Forever Manoban (Jenlisa Adaptation)

Chapter 5

She raised her eyebrows, "4 years are a serious length of time." I decided just to lay it all out there for her since she seemed so interested; it didn't matter anyway I probably would never see her again after tonight.

"Yep, came home from work one day and said he needed space, packed his bags and walked out." I knew the real reason he left, but I was not about to tell Lisa that.

She struggled with her next words, and it caught me by surprise.

"I'm sorry he did that to you."

I waved my hand in front of my face. "Don't be, nothing lasts forever."

She was taken aback by my choice of words, but it was the truth and I wasn't afraid to say it.

***

Le Sur was just as beautiful as I thought it would be. The ambiance was breathtaking with its low lighting and romantic feel. The marble floors were exquisite as were the paintings that hung on the walls representing Paris. The tables were lined with satin cloths, and the meals served were on delicate china.

"Do you like it here?" Lisa asked as she noticed me looking around.

"Yes, it is a beautiful restaurant," I smiled.

The waiter brought our meal as Lisa was about to ask me a question. "You say you volunteer at the soup kitchen, may I ask why?" The look on her face told me that she was a bit intrigued by it.

I took my fork and knife and cut up my chicken as I proceeded to answer her question.

"I like to help people in need; you should know that by now Mrs. Manoban."

She shook her head, "Yes, it was a dumb question to ask?"

"I had a rough childhood and let's just say nobody was there to help me." Her eyes never left mine; she listened to every word I said closely.

"What about your parents? They did not help you?" I looked down and away from her, trying to find the right words.

"My mother died of cancer when I was six, and my father was an alcoholic who passed away right before my eighteenth birthday."

The look on her face changed; it went from hard to soft in a matter of seconds.

"Is that why you helped me last night because you think I'm an alcoholic?" she asked. I took the last bite of my dinner and set down my fork.

"No, my father choked to death on his vomit during one of his drunken nights. I found him dead in his bed the next morning. I didn't want that same fate for you. What people do not realize is how easy it is for something like that to happen. I spent my entire life taking care of my father who absurdly drank himself into oblivion almost every night because he couldn't get over my mother's death, so it is just second nature for me to help people."

She didn't know what to say; I think I shocked her. She held up her glass and motioned me to do the same.

"Well, thank you for your help last night, as mad as I was this morning to find you standing in my kitchen, I do appreciate it."

"You're welcome," I smiled.

As we were leaving the restaurant, I noticed several women looking at Lisa with what appeared to be sex in their eyes. Some were licking their lips as we walked by, and others were eyeing her up and down. It was rather disgusting, but I could see why they did it. She was undoubtedly something to be admired. We walked outside, and I looked at her.

"Want some ice cream?" I asked.

She looked at me with a puzzling look like I was crazy or something.

"No, I do not want ice cream, I'm taking you home and then I have somewhere to be." Here comes her rudeness again, I was surprised it took this long.