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I couldn't stop shaking with excitement and fear.

– I'm sorry, but I can't let you go alone," Cedric said with a slight smile. – By the way, you're holding your fist wrong: your thumb should always be up. – He grabbed my left hand, and I flinched a little; his palm was ice cold. – Relax your palm. That's it. Now make a fist properly. That's it. I'll walk you out.

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…

– Do you think half an hour is a long time? – Cedric asked suddenly.

I could only shake my head no.

– How long would it take you to walk home? Honestly.

– Five minutes… Or six.

– Then I'll leave you here, and I'll walk back, so you don't think I'm seeing you off out of obligation.

– Thank you. Just please don't take what I said seriously," I asked.

– Good night, Viper. – Was his answer.

– Good night. Be careful.

Cedric smiled slightly and turned around and walked towards the bridge.

I hurried home. But suddenly a thought flashed through my mind, causing me to stop abruptly and turn around.

– Cedric! – I shouted, hoping he would hear me.

– Yes?" came his voice, and five seconds later his dark cloaked figure appeared. He came towards me.

– I'd like to ask-" I started, feeling extremely awkward.

– Ask," he interrupted me.

– How did you manage to catch up with me so quickly?

– You know that men walk faster than women, don't you? – Cedric answered the question with a question.

– Yes, but…" I blushed deeply: his explanation was so clear and natural that I immediately felt angry at my curiosity.

– I followed you almost immediately. At first I thought there was someone waiting for you nearby, some friend or boyfriend.

– That's very nice of you. But how did you realise there was no-one waiting for me?

– I thought it would be a good idea to make sure you were safe.

My face was burning with shame.

– It was a stupid and tactless question on my part. I'm sorry I kept you! – I blurted out.

– I'm in no hurry," Cedric said.

– Well… Good night. I'm sure I will this time," I smiled embarrassedly.

– Good night. – Cedric walked in the opposite direction, and I continued on my way home, chuckling to myself and thinking about what Cedric had said that evening.