8 A Misunderstanding

Adelina could barely contain her excitement as she finished her phone call.

She was in utter disbelief that Night Corp had looked over her application that fast, accepted her, and she even had an interview for the position tomorrow evening.

She was thrilled and grateful. She smiled as she thought of how the old receptionist had encouraged her.

Someone was looking out for her she thought as she entered the small convenience store she worked at part time. She worked the graveyard shift as the store clerk, and had been there for quite a while.

When her mother had found out that she worked the graveyard shift running a small convenience store by herself so late at night, she had wanted Adelina to quit immediately. Her mother cited stories of girls working a shop alone at night and the dangers of robbery or worse that resulted.

Adelina reassured her mother that she knew how to take care of herself. This was an easy job that made a steady income and she wasn't going to give it up. Especially since the store owner allowed her to take home products that had just past their expiration, saving her money on groceries.

It was a few hours into her shift and Adelina had taken care of all her responsibilities other than manning the register.

She stood behind the cash register, feeling a bit nonessential as almost no one came in to shop during these late hours. Only a few regulars ever actually came in. A lady who worked late and would often stop to pick up a meal for herself, an old man who enjoyed drinking without his wife knowing, and a small group of teenagers who constantly attempted to find new ways to illegally purchase alcohol.

No one dangerous though, and she had come to know the people who did come in, getting updates on their lives and giving them advice.

Tonight was quiet though.

"Looks like it's going to be another uneventful evening." Adelina thought, exhausted from her busy day.

Her eyes tiredly closed as she sat on a stool next to the register. Letting her eyes rest a bit she rested her head on the counter.

She did not know how long she let her eyes rest, but she had not expected the sight that greeted her when her eyes finally opened.

A man, dressed in all black, a dark hoodie and mask covering his face was reaching over the counter towards her personal belongings.

She didn't recognize him, he definitely wasn't one of her regulars. Her tired and hazy mind immediately began to recall her mother's warnings of working a graveyard shift in a store all by herself.

She jumped up. Years of self defense classes she had taken kicking in as she slammed a hand to cover his wrist and twisted it back, rendering the robber immobile.

"What do you think you're doing?" She snarled.

The man let out a shout from surprise and slight pain as she bent his wrist further.

"Do you really think I'll allow you to rob me?" She snapped at the man.

Silas was confused. When he entered the store he was surprised to find a beautiful golden haired woman sleeping at the counter.

He was puzzled as the woman had an air of familiarity that he couldn't entirely place. Even her scent intrigued him, she smelled like lavender and vanilla and it soothed him as he stared at her, trying to ascertain why she felt so familiar to him.

His head ached as he searched his memories, but nothing came to him. He brushed off this feeling and decided to wake her up and ask her himself.

He had tried to wake her up multiple times. Clearing his throat, asking her to please wake up, and even resorting to gently shaking her. The girl slept like the dead.

He was tired and hungry and just wanted to go home. He caught sight of a cell phone jutting out of her personal effects.

He knew it was wrong but he thought it would be only a short phone call and he wanted to head home already so he reached out to grab it. When he was within centimeters of the phone, the woman had woken up like a ninja and was twisting his arm with the strength of a line backer.

His wrist throbbed.

"Wait! Please wait Miss." He hollered trying to pull his arm away from her.

Adelina raised her eyebrows.

"Why would I do that when you were obviously attempting to rob me?" She inquired, the pressure on his wrist remaining fast and steady.

Silas hissed in pain. "I wasn't trying to rob you." He let out between clenched teeth.

"Then what were you doing reaching over the counter for my personal belongings?" She interrogated slightly lessening the grip she had around his arm.

"I just need to make a quick call." He replied gracious for the slightly looser grip.

Adelina glared at the man. She didn't entirely believe him, especially when he was acting so suspicious by covering his face.

Silas quickly tried to explain the situation to the young woman. "I came in because-" He began but yelped in pain that radiated from his stomach.

He broke free from her loosened grip and dropped to his knees, his hands coming to cross his stomach.

