The man got out of the black car. He was tall, wearing a sharp, deep suit that looked very expensive. His face was strong and serious. He did not smile. Maya got a cold, although the sun was still hot. He moved towards her, slowly and safely.
"Good afternoon," he said. His voice was deep, smooth, like polished wood. " I am Kazeem by name."
Maya looked at him while she was frowning. It was not a welcome greeting. His dark, angular eyes looked at her as if she was something he might buy. "Good afternoon," she replied, trying to maintain her smooth tone. "May I assist you?"
He stopped a few meters from her. "You can. I saw you moving alone. You caught sight of me." He went to break and let his words hang in the air. "I believe in being direct. I want to know more about you."
Maya's heart beat faster. This was too much. Too fast. For bold. "I apologize, Mr. Kazeem," she stated, taking a small step back. "I am not interested." She decided to walk away from him, but he shifted slightly while she moved to where she was planning to go.
"Not interested yet," he corrected, a touch of something cold in his voice. "Everyone has a price, miss ...?"
"Maya," he almost supplied his will. "And I am not for sale." He attempted to sound courageous, yet his voice trembled slightly.
He gave a small, funny shaker. "An enthusiast. I like it. It makes chasing more interesting." He reached the pocket of his inner jacket and kicked out an attractive silver business card holder. He turned over a card and caught her. "My contact. Think about it. There is a world you haven't seen yet, Maya. A world I can open for you."
Maya looked at the card. It was thick, with vertical letters, simple but also clear: a name, phone number and below it, "Qazim Holdings." She knew that name. Everyone knew Qazim Holdings. They owned half the city, it seemed. Her mother's dreams have come true.
"I have to go," he said, not to take the card. She tried to set her foot down more firmly this time.
She did not stop him. She just looked at him, his striking power was almost unstoppable unless he ran on the street. She avoided glancing back, gripping her handbag tightly as her hand shook. The encounter made his feelings dirty, such as a valuable OBJECT BUJECT that was monitored and marked.
She ran home, the calm street now looks unsafe. Mr. Kazim's relentless eyes, his cold confidence, made his skin crawl. She just wanted to live in her small, safe apartment, with her books and memory of Ben's merciful smile.
This evening, the residence of his parents did not provide any genuine refuge. When trying to open the parlour door, he was greeted by someone he never expected, with a sweet and rich scent. His mother was present in the living room. Before him, a gigantic new flat-screen television dominated the majority of the wall, its size quite imposing. Next to it, a large decorative basket overflowing with exotic fruits and shiny wrapped presents.
Her father was also there, looking stunned but happy.
"Maya! You're at home!" Her mother cried, and her voice bubbled with excitement. "See! See what came!" She gesticulated wildly on the new TV. "A gift! Can you believe it? From Mr. Kazeem!"
Maya's blood was cold. Mr. Kazeem. Already? How did he know where she lived? How did he get this here so fast?
"He sent a driver," her mother explained, her eyes with wonder. "He said it was a symbol. A" little gesture "for our beautiful daughter. He said he hopes you will consider his invitation for dinner. And look at these!" She began to pull out silk scarves and a fancy bell from the basket. "Oh, Maya, he's a good man. A generous man!"
Maya wasn't happy with those reactions. The expensive gifts seemed to mock her and catch her. The mother's joy was like a heavy chain and drew her deeper into this nightmare.
Maya quietly asked, "Dinner?" her voice barely audible.
Her mother nodded, brilliant. "Yes! He called just after you went to work. Said he was very impressed with you. And he said he would be very disappointed if you didn't accept. We told him you would. It would be rude not to, after such a big gesture." The mother's smile was wide, but her eyes held a new, creepy glimpse. "This is our chance, Maya. Our only chance."
Maya looked from the shiny new TV to the mother's excited, hopeful face, then back to the empty, dark room where Mr. Kazeem had stood on the street. The wall around her heart, which she thought was so strong, crumbled. She was no longer just pressed. She was bought. And her parents helped.
"You want to go to dinner, right, Maya?" Her mother asked, her voice softer now but with an unspoken command that cooled Maya to her leg.