Off the Tracks

Chapter 43- Run to Ibiza

Riley woke up late after a long night with Arthur. Hearing small tunes of a piano playing while she opened her eyes. She saw Arthur's back facing her, watching how he moved with the music. Riley sat up, stretching and looking to her right through the open window that led to his balcony. Seeing a view of the harbor, as the breeze blew through his curtains.

"I didn't know you played" She said standing up, fixing the shirt that she wore. Almost like he wasn't expecting her to hear him, he stops playing. "Wait, keep going" she asked him, walking towards him. Standing behind him while he continued to play her hands rested on his unclothed shoulders.

"I've played since childhood" he said, focusing on what he was doing. Riley watched him, remembering how she used to play all the time, but hasn't touched hers in years. She saw flashes in that moment, how she used to feel the music, how each note she played would lead to a new melody. She remembered composing it, her recitals; she remembered how much she loved it.

~~~

After Riley showered, she put on an outfit Arthur was lending her so they could leave and get her bags from Daniel's condo. She slipped on a pair of his sweats and a hoodie that had an oversized fit on her.

"Riley hurry up" Arthur said from outside the bathroom right as she opened the door to leave.

"I'm ready" She said walking past him and down the short hallway, heading down the stairs with him trailing behind her. She waited patiently by the front door while he moved frantically around the house looking for his car keys.

"Found them" he said walking around the corner towards her opening the door. Letting her walk out first he unlocks the red ferrari that's parked in his driveway. Riley goes to get into the drivers side, opening the door.

"Qu'est-ce que tu fais" He asked her forgetting that she doesn't speak french for a moment, joining her on the drivers side, the sun shining in his eyes. Understanding what he said Riley responded.

"Driving" she said holding her hand out for the keys.

"No, no one drives this one but me"

Riley sighed, walking to the other side of the car to get in while he started it. Opening the door she got into the car that hovered low on the ground.

"Do you want to get food first" He asked her while pulling out of his driveway. Starting down a small road.

"No stop at Danny's so I can change" she said watching the buildings pass through the window while he drove.

"You do not like my clothes?" He asked, looking over at her briefly, then moving his eyes back on the road.

"It's too hot outside for this"

"Might as well take it off now" he joked, feeling Riley's hand slap his arm lightly; trying to hide the smile on her face. She started to direct him to the parking lot when they got closer. Telling him to just park in Daniel's spot that was empty for the time being.

Riley waited for him to turn off the car before getting out. Feeling the sun shine down on her, it made her feel hotter in what she was wearing. Hurriedly she made her way inside the building with Arthur trailing behind slowly.

Walking in Riley saw the old man that worked the front desk smile at her, so as she usually does when he's in the lobby, she stopped by to talk to him.

"Good Afternoon Mr Palmero" she said cheerfully, standing in front of the desk he was stood at.

"You're back!" He exclaimed, noticing her absence in return the night prior. "Julia came back without you yesterday, I wasn't sure if you left" Riley shook her head hearing his words.