Aiden is confused and tired of everything! He had just lost his job, the only means he was using to generate income even though it was little. He was hoping he could ask for another six months advance, so he could pay up Hope’s fees and she could return back to school. But first he had to figure out a way her health would be recovered before thinking about her schooling.

Aiden decided to go job hunting. Yes, he needed a new job for the meantime or else he would starve to death. So he got up from the hospital bed and put on his clothes— his clothes that were already old and worn out now had numerous tears and were blood–stained as a result of the beating he had received at the celebration.

But he didn’t have a fresh change of clothes, and going back to the Campbell mansion was completely not an option. So he had to make do with what he had.

He changed into the clothes and put on his shoes that had a hole in the front. His hair was a mess and he hadn’t showered nor brushed his teeth. Was this how he could go out to look for a job? He sighed, fastening in his shoes. He suffered a lot!

After putting on his shoes, Aiden exited the hospital and all eyes were on him as he left. They laughed at him, pointed fingers at him and murmured at how unkempt he looked.

Aiden stepped out of the hospital gates and walked a fair distance under the scorching sun— no food and no water for almost a day now.

He was feeling famished and extremely tired, so he decided to lean on a wall for a while and recollect himself as his vision was getting dizzy and he was feeling lightheaded. He shut his eyes for a while to rest, and the images of all that had happened to him these past few days replayed in his memories. Aiden pitied himself, he had gone through so much.

“Excuse me sir, are you okay?” It was the soothing voice a female— an unfamiliar one. Aiden was jolted and his eyes immediately sprung open to meet with a young, beautiful lady standing in front of him. She looked concerned, worried even for Aiden. Aiden couldn’t remember the last time anyone had stared at him with so much interest and concern, and he didn’t even know this pretty lady.

Her piercing light blue eyes stared deep into his with pure sympathy and he noted how mesmerizing those orbs of hers were— they had a glassy, fragile outlook that resembled the gentle appeal of a calm river, yet they seemed to have so much pain hidden behind them. Aiden had just made the color of her hair his new favorite color; it was a light–brown coloured hair, a hazelnut color to be precise and it was packed in a messy bun.

Her lips were full and plump, Aiden noted how inviting they looked. She looked his age— maybe in her mid twenties or late twenties. No, he figured she was at least twenty three and at most twenty-five. She looked young.

She was dressed in a professional manner, like she was off to work. However, her pink peplum top was very rumpled as well as her black office pants, her hair too was messy and she had dark eye circles and eye bags too— like she had been crying, yet she managed to smile so sweetly Aiden.

“I’m fine.” Aiden finally replied, feigning a smile of his own too.

“No you’re not. Sorry, I might be intruding but you look sad and tired.” The lady noted, Aiden felt she mirrored the same description too. “Are you hungry?” She inquired.

“I’m fine.” Aiden gave the same reply as earlier, however it was more stern and cold. He wanted her to leave, she was a stranger who didn’t have any business with his personal life.

The lady shook he head in naught, reaching for her bag and rummaging through it. “I don’t have much, I’m struggling too myself. In fact, I was on my way for a job interview that I’m seriously late for and I had a very bad day yesterday, so I couldn’t even prepare for it. I’m so fucked.” The lady chuckled to herself. “But you’re obviously in need and I must help.”

The lady brought out a twenty dollar bill from her bag, “Take this. It’s all I have, literally. I really hope I get this job today or else I’m going to be completely penniless. But I feel that you deserve my last twenty dollars, more than I do.” She stretched the money to Aiden and he contemplated, whether or not he should receive the money from the nice lady.

“Please take it.” She pressed.

Aiden had no other option, he really needed some money at least. He would need to get some food for himself and some energy drinks for Hope later too. So he collected the money from the lady, “Thank you.”

“My pleasure. Please take care of yourself and I really hope this phase passes away. . .for both of us.” The lady said, muttering the last part in an almost whisper. And for a quick moment, her smile faltered and a downcast expression occupied her face. But just as quick as it came, it vanished and the smile returned. Aiden wondered what that was about? “My name is Kiera.” She introduced.

“Mine is Aiden.”

“Nice meeting you, Aiden.” Aiden had conceived in his heart that he liked the way the lady— no, Kiera smiled and what he even liked more was the way his name rolled off her tongue in such an eloquent and alluring manner. He wanted to memorize her voice, memorize her voice calling his name, so he could replay it in his head over and over again.

She was nice, kind and beautiful. A God sent. She had no idea how much he needed this money and it might seem small to her, but great to him. He wanted to wish her good luck in her job interview but by the time he looked up, she was gone.

He stared down at the bill she gave him and squeezed it tightly. He was going to meet Kiera again, and that’s for sure.