CHSPTER FIVE: "It hurts"

The canteen was quieter than usual that afternoon. A few cups clinked in the distance, chairs scraped lightly against the floor, and then silence returned.

She lowered her eyes back to the book as if the conversation had already ended.

There was a brief pause — not long enough to be rude, but long enough to feel it. Another person might have retreated or might have even taken the cue and left.

Stephan didn’t.

He noticed the way she avoided adding more. The way her shoulders remained slightly guarded. It didn’t offend him, it told him something instead.

He gave a small nod, thoughtful rather than discouraged.

“It can take time,” he said gently, but it was unknown if he néant something else when hé said it. “New environments always do.”

She didn’t respond immediately, she understood such a principle, so she didn't really need someone to remind her again, his reminder felt rather, annoying. She didn't respond, but her silence didn't seem to bother Stephan. He leaned slightly on the couch, fingers rythmically tapping on the couch, his expression lazy but patient, as if he could give her all the time and attention of the world.

“You know, I read a passage from the bible, which I found quite encouraging and plrasing,” he continued, voice softer now, “it says, ‘Do you see a man diligent in his work? He will stand before kings.’”

He didn’t quote it like a preacher. He said it like someone sharing a quiet thought.

“I’ve been watching,” he added casually. “You’re very… careful. Not everyone takes their work that seriously.”

Her typing paused, just slightly, not expecting him to say something like that. Her brain almost couldn't record his words, as if trying to recall where she had read that passage. She didn't quite remember the chapter, but she knew there was indeed a passage like that.

But why was he using that quote, was it a sort of encouragement?

For the first time after meeting him, Hailley raised her head and her gaze paused on his face, as if trying to see through him. He didn't shy away, but accepted her naked scrutiny, like a parent satisfying his child's curiouse scrutiny.

He continued, still calm, still unhurried. “Another verse says, ‘Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.’ I think that fits you.”

There was no flattery in his tone, just observation.

“It’s just my job,” she said, not thinking there was anything worth praising, she had just started her first day, not worth the few years of her predecessor. She was nothing more but a novice, regardless of situation she had to do her work to the fullest. But she had to admit his verse said the truth and she had always abided to the rule of doing her best in whatever her hands found.

Stephan maintained the gentle yet playful smile on his lips— not wide, not teasing, but understanding. He felt that the little girl was going to be impatient soon, it was quite amusing.He almost wanted to tease her, but of course he knew when to stop.

“Exactly,” he replied. “And you do it well.”

  Silence once again took over, as if Hailley hadn't heard him speak, but he knew she heard him, he sat patiently, not urging her, neither feeling her silence was offensive, but defensive.

He quite liked it, at least she was guarded, calm an composed. He loved how reserved she was, though guarded, she wasn't impolite or arrogant.

Hailley adjusted her laptop slowly. “I prefer things to be clear,” she said after a moment. “So no one can deny what they’ve taken.”

He nodded as if she had said something profound.

“That’s wisdom,” he said quietly. “The Bible also has an interesting quote on that, ‘The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways.’”

A faint crease formed between her brows — not irritation, but curiosity.

“You quote a lot,” she observed.

He chuckled softly. “It helps me talk without saying too much.”

That almost — almost — made her smile.

And that was the shift.

"Well, not everyone would be able to understand." Hailley said affirmatively, she knew that not many people actually believed in God, and if they really did, their understanding of the bible was quite not right to her. Regardless, she had always respected everyone's believe, it was good enough to receive acknowledgement from God, the world's opinion didn't matter.

"Not you though."

"Hum?" Hailley got confused for a moment before she finally recalled he was giving her a reply. She didn't comment on that and he didn't urge a reply either, as if his words were a fact, a fact she knew.

Yes, she was different, she understood the holy scripture quite a bit after studying it often. After her baptism and her days of boredom she had become quite close to God, understanding the holy bible better. So of course she understood Stephan's quotes, but she became a little wary about him, she had always been wary about men's approach, he wasn't an exception.