Adelina's golden orbs went wide in shock. She wondered if this was some ruse to get out of the situation but when she heard his pained groans she rushed around the counter.

"Are you alright?" She panicked quickly dropping next to the man.

The hooded man looked up at her in embarrassment. He had not eaten today and with all of the activity he had done, his stomach was now demanding sustenance.

"I forgot to eat today." The man replied quickly standing. "I'll be fine, please just let me borrow your phone so I can make a quick call." He insisted his stomach letting out a loud growl before he once again dropped in pain.

Adelina was worried for the man. He may have tried to rob her but he seemed pale and she doubted he would make it far in his condition.

She grabbed a meal box from the fridge.

"Please eat this." She told him.

He looked at the meal box. He reached in his pocket but realized that he had not brought his wallet.

"I don't have money right now to pay. I'll be fine till I get home." He groaned still clutching his stomach in pain.

Adelina's suspicions that he was originally intending to rob her were slightly confirmed with that statement. He didn't have money, and hadn't eaten that day. She frowned. She could relate to his situation as there have been a few times when she couldn't afford a meal for herself.

Although she would never resort to stealing. She reminded herself that some people were in a situation worse than her own and this man must be a prime example.

She let out a soft sigh and looked around quickly as she saw the small stack of meal boxes that were past their sell by. She was intending to bring them home, but she couldn't let the man suffer. She quickly ran and grabbed one before handing it to the man.

"Please eat this then. I was planning on taking them home as they are slightly past their sell date. But it's free of charge." She told the man as she shoved the meal box into his hand.

He reluctantly took the box and dug in like a starving man.

She began to wonder how long it had been since the man eaten. He must be in a terrible situation and couldn't afford to eat today, she thought solemnly. No wonder he had resorted to trying to rob someone.

Silas ate the meal, deciding it wasn't too horrible and after a bit, he felt better. He finished the meal and turned towards the girl who was looking at him with pity.

"Thank you." He gave a small frown. Now that he was feeling better, he realized just how strange this whole situation had been. First the girl had attacked him, and now she gave him expired yet free food.

He inwardly laughed, thinking about how most people would never dream of doing either things given his status. He wondered what the girl may do if she found out his identity.

The corners of his mouth turned down behind his mask. For some reason, he didn't want her to change her behavior towards him. It was refreshing albeit humiliating. He couldn't put his finger on why he was acting so kind to her.

Normally, he wouldn't hesitate to ruin someone's life with the snap of a finger, especially since she attacked him. He bowed his head as he thought that it was partially his fault for touching her possessions without permission. He was not acting like himself around this girl and he could not figure out the reason why.

Adelina quickly nodded as she picked up the empty meal box.

"Of course but-" She paused as she looked at him with her fierce golden eyes. "No matter how hard it is, you must eat. You have to fuel your body and brain especially in our situations." She lectured him.

Silas was confused and his eyebrows raised in question. What did she mean by our situations?

"Also, remember this. Just because you are in a hard situation, it does not mean you should resort to stealing from others. You never know what the person you are robbing may be going through." She continued. She gave him a small smile. "In our situation we should always look out for one another and remember to maintain our morals. It's morals that make the man after all." She advised him patting his head affectionately.

Silas was shocked as he felt the small reassuring pat on his head. He was confused by her words, however before he could ask for clarification the chime of the store door rang out.

"That incompetent husband of mine. Girl it seems Robert left his phone here. Have you seen it?" A sharp voice rang out.

Adelina froze as she saw the wife of the store owner stroll through the doors.

The wife stopped, taking in the situation that laid before her. A man sitting on the ground, eating utensils in hand and Adelina carrying an empty meal box.

The wife's eyes lowered in anger. "What do you think you're doing?" She howled.

Adelina looked at the situation at hand. It probably looked like she was giving out meals for free.

"Wait this isn't-" Adelina began as the woman stalked her way over.

"You're giving out products for free to strays?" The woman hissed as she slapped the meal box out of Adelina's hands.

