hesitantly to leave.

“Vanessa!” Another voice called out, stopping her in her tracks.

She turned around to see Mr Stranger staring right at her.

The silence that followed was deafening.

He just sat there staring at her, almost like he was trying to remember who she was.

She became self-conscious, wondering if there was any flour left in her hair or if she smelled of spice.

Then a weird look crossed his eyes, and it went back to being cold and empty.

“How old are you Vanessa?” He asked, and she just stared at him, stunned at his line of question.

“I said," how old are you?... Is your daughter having issues with her hearing? He asked, directing the latter at her father, who looked traumatized.

“I'm 26” she replied.

Glad that her voice came out clear as opposed to how she was feeling on the inside.

He stood up immediately, and drew closer to her, studying her. She drew backwards with every step he made towards her. She realized just how tall and domineering he was. Her gaze never left his.

Her breathing slowed, and her throat was closed up,

Once he got close to her, he pulled off the band holding her hair in a ponytail, and watched as her long beautiful curly red hair cascaded around her, forming a curtain around her small oval face.

Her cherry red lips parted in surprise.

“It seems there's a way I can be repaid after all” he said, turning his gaze to Mr Davis for a moment before looking back at Vanessa, who just stared at him, her innocent sea-green eyes watching his every move.

He studied her, his face barely inches away from hers.