Leyne looked around Tez's bathroom and realized that everything was in perfect order. The bathroom decor featured plants and elegance from floor to ceiling. Leyne looked at himself in the mirror and realized how hurt he was. As the water ran down, he wondered how long he could survive running like this.
Leyne: {Heavens! As soon as they knock on this man's door asking for me, he will surely turn me in. At the moment, I don't know what's best for me. What if I get out of here before they lose track of me? They might catch me along the way. Well... Maybe taking a decent shower like this one and taking a deep breath, even if just for a day, sounds great to me}
Once he dried off, Leyne went to put on the clothes the homeowner had left. The cotton pants wouldn't stay up on his waist, so he improvised with a knot. The T-shirt ended up showing his right shoulder.
Leyne: {He even left slippers!? How kind for an intruder. This man is definitely dangerous, maybe he wants to gain my trust to see if he can profit from my pursuers later.}
In the mirror, Leyne looked at himself again. With his face clean and his hair combed, he felt better.
Leyne: Yeah, it's been a while since I felt like a normal person.
The man smiled in satisfaction and left the bathroom.
III
In the kitchen, Tez was wearing an apron over his bare chest. On the stove, he was preparing a ribeye steak with gratin cauliflower. The rice was already on the table. Then he used some lettuce and arugula leaves to make a salad. The man set the table, placed a plate, cutlery, and a glass of juice. As he was returning from the refrigerator with a jar, he noticed Leyne arriving in the kitchen.
Tez: I think it's best you eat. Everything's ready.
Leyne: Wow! That smells wonderful!
Leyne's mouth watered as he sat down at the table, eager to taste the food.
Leyne: So much food! This looks great. Thank you very much!
Tez watched the man eat. The way he held the cutlery, even though accelerated, showed a certain elegance and precision. He used the cutlery coherently, following etiquette rules. Only his hastiness left doubts as to whether he really was a refined man, but what was quite clear was that he was very hungry.
Tez: {Wherever this... boy has been, I don't think he's eaten in days.}
When he finished, Leyne looked at Tez and smiled.
Leyne's gaze was peaceful and pleasant, Tez stared at him for a few seconds.
Leyne: Really, thank you so much... Sir? I don't remember your name...
Tez: My name is Tez.
Leyne: Tez, that was the best steak of my life, and the seasoning was great! Thank you so much!
Tez: How many days has it been since you last ate?
Leyne: Well... Three days, not counting today.
Tez: Why didn't you go to the officers for help and protection from these pursuers?
Leyne: Like I said before... I'm the criminal. I was raised as one first. Why would the officers listen to me?
Tez: You could have tried. The officers would know how to separate the situation and verify who was telling the truth. And you wouldn't have to be going through this.
Leyne: I guess I could have... But it's too late now. There's no way anyone can help me prove my innocence... Mr. Tez, can I go now?
Tez: The men who are after you will be patrolling the perimeter where they lost sight of you. That includes my house, even though it's so big. Tomorrow morning, so they don't come back empty-handed, they'll knock on every house they find... And around here, there's only mine.
Leyne jumped out of his chair in fear.
Leyne: Then let me go now! I could put you at risk too, sir.
Tez: You don't have to call me sir.
Leyne: Okay, Tez, can I go?
Tez: Yes, you can go, but only after you fix the area you destroyed in my garden.
Leyne: Fix?
Tez: Yes, you will pull out the dead and crushed plants, see which ones survived, and plant new ones.
Leyne: I don't know if I'm good at that.
Tez: If you don't fix the damage you did to me, I won't let you leave.
Leyne ran his hand through his hair, throwing it back, and for a moment, his shoulder was exposed again. Tez's attention was drawn to Leyne.
Tez: {... The shirt is much bigger than him... Although he's thin, this boy is very slender.}
Leyne: Okay! I'll go now. Where can I find the gardening tools?
Tez: Go to the garden later. You just ate and it's very hot outside. You won't be able to finish the job properly.
Leyne: {That's just going to waste my time here. Is that what he wants?}
Tez: You can use this medicine on your wounds. I think it will help.
Leyne: Thank you... If I can't go fix my mess now, what do I do in the meantime?
Tez: I thought of something...
The man, still in his apron, turned his back on Leyne.
Leyne: {Heavens! How can he be so muscular? And hasn't he noticed how ridiculous he looks in that apron?}
Tez picked up a wooden box and a bag with several packages of spices.
Tez: You can separate and store these spices in the spice rack. I was going to do it tomorrow, but we can get a head start.
Leyne: Is that also part of what I have to pay for the damage I caused?
Tez: That's right... Yes, that's part of it too.
Leyne went to separate the spices while Tez sat at the computer. He opened a chat window.
°Please, could you pull up everything you have on this person, I'm sending you a photo from one of my home cameras.°
Tez: {Let's see who you really are}
...
Leyne: {What is he up to? Separating spices to help with what? Oops, I didn't think straight, but this shows that he must really enjoy cooking. But what's the deal with this man!?}
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