"I thought you wanted to save for a better apartment. ", Riley respond to the somehow tormenting silence.
"Yeah, I'll do that... I'll just put more away next month, then it'll fit again."
I really wish my plan would work out.
According to my new calculations, I would have had to save another year to afford a better and bigger apartment. Most of all, I was concerned with the neighborhood.
Meanwhile, I was sitting on the couch with Riley. She had decided to come by.
"May I ask you something, without you getting angry?"
Riley looked at me.
I didn't know what she was talking about so I nodded. "It's clear."
"Did you think that well with Arthur, with the money?"
I muted the TV.
"Yes, of course I have that."
That was not quite true, I had decided rather on feeling.
"Well ... what if it was a lie and he doesn't need the money?"
I could not believe what she had said.
"Riley, it's very nice that you are worried, but I saw the letter from the city with my own eyes."
She put a hand on mine.
"I just don't want you to give your lifeblood to someone who doesn't deserve it, you shouldn't be exploited."
Her words formed a smile on my lips.
"Thanks, Riley, I'll be careful."
Arthur's POV
"Happy, how come you look so happy, did you have a good day?"
Mom looked at me, but continued eating her porridge, which I had prepared her like every evening.
"I think I met someone who doesn't see me as a madman and certainly not treat me like that." I took a pull of my cigarette.
"Because you aren't. Happy, are you talking about Lila?"
Her eyes met mine, which I instantly detached from her.
"It's possible." My legs began to shake involuntarily. As always, when I got nervous.
"What are you waiting for?"
Not knowing what she wanted, I shrugged.
"Go to her and ask her for a date."
I didn't expect that.
"And how am I supposed to do that?"
In my mind I was in front of Lila and didn't know what to say.
"There's Thomas Wayne again, I hope he's going to be mayor."
My mother's voice instantly turned into a teenager's.
What did she always have with this man? It wasn't fair that she was so happy to see him and he probably could not even remember her.
But my biggest problem at the moment was Lila.
I wasn't sure if I really should have asked her. First of all, how?
I would have absolutely nothing against an appointment with her. I felt good and so normal in her area.
Basically, I had nothing to lose.
So that I no longer had to endure Thomas Wayne's visage, I stood up shorter hand, put out the fire of my cigarette and ran to the apartment door.
"Lila is nice.", I kept thinking in my mind so that I could actually regain my courage to open the door and step into the hallway.
From some apartments on this floor I could hear voices. Occasionally a few screaming children.
I didn't have to take many steps until I arrived at Lila.
Before I knocked on the door, I listened. Not that she was not home.
I heard her voice and knocked three times.
Lila's POV
"Why do you find this Arthur so interesting?" Riley asked suddenly, out of nowhere.
"Riley!" I grinned, but continued to talk because of her curious look.
"I don't know, he has something that attracts me."
That was my completely honest opinion.
Riley shook his head.
"What?" I turned to her a little more.
"Nothing, nothing, all good, I just see it in front of me."
My right eyebrow shot up.
"What do you see in front of you?"
"I'm just waiting for the day, I'm going to tap in two months, at the latest."
She smiled to herself.
"Riley, what are you talking about?"
"Well, from the day you tell Abigail and me your love for Arthur."
I rolled my eyes.
"That won't happen."
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