Stephan saw her sudden wariness of him, which startled him, unable to understand what had triggered such wariness. He couldn't understand, but he wasn't discouraged either.

He never pushed, never rushed, never forced laughter, he just carefully observed and threaded carefully.

He simply created space and let time do the rest.

By the time another staff member entered the canteen, the air between them had changed. It was no longer awkward — just the mixture of wariness from Hailley and indulgence from Stephan.

And though her tone and expression remained composed, with a nonchalance, it made him chuckle lightly, as if something had been added to it, slowly stirring something in him.

She was still guarded.

Still careful.

But she was no longer entirely closed.

And Stephan, noticing that small opening, did not rush to widen it, he looked down at his wrist watch and stood up, straightening his clothes.

"Alright, I'll be leaving now, take care, Hailley William." Hailley nodded at his response without any additional emotion. But her voice had a hint of impatience, as if urging him to leave quickly.

He chuckled lightly and walked away with a smile.

"Cute?" Stephan murmured under his breath as he walked out of the canteen.

After the earlier scenario, Hailley didn't continue translating, she reckoned she'll have to sign a few orders before leaving and her first day of work should definitely end with success.

           ~......~*~.......~

"Are you familiar with the new cashier lady ?" Stephan was questioned by his assistant while he was preparing the bus for the children who would be boarding soon. His assistant's question was unexpected but he wasn't surprised either. Thinking about Hailley's beautiful face, it would be surprising if she wasn't noticed, as for how others knew about their earlier chat; news travel a lot.

"Why do you ask?" He didn't say whether he was familiar with her or not, he didn't think it was necessary to give that answer.

"No reason, I was just being curiouse, that girl is quite an iceberg, she doesn't seem easy to interact with."

She really wasn't easy to interact with, he had experienced it as well, but he didn't think she was an iceberg, she was just guarded against strangers. Though, she was particularly guarded against men, as for the reason, he wasn't sure either.

"It's such a pity for such a beautiful girl, do you think she might have a boyfriend ?" Sam asked thoughtfully, but he didn't receive a reply from Stephan.

"Get ready, the children would out soon." Stephan interrupted Sam's day dreaming, with no intention of participating in the discussion. Soon after the children were guided out of the school gate, lined up in an orderly manner as she matched to their variouse bus driver. It was a beautiful sight to behold, watching the cute little bunnies in their pretty little school uniform could really melt one's heart instantly.

Sam soon forgot about his earlier question and prepared to welcome the kids, resuming their usual routine of dropping each child to their home.

And the days went by as usual, Hailley became more and more familiar with her work, she didn't get to meet Stephan often, perharps because he was busy and so was she. They both busied with their own affairs, barely greeting each other. When by passing each other by chance, he would flash her a smile, filled with warmth and friendliness.

"Good morning Hailley, how did you sleep?"

"Good morning, It was alright, thanks.", Her replies were very straight without any chance to engage a small talk, as she would walk away, never looking backward. But if she had, she would have seen the soft indulgence in his eyes as he watched her walk away. He didn't seem to be bothered by her indifference and nonchalance towards him either.

"Good morning Hailley, you're quite early today?" As soon as Hailley walked through the school gate, she was greeted by Stephan's enthusiastic smile. She raised her head and her baby blue eyes met his dark obsidian eyes. He was dressed simply, his hands covered in a pair of black gloves.

"Morning." She replied politely, her voice barely heard, but not entirely, because he heard her soft reply that seemed to have scratch his heart. He saw her tired expression while she replied, wondering if she hadn't slept the whole night.

"You look tired.", Stephan asked with a frown, but the reply he received was Hailley nodding her head and walking away, almost staggering her way into the canteen. Just a moment ago, he seemed to have had the illusion she was already sleep walking.

