4

The wafting aroma of freshly brewed chai latte surrounded me as I waited for Mr Stevens' arrival for our interview. I found a certain liking to cafés. The generally calm aura it has and the warm cups of coffee that is served makes the place relaxing in a way. Usually, I'd be the one serving customers and cleaning tables, but just for today, I'm the customer being served.

I glanced towards the clock on the brick wall. It's 9:30 am. The rain wasn't as powerful as yesterday's, though it still hasn't stopped and Mr Stevens is a little late. Traffic created by the rain must have caught him. At least I had some time to myself in a place where I can relax my mind, even if it's temporary.

"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting…"

I heard a deep male voice and automatically stood up as a courtesy to my interviewee.

"No, it's alright. Please have a seat."

I gestured to the seat vacant opposite me, as I sat down as well.

Mr Stevens called a waiter over and ordered an Americano, before looking towards me with a gentle smile on his face. He wore a simple coat with a plain sweater underneath and black pants. His old age is unmistakable as some of his hair has gone grey and the wrinkles on his face became more visible when he smiled.

Not long after, his coffee came and I proceeded to interview Mr Stevens for my project. At first, I was so nervous. I was trembling from head to toe and my hand would twitch every time I gestured with it. But, answer after answer, my nerves started to calm down and I guess it was because of his sincerity and patience with me. I mean, does everyone get to meet a person that they look up to? I think not.

"Do you think, as a lawyer, the Law always gets justice?"

It's the question that I wanted to know.

"That is a good question. As Lawyers, we are expected to find and achieve justice for our clients. We have to gather evidence and witnesses to testify to the innocence of our clients. But the key phrase in those sentences is "for our clients". Everything we do is for our clients. We defend them in court to prove their innocence and that the opposition is shown guilty. However, there are times when your client is innocent, but you couldn't prove their innocence enough, and they were held accountable for a crime they never committed. There is a grey area injustice – that has to change, but the problem is how and is it possible to change that?"

His response was reasonable, and I'm sure many other Lawyers would agree with his statement. It makes me wonder, did the Lawyer back then think the same way?

"Thank you for your time, Mr Stevens. It was a great honour to be able to interview you today."

I say as we both stood to shake hands before leaving the café. The handshake was firm and was very business-like. His professionalism is seen and I think that's why he receives so much respect.

We both walked towards the door and since I reached the door first, I held it open for him as a courtesy.

"You are a very talented and determined young soul with a good mind for the future," he stated looking to the distance, "The future of this world would be better with people like you in it."

He smiled at me and walked off to his car which was parked not far from where we stood.

Now that the interview was over, I had some errands to run before having to go back to my house to babysit Mrs Trainer's son. I had to go to the grocery store and the stationary store to buy an extra notebook and lead. Seemed like quite a bland day.

My black leather boots tapped on the floor with every step I took with my long-sleeved, wine-red blouse that was tucked into my black skinny jeans rustled from the blistering winds. That was when I realised it wasn't raining anymore. Still felt cold, but at least I wouldn't get soaked.

I walked down the path on the side of the road on the way to the mall. I got some creepy stares from drunken men that have been smoking and are broke from all the gambling they've done. Anyone, male or female, would feel uncomfortable when been made a subject of harassment. In comparison to yesterday's stalker situation, I was in broad daylight. Nothing should happen.

Steadying my pace, I strode into the mall and took a direct beeline to the stationary store, attempting to shake off this unwanted feeling. The moment I opened the entrance to the stationery store, a rainbow of pastel colours was shoved in front of my cornea. It was blindingly aesthetic. Slowly, I roamed around the store, glancing at their new products despite the fact I wasn't going to purchase them. The various mugs displayed around the place was never-ending. Not that it's a problem, but they might as well be a homeware store. As I was browsing, I came across the notebook I needed. However, I couldn't reach it. Now on my tiptoes, I attempt over and over and over again to grab a hold of the notebook, still no avail.

Just when I was about to try one more time, another hand grabbed the notebook and took it from the top shelf with ease. I blinked a few times in confusion as I faced the shelves, before turning around to be greeted by a handsome face.

"Is this the one you wanted?"

His sultry voice rang through my ears and his slicked-back hair shone against the light from the gel. His handsomeness mesmerized me. His broad shoulders were seen as he wore a white, long-sleeved polo shirt that complemented his ash-grey cardigan.

"Yunice, right? You okay?"

His words snapped me out of my daze and back into the real world.

"Uh, yes. I am and you are… Henry. Engineering Major."

I've seen him around the university lounge sometimes and spoken to him whenever we end up eating together when we notice each other there. He's a good guy. A hard worker too.

"Never thought I would see you here."

He let out a small chuckle before heaving a sigh and handing me the notebook, then shoving his hands in his pockets.

"Just looking for a birthday present for my sister. She collects stationary."

I never knew he had a younger sister. Then again, I don't know much about him. I smiled at him as we continued to walk around the store side by side. As we did so, I couldn't help but feel a presence staring at the back of my head. It felt as though something was pulling me away from Henry, distancing me from him, like someone was standing between us.

"Have you been doing okay? You've seemed kind of down when you're studying in the library."

He asked out of nowhere whilst looking at various coloured gel pens.

"It's nothing… It's just one of those days where you just feel down in the dumps…"

I reply, then handing him a black gel pen that I love to use for note-taking and recommended that he should give it to his sister.

He tried out the pen on the pad available and approved of it with a bright smile that displayed his shiny, pearly whites. Then, somehow, I had a giddy feeling lingering in my chest as I felt my ears burn. What's this?

Just then, I didn't know where from, but I could feel someone's envy radiating through the air. I glanced around the store, but nothing. That's odd.

Together, Henry and I walked up to the cashier to pay for our stuff. I laid my notebook and two packets of 0.5mm led on the counter, then grabbed my shoulder bag to get my wallet. Before I could even grab out my card, Henry slid my items over to bunch up with his and said to the cashier,

"And these too."

"Henry, you don't have to."

I said to him in panic, but it was too late, he had already scanned his card.

"It's fine. Think of it as a 'cheer up' present from a friend."

My heart swelled with happiness as he expressed his worry for me. No wonder he's the Campus Prince.