Lina is puzzled by what Riley just said. She doesn't understand. He said that he wanted to help her and get her out, what does this mean? Then, he starts explaining himself to her.
Riley: I mean, I'm not REALLY gonna arrest you... I'm gonna find a way to bail you out afterward. It's just to avoid someone else bringing you in and charging you instead of me, cause if they do (he sighs) it's gonna be bad!
Lina: (confused) Oh- well... OK
Riley: You trust me, right?
She looks at him deep into his eyes. The same eyes she got lost into years ago; those beautiful and hypnotizing hazel eyes.
Lina: Yeah... I trust you!
Riley: Good! (he says smiling at her) So, here's what we gonna do!
He scribbles something on a little paper and gives it to her.
Riley: Tomorrow at noon, meet me at this address! I'll pick you there.
Lina stares at the piece of paper then nods.
Lina: Thanks!
She gets off Riley's car and heads to the factory. Riley goes back home but as soon as he crosses the threshold, he finds a furious Erika waiting for him.
Erika: Are you out of your mind? Don't tell me that's work? Have you seen what time is it? (she says pointing at the clock)
Riley: And, what do you think I was doing? (starting to get upset) What are you implying? Come on tell me!
Erika: (she scoffs) I think you know what! (she says glaring at him)
Riley: What are you talking about?
Erika: I called the precinct and they told me you left two hours ago! Now tell me! Who is she?
Riley: (puzzled) What? How do you-
Erika: (interrupting him) Know? So, I was right! You've been seeing someone else! Then why pretending to care about the wedding? Why lying right to my face, you're such a-
Riley: ENOUGH! (he yells)
Erika stops talking.
Riley: Just look at yourself, Erika! You didn't even give me a chance to explain myself! You're just going on and assuming the worst about me! So, here's the TRUTH if you wanna know it so bad! I'm gonna tell you everything! (he says gesturing to her, so that she will follow him in the living room to continue the conversation).
She follows him silently and sits down on the couch next to him.
Riley: Remember that discussion we had a few days ago, about that friend who needed my help?
She nods.
Riley: Well, she needs my help now more than ever. (he sighs) she's someone good, who doesn't deserve what is happening to her, and I gotta pull every string to help her out! Including working overnight if I have to...
Erika stares at him without saying a word.
Riley: I'm sorry if I'm not gonna be able to fully commit to our wedding preparation... but THIS, this is really important to me! You know me, if I let anything happen to her, I couldn't live with myself...
Erika: (she sighs) Humph... You care a LOT about her! That's for sure! Okay, I get it... (she smiles) You can't help yourself being the hero. I guess that's why I fell for you in the first place...
YOU ARE READING
As Long as I Breathe...
RomanceLina arrives in the United States alongside her four-year-old little sister Sarah. Both have fled their country because of the war that took Lina's parents' lives. For Lina, the United States represented an opportunity to start from scratch and put...
