The Photographer

C25.

Fatima has been sitting in her office finishing up some paper work.

Knock Knock-

"Come in." Fatima says looking up from her writing

Walks in "Sooo how was your lunch." Lori says before taking a seat at Fatima's desk 

"You couldn't wait to ask, Huh." 

"I was waiting for you to come and give me the tea."

"Well there is no tea to spill we just sat, eat our food and ligit had a conversation like normal people."

"Do you like him?"

"What? We just went out to lunch one time Lo."

"I know that, okay let me put it this way. What type of guy did you get just by speaking to him."

"He seems family oriented, he talked about his mom and his grandparents, he's hard working, Caring I just feel like he's an actual genuine person."

"Good, cause you need some more genuine people in your life Ti."

Does a warm smile "Yeah."

"You wouldn't admit it but, i know your feeling him and he's feeling you."

"I'm not, he just seems like he could be a really great friend and that's what it was, A Friendly Lunch."

"Now you know you hate lying. How you gone lie to my face just like that."

Laughs "Lori I'm not lying okay."

Dramatically, "I'ma look to head out, the truth shall always reveal its self one day." 

"Girl get out."

Later On That Day-

After leaving working Fatima headed to the store she had to stock back up on groceries and if she didn't go now there is no telling when she will.

>>

Fatima roams the aisles, on the cereal section she reads the labels of a few cereal boxes. Fatima had a feeling like someone was behind her so she turned and saw a little girl staring up at her.

"Hey sweetheart, what's your name" Fatima asks the girl in a chirpy voice

"My name is Xayoni but my gg and papa calls me yoni." She says in a joyful tone 

"Okay so what are you more comfortable with me calling you?"

"Hmm Xayoni because only my gg and papa and daddy calls me that."

Fatima laughs at her phrasing, "Okay Xayoni it is" Fatima says as she stand straight "Are you here alone?"

"No I'm with my gg she's over there." The little girl points showing Fatima the other aisle 

"Do you need help with something over on this side?"

Smiles, "No I just wanted to tell you that your hair is really pretty."

"Thank you, you have pretty hair also."

A lady came around the corner yelling Xayoni's name

"Yoni what did I tell you about talking to strangers." The lady says as she makes her way closer to them

"GG GG, look at her hair can I get my hair like that." The little girl says pointing at Fatima's hair 

"I'll think about it Yoni." Looks up at Fatima "I hope she didn't cause you any trouble."

"No not at all, she's such a sweetheart, how old is she?"

"Yoni can you tell the lovely lady how old you are."

Puts up four fingers "I'm four going to five, right Gg?"

"Yes you are baby."

Fatima just stood there watching the little girl and her grandmother interact 

"We're gonna get out of your hair now, my husband is probably wondering where we wandered off to."

"Okay I hope you guy's have a good night, bye Xayoni."

"Bye." The little girl said waving her hand 

Fatima just watched as the little girl and her grandmother walked off. For some reason the girl face reminded her of someone but it wasn't clicking to her at that moment.

>>

Finishing up at the store Fatima checked out and made her way home, When arriving home Fatima unloaded all the groceries from her car into to the house.

Before putting them away Fatima went up to her room to have a shower and change into some fresh clean clothes, after showering she made her way back downstairs to put-away the groceries.

After finishing up in the kitchen she made something to eat then went upstairs to her room, while laying in bed Fatima's phone started to ring.

"This is not a text Mister."

"It isn't, I don't think texting would work for me. I just like to hear your voice."

"Boy is that the reason why you always called my phone and never texted."

Chuckles "it maybe one of the reasons most of the time i call because i'll get through to you quicker."

"If you say so."

"I feel like we need to stop saying this is business related because it's after hours and were on the phone."

"I guess you have a point, even though im the one that started it."

"I'm glad you could admit to that." Zack said on the other line.

"Okay don't start with me." 

"Now I don't want to hear anything about business."

"Ok then, deal."

"So, any plans for tomorrow?"

"Alot, my schedule's really full tomorrow-" 

Zac cuts in, "so you don't even have time to have lunch with me again tomorrow?"

"Zac, I don't know."

"No lunch? So you just planning on starving yourself the entire day?"

"You know what I mean."

"I told you about eating on time whenever you get hungry just call and i'll come get you."

"I can't make any promises on going to lunch with you but if i do get any free time ill call you." 

"Alright, that's all the confirmation I need."

Truth be told Fatima did not have a busy schedule tomorrow she was just trying to avoid Zac as much as she could but he wasn't letting up.

As the night goes on Fatima and Zac continued their conversation on the phone before they both got tired and said their goodbyes before hanging up.