Chapter 73

Stephanie felt, maybe they were still angry with her so she decided to let them be. Now her major problem was how to get the chilled water her highness had asked for.

Walking further she came across a janitor and greeted him politely. Looking at the man, he was so elderly, he was old enough to be her father. "Good morning, sir please, is there anywhere I can get chilled water?" She asked

(Pauses for a minute) " Every store in this mall has a refrigerator. You can just check in anywhere. But if you don't get them, you could go to the supermarket, it's just centimeters away" he said, pointing in a particular direction.

Understanding the point he made, she smiled "Thank you very much" 

He was about to leave when he recalled something and paused. "Dear, you are such a nice person. If you don't mind, I have some water with me. This would save you a lot of stress getting it by yourself" he said with a smile. Hearing those words 'such a nice person' she felt like crying. She wasn't nice at all, she was a very mannerless person. It seems the way she was dressed presented her to be a good person, but she wasn't. 

What was it with poor people? They show kindness when it's not needed at all. The old man was willing to give his water to her to save her the stress of going to get it herself. But her own Father was willing to use her as a sacrificial lamb if possible. She felt taking his water would be a sin because she wasn't worth it. "No grandpa, there's no need to give me yours. I would easily find my way. I am still young so I still have a lot of strength." She surprisingly said. Hearing those words she didn't believe they were coming from her. But she couldn't take it back. She has said it anyway.

"I know, dear (he smiles) The old man knows his ways around the mall like the back of my hand, I have worked here for decades. So it's no stress to me and I still have a lot of strength. You can take mine" he said, bringing out a sealed bottle of chilled water from a roller bucket.

Stephanie stealing a peep into it saw some old clothes. Like the ones he was wearing now and felt sad. It seems the old man sleeps here at the mall. Since he insisted, she took the water from him and thanked him. "Thanks a lot grandpa, can I ask you a question?" She said with a smile

"Yes you can"

"I don't mean to be nosy, but do you sleep here at the mall?" She asked, she was curious to know. What would someone be doing with old clothes and blankets?

(Laughing) " Yes I do," he replied sincerely.

She felt a sharp pain in her chest. She never knew there was so much hardship like this before. "Why?" She couldn't help but ask