Chapter 76 - - 76 : No way back
For a moment, none of them said anything. Kyle was too happy to see her in front of him after a long time, while Leyla was too shocked and torn about how she should feel being confronted by him.
"I heard about what happened with Uncle Bill." Kyle finally spoke, breaking the tense silence between them. Leyla gulped, and nodded hesitantly...
"I see." she replied softly before averting her gaze back down on the table she sat at. Kyle stared at her for a moment, awkwardly standing in the cafe, before he took the seat across from her. He noticed how Leyla tried to subtly look away from him, but he knew her too well.
"I'm sorry." he continued, finally managing to get her to look at him. Leyla stared at him inquiringly, asking what he was apologizing for behind the rim of her glasses. Somehow the sight of her looking like that gave him a sense of familiarity he didn't know he missed so much in his time away.
"I should have been here sooner, perhaps I could have helped ease some of your burdens." he elaborated, rubbing his palms on his lap in a nervous tic, "I didn't know what had happened until recently, and like an idiot I just kept sending you letters, probably irritating you with how many they were." he awkwardly laughed at himself, but Leyla could hardly manage a smile.
"It was no fault of yours Kyle, nor anyone." Leyla pointed out to him, "Besides, I wouldn't expect you to know what had happened since it wasn't anything to do with you. It was mine and uncle's problem after all." she told him resolutely, "Besides, it's all resolved now. So there's no further need for you to worry."
Kyle nodded mutely, nodding along as he wetted his lips, another nervous tic of his.
"So... so everything's good now? You and Uncle Bill are fine?"
"Yes," she smiled minutely, "In fact he's working on restoring the greenhouse again, he's been very ecstatic." she tried to say, but she knew her uncle was also having a hard time repaying a debt that was already paid.
Leyla pulled on the sleeves of her sweater, eyes looking back down as she once more avoided his gaze. Kyle observed her for a while, noting how sickly she looked right now. She wasn't like this when he left.
"You can always ask me for help Leyla," he softly reminded her, "I'd do everything I can to help you, I hope you know that."