Chapter 4 Four

"That's a really beautiful name, "I replied as I took her hand in mine, amazed by its softness and warmness "I'm Harden. I can call you Leesha right?"

She doesn't reply and all I could hear was the thoughts in her mind. She was contemplating whether to say yes or no. It caused me to smile. In the end, I'm still some stranger to her anyway.

"Sure" she replies "you're new here right?"

"How did you know that?"I slowly let go of her hand.

"Trust me I know practically everyone around here. Especially around this quarter and your face isn't one I've seen around. I can swear I've never seen you before. Plus, you didn't know Patrick. Everyone knows him"

"Well, you do make quite the perfect observer. You're right, I did just move here today. Although, I've been here on tours and vacations many years ago"

"Many years ago?" She laughs unbelievably. "Well, Harden. It's nice to meet you"

"Same goes for me, Leesha. You should go and not worry about me. Your friends are probably waiting"

"They're gone. Patrick knows I'm not coming with him"

"Why is that?"

"Are you seriously asking me?" she throws me another smile.

"Yeah, "I replied, "I hate to be a reason why......"

"Don't," she holds her hand up to me "I can go home alone"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to....."

"No it's okay" she replied firmly, her eyes moving over my chest before looking back at my face and pointing to my chest again "where'd you get that?"

I look down at the antique circular ball connected to the golden necklace around my neck, draping down my chest. It consisted of a series of metal strings, bounded in interlocks to form a ball. In real sense, it was a cage housing a golden stone in the middle of it. It was a gift from my mother.

Looking up at her, I replied "I got it from someone as a gift"

Her voice catches mine immediately "it's beautiful"

"Thanks."

"Okay. But you've got to be careful with that though," she points to the necklace "rubbery is way out of hand here and that necklace seems priceless."

"Thanks. I'll keep that in mind" I gave her a reassuring smile.

She nods "I'm running late. I better go home" she stands up straight.

"But it's barely 10"

"I know, trust me" she replied uneasily "I'll see you again...." She turns around and I watched her walk out of the store.

I hurried out after her. She has made a cross towards the other side of the road and is now standing for a cab. I crossed to her and walked up from behind, causing her to jump in fear.

"God, Harden you scared me" she breathes hard.

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to make sure you go home safely"

She smiles tenderly "thanks."

Just then, a cab stops before us and she turned back to wave at me before entering the back seat, me shutting the car door after her. I watched till the car disappeared from sight.

And I couldn't stop chanting her name in my head.

Alessia.....