I hope he could not.
"Humm." Nodding his head, he popped another cookie in his mouth. All the lines of doubt disappeared from his face. "I could tell. You're younger. So, what do you plan on doing Viri? Where are you going to live?" He asked me. The tension that I felt radiating from him moments ago, is completely gone now.
His question made me come right on the idea, I got in the morning. One that I was trying to get on since time entered my mind.
I cleared my throat. "Yeah, about that. I thought about something." I said, watching his attention perked back to me. I licked my lips before continuing. "I was thinking that you could let me stay here until Mrs Hanako and Mr Kiyoshi come back here," I told him. I did not breathe, waiting for his reaction.
"What?" Nelson asked, putting his coffee mug down.
I stopped eating and faced him completely. "Well, as you know, the owners are not going to return until a month or so from Japan. So, maybe you could let me stay here till they return?" I told him. I interrupted him before he could speak.
"I will help you around the place. I will do the chores. I will help you cook, clean the place, and help you with customers. All for a place to sleep and a meal three times of the day." I told him. I needed to convince him of this, I had no other option. I did not know how long I would need to stay away from my school and dormitory. I had no idea when I would return to school. Till then I needed to find a place to sleep. A place where nobody could find me. Where I could sleep and eat without worrying about my safety. This was the perfect place. And I was desperate.
Nelson regarded me for a second. "You know, I can't do that." He said carefully. My heart leapt out of my chest at his rejection.
My desperation suddenly jumped. I had to convince him. There was nowhere for me to go. He was my only option.
"Please, don't say that. I will help you with anything you want. I won't cause any trouble. I will even cook my own food if you want daily but please just let me stay here." I begged him.
A look of pity entered his eyes. "I'm sorry, I can't do that. You are a minor and if your foster parents complained to the cops, I would be in a lot of trouble. I've just turned eighteen and could legally be held responsible for you." He said.
"Why don't you ask your foster parents to take you back. I'm pretty sure that their anger must have calmed by now and they will take you back." He suggested. I shook my head frantically. He was not getting it. I can't let myself be thrown out of this place.
"No, no. You don't get it. The last time they threw me out, I was living in a shelter for two months. And I can't even go there now. It's not safe. You are my only option, please let me stay here. Please." I reached over and grabbed his hand as I requested.
His eyes warmed and he sighed. I could see it in him that he was reasoning with himself. He scratched the back of his neck. "And what if they complained about you missing to the cops? I would be in grave trouble then." He questioned. He was ready to be reasoned with. I could do this. I could pursue him.
"They don't care about me. They only care about their paycheck. I was gone for two months before and there was no complaint filed. There was no search and rescue for me. The only time they did seem to give a damn about me, is when one of the authorities came to check on me." I told him.
"No one will come after you. I swear." I assured him.
His gaze shifted to the hand that I was holding then to my face. I saw him swallow hard before he nodded his head. "Okay. Okay, fine. But, if I did end up in trouble then you would make sure that I won't get arrested." He said. Even though we both knew if that happened then I won't be able to save him.
I frantically nodded my head in happiness and smiled, as for some reason tears started pooling in my eyes. "Yes," I told him. No cop was going to come after me. Well, except for my brother. My brother won't call the cops because if he did, then he would be the one who ended up in trouble and not me. And he would never want that.
But as for the foster family? I was reassured about that.
Finally, something nice happened to me after a long time.
"Thank you." I thanked Nelson. For once, I was actually thankful. Thankful to a stranger.
He was saving me from hell and he did not even know.