Chapter 6- Lunch and secrets
623 Words
The morning sun filtered through the windows of Salt & Foam Café, casting warm light over the tables. Naledi stood behind the counter, arranging pastries, her mind still replaying the events from the pier the night before.
She looked up when the bell above the door jingled. Aiden stepped in, hands in his pockets, casual but purposeful.
“Good morning,” he said with a small smile.
Naledi’s heart fluttered. “Aiden… you’re early.”
“I thought I’d grab lunch with you,” he said. “If you don’t mind.”
She hesitated, then nodded. “Sure. I have a break in an hour. You can sit over there.” She pointed to a small table near the window.
Aiden settled in, pulling out a notebook but leaving it closed. He just watched her as she finished her tasks.
When her break came, she carried her lunch over and sat across from him. “So… why are you really here?” she asked lightly, trying to sound normal.
Aiden shrugged. “I wanted to see you. And… I thought we could talk.”
Naledi took a deep breath. “They’re coming tonight,” she said quietly.
“Who?” Aiden asked, frowning in confusion.
Naledi’s hands gripped her lunch wrapper. “Some people my brother owes money to. They’re threatening my family, my mom and my brother. They said they’ll come to collect tonight.”
Aiden blinked, processing. “That’s serious. I want to help.”
Naledi shook her head quickly. “No, I can’t involve you. This is my family’s problem, not yours.”
“I don’t see it that way,” he said gently. “If someone’s threatening your family, I can help. You don’t have to be alone in this.”
She hesitated, thinking about her mom, the woman who had worked tirelessly to keep them afloat. “It’s a lot. I don’t want to drag you into it.”
“Tell me how much your brother owes,” Aiden asked quietly but firmly.
Naledi looked down at her hands, then exhaled. “It’s a lot. More than I could ever pay in a day.”
Aiden leaned back slightly, studying her. “Then I’ll help. No questions. You don’t have to pay me back.”
Naledi shook her head. “I can’t let you just give money like that. I have to pay you back.”
“You don’t have to,” he insisted. “I want to help. Trust me. I can handle it.”
She hesitated, then asked cautiously, “Where are you going to get that much money in such a short time?”
Aiden gave a small, wry smile. “Sometimes I make money selling photos. I have about three thousand saved up. That should cover it. You don’t have to pay me back, really.”
Naledi bit her lip, still torn. “Okay… but I’ll pay you back eventually. I can’t just take it.”
He chuckled softly. “Fair enough. Just promise me you’ll stay safe tonight.”
She nodded, feeling a flicker of relief. “Thanks, Aiden. For caring. For everything.”
Outside, the city hummed with life, but inside the café, there was a fragile moment of calm. Naledi thought about her mom and how much she depended on her to keep the family safe. She couldn’t let fear take over—not tonight.
Aiden didn’t speak further, just let her finish her lunch in peace. Sometimes, being there and offering help was enough.
As Naledi returned to the counter, her mind raced. Tonight would be dangerous, but for the first time, she didn’t feel completely alone. And she knew Aiden would be there, ready to help, no matter what.
- Writer
