CHAPTER 73

Kachi stared up at Patrick patiently waiting for his reply while he scratched the back of his head and thought of way to equivocate the his answer . " How was he supposed to tell her that after leaving with his friends he had stayed back to watch her work and probably apologize for almost getting her into trouble in her workplace, then from waiting he had trailed slowly behind her as she journeyed home and seeing that drunk carry her has been his undoing, he had almost lost it but knew he had to tread carefully in order for her to come out unscathed but it seemed he was too late , he frowned remembering the marks on her face " .

" Who says I hate you "? He spat out finally still starring down at her as though he would like to spin her neck into two.

" Alright maybe the word " Hate " is a deep word but you don't like me an- " .

" Who says I don't like you? " He interrupted appalled at her thinking. " Just because you think I'm a jerk doesn't mean I am one and I saw a person in danger and helped out, I would do the same for anyone else regardless of how annoying and uptight that person might be ".

" I don't think you are a jerk Patrick" She began standing up from her seat in hopes of avoiding his intense gaze but now she was faceing him squarely which defeated her purpose of standing up . " You are a big one at that and you go about bullying people and making them feel le- " .

" Well this jerk saved your life " He muttered sad and surprised of the image of him in her head " Is this how you would show your appreciation?" .

" You would do well not to interrupt me when I'm speaking next time and you dared to call me uptight?? Gosh do you know how hard it is to wake up every day and bear the brunt of jokes of your useless white friends? " .

" Kachi try calming down you are still weak "

" Let me finish "she semi shouted holding up her hands like a school teacher " And now I hate the fact I'm indebted to you because only Christ knows what lies you and your cruel friends would spin out of this unfortunate event of mine but thank you Patrick for being at the right place at the right time, I will forever be grateful to you but this doesn't mean I would tolerate your bullying antics " She said truthfully wishing she had a filter in her mouth "gosh why was she rude to the person who just saved her life?? " She silently bereted herself.

" I - I di- didn't know that's the image you have of me but be rest assured no one would have an inkling of what happened tonight unless you tell them yourself " .

" Tsk Patrick I'm sorry damn It wasn't my intention to sound so rude " She began confused on the pained emotion she had seen in his eyes but before she could confirm it was gone.

" It's fine kachi c'mon the clinic is about to close let's go ".

" I will pay you back for the medications I promise " She said mentally subtracting the amount from her savings.

" You don't have to kachi see it as compensation for all the countless times you have been the butt of my jokes " .

" No I want to pay you back I refuse to be a charity case " She put in.

" Accepting favours from your frie- " He swallowed his words remembering they weren't even friends to start from " Alright do what you chose " He said instead wishing she would forget about the damn money , it didn't matter to him but from what he had observed from her he knew every penny was important .

" Thanks for today again Patrick ,I will stay here and wait for my aunt " She said sitting down at the foot of the stairs of the closed building trying to hide her fatigue. " Have you gone nuts? " Realizing his tone he raked at his hair in a angry motion and lowered his voice " Here isn't safe too kachi and look at you, you look ready to drop " He muttered coming close to her and almost touching her forehead but withdrew his hands in time.

" My aunt will be here in no time and I have to wait for her somewhere " She said while yawning .

" Call her and cancel I will take you home " He ordered.

" No you have done enough for me already just go home Patrick, I'm sure your parents are awaiting your return now " .

" I doubt that " He said beneath his breath and " You're not in a position to argue because I can actually carry you now and there nothing you can do about it because you are currently exhausted " He finished off amused at the scrowl on her face .

" So what's it gonna be love, are you coming willing or do you want it forcefully? " .

" Don't call me that " She said angrily stomping after him.

" Good girl " He mouthed taking her towards a black sleek mercedes Benz and opening the front door for her .

" You own a car??! " She questioned mouth opened in surprise.

" Uhm it's my dad's I just borrowed it for the day " He lied smoothly on seeing the astonishment on her face.

" Oh alright but are sure it's okay for me to ride? " She added hesitatingly.

He replied by pushing her gentle inside and shutting the door with a decisive click. The drive to her house was in a comfortable silence, the posh seats almost lured kachi to sleep but held herself back and within minutes they arrived at her home .

Kachi released a deep breath she had been holding for being in his presence for too long " Hawww we are here thank you so much for today Patrick, I simply can't thank you enough " .

" That's enough ,just don't work night shift anymore, " in fact don't work anymore " He almost added but bite his tongue in time.

" Of course I won't and your fighting skills is amazing " She added when he continued gazing at her.

" I learnt how to fight during my childhood and I still practice " He said not including the reason for it.

" That's nice alright I will g- head in now " She said struggling with opening the car and cursed lightly. Amused at her actions he got out from his side and helped her with the door.

" Thank you " She mouthed gently and wondered why he always seemed to be laughing at her. Stepping into their apartment and bearing through her aunt's worried questions, she finally slumped on her bed and when she got up to close her curtains against the chilled night she was taken aback to still see Patrick standing where she left him and starring at their building.