Chapter 8: Step by Step

The manager's disdainful look turned into a respectful one.

Finally, the manager promised that he would look into the incident tonight and clear Elias' name. I achieved my goal, patted the non-existent dust on my clothes, and turned around to go back to the box.

Elias followed.

"Why do you believe me?" He asked.

Wasn't that a knowing question?

I turned around and stared him in the eye as I asked him, "Did you steal the things?"

"No."

"Then it's okay." I shrugged.

"It's okay?" He frowned, "That's it?"

I raised an eyebrow, "Or what do you want?"

"Actually, I did put some things into my bag, but they were snacks that the guests hadn't even touched." He pressed his lips together and then continued, "There was a birthday party in the next room today. There were a lot of snacks left over and the guests told me I could take them away."

He had the rare patience to explain to me.

"What do you need these snacks for?" I wondered.

"For the kids."