Home

"Oh! And why haven't you had a chance to read your favourite novel?" Oriana enquired, she looked at the young girl and wondered what had happened so early in the morning, her bags seemed to be bursting at the seams.

"Just life got in the way," Selena replied. And life had got in the way, working three jobs had left her no time for herself.

"Mmm, I see that." She looked again at the bags at Selena's feet. "Are you on your way somewhere?" Oriana had never had any children and Selena would be the age of a child she could have had, had the universe been kind.

"I'm looking for an apartment and a job." Selena sighed into her coffee as she took another sip, the heat and sweetness warmed her from the inside.

"I see, big life changes ahead." Oriana had a sense from people it was like an intuition with people and she could read their aura. Selena was strong and there was a feisty determination about her.

"Tell me about it." Selena agreed, she had a rough plan for her next steps but no definitive plan. She just wanted a fresh start.

Oriana nodded and added, "I won't pry but I may be able to help. I and my husband have a huge home and well we just rattle around in it alone. Why don't you stay with us for a while till you get on your feet."

"Oh no, I am okay really." Selena smiled and finished off her latte. She didn't feel lost, she felt light and free for once.

"I know you will be okay. But you can't just find a nice home when it's last minute, it takes time. Besides I get quite bored."

Selena thought for a moment Oriana seemed to be kind and genuine. She nodded, "Can I stay with you for a while then? Just till I get another place?"

"It would be my pleasure." Oriana honestly admitted.

Selena then realised she had forgotten about one thing, "Oh, what about your husband though?"

"He will be delighted that I have company so I won't be torturing him to keep me company." Oriana waved off her worry, her husband wouldn't care what she did as long as it made her happy.

"Oh okay then." Selena hoped that it was true the last thing she wanted to do was to upset Oriana.

"Right, let's go." Seeing Selena agree, Oriana stood up and grabbed her book and handbag. No time like the present she thought.

"Right now?" Selena was shocked. Did she not want a background check before inviting a stranger into her home she wondered.

Oriana turned to Selena and simply replied, "Yes now, once I get you settled you can relax and properly think about your next move. Anything done in haste doesn't last long."

Selena stood and picked up her two bags and followed after Oriana. She felt like someone had sent her to this cafe today so she could meet this kind lady. Oriana turned back and smiled at her, Selena caught up with her.

Oriana brought Selena to her red Mercedes and got in the passenger seat. Selena looked confused but then she heard Oriana call out to her, "Put your bags in the back seats. Can you drive?"

Selena put her bags in the back seat of the car and looked through the window, "Yes I can drive."

Oriana handed Selena the keys to her car, "I am not a great driver, so get in and I will tell you where home is."

Selena had got inside the driver side and put the keys in the car, her hands paused when she heard Oriana say home. She had never had one, the orphanage was never a home. She had not been inside a typical family home before. She was slightly nervous.

"Let's go. I'd like to get you settled and then we can get some lunch." Oriana announced. She couldn't wait to spoil the young girl.

On the road, Oriana asked, "Was it a man?"

Selena understood her question and felt like she could answer, "I lost my emotional attachment to him, without it he seems so ordinary. It was my love, my energy and effort that made him so special."

"He is a fool, imagine hurting the person that the universe sent to you. Let him enjoy that loss." Oriana thought about the twists and turns of fate. "If you hadn't of left him this morning then I would never have met you and that is my gain."

Selena was taken aback by her sincere words, Oriana gave her this motherly care that she had never experienced before. She felt choked with emotion and she nodded.

Seeing her slight nod Oriana decided to change the subject, she gave directions to her home and they talked about books along the way.

"It is the next house on the left." Oriana pointed out.

Selena turned the car and entered a driveway. It was more than just a home it was a large villa. Along the driveway, she noticed some beautiful flowers and herbs.

Selena parked the car and turned the engine off and asked, "Do you garden?"

"I was not gifted a green thumb, that's all my husband. He can name every flower and their meaning." Oriana smiled as she thought of her husband.

They both got out of the car together but Selena held back, getting her bags out of the back seat of the Mercedes, "Are you sure it is okay?" She asked again.

Oriana rolled her eyes, "Of course now get in here and stop being silly." Oriana walked up to her path and took out her house keys, she opened the door and glanced back at Selena and smiled.

Selena nodded and followed Oriana inside her home. The home was really beautiful. It was bright and warm, "Your home is lovely, very welcoming."

"Make yourself at home," Oriana said, she wanted Selena to relax and feel at ease.