Chapter 10: Friendly advice

John's pov

I couldn't concentrate.

For the past hour, I've been staring at the heap of documents on my desk without really seeing them. I was plagued with thoughts, thoughts of the angel-like woman I met the day before. 

I couldn't stop replaying our very short conversation and her smile, over and over again in my head.

That was a problem.

Even while I was with Fiona, shopping and the rest, I kept thinking about Cindy, wondering what it would feel like having her next to me rather than Fiona. Obviously, I would be happier in her company.

But I wasn't doing it again... comparing Fiona to Cindy. That was not fair to Fiona and she actually made an effort to be less annoying throughout our outing. She didn't even buy so many shoes and clothes, unlike her and she used the proper cutlery at dinner.

That was a good start.

Yet... I was making no headway with work. I had to stretch my legs a little, go out for a bit to clear my head so I could focus on work. I had to get Cindy off my mind somehow.

I got off my chair, grabbing my jacket that was draped over it, heading for the door.

I had just opened it to find Vince on the other side with his hand up as if he was about to knock.

"Oh, going somewhere?" He asked me, giving me his usual smile.

"Nowhere in particular, I just need a break. Did you need something?"

"No. I was coming to check on you to know if you needed me to do anything." 

How reliable!

"Thanks, but I'm good. I do need you to keep an eye on things while I'm gone and let me know if anything comes up."

"I will."

I returned his smile before walking away to my car.

I had no destination in mind... that's what I told myself, but as soon as I sat in my car, I found myself retracing my steps to the restaurant Cindy worked at. I didn't give myself any room to discourage my movement.

So I wanted to see her again, there's no harm in that. She was really charming and maybe seeing her again could satisfy my longing and then I could go back to work and concentrate this time.

Yes, it was important that I see her again.

Since I subconsciously ended up at the restaurant yesterday, it was a bit hard to find it now I was intentionally looking for it. But after several minutes of searching and relying on vague memory, I found it.

I wasn't expecting to find the sole reason for my visit standing right outside the restaurant. She was dressed in her work clothes, but she was standing so close to the platform as if she was waiting for a cab, but she stared into the distance, looking lost in thought.

Her blue eyes looked glassy today and held so much worry in them, while her right hand was holding on to her left. I'm no expert on people, but I could tell something was bothering her and the voice in my head was nagging me to go find out what's wrong.

I got down from the car and walked over to her, wondering if I'd appear as a stalker or a weirdo and creep her out.

I still didn't stop until I was standing right next to her.

So now what? 'Hey'? 'Hello'? 'Goodday'? Yeah, I was totally lost. What's more, she didn't even notice or acknowledge my presence.

"Hi." I finally choked out and she blinked several times before turning to me, clearly surprised to find me there.

"Hi... um..." She trailed off, looking behind her as if she didn't know where she was. She was really that lost in thought?

"Everything okay?" I asked, still wondering if I shouldn't just turn around and get into my car, returning to work.

"Y-yes, of course. I'm on break, but the restaurant is open, someone in there will serve you."

"That's not what I'm talking about. You look like something heavy is on your mind, do you mind sharing? Since you're on break, we could head out to a different restaurant to talk." Before I could finish, she was already shaking her head 'no'.

"That won't be necessary. I'm not really that hungry and you're a customer, it wouldn't look good if I keep you out here."

I jammed my hands into my pockets, pretending to be unbothered.

"Right now I'm not a customer and you're not on duty. I'm only trying to be a friend and listen to your troubles. So, lay it on me, I won't take no for an answer."

She stared at me for a second as a tiny smile played on her lips. What I would give to see an actual smile on her face...

"Are you sure you'd rather not go in and have your lunch?"

"Very sure. You're more important right now." Of course I couldn't tell her she was the actual reason I was there and not because I was hungry, but seeing the colour rise to her face as she stared at the ground made me happy. I felt good that I could make her blush.

It took her a couple of seconds and I actually thought she wouldn't say anything, but she spoke up, still staring at the ground.

"It's my parents." She began. "They are going through a tough time right now in their business. I want to help but they won't let me, they don't want me worrying about them." She looked at me. "But I can't help it, they are my parents, I have to worry. I feel so useless as they won't rely on me a little, I can also take care of them. It's so painful to see them working so hard and not making any headway. I mean, they have been struggling with the business for a year. An entire year and they never mentioned it to me! I want to help too, why won't they let me?"

You could tell she was really hurt just by hearing the pain in her voice and seeing the hurt in her eyes. She looked so innocent that I just wanted to protect her, I wanted to hold her and tell her it'll all be okay.

But I had to remember my place... I was a stranger to her.

"How do you plan to help them?" I asked calmly.

"I've been saving up for college for three years now, I have enough that could at least pay up part of their debts or something, I don't know. They won't tell me how much they need and I even offered to take up a second job. Who needs college when I'm parents are in debt?"

I liked that she loved her family that much and that she was keen on getting an education. The more I got to know her, the more I got drawn to her.

"While I understand where you're coming from, I believe I understand your parents too. Maybe you should have a little more patience and a little more faith in them, they may have a plan up their sleeves."

She sighed.

"That's exactly what my dad said. Yet..."

"You can't stop worrying?" I guessed and she nodded. "It's very normal for us to worry about our parents. To them, we're still their little babies of yesterday, but we want to put a smile on their faces, just as they have done for us."

She gasped, then grinned. There's the smile I wanted.

"Oh my God! I could swear you were in my house yesterday while I talked with my parents; your just said exactly what was said."

I chuckled, shrugging.

"I have a dad who is really stubborn when it comes to accepting the fact that I'm a grown man, I believe I can relate. Cindy, no one can ask you not to worry, it's your right; worry about them from a distance, but when you think they really need your help, you have to jump in whether they want you to or not. For now, just have faith in them."

She nodded and sighed again, smiling.

"Thank you so much, I needed to hear that."

"I'm glad I could help."

Once again, I found myself being drawn in by her smile. This time, I wanted to touch her cheeks and rub my thumb over her lips, but before I could do anything crazy, I looked down at my wristwatch.

"Oops, I have to head back to work now." I lied, turning away quickly and heading for my car.

"Wait! Won't you have lunch?" She called after me.

"It's alright, I'll order something later." I replied without stopping.

"Please wait." She said, following me a few steps to my car. I stopped and turned to her.

"I never got your name." She said and I actually found myself grinning like a fool. It just made me really happy that she wanted to know my name.

"It's John."

"John..." She repeated, smiling shyly. "I won't forget." She said and then stepped away from my car.

"I hope you don't." I replied, then got into my car and drove away.

I was satisfied.