Forgotten Souls

Chapter 17: Zeya, You Seem Too Familiar

“Good morning Mr. Anderson. Welcome to the Helping hands. How may I help you?”

I stare at the young girl in front of me. She can’t be older than 22 years old and yet I could see the worry lines on her face. She reminded me of the look Zaylee gave me the night I found her. I can see she’s trying to keep up a strong front for another possible donor but she is failing miserably.”

“What’s your name young lady?”

She looks started for a second as if she was expecting me to bite her head off. I hate that I created a bad image of myself. I’m not that cold hearted guy I was anymore. She nervously chews down on her lips and then answers quietly “My name is Zeya sir. Is there something I can help you with?”

“Yes Zeya there is. Would mind accompanying me to the coffee shop? I’ll buy.”

“Oh.. uh.. I don’t think my boss will be happy if I leave sir..”

Just then her boss comes into view. I can see she doesn’t want to get into any trouble, but I need to help this girl.

“Excuse me miss. My name is Braydon Anderson. I would like to donate to this cause, but first I want to take Zeya here out for a cup of coffee. I think she deserves a break don’t you miss..?”

“Miss. Alison. Yes that should be fine, Thank you for wanting to support our cause Mr. Anderson.”

Zeya follows quietly behind me until we reach the coffee shop. I get the two of us a comfortable spot in the sun and allow her to order anything she wants.

“Zeya, I’m sure you are wondering why I brought you here. I will explain it all in a moment. First I want you to relax. You are not in any kind of trouble, in fact, I want to help you. What did you want to do after school? Did you always want to work as a receptionist?”

“Uh.. no sir, I actually wanted to go into art. It’s my passion. I love painting, but we never had the funds for me to  continue my studies and doing it as a hobby became too expensive to maintain sir, why do you ask?”

“Firstly Zeya, I want you to stop calling me sir. I’m probably not even five years older than you. Unless I look too gray for my age?”

I see her blushing and start laughing at her reaction. She’s so innocent. Just like my Zaylee. Before she can say anything however, I continue with what I was saying.

“Anyway, Zeya I want to help you. Please allow me to pay for your studies and we’ll get you started with your art career. You remind me of someone that I lost a while back, I couldn’t help her as much as I wanted to, but now I might get the chance to help you. Will you allow me to Zeya?”

She stares at me, and I can see the tears gather in her eyes. It’s not sad tears though, if the smile on her face is anything to go by. No. It’s happy tears.

“Thank you so much Braydon. I uh.. I don’t even know what to say. I never expected something like this to happen to me. What can I... What can I do to repay you for what you are offering me? I will work the money back for you I promise..”

“Zeya. I’m doing this because I want to help you. I don’t want you to pay me back at all. I just want you to hear me out that’s all.”

“But I will pay you back Braydon.. I just.. I feel like I’m ready to burst from my skin.”

“I don’t want or need you to pay me back. Take this as a gift alright? I actually want to tell you something though.”

“Sure, what’s up Braydon?”

“Did you know that God loved you so much that He sent His only Son to die for you, that you might be saved?”

“I uh.. I heard something to that lines growing up, but I always thought it was just something my mom told me to make me feel special about myself. Why?”