They stood at the edge of the street, where the city never really slept.
"Okay, now let's leave here. I have my car parked nearby," Hezron said as he turned, gripping her hand a little tighter but not with much force.
The action seemed to have startled Voila. She immediately pulled her hand back.
"I'm sorry to have startled you," Hezron said, his eyes apologetic.
Voila moved away, putting some space between them.
"It's nothing. Just don't do that again," she said.
"Okay, I promise," Hezron replied. "Can we go now?"
"Sure. Lead the way," Voila said, staring at the ground, the paper bag still clutched tightly in her hand.
Hezron nodded and began walking forward, glancing back from time to time to make sure she was still there.
"Leave her alone. Please let her go. She did nothing to you. Stop, no," Voila muttered, shaking her head as if trying to shake the words away.
Hezron didn't look back. He kept walking, but a frown ached across his face.
There it was again, he thought.
Cars hissed past on wet asphalt, headlights streaking white and gold as dusk leaned into evening. Hezron stopped beside a black car parked just far enough from the noise to feel intentional, not careless. It didn't belong to the street. It looked untouched by it.
Voila, who had been walking unconsciously until that moment, halted instantly.
Her body stiffened, as if she'd walked into an invisible wall.
"No," she said quietly. Then louder, sharper, "No. Leave her. Don't, don't jump."
Hezron finally turned to her.
She had taken a step back, fingers curled into the fabric of her sleeves, eyes flicking from the car to the road, then to him—calculating escape routes that didn't exist.
"It's just a car," he said evenly. "We're not going anywhere you don't want to."
She let out a light chuckle. "Really? I don't want to go with you, and yet here I am, being forced through a threat. So you saying that isn't reassuring at all."
"I thought we were over this minutes ago," he replied calmly. "Anyway, it has nothing to do with you getting into the car."
"I'll open the door," he added.
He walked around slowly and deliberately, pulling the passenger door open. The interior lights came on, soft and warm, spilling onto the pavement like an invitation that didn't demand anything.
Voila stared, She didn't move.
He waited calmly, watching her as if he had all the time in the world.
After a long moment, she edged closer, sighing, one cautious step at a time, as though the car might lunge at her. She leaned in just enough to peer inside.
Leather seats. Clean lines. Everything smooth, precise, untouched.
Then, finally, she got in and sat down.
Her fingers brushed the doorframe, tears forming in her eyes. "This is the first time I've sat in a car in a while."
"It's real," she whispered, unsure whether that was comfort or danger.
"Yes," Hezron said. "It's real."
He paused. "I'm going to close the door now. Don't be scared."
Then he closed it calmly.
Voila didn't respond. She just stared at the console and the polished interior.
Hezron walked around to the driver's seat, closed the door, and started the engine gently like he was afraid of startling her.
The car rolled forward slowly.
"Don't jump," Voila murmured. "Don't, don't jump."
A familiar frown crept onto Hezron's face. By now, he knew there was a reason she kept saying those words, even if they made no sense at the moment.
"I'm driving," he said calmly. "And you're sitting. That's all that's happening."
She nodded, though her eyes stayed fixed on the road ahead.
The city thinned as they moved away from the busiest streets. Noise softened. Buildings lowered. Trees appeared between lampposts, their shadows stretching long in the late-afternoon sun.
Warm light filtered through the windshield.
Voila exhaled shakily.
"You didn't tell," she said suddenly. "You didn't tell them."
"I said I wouldn't."
"My parents," she added sharply. "My brother."
"I won't," he repeated. "Not unless you want me to."
She laughed once, short and humourless. "You don't even know me."
Hezron wondered what had happened to her,
what could make someone like this. Her words were jumbled, rarely fitting the moment. Random phrases, sudden breaks. What happened to you, Voila?
He didn't voice it.
"I know enough," he said. "I know you shouldn't be sleeping outside."
Her jaw tightened. "It's none of your business."
"Then let it be mine anyway."
She turned to him, eyes flashing. "Why?"
He paused. "Because you helped me. Remember? In high school. You were my first friend. You protected me from those bullies. You were kind to me, the entire time I knew you."
He glanced at her briefly. "I want to return the favour. It's a thank you. You meant a lot to me back then."
Then, softer, "And now I want to be there for you."
Her breath hitched.
"Yes… I remember," she said, lost in memory. "But you don't have to do this. If you wanted to thank me, you could've asked what I wanted, or better yet, left me alone with a promise not to tell my parents. That would've been a beautiful thank you."
He chuckled, eyes still on the road. "Oh really? So I should've left you stealing food, sleeping next to rats and cockroaches that stop by to say hi?"
She stared at him, stunned.
Silence settled between them, until his phone rang.
Once.
Twice.
He ignored it.
The third time, he sighed and answered through the car's Bluetooth. "What."
Adam's voice burst through the speakers. "Where are you? You're late again. Your dad's already in the meeting and..."
"I'm not coming," Hezron said flatly.
"What?"
"Call the housekeepers. Villa X. Tell them to prepare it."
"Hezron, your father is going to..."
"Adam," he cut in. "Shut up."
He ended the call.
Voila stared at him. "You can just… do that?"
"Yes, I can."
After half an hour of silence, broken only by Voila's occasional scrambled words, the road curved upward. Giant dark gates appeared, fortress-like, surrounded by towering walls.
Four bulky bodyguards stood guard. They bowed slightly as the gates opened without a word.
Voila's mouth fell open. She knew Hezron was rich, but not like this.
The villa revealed itself slowly: white stone, glass reflecting the sun, clean lines framed by greenery. Roses, red, white, sunflowers, wildflowers, flowers she didn't even know existed.
The car stopped in a vast parking space.
Voila didn't move.
"Is this… your place?" she asked.
"Yes."
Her eyes widened. "Really?"
"You have a rich family too," he said casually. "This shouldn't be new to you."
"Oh, I am that shocked," she said. "You look richer than the richest person in the world right now."
He chuckled as he stepped out. "That's exaggerated."
She followed slowly, standing in the driveway like the ground might reject her.
"Wow," she breathed.
"Would you like to go inside now?" he asked gently.
"Sure," she said unconsciously, staring at the flowers.
"I'll lead the way," Hezron said, smiling.
"Leave her… don't jump…" she whispered.
He didn't interrupt. He simply walked as the sun dipped lower, painting the villa in amber light.
At the entrance stood a middle-aged woman with her hair in a strict bun, her face was professional but it twisted slightly when she spotted how Voila looked.
The look didn't go unnoticed to Hezron, but he covered it with a smile.
"Sir, your room is ready. Lunch is prepared."
"Thank you, Hilda," Hezron said.
Then, turning to Voila, "This is Hilda, the head maid. You can ask her for anything."
Then turning back to Hilda, his smile carried a warning, when he said , And Hilda this is Voila she would be staying here, please attend to her every need.
Hilda swallowed and bowed. "Understood, sir."
The doors closed gently behind them.
Outside, the city continued without her.
And for the first time in a long while, Voila was somewhere that didn't demand she disappear.
Safe.
For now.