In the Hands of the Mafia

A big decision

A few hours later I'm settled on the couch in Sheila's apartment watching SVU. I had foolishly saved Ryder's number in my phone and sat staring at it. $800 for a two bedroom? It sounded too good to be true especially coming from a stranger. but yet I had spent the last few hours contemplating the idea of just saying screw it and taking the place.
"What strings does the apartment come with?" I sigh sending the text. I don't bother saying who it is, he should have no problems figuring it out. 5 minutes pass with no response, then 10, the 10 turns into 20 then an hour and eventually I give up. I'm sure with that process he was just toying with me. Probably gave me a wrong number and is having his own little laugh. I'm startled when the door opens and in comes Sheila almost an hour earlier than expected.
"Honey I'm homeeee" she sings as she enters the apartment a bag of what smells to be Chinese food in one hand and a bottle of wine tucked under her arm. She takes one look at me and sighs dropping her purse and keys on the table and gently placing down the food and wine. "Oh Amelia honey.. what happened" she coos. Guess I didn't do as good of a job at covering my face as I thought.
"He cheated..." is all I manage through the tears.
After eating my weight in Chinese food and stumbling through the story of how I found Jackson with Nina naked and straddling him I felt a bit better. Although I was sure that had to do with the tears and the wine and less of the fact that my world was crumbling down around me.

An hour later my phone lit up and Ryder's name flashing across the screen and I sigh. Sheila gave me a questioning look and I knew she had seen the name.

"Hi Ryder" I answered after 3 or 4 rings and he made an exasperated sound.
"Princess" he spoke but he sounded annoyed which was funny considering I had texted him over 2 hours ago.
"Is there a reason you're calling?" I questioned doing my best to sound unbothered. He chuckled and I could hear voices in the background.
"You asked me a question so I'm simply responding" he spoke "no there's no strings that come with the place." He continued and I sighed.
"And that couldn't have been said with a text?" I questioned and again he laughed, no doubt with a smirk plastered to his face.
"It could have. But I figured you may have more questions."
"I don't... yet" I heard him hum gently before telling someone near him to mind their own business.
"Well then princess have a wonderful night. Don't forget a week to decide if not he won't hold it much longer" Ryder added before hanging up and I turned back to Sheila who just sat there with a smug look upon her face.
"It's a long story" I managed to mutter hoping she would drop it.

"It's not a good idea Amelia..." Sheila repeated for the 5th time since I had finished explaining. "You don't know anything about the guy" she added the exact thought that had been going through my head. "plus, him knowing where you live? I dont know... no one just DOES this for someone. it seems fishy" she continued and I sighed. I knew she was right.

"I know I know.." I sighed... "trust me I know.... I've thought it through....but I also know how expensive places are..." Sheila gave me a look and I knew she didn't approve of the fact that I was even thinking about it. "look I have a week to decide. Ill keep looking in the mean time" Sheila nodded in satisfaction and the two of us decided on binging a movie or two.

Five days later I sat on her couch again scrolling through Apartment after apartment sighing as nothing came up as affordable.

"I don't think I'm going to find anything..." I turned to Sheila who sighed in defeat nodding her head in agreement.

" I hate to say it but I think that you might be right...." she paused chewing on the inside of her cheek. "You may want to call Ryder..." she hesitated and I knew she was right. "I have ONE rule." she added and I knew she wasn't playing around.

"Yes?" I questioned knowing there was NO way that I could fight back on whatever she was about to request. She was always a sensible person when it came to risky decisions and I knew what ever she was about to say would be a smart idea.

"when you move in, I am coming with you, and Ryder better be there too." She spoke pointedly and I nodded my head picking up my phone to call Ryder placing it on speaker phone.

"Hey princess" he answered on the second ring, his voice low and almost sounds like he was asleep and my eyes widen. I wasn't sure what I was expecting but him answering so quickly and greeting me? That wasn't exactly it. Sheila watches the interaction carefully a slight smile on her face and I roll my eyes.

"for the last time it's Amelia.." I sigh and I hear him let out a breath of air that sounds like it may have been a laugh.

"does that mean you'll finally stop trying to correct me princess?" he teases and I roll my eyes doing my best to hide my annoyance but from Sheila's reaction I can tell that I am failing.

"Ryder...." I warn and he lets out a breathy laugh.

"Sorry princess." He mutters and I smile. Something tells me that he doesn't apologize frequently and so I gladly accept his apology. "now as much as I am sure you love talking to me..." he teases again and I see Sheila's brow raise. SHIT.

"how often do you talk to him?" she mutters and I freeze realizing there is NO way that Ryder didn't hear her.

"princess are you with company?" he questions and I feel myself blush, it hadn't occurred to me that if he knew he may be talking to be differently.

"I have been staying at my best friends house." I mumble. "which leads me to WHY I was calling.... Is the apartment still available?" I ask my heart racing. He told me I had a week but he didn't have to keep that promise, the landlord could have found someone willing to pay full price.

"It is indeed. I told you princess you had a week. It's been 5 days. The landlord is true to his word" I feel relieved that he seemingly knows the landlord, despite that fact that I still barely know him.

"then I would like to rent it...." I released the breath I was holding and ignored the nagging feeling that I had in the back of my head.

"of course princess, give me a few minutes and I will text you with details."

"wait Ryder?" I question before he hangs up and I hear him hum a what. "can you... maybe be there when I get there to move in?" I question and I know he was probably wearing his stupid lopsided grin. There was no way this wouldn't add to his already inflated Ego.

"of course princess." he confirms and I nod my head.

"thanks Ryder...." We said our goodbyes and Sheila looked at me knowingly.

"would this Ryder guy be attractive by any chance?" she questioned and I felt myself blush. "I knew it!" My eyes flew open at her reaction and she let out a laugh. "you get all school girl CRUSH when talking to him." she continued and I knew I was glaring at her unconvincingly

"I do not have a crush on Ryder. He's attractive yes but he's also practically a stranger. Not to mention I am FRESH out of a relationship.... and ENGAGEMENT nonetheless" I added and Sheila shrugged.

"hey. my grandma always said the best way over a guy is get on another one..." I let out a laugh shaking my head at Sheila.

"Pretty sure Grandma Bennet did NOT say that"

" well it was something like that" she flashed a smile and I couldn't help but to join her. "plus its not like you can choose when you move on. I mean yeah Jackson and you were together for a while and engaged, and he was great until he wasn't. But you CANT stay a nun forever."

"Sheila..." I warned and she sent me a sheepish grin. "I don't like Ryder, hell I barely even know Ryder he's a stranger who feels bad and is just doing me a favor." I reminded her and she nodded her head just as my phone dinged with a text.

Princess, Landlord says you can Move in tomorrow, 3 pm. Address is 177 Court Ave. Apt 6 A. See you then -R.

I rolled my eyes at him signing his initial as if I wouldn't know who was texting me but replied with a simple thank you text. I glanced at the two bags that laid against the wall and sighed, moving into a place meant that I would need to face the apartment I shared with Jackson. Relieved at the restart of my life I'm about to have.