Stephan frowned, worried she might hit her head somewhere, turned to catch up with her, however he had just had taken two steps when he saw Hailley holding her forehead, still in daze. Frowning, Stephan sprinted towards her, instinctively holding her slender wrist, pulling away from her forehead. He caught sight of the read bump barely hidden behind her fringe.

He frowned.

"Does it hurt?" He asked, lowering his head to check on her head injury when she raised her head, her eyes shimmering with tears.

"It hurts."

  Her reply stunned him, but what made him even more surprised was the grievance on her palm size face, paired with her cute baby voice.

He had always known her as cold, nonchalant, with that same formalaec attitude, today actually witnessing her childish side, Stephan almost didn't know how to react.

Where had that girl with the mature and responsible vibe gone to, well she was there, but not actually present.

"Thank you, I'm fine."

As if suddenly waking up from her dreams, Hailley immediately pulled out her wrist from Stephan's light grip. Stephan felt her urgency and watched her take two steps away from him, looking at that familiar nonchalance, he suddenly smiled.

"You're welcome." He replied, not bothered by the wariness on her face, nor her habitual polite nonchalance towards him. At least he recognized this Hailley William quite well.

Though...

Looking at the tightly closed door of the canteen and recalling her hurried step, Stephan smiled and turned away. He rubbed his hands, still feeling the lingering warmth left behind by his holding of her wrist. She had a faint lemon fragrance on her, not choking but subtle and quite pleasant.

But she didn't seem to be interested in physical contact either, he still remembered her swift movement just then, as if she had been electrified by his touch.

Weird!

Stephan thought to himself as he walked towards his school bus, he still had to pick up the kids.

Meanwhile, upon entering the canteen that was already bustling with activity, Hailley could already smell the deliciouse fragrance of food, but it didn't really make her hungry, right now she only needed a cup of coffee.

After wiping her hands clean with a wet towel she walked to the coffee machine and made herself a simple cup of coffee with three cubes of sugar.

"Good morning Hailley, why are you so early today." It was only five minutes past six in the morning, cashiers weren't required to Come this early either.

"Good morning Mrs Pam." Hailley replied with a tired smile, she knew it was still quite early, she also didn't want to leave her bed. But thinking about her eldest cousin and her son who came over yesterday night.

Hailley sighed to herself, the baby was small and cute, but he was way too noisy, she hadn't slept for most of the night. Before she could even realise it, it was already five in the morning. The little guy had fallen asleep soundly, but despite her weariness, she knew she shouldn't sleep anymore.

If she had to close her eyes for a second, she might wake up late for work.

So after pulling her weary self out of bed, tidying herself in daze, she finally entered the school gates at six minutes to six. As for the incident with Stephan, she almost had no recollection of their encounter until she was woken up after her bumping into the door, taking a full minute to recover from the pain.

"There's no need to come over too early, you should rest more."

"Thank you Mrs Pam, I'll take note of that." Hailley flashed a polite smile at Mrs Pam who had her mother's age. She really felt comfortable in this place, though her aunty didn't work in the teacher's canteen anymore, her former colleagues took great care of her.

"Ok, as long as you understand, I know it's not easy for you as well, but there's no rush either." Hailley nodded carefully, accepting Mrs Pam's kind advice, she didn't find her chattering naggy at all, though she didn't talk much, she listened attentively.

"Ok, you go do your own things and I'll go get busy."

"Alright, take care Mrs.Pam, Hailley waved at her, taking a sip of her hot coffee, the bitter sweet taste of the coffee instantly washed away her coffee.

Hailley sighed with pleasure, she really loved taking coffee, for breakfast she would always have a cup of coffee, milk and half a slice of lime. Paired with either toast or croissant, however, she knew that too much coffee wasn't good for her health, so she minimized her intake of coffee, replacing it with a cup of hot lemon milk tea.

Well, the combination might seem weird for others, but for her it was pure bliss. Thinking about it, it seemed like today she could drink a hot cup of lemon milk coffee for today's breakfast.

Great she was finally awake, Hailley stretched, finally ready for another busy day at work.

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