I could tell by his tone that it wasn't a question or a suggestion. And I was getting cold feet. I hastily released my palm from Cedric's hand and tucked it into my pocket.
– But you have to go back to the bridge! To the car! – I said, not wanting him to see me off. No! That's the last thing I need!
– Evening air never hurt anyone. There's nothing better than a walk before bed," Cedric said in a flat tone.
I didn't know what to say, so I nodded silently.
We walked slowly down the road.
"He's a gentleman, isn't he?" I wondered, walking beside him. – I wondered, walking beside Cedric and staring at the pavement. After all, I was definitely safe now. With Cedric.
We were silent for a moment. Cedric walked on without looking at me, and I felt a sudden resentment that he'd chosen to walk me out of obligation.
– You know, I'm almost there; it's only a hundred metres," I lied, to spare Cedric my company and let him leave without remorse. – I'm almost home, so thank you for walking me home.
I stopped. He did too.
Cedric looked at me with an indifferent stare, and I waited silently for him to leave.
– Do you live here? – He asked.
– Yes," I lied confidently.
– Must be in that green house?
I turned round to look at the green house, but it was far away in the shadows, and I couldn't see it in the dark.
– Can you see it? – I asked, glancing at Cedric again.
– Yes. It's a beautiful building.
– Well, now that you're sure I'm there, you can go back to the bridge," I lied to convince him that I didn't need protection anymore.
Cedric smiled.
– I think it's really expensive to rent a flat there," he said suddenly.
– Yes, it's a little expensive," I said hesitantly, not sure what he was smiling about.
– But it's not a happy place: there are hardly any streetlights.
– There are pros and cons to everything.
– And the road needs immediate repair.
– Maybe… But I don't care: I don't have private transport.
– That's all very well, but you can't live there," Cedric said in a calm tone.
– I've been renting a flat in this building for three years now," I insisted. – Why is that so hard for you to believe?
– Because it's a bank.
Oh, my God.
I didn't know what to say. I felt terribly ashamed. My cheeks flamed, and I covered my eyes with my palm so that I couldn't see Cedric: I thought he was angry or offended with me.
"I should have got caught like that! Now he will think me ungrateful!" – I thought with despair.
– You can't lie," I heard his voice.
– Cedric…" I took my palm away from my face.
– Are you so uncomfortable with my company? – There was mockery in Cedric's voice.
– It's not what you think! – I said quietly, feeling how fair his reproach was!
He grinned, but remained silent.
– I did not lie because I detest your society! I don't mind it at all. It's just… I thought you'd have a long walk back…
– Is that all?
– No… I also thought that you didn't want to accompany me… That you were doing it out of a sense of duty," I finished quietly.
– What makes you think that?
– We are almost strangers, and you don't need to see me off, even as a matter of courtesy. Gentlemanliness is out of fashion these days," I explained, dropping my gaze to the pavement.
– I never do anything out of obligation," Cedric said in a calm tone.
I looked up and looked at his face with concern.
– But I feel bad that you have to go back to the bridge," I said quietly. – It's a whole half hour…
