38 Just a generous client

"All I need to understand is that you have thought a great deal about your company. You care for your company and you are seeking to turn it over. Your father would have been proud of you - your very efforts are what matters." I said.

"Lila, what you said means a lot to me." He said quite suddenly.

After which, he proceeded to lightly touch the sleeves of my dress. He seemed to admire the embroidery of the red poppies on the fabric.

"Finding my way doesn't seem as painful when I am talking to you. You should have been my shrink." He said.

"I'm no shrink but I can listen. Let me be your confidante." I said, really meaning it.

His gaze was glued at the embroidered flowers. They were slightly raised from the fabric due to the rich threading of the artisan's handiwork.

"Like the embroidered flowers on your sleeves, it takes time to get such intricate stitches done. I get that now." He said.

I turned to look at the red poppies on the sleeves of my dress. I had never cared much about my dress except for its comfort. I saw it in different light now.

"You have figured that out for yourself. It is cliché but yes, take care of the minutes, and the hours will take care of themselves." I said to him.

At the same time, I touched his hand which was on my sleeve.

"You will recover because you can be wise if you let yourself be." I added.

"Well, that means I am old, isn't it?" He asked.

"Why is that?" I asked.

"Wise and old usually go together. The wise old owl- sounds familiar?" He said.

I smiled a little.

"Your brainpower would be better spent drawing connections to relevant subject matters instead of irrelevant ones." I said.

He laughed. His chest rumbled up and down. It was the first time I had seen him laugh.

We both sat still for a while. No words were exchanged. It was a peaceful calmness. I turned to look at the balcony.

The stars were dazzling tonight. The moon was brighter still. Her gleeful shimmer provoked the curious onlooker.

"Would you like to go out to the balcony?" He asked.

I nodded. He unlatched the sliding glass panels.

"You make me see that my problems are not as big as they seem. I would have liked to serenade you under the moonlight." He said.

"That's really sweet." I said.

However I bore in mind that he did not trust women. Like he said, I did not pretend to be anything else but a call girl. He was a generous client.