The Game of Love

5

"Why barbering?"

Jade asked in an attempt to lighten the heavy conversation.

The sides of his lips rose and Jade didn't know why but she felt relieved to see his smile.

"Why not barbering?"

He shot at her.

"Oh you got jokes now huh?"

His eyes found hers as they both stared at each other, she felt trapped in his gaze. His dark brown orbs were like an abyss she was scared to get lost in.

Adrian was the first to break their gaze.

"Um... barbering.. yeah."

He cleared his throat.

"I mean ever since I was young I always wanted to look fresh..."

"Oh boy here we go... forget it."

Jade rolled her eyes.

"No, I swear, I'm going somewhere with this, trust me."

She fell back onto the cushioned bench.

"The floor is all yours."

"Right, I always wanted to look fresh ever since I was young. I don't know but it was just something about looking well groomed that made me feel good about myself."

Jade could see the hint of pride in his eyes as he spoke about his career and she envied it.

"But I realized that it was not just my clothes that made me look or feel good but once my hair was marked and my waves were waving..."

A chuckle escaped her lips.

"That I felt even better, the secret to looking well groomed was your markup and I just started going to the barbershop regularly, probably once a week to ensure I was the sharpest looking sixteen year old girls had ever seen."

He sent a smirk her way.

"Then the barber I frequented asked if I wanted to learn, I said yes and the rest was history. I found my passion and I ran with it."

"Impressive."

Jade never used that word lightly and she never thought she would use it on Adrian. He was definitely more than what met the naked eye.

"Now you. Why Kiel's?"

Jade pondered his question for a bit before coming up with an answer that she was pleased with.

"Because it reminds me of being in the kitchen with my deceased grandmother. She thought me everything I know in the kitchen and I know she would be proud of what I've, or rather we've established."

His eyes studied hers.

"Was she Trinidadian?"

Jade nodded.

"And she thought you only how to cook waffles and pancakes?"

Jade's eyes rolled.

"I'm not trying to offend you, I'm really curious."

He explained and Jade didn't know why but she believed him.

"She thought me to make every local dish that you could possibly think of."

"So why isn't it on your menu? Wouldn't that make you feel even closer to her?"

Her fingers clenched around the device in her hand.

"It's not up to me okay."

Her voice rose in volume as her blood began to boil.

"What do you mean? It's your business?"