The Seven, and their Wealth. II

XIII - Clinton.

'Would you like more fries?' Clinton asked, offering a pack of warm McDonald's fries. Lately, he had fallen out of love with them, opting to slip the side and eat the burger only.

Naledi shook her head after wiping the sauce off her mouth.

'You actually need to learn to eat the fries,' she joked. 'They aren't bad.'

'They aren't bad, sure. But they are simply not the same as the ones before.'

'When exactly was 'before'?' Naledi asked.

'You know,' he stuttered. 'Oh, Naledi that's not the point. They just don't taste the same and you know it.'

He placed them back on the table and allowed Naledi to lean onto his chest. The two were spending the relaxing Wednesday afternoon watching the Apple TV adaptation of "Pachinko". Clinton was having a hard time following, which was a polarizing response to Naledi's – who was innately focused.

She had read the book in its year of release and cannot recall thoroughly enjoying a book as when she first read it. The choice of the show was a result of Clinton not knowing what to watch and allowing Naledi to pick while he went on to order their lunch. Now he most definitely regrets it, he would have picked live sports if that were the case.

Margaret's words were all he could think of, for the past few days now.

It was of grand concern to him that his relationship with Naledi Masimula had gone so public and it all rested one close person away from Jenner before it could all suddenly take a nasty wrong turn. Clinton was deeply unsure of how he would ever explain himself.

'What are watching again?' he asked, frustrated that he still did not follow.

'At this point, even if I explain it to you, pumpkin spice you still wouldn't get it.'

Well, it was not all too bad, I mean he was now being called names like pumpkin spice – made him feel all sorts of tingly on the inside.

'Fine then, I will just take my nap.'

'It's a good thing I am your human blanket.'

Clinton laughed. With his hands wrapped around her, he tightened his grip just slightly and planted a kiss on his forehead before closing his eyes. He did mean it, he was going to nap because there was virtually nothing else to do – besides watch – and he did not want to ruin their rather serene moment. It was virtually the fifth time they weren't hanging out in public, and outside of that, getting to know Naledi has been fun for him.

Right as the sleep began settling in, he could hear Milo running down the stairs and barking at the front door. Clinton knew that it was not a time to rest anymore.

The only other direction that was available for the dog to run to while barking was to the backyard and that door was always opened because Milo liked running out at any moment. Running to the backyard entailed that birds were loitering in the garden, and he wanted to be rid of them. Barking at the front door, however, entailed that people were approaching the door. And that's just what Milo was doing, barking at the front door.

Clinton woke up out of his seat.

'Naledi, get your shoes on.'

'What? Why?'

'Get them on, someone is coming in,' he responded before being interrupted by the doorbell.

He hurried on over and could hear two people shouting his name and laughing afterwards as they knocked repeatedly.

Clinton opened the door and was humorously startled at the presence of Amani and Francisco.

'Oh so you are awake,' Amani greeted, walking in with a bag of groceries.