"Alice," James arrived just as Alice was walking out of the apartment.
"James?" She was stunned to see him.
"When did you come back?" she asked. He had been away for a medical conference after returning from a medical camp.
"I arrived yesterday," he replied.
"Are you going out?" he asked. Alice nodded hesitantly.
"Can I give you company?" he asked with hopeful eyes. Alice was taken aback, contemplating how to explain that he couldn't go with her. However, James spoke before her.
"Please, it's a compensation. You promised me to go to the camp, but you didn't go with me, so I'm taking it as compensation," he said.
"That's not fair," Alice protested.
James chuckled slightly and shrugged.
"I know where you are going. That's why I want to go with you. Last night, Siya messaged me, and I promised her that I'd protect you," he explained.