𝐘𝐮𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐡! - 𝐍𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡

81. Wrong signal

'I don't always want to cook the same. Vegetables, potatoes, and meat. It's kinda getting annoying because I want more variation.' Vector hopes for a positive answer. 'How much do you experiment in the kitchen?' 

'Enough,' her eyes go to Celeste, 'I don't only cook, I bake too.' 

Celeste smiles first and then shakes her head. 'Not much anymore.' 

'And you know why.' Neith hopes that it will be officially fast between her and Dumon. 'I'm not sure if I told you, but I'm going away for the weekend.' 

Her eyes got big. 'Really? And no, you didn't.' 

Neith looks inside the fridge. 'In that case, I apologize.' With something to drink, she turns to Vector. 'I can teach you, but you cook with the ingredients you have. The groceries we have, you probably won't have downstairs.' She gets a few vegetables and ground beef. 'What can you do with these ingredients?' 

'Cherry tomatoes, leek, red and yellow bell pepper, carrot, onion, mushroom, and peas.' Vector sees the ingredients but can't think of much. 'I don't recognize this.' 

'That's garlic, Vector.' 

He hears it and shakes his head. 'Since when do you call me Vector? You used to call me Ray.' 

Celeste shrugs. 'Because it's your real name?' She looks at her sister. 'He doesn't want everyone to know that he's learning how to cook.' 

'What are you going to tell Dumon and Mizar?' Neith puts the garlic down. 'You live with those two. At some point, you have to stop lying to them because it will complicate things while you live there. No matter how small the lie is, Vector, the truth always comes out.' 

'I don't want them to know that I'm learning how to cook.' He bows his head. 'I guess it's easier to lie to them than to disappoint them.' 

Neith can tell it's hard for him to admit it. 'The moment you decide to lie, you don't disappoint them but yourself. How low is your self-esteem?' With her eyes, she signs to her sister to leave them alone. 'Be honest to me, Vector.' She holds his hand gently for encouragement. 

Vector swallows. 'It's never been this low in my entire life,' he admits softly. He sighs in an attempt to push the tears back. 'Neith, please.' 

'No, get it out of your system. You would feel a lot better.' She knows of experience. 'You promised me something before. Do you think you can promise me something again?' 

He lifts his head with his eyes sad. 'What would that be?' 

'A promise to trust me and to be honest, Vector, this is the real you. Sensitive, kind, a sense of humor, and friendly,' she stops for a moment when she sees a few tears rolling down, 'I won't ask you to trust everyone and to be honest with everyone. That step is too big. You have to start small and with one person at a time. Let me be the first. We both know that I can get through to you.' She grabs a tissue with her free hand and hands it over. 

He sobs quietly and wipes his tears away. 'I haven't heard a compliment like that in years.' 

'Start small, Vector, that's the reason you have trouble moving on,' she finally gets the man across her, 'the changes are too big for you. And you're used to doing things by yourself, that you forgot what it's like to ask and accept help from others. Thank you for your trust in me to tell me this. If you need help to talk with Dumon, and Mizar, let me know. I can help.' 

He smiles faintly. 'Maybe, I will.' Without saying anything, he pulls her closer into a hug. 'I don't know how you do it.' 

'I think it's because I'm from a different time and that there's no connection between us. You might say that I'm a stranger, and everyone knows that it's easier to talk to a stranger than to your best friend.' She lets him go. 'However, there is a connection between you, Dumon, Nash, and Marin. I can imagine that having a connection like that makes it harder to discuss things.'

Vector thinks about what she said. 'Alright,' he sighs and looking at the ingredients. 'You can throw this all in one pan.' 

'And with what? Potatoes, pasta, or rice?' She understands him better and knows to change the topic. 

*** 

Neith can see that the men are installing the machines from the window. 

'I didn't think I would see you here.' Quinton comes inside with a white lab coat on. He stands next to her by the window. 

She turns her head a little. 'Why not? You ordered the equipment from my company.' 

'That's true.' He sticks his hands in his pockets. 'Unless you take this as an opportunity to get out of your office.' 

She laughs. 'I still have to get used to it to stay inside my office all day,' she crosses her arms. 'Otherwise, I use to be outside most of the time.' 

Laughing, he shakes his head. 'Sounds like someone I know.' 

'You must have everything now?' She follows him back inside. 

'I do, thank you.' He gets started. 

Neith does notice that he works alone. 'Where is your colleague?' She helps him get settled and puts the machine on. 

For a moment, he looks at her. 'You don't even want to say his name?' He is surprised that she figures out how it works without asking him. 'What kind of study did you have?' 

'Study? Nothing I haven't even finished high school.' Neith walks to the computer and runs an analysis. 'I taught myself, but I'm learning now.' 

'You mean that you follow school now?' Quinton had no idea. 

She nods. 'In the afternoon at my office, yes.' She turns her head at him. 'That's why I don't want appointments in the afternoon.' 

He laughs. 'What is your study choice?' 

'Business school, management, and communication,' she answers while turning to him. 'Not everybody knows, Quinton.' 

He ensures her with a smile. 'I won't tell anyone.' He follows her back to the front door. 'Quattro marked it on the calendar for Wednesday. You made quite an impression on him.' 

She grins. 'Do you have to keep your evening open as well?' 

'He wants us to be there when he beats you.' 

'Presumptuous?' Neith knows she has to wait for Marc. She sends him out to get lunch to be able to go to the office. 

Quinton steps closer. 'I said the same thing. You intrigue me, Neith.' He bents his head to her. 'I hope I can get to know you better.' 

Quickly, she places her hand on his chest to stop him. 'I'm sorry, but I'm seeing someone already. He will ask me officially soon.' 

He smiles and looks at her hand. 'Somehow, I'm not surprised. If I wanted to, I had to make a move sooner.' 

Neith wants to react when the door opens. 

Kite doesn't know what he sees. 'No.' To see Quinton close to Neith. Rubbing his head on the sides with both hands, he walks by fast. 'This is not happening.' 

*** 

Don't mistake Neith's friendly approach for interest. She's helpful when it comes to her friends.