After all, was she not the one who always wanted to leave her husband? It might have been how Belinda coaxed her husband out of his anger or how she walked with him out of the restaurant and to the parking lot that ignited a heart beat in Okwan. She would never tell the exact moment when she found the courage to confide in Belinda, but later that evening as they were closing the restaurant, she asked Belinda to listen to her.

“What is going on with you Belinda?”

“Nothing much, why do you ask?”

“I heard the conversation you had with the men who came in today for lunch. One of them was your husband and he asked you to go back home, tell me, what is going on?”

“He asked me to stop working and I refused. I moved out of the house and now I am still working for you.”

“I see, and what about your children?”

“They are at home. I get to see them and spend time with them. I just do not sleep in that house.”

“What made you come to that decision?”

“You are asking as though there is a definite answer to such a question. Look, Okwan, do not worry about it. My husband and his friends will not cause you any trouble.”

“No, they won’t, but you on the other hand, could.”

“What have I done?”

“Exactly…that’s what I’m talking about, what have you done? You may think that you took one step but it doesn’t change the fact that you took it. There are some things in life that you can never turn your back on and just be careful while you are on this new path you’re treading.”

“Is that a threat?”

“If it feels so to you, then it is what it is. By the way, your friend came looking for you sometime after you’d seen off your husband.”

“What friend?”

“Some skinny girl who talks faster than I can count money, she said her name was Mesh!”

“Mesh! Yes, she helped me collect payment from the people are Re-Insurance plaza. She’s nice.”

“Yes, if you believe that anyone who responds to Mesh is nice, then you are really going downhill. Anyway, it’s not in my place to judge. Here’s your pay for today and please think carefully about what it is you are doing.”

“Thank you, Okwan. Do not worry about me. I will see you tomorrow.”