The Happy Lights in your Window

Chapter 10

Chess

"I don't really need an assistant today, just go back, Chess ", sighs Dor as Chess removes yet another box from the battered little Drake' Bakes Van with an exaggerated tired look. "How do you get in behind the wheel "? he asks curiously looking at the cramped van and then looking at the titan again. "I shapeshift", replies Dor calmly as she gives a nod to the house security at the gates. Chess laughs appreciatively, enjoying the calm witty retort as he follows the titan inside. Both of them carrying snack boxes are led to the servant's entrance and they enter into a long narrow hallway. "It sure is a grand house ", He looks around admiringly and almost bumps into the titan ahead.

They are led into a utility storeroom room of sorts. There are long tables set up. Dor starts sorting out the boxes. Chess hovers around her pretending to be a busy experienced assistant. Three young men walk in. They look at the titan and whisper amongst themselves laughing. Chess watches as the titan ignores them and calmly continues her work. "Sir?, sorry Ma'am" chuckles one of the guys, "we are the servers for tonight.". The titan looks at him and nods. "We should be ready in an hour or so", she replies politely. Chess watches her dignified approach and feels surprisingly angry at the guys. One of the guys starts unbuttoning his shirt as they lay out their uniforms on the side table. "Hold on", Chess tells them sharply, "there is a lady here". "Sorry, we did not notice", says the guy. The others laugh.

As an agitated Chess makes a move towards the guy, the titan holds him back with a firm grip on his elbow. "It's okay ", she smiles at him gently. "The changing room is next door ", she tells the guys politely. The guys collect their stuff and walk out, still laughing amongst themselves. Chess stares at the titan as she gives him yet another gentle smile. It's the first time, she has given him a real genuine smile and his heart starts banging crazily in his ribcage. "Chess,", he suddenly comes into awareness and realizes the titan is talking to him.

She is already at the other side of the table sorting the dainty one bite snacks. "Earth calling Chess", she says humorously and he gives her an uneasy nod. He stares at the large girl, her curly thick hair tied back in a long plait, her large hands oddly graceful as she deftly sorts out the snacks. He comes and stands next to her. He looks down at her worn but clean sneakers and wonders if they share the same shoe size. "Chess?", repeats the titan close to his ear. He feels strange and dramatizes a stretch movement and increases the distance between them. While he is still stretching, the door suddenly opens and a little girl peeps in.

A woman is behind the little girl and she gently pushes the little girl in. The woman looks elegant and charming even in her serviceable grey staff uniform. "Dorrie"", says the woman affectionately. "Can I leave Kaya with you for a little while?. I'll be back soon". "Sure, Mrs. M", says the titan. The girl comes up to the titan easily and is rewarded promptly with a snack from the table. She cheerfully takes it and goes to the corner of the room sitting down on the floor. Chess starts helping the titan with awkward unsure hands as they set the beautiful plates with carefully prepared dainty sandwiches and croissants. "Do you have any paper, Dor ", asks Kaya. "Sure", says the titan and out comes another bright smile for the child's sake.

"Chess, do you have paper for Kaya "she asks pointing out to their knapsacks in the corner. Both the titan's and Chess's knapsacks are in the corner of the room, snuggling each other. Chess stares at the intimacy of their knapsacks, wondering why the scene affects him so much. He shakes his head and goes and separates the bags. He removes a book from his bag and gives it to the little girl. "Use this", he says. "I'll just be back from the washroom ", he tells the titan hurriedly without looking at her and leaves the room.

 He finds the small washroom next door and goes in. Its small but clean. He splashes cold water on his face and stares at his dripping face in the mirror. "Chess, you're just tired, man ", he explains to his reflection kindly. "You do not have feelings for the titan." His reflection stares back at him unconvinced. "Oh no...... don't you give me that look." He tells the man in the mirror. The mirror man stares back in response. "You need to get out of this situation," he explains ", or it might become a disaster of titanic proportions", he laughs and adds "pun intended"! The reflection smiles back sadly. He goes back to the room feeling confused and angry.

The culprit of his chaotic thoughts is busy setting beautiful little stuff on plates which seem to be more expensive than his little room in the shanty. "It's ok, everything is under control", she tells him absentmindedly. He sees some sauce on her cheek and before he knows it, he has taken a tissue and is wiping it off her cheek. She looks up surprised as he stares into her eyes. Chocolate he thinks. Her eyes are the color of sinfully rich chocolate.

She moves back a little, looking awkward. "Everything Ok"? an irritated male voice resounds behind him and he turns back to see Drake coming in. Oh Yeah, the titan is married. the husband walks pass and puts an arm around the titan possessively "Drake, what are you doing here? What about the shop""? the titan asks him worriedly. "This is a big order, just wanted to make sure everything is ok ", Drake tells her, staring at Chess. "It's good you are here", the titan tells him, completely missing out on the sudden tension between the two men. "I need to speak to Mrs. Bernard about the payment". "Go on, Love", Drake tells her, rubbing her shoulders", I can manage things here". "Chess feels an unjustified anger at the ownership in the man's voice. He clenches his fists at the sight of the old man's hands on the titan and turns his face away from the scene.

He almost sighs in relief when Jackson comes to the door. "Chess, the staff told me you were here. Can you check on my bike "? He tosses his keys at Chess which are caught easily. After Jackson leaves, Chess heads towards the door, his voice casual in complete contrast to the emotional chaos inside him. "I think my work here is done. I'll just head off to their garage.". The titan replies in a soft voice "Thank you Chess. I'll let you know about our next meeting". He nods and walks away quickly without looking back. Dor and Drake quickly work and finish the rest of the snack setting and the waiters begin the service. 

Dor removes her apron and dusts herself off. "I'll just be off to see Mrs. Bernard ", she tells him. "I'll be off too", Drake tells her. She nods and hurriedly goes off to find Mrs. Bernard, armed with a sizeable invoice. As she crosses the corridor and comes to the entrance of the main party hall, she is surprised to see Zander and Kevin leaning down and talking to Kaya who seems to be chatting back animatedly. She stops for a moment hesitating. She knows what a nasty bully Zander can be. She sees him smiling at the little girl. She looks around and sees guests and staff all around. He can hardly bully a child in public she thinks. She goes in search of Mrs. Bernard.

Dor

Dor stretches out, getting up from the chair. It's been a long evening. She goes to put the fat envelope of cash which Mrs. Bernard assistant just gave her into her bag and realizes Chess's bag is still next to hers. She picks her bag up. The door opens and she is surprised to Drake coming in. "Drake, I thought you left a long time ago"? "I bought materials for the bakery and came back to pick you up"" he tells her. "That's nice, I am really tired. It's been a long evening but it was good business"", she replies with a yawn. The duo head out, laughter and idle chitchat with some classical "educated" music playing in the background.

The lawns are brightly lit. Dor looks around at the lights admiringly and comes suddenly face to face with Chess. "Hey, you still here"? She asks him "Yeah, my bag's still upstairs, I just finished some work", he tells her looking uncomfortable. He passes them by quickly and she wonders at his strange behavior. He's been odd all evening, she thinks. As they walk towards the gate, she remembers Zander and Kevin talking to Kaya. I hope they were nice to the little girl she thinks as she walks out of the gate.