Chapter 25Leah felt a lameness descend on her. The conversation with Sergio went a little wrong. She didn't mean that there could never be anything between the two of them. It's just the time is not right and the way it would have happened is inadmissible. She doesn't want to lose control of herself. But what she saw in Sergio’s eyes was defeat, loss and hurt. A man who had just given up on any idea of her. Maybe she should have been a little more motivated.She’s seen it too many times between her fellow students.Even had a bad experience herself, before. There was that fellow student at the art college in their final year. Not someone she felt anything romantic for. Though she liked his art. The images he made with clay. How he approached design. His hard work. He was a very talented guy and Leah knew he was going to get somewhere with it.She respected him for that, not for the way he worked his way through every female student in the college. Never thought that he would ever co
Chapter 24It is Friday morning and Sergio is packing. Once a month, he goes home. He visits his parents there at their farm and lodge along the coast close to Inyambane. For the first time in a long time, he would have preferred to stay at Hurter's Retreat rather than leave. And the one he has to blame for that is Leah.He can't drive out of here today, without them talking. One of those, about last night conversations. And what from here. Not as if something happened. But Sergio wants to reassure her. She still has his respects.This is the beginning of something bigger. But not something they should rush…Sergio makes two mugs of coffee and walks over to knock on her door. When she opens the door, he sees that she is still in her shortie pajamas. Even though she looks like someone who's been dragged to hell and back, she's still one of the most beautiful things he's ever seen, after a night of wine and sleep.Even though her big soulful blue eyes are slightly reddish, he wants to k
Chapter 23"What did you do to poor Sergio, Leah?" asked John Hurter, Leah's father, when they all gather in the dining room for supper that night. "He says you almost tore his arm out of his potty."Sergio laughs. "No, it's really not that bad, John. My shoulder is okay again now. Was probably more my scorned masculinity than anything else. But I know one thing now, a man shouldn't try anything with Leah. She can protect herself against bad characters."But John doesn't laugh along. He looks proud of her. "So sensei Haya was able to teach you something over the past few days.""Oh yes indeed. And tomorrow evening he's going to teach me how to work on Sergio's punching bag.""No, don’t you use poor Sergio as a punching bag. He may be a big guy, but he is a gentle giant," Maria called out, just as she enters with a bowl of fried fish in her hands. Fish that Manual also breeds in his garden of Eden! The farm is self-sustainable by now.“No, I am not going to exercise my boxing skills on
Hoofstuk 22This was one of the worst nights Sergio ever had in his life. If he slept for an hour, it could probably count as a very long time. He's tired. He was ragged when he finally got up and dressed at first light. What the hell happened between him and Leah last night? Why did she get so terribly angry with him? He was just trying to be nice to her, when he saw how sad she was.Clearly, he had hit the right cord when he guessed that she had left a pet behind in South-Africa. That she's sad about it, he understands. But what he can’t understand is how she could blame him for her waterfall of tears.And it was not as if he asked her to share his bed with him, when he suggested that she bring her pillow and come to sleep on his couch. Honestly, it was not an immoral proposal. He just thought she would feel better if she was not all by herself.He just wanted to be nice with her.Now he understands why is his father always says. Women are strange. I love my wife and daughter, but s
Chapter 21“A man and his cat.” One of the ladies in the dining room smiles as Sergio walked in with little Gato on his heals. He picked her up and cuddled her to his chest. And she sticks out a paw to touch his cheek. A daddy daughter moment as Sergio smiles in her face, slowly blinking his eyes. Cat communication, between them. Gato blinks back. “I just love a man who adores cats.” The ladies colleague agrees as she also walks over to stroke Gato’s head.Leah can not agree more, even though she says nothing. In South-Africa her dad’s mother always had one or more cat at a time as pets. And when an new one needed a home for a stray, Oumie always made room for an extra one. In her house and in her heart. At least that is something she and Sergio shares. A love for cats, wild or domesticated.“Did you enjoy your lion sighting?” John brings in a tray with Sherry glasses on it.“Oh yes indeed. Good to see that predators are now moving in to do their part in the balancing of the food ch
Chapter 20After the first day on the site the builders already got the water, shower and toilet as well as one of the gas geysers working in the apartment where they are residing until the job is done. They don’t mind sharing the space. Haya is the plumber and electrician. He is also a trained gas technician. Gio and three of the others are builders. And then there is a cabinet maker. He can do magic with wood. Even use rough pallets and make the most beautiful stuff from it. What’s more, they work hard and at a reasonable pace. Nobody’s got to watch over their shoulders.Thank heavens, for Leah’s has a lot to do herself.She started to sort out her room here in the house and the girls helping in the kitchen now have four black bags full of clothes to go and share with the others back at their little village.Clothes that dated back to Leah’s childhood days. Stuff that just accumulated over the years. What is going to be left in the bedroom is her nice relatively new double bed. One