— No … My house is just six or seven minutes from here.
But it was obvious he didn’t want to go home. Not yet … Not before discovering what he had done wrong. Oh, it was obvious that he had done something… No. Even trying to lie to himself, Albert knew … He had done nothing.
“Tea …?” Yes, that’s a good idea. On second thought, he hadn’t eaten since when he woke up, something around 5 a.m.
— Maiko… What a beautiful name.
If he remembered well, Maiko meant “dancing child”. Maybe that’s why she seemed a lively woman, and at the same time, so elegant. As usual, Albert held Maiko’s hand, gently and softly, bowing slightly and kissing the air, just something about two inches above her hand, and then returning to normal posture.
— It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Maiko. My name is Albert. Please let me thank you for your kindness and pay you a dessert.
"Oh..." Her cheeks flushed bright before she could stop them in response to the compliment paid to her name. And then again when he took her hand. He was such a gentleman... "The pleasure is mine, Albert. And please... You needn't do anything to thank me. Your company will be more than enough for me." And she meant it. She didn't need some kind of payment, and she honestly didn't really like taking from people. It gave her a funny feeling in her tummy. But so did arguing. So if he insisted, she supposed she would have no choice...Pushing herself to her feet once more, she stood in front of her new companion and offered her hand to him. "If you're ready then? I'm sorry I don't have a towel for you to dry off with. Maybe we can just use a lot of napkins?" She gave a soft giggle to assure him that she was kidding. She didn’t think the little cafe would have nearly enough napkins...