The wife of the store owner wasn't kind. She didn't like the thought of being charitable to employees or anyone for that matter. She was all about profit. When she heard Adelina was taking home expired meal boxes, she threw a fit but was out voted by her husband who was a kind man.

"We don't run a charity here girl." The wife boomed wiping a hand across her angry face. "I told my husband it was a bad idea to hire you from the beginning. Taking home expired meal boxes, which are company product, was bad enough but now you are also giving them out to others for free. Know your place girl." The wife demeaned Adelina.

Silas was speechless. He had seen this same type of tantrum thrown by Vivian but this woman just seemed unnaturally cruel. On top of the fact that she referred to his powerful self as a stray.

He slowly stood in anger.

"I'm calling Reg to come in and take over tonight. You don't have to come in any longer. I'll inform my husband about what happened tonight and make sure he does the right thing and fires you this time." The woman sneered. Adelina's heart sank. "Get out! Both of you!" The woman shouted.

Adelina grabbed her things quickly.

Silas stood, angry at the woman. He opened his mouth, ready to reveal his identity and show this woman her place when he felt a small tug against his arm. Adelina was pulling him towards the exit.

"Let's go." Adelina said as she pulled him towards the exit, still holding on to his arm. Silas followed quietly along.

He was surprised. For some reason, he didn't feel uncomfortable with Adelina touching him and that familiar feeling that he knew the girl came back stronger than before.

They exited the small convenience store, the wife inside yelling on her phone for the other part timer to come take over.

Once they were out on the quiet streets, Adelina let go of Silas. He found himself missing the feeling of warmth that came from her hand.

Adelina looked at him, her eyes large and the sadness spilled out of them in the dim streetlight.

"I'm sorry you had to witness that. And also about attacking you before." She apologized to the hooded man.

Silas was surprised. He had been the reason she lost her job tonight yet she was apologizing to him? Any sane person would have the same reaction to thinking they were being robbed.

"It's quite alright, but I believe that you were unjustly fired just now." He responded.

"It wouldn't be the first time. Plus that woman is impossible to reason with." Adelina laughed. She remembered how he had said he needed to make a phone call. He must have someone he cares about that he needs to contact. She looked at him for a moment, there was no way he would still rob her she thought as she handed him her phone.

"You needed to make a call right?" She offered.

Silas took her phone and made a quick text to his driver with his location.

"Thank you." Silas gave the phone back to the young woman.

"Of course" She said turning to leave. She paused after a few steps, turning back around. "Also there is a small grocery shop hiring down the street. They accept everyone who applies. It's minimum wage, but it helps." She suggested with a smile before turning and continuing down the street.

What.

Silas was speechless as her words processed.

She thought he was poor!

His pride yelled at him to stop her and reveal his identity. He began to take steps towards her, every step strengthening his injustice. He was the richest man in the city. How could she even begin to think that?

He caught a glimpse of himself in the reflection of a dark window. He was covered head to toe, his black hoodie and mask obstructing his face. While he was running he must have gotten dirty as dust and leaves stained his clothing.

Ah. He realized. A man, looking as if he is about to rob someone, having to take free food because of hunger, and his disheveled appearance.

He felt wronged.

He couldn't just let the woman go on thinking he was in poverty. His pride wouldn't allow it.

He turned, prepared to run down the street after her when a car sped up next to him on the sidewalk.

"Master Silas." His driver greeted him quickly going over to open his door.

Silas looked after the girl who had disappeared around the corner and sighed. He stepped into the car.

This was so unlike him. Why should he care what that girl thought. He had Vivian. This golden haired girl was a nobody.

But no.

She wasn't a nobody.

He remembered how the scent of lavender and vanilla had soothed his very soul. He hadn't even flinched when she had grabbed him. And she seemed so familiar to him, as though he knew her personally.

He had acted uncharacteristically tonight. He had forgiven the woman for attacking him, and was even about to chase her down the street to clarify her misunderstanding. As if what she thought about him truly mattered.

He frowned, deep in thought as his driver rambled about his appearance, lecturing him for going out by himself.

Silas sighed.

Just who was that girl?