16.Joining in

Adrian reached down offering the laughing Shirleen on the floor his hand. She took it without hesitation and he pulled her to her feet. They have been sparing for two hours straight and for the first time in a long time Shirleen had enjoyed her sparing lessons. "Someone has taught you very well," Adrian said wiping the sweat on his brow and handed her a bottle of water.

"Over the years I have had the best teachers' money could buy," she hesitated and added, "I think." She took a sip of the water and continued, "It was Angela's way of hurting me. The training was brutal as if they had been told not to go easy on me. So instead of giving her the pleasure of seeing me crumble I did my best to learn."

He smiled, "I am proud of you darlin'."

"What about you? How did you come to be in her employee?" she asked as they left the sparing room.

"A powerful man took something precious from me. The law couldn't punish him for what he did. She came to me and offered me a straight path to vengeance on the condition that I work for her. She will be the gun and bullets all she has to do is point me in the right direction and I will pull the trigger." They stopped at the bottom of the stairs when she heard laughter drifting from the kitchen. "Why don't you join us for breakfast darlin'?" he asked her grinning. Her eyes flirted between him and the direction of the laughter.

"I shouldn't," she said sadly. "I will ruin the mood."

"You can never ruin the mood. Stop hiding darlin'. It is time to face the world." He pulled her hand, walking towards the kitchen. He was first to enter and was greeted warmly by the occupants of the room but when they caught sight of her behind him the room went quiet just like she had suspected it would. She stood there feeling awkward and out of place until she looked into Adrian's eyes and he smiled encouragingly. "Do you mind if I join you for breakfast?" she asked softly. The answer did not come immediately and she began to fidget under the shocked stare of three pair of eyes. Adrian coughed loudly and suddenly there was a chorus of voices stating they didn't mind at all. She raised her eyes to look at Mrs. Nzula who was looking at her with a gentle smile on her face. "Come my dear and have a sit as I prepare a plate for you," Mrs. Nzula stated happily. Adrian winked at her as she made her way to the spot indicated by the kind elderly woman.

"Thank you," Shirleen stated as they made their way to the living room. Adrian turned to look at her a questioning look in his eyes. Shirleen didn't know how to explain to him that what he had done for her that morning was a priceless gift in her eyes. That morning within the spun off an hour she had made three friends. They had talked and teased as usual and not once did the moment become awkward. They had involved her in their conversations without a single thought and it had felt good. A look of understanding dawned on Adrian when he saw the soft look in her eyes and he smiled gently. "I will give you anything you want because you deserve it," he said. "I know you have had a hard time. So instead of keeping it all bottled up inside let it all out to me and cry in front of because I will protect you and hide you so no one has to see your tears only your smile." Adrian didn't know why he promised her that all he knew was that the girl in front of him with the sad eyes affected him like no one before her. For the first time in a long time Shirleen grinned at the man who meant every word he said and she leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. She turned and rushed up the stairs without a backward glance afraid he would see her blushing. Adrian too surprised to move broke into a grin touching his cheek and turned away whistling.