Chapter 6 Φ

"Empty? Are you sure?" I asked. Eric nodded his head. I took a deep breath, trying to think back and recall if there was something I'd missed. "No, that's not possible. There was someone who was sending me letters from this address."

"Don't take this the wrong way, but that's a bit creepy." Eric turned to the house, looking closely at it. He glanced over to me and asked, "Who was sending you those letters?"

I shook my head, perplexed. "Mr. Harold Stevenson. Or... I don't know. This must be an old address, or the person living here must have gone on a vacation or something."

Eric told me, "As you can see, this place has been vacant for a long time now. It had always been like that, ever since I moved here when I started attending New Waulds University."

"Are you sure?"

"We can ask around if you want," he offered, motioning across the neighborhood. "But about the one you're looking for, what does he look like? Maybe I can help you if you describe him."

"I..." I paused. How should I say this? "Eric, the truth is, I don't actually know what he looks like."

"You don't?"

"Actually, I was planning to see him for the first time," I admitted. Properly, anyway. I only saw a silhouette the last time we'd met.

"Oh," he muttered. "Okay. Wow, you're full of surprises. Do you have any idea how old he is or what is his job? Anything might be helpful."

"I don't know," I replied with a small voice. "He never told me anything like that."

"How are you related to him, then?"

"It's a long story," I replied, letting out a heavy sigh. He seemed to be waiting for me to continue, so I added, "Maybe I can tell you about it some other time."

He slowly nodded. "Okay, if that is what you want."

"I mean, if we ever bump into each other again," I clarified.

He laughed. "If you're going to stay here for a while, we'll definitely see each other again. I won't be surprised if I bump into you in the next few days."

"I guess it could happen," I replied with a shrug.

"Do you have a place to stay?" Eric asked.

"I'm about to look for it. And I'm so sorry for making you accompany me all the way here. You must be going somewhere else." I tried to get my things from him, but he moved the bags away from me again. I looked up to him and realized the uncomfortable proximity. Turning away, I placed a breathable space in between us.

He didn't seem to notice my sudden uneasiness. Instead, he asked, "You mean, you came here without having a place to stay?"

"Don't worry. I'll look for one," I hastily answered, not wanting to bother him any further.

"Right now?" He sounded baffled.

I checked my watch. "It's still early."

"To look for an apartment? I disagree with that," Eric told me.

"Then maybe tomorrow morning. I'll just find a hostel to stay at. It's fine."

"A hostel? I don't know," Eric said, looking worried. "My conscience will kill me if something bad happens to you."

"No, it's okay," I tried to convince him.

"Look, I'll just find you a decent room," Eric offered.

"That's not really necessary," I faltered.

"I've got some free time today. Come on, let me show you where it is," he said, before he started walking again. And with him still carrying my bags, I really didn't know what else to do but to follow.

"Where are we going?" I asked him, uneasy

"We'll get there," he replied.

Eric hailed a cab at the main street and told the driver an address. It was a quiet ride; Eric spent the next few minutes on his phone, checking some things.

We got stuck in traffic for several minutes, because of an accident at the intersection. It was a rear-end collision that involved an SUV and a motorcycle. Nobody suffered serious injuries, but the drivers were caught up in a heated argument and the officer was trying to appease both parties.

Slowly, the traffic started to move again. After a few blocks, we'd arrived at a street that was mostly comprised of high-end residential buildings. When we got out, Eric handed the driver some bills, even if I insisted that we split the fare.

I stumbled as I closely followed behind him, caught up with looking around the neighborhood and taking in my surroundings. Eric seemed to be familiar with this place, as he led me inside one of the buildings.

The lobby had a small information desk in the middle and an elevator on both sides. My anxiousness was already soaring at this point. Now would be a great time to tell Eric that I couldn't afford to rent a room in this kind of place.

"Eric, I hate to tell you this right now," I said, hesitating to ride the elevator with him.

He motioned for me to get inside. "I know a place where you can safely stay alone for the night."

"Thank you for all you've done. I think you're misunderstanding something. What I need is a place that I can afford," I explained to him, sucking up my embarrassment.

"Just see the place and then you decide," Eric insisted.

"Okay, I'll just take a look at it." I went along and rode the elevator with him, since he didn't seem to be willing to yield. "This building looks very safe, but it looks expensive. I swear, I'll be fine elsewhere."

"The apartment in front of mine is vacant. You can use that," he said, and the elevator door opened.

Wait. An apartment? In this place?

As we were walking at the lobby, I held him back by pulling his arm. "You really have to listen to me, Eric."

He asked over his shoulder, "About what?"

"I can't rent an apartment here. Not for a night, or worse, on a monthly basis," I explained to him.

"I'm sure you can have an arrangement with the owner," Eric answered, setting aside my worries.

"Okay. Here's my plan: I was thinking of bedspacing sowewhere. I'm sure the owner wouldn't agree to the only arrangement I could offer," I said.

"You can never tell." He took out a set of keys from his pocket, picking out one and handing it to me. "The owner says it's basically an empty apartment. You could use it for the price of the cheapest bedspace rent in the city."

I was confused. "Whose apartment are we talking about again? Why do you have the key?"

"It's also mine. I'd gladly offer you an unused room in my own apartment to make you feel better, but that might not be what you have in mind," he said in a matter-of-fact way.

"No! Of course, it's not what I'm thinking," I hastily replied.

"So take it," Eric said. He started walking down the hall, and I had no idea how to back out from this turn out of events. "I own three apartments on this floor. I only need to use one, so why not rent one of the other two?"

"That's true, but—" When I counted it, there were only three apartments on this floor.

Eric announced, "508. Here's your new place."

"This one?"

He pointed to his right. At the other end of the hall, there was another door. "That's my place. We're going to be neighbors. I hope that's all right with you."

I stared at the key. "I really don't know what to say. I don't even know if I should accept this."

"Go inside," he said. "It's fully furnished. And as your landlord, feel free to inform me if you need anything."

"Eric, this is a very—"

"Anna," he said my name slowly, "I have somewhere to go right now. If the key I gave you happens to fit inside the lock of the door, take it as a sign that the apartment is now being rented to you."

"But—"

"We can officially sign the rental papers some other day. I haven't got any prepared, but I'll talk to my friend who's a lawyer. It'll be very legal, I promise."

"No, Eric, I can't—"

He looked at his watch and patiently smiled. "I'm sorry, but I really have to go."

"Eric, I—" I tried again, but he wasn't going to take my no, unless perhaps I had another place to live. So settling for this arrangement until then, I told him, "Okay, I'll rent this apartment, but I will still look for a place to stay starting tomorrow."

"As you wish," Eric said.

"Okay, that could work for now," I told him. "But really, thank you. I don't know how I can thank you enough."

"Don't worry about it. Just go get settled in. If I'm free tomorrow. And as your only friend—for now—in this city, I'll help you look for another place if that's what will ease your mind," Eric said.

"I hope I'm not being much of a bother to you," I said, and he shook his head. With a smile, I added, "I'm sorry for holding you back. Please go to your appointment, I'll be fine here."

"I'll see you later then, Anna," Eric said, waving goodbye.

"Thanks," I pointed to the apartment, "...and for everything else."

"You're welcome," he said.