64: Fellow

Talia feel lonely the next week because her half another was not around. She felt like something is off, something is lacking and that was just Kiel's presence beside her. His presence is enough for her joy and she could not get enough. She have Liah at home but since she was going to school, she often gets alone inside the unit. Their maid would only be around when there is no one and it is a good thing there is someone she could talk to.

"Do you love eating vegetable salad?" she asked to the maid that is busy cooking food in the stove. The woman looked at her and smiled. The woman can not lie, she feels odd when her boss will talk to her like they were friends but she should get used to because Talia wants a conversation with her.

"Yes, I do eat every food that the table can offer," she answered. Talia is one year older than her and the woman has a big respect to Talia because of her personality and kindness.

"Hmm, good to hear. What was your name again? Sorry, I forgot about it," Talia said apologetically, making her to force a smile, feeling shy.

"Uh, I am Yanna."

Talia nodded her head twice and get a green apple that was in their table. "So, Yanna, can I have a question? Did you finish your studies?"

Yanna stopped for a moment before she beamed. "I did not. I stopped studying when I was seventeen because of money lacking. And I work as maidservant to help my family."

That made Talia smile. She took a bite on her apple and stared at Yanna that is facing her back, focusing herself to what she is doing and talking to Talia at the same time.

"You are so brave and responsible."

Yanna smiled and looked at her, then back to what she is cooking. "Thank you, Ma'am."

They continued to talk and when the food is ready, Talia invited Yanna to eat with her since she can not eat alone. And she wanted to have more conversation with Yanna and know about her life. Yanna refused first because of embarrassment but she ended up joining her because that is what she wanted.

That is the cycle. When Talia is alone, she will communicate with Yanna that became her mini-best friend. They became close together with Liah. Yanna is comfortable to talk to and adorable at the same time, she always make them smile.

"I miss you," said Talia as she had the chance to video call Kiel. "When will you go home?"

Kiel licked his lower lip while facing the vanity mirror, brushing his hair. He just finished to take shower and he called Talia. His phone was just resting in the side.

"I am not sure, maybe next week," he answered and looked at the screen. "I badly miss you, baby. Can I get a hug once I get back there?"

Talia hissed. "You can always."

He grinned. "I will do my best here to get back as soon as possible. Wait for me, love. And I miss Liah and our baby. How are you doing there? Fine? Any cravings?"

Talia leaned against the headboard of the bed and stared at his face through the screen. With just the sight of him makes her want to embrace and kiss him. Is she could just go with him.

"I am doing fine, we are fine. And hmm, about my cravings. I crave for you," she said teasingly, making Kiel to chuckle.

"You can get that next week, baby. You seemed in a good mood, huh?"

She snorted. "You should have not mentioned that, Alexander. Now I am getting annoyed."

He finished fixing his hair. Kiel get his phone and lay his body on the bed. "What should I do to cast that annoyance, hmm?"

"Remove your face," she said sarcastically. Kiel laughed because Talia looked so pissed now.

"I can't, babe. Don't worry, hmm? Your mood swings will be over soon. And, you have to sleep early. It's almost late at night."

Talia stared at him more. "I still want to talk to you."

"Yes, so am I. But you can't stay up all night, right? Go on. Sleep but don't end the call. I will watch you asleep."

"Why?" she asked obviously like it was the first time Kiel requested that.

"Your face makes me at peace," he simply said with a smile on his lips. And so they did. Talia just rested the pone in the side table facing her body. She covered herself with comforter and before she close her eyes, she looked at him.

"Good night," she said.

"Good night, baby. Have a good sleep. Dream about me," he said.

Talia closed her eyes and she fell asleep quickly. When Kiel is around, watching her sleeping, she would always feel at peace and she always feel safe. She does not have to worry about tomorrow because with him, she is secured.

Kiel was just watching her. He feel his eyes heavy as well. He wanted to watch her all over the time but he could not stay still. Kiel gently kissed the screen of the phone, pointing to Talia's sleeping face before he whispered I love you's and then he closed his eyes afterward.

At the dawn, Talia found her phone dead battery. She bit her lower lip and texted Kiel.

Talia:

Good morning. My phone just died. Have a breakfast. Love you.

She did not expect an immediate reply since it is morning, five. And Kiel might be busy already to his work. She went out and saw Yanna cooking in the kitchen already.

"Good morning, Yanna," she greeted and sat on the high chair, facing the counter.

"Oh, good morning, Ma'am. I prepared coffee for you," Yanna smiled and get the hot coffee she just made in front of Talia.

"Thank you," Talia smiled. "But hey, get over with the Ma'am. Call me Talia. We are friends already."

Yanna let out a small chuckle and shake her head. "You are my boss."

"But I am comfortable that way," she insisted.

Yanna then nodded her head. "All right, my boss Talia."

Talia started to sip on her coffee and talked to Yanna while doing so. They really get along with each other and they are making a healthy friend relationship. They are comfortable around.

"My daughter is also going to school," Yanna said, making Talia to feel surprise.

"You have a daughter?" she asked, feeling excited.

"Ah, yeah. I have. She is eight years old."

"That means you got pregnant at your 17th?"

Yanna smiled. "Yes. That was also the reason why I stopped studying. To take care of my daughter and find job."

Talia smiled. "You should bring her here so she and Liah can play together."

Yanna replied awkwardly, "I can not just let her in in your unit. And besides, she is socially awkward. She does not have a friend."

"That is why you should bring her here so she could get a friend like Liah."

They continued to talk until Liah came out of her room. They took breakfast together. And since Talia has nothing to do in their unit, she decided to take a walk outside with Yanna. Their bodyguard followed them from afar, though. Liah on the other hand, her driver brought her to her school as usual.

"I love nature, how about you?" Talia was just beaming the whole time because all she can see around is greens, trees. And colorful flowers especially in the garden. They then sat in the bench near the road and watched the cars to pass.

"Nature comforts me as well," Yanna replied. "We have quite the same taste. But nature also gave me a trauma."

"Why is that?" she asked out of curiosity. She did not meant that, though. She respect her privacy. "I mean, it is fine to not answer it. I am not -"

"My daughter got sick one day because of nature," Yanna said to stop Talia from panicking. She forced a smile at her. "We did not have food to eat. And we just have a meal one time a day. I was so sorry for not giving my daughter a better life. Her damn father did not even give a care, he just left. But we are contented, as long as we are together. Even if life is not perfect, when my daughter is around my arm, life is beautiful as ever."

Talia bit her lower lip and looked away from her. "I am so proud of you, Yanna. I do not know if I can survive if I was in your situation. That must have been so hard."

"Nah, you can, Talia. You are braver than anyone. No matter what challenges, you always get through it. You are strong, and I can see that. You know what? Sir Kiel must have fell for you because of your great personality, and of course, your beauty," Yanna said with a beam on her face.

Talia could not help but to appreciate her words. She had not a girl friend and she did not expect it to be this great. Woman raising fellow woman. She is so proud.