Chapter Three:An Unlikely Offer

Nora, Alexander, and the police officer arrived at the station, where the three of them began to argue over the legality of the lease and Nora's residency in the apartment. Meanwhile, Alexander's grandfather, Joseph Reed, strode into the station, having been notified by his grandson's text.

Joseph wasted no time in asserting his authority, his presence demanding the attention of everyone in the room.

"I hear you're having a dispute over the apartment ?" Joseph said, his tone icy and commanding.

The officer nodded, his expression tight. "Yes, sir," he replied. "But she has a lease, sir. We need to follow due process."

Joseph's eyes narrowed. "Due process," he repeated, his voice dripping with contempt. "Do you know who I am?"

"I am Joseph Reed," he continued, his voice booming with authority. "I have friends in high places, and I will not stand for this injustice."

The officer's shoulders slumped in resignation. He knew better than to argue with someone of Joseph Reed's influence.

"Yes, sir," he said, his voice low. "I understand, sir."

Joseph nodded, satisfied. "Good. Now, you will tell the young lady that she has to vacate the premises."

Nora stood stunned, her knees threatening to buckle beneath her. She couldn't believe what was happening. She'd signed a lease in good faith, and now she was being forced to leave with no warning.

"But...but I have a lease," she protested weakly, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Joseph turned to face her, his expression hard as stone. "The lease is null and void," he replied, his voice cold and uncompromising. "You have no claim to that property."

Nora's heart sank as the weight of her situation settled upon her.

"See you later son" Joseph said to his grandson before walking out of the station

Nora, seething with anger, faced the police officer. "This is wrong!" she shouted, her voice quivering with rage. "You can't just ignore my lease!"

The police officer, intimidated by Joseph Reed's authority, could only offer a weak rebuttal. "I'm sorry, Miss, but I have no choice. You must vacate the premises immediately."

Nora stormed out of the police station, tears streaming down her face. her despair grew louder as she wept outside the police station, "I spent half my life savings on that apartment. Where am I supposed to go?"

The intensity of her cries caught Alexander's attention as he stepped out of the station. Without thinking, he blurted out, "Stay."

Nora stopped sobbing and looked up, confused. "What?"

Alexander didn't know why the words had tumbled out of his mouth. He rarely had compassion for strangers, and yet, there he was, extending an invitation he knew his grandfather would be furious about.

"Stay in the apartment," he clarified, still unsure of his actions.

Nora stared at him, trying to process what he was saying. "I… I don't understand," she said, wiping away her tears. "You mean, stay until when? Your grandfather…"

Alexander shook his head. "Stay until the end of the month. Or maybe longer. I'll take care of it. I can't let you… just go."

Nora nodded slowly, not quite believing what she was hearing. "I… thank you."

Alexander watched her for a moment, his mind still trying to process his own actions. "I'll, uh, I'll drive you back to the apartment," he said finally, gesturing toward his car.

Nora nodded still unable to find the words to express her gratitude. She followed Alexander to his car, her mind still reeling from the events of the past hour.

Alexander slid into the driver's seat and stared out the windshield, his mind racing. Why did he offer to let her stay? It was unlike him. He didn't like disruptions in his routine, and sharing an apartment with a stranger would be a huge disruption.

He glanced at her in the passenger seat, her eyes still red from crying. "I don't normally do things like this," he muttered.

Nora shifted uncomfortably in her seat, still trying to process the situation. "I don't know why you're doing this. I'm grateful, but…" She trailed off, not sure how to finish her sentence.

Alexander's lips twitched into a slight smile. "Neither do I," he admitted. "But we'll figure it out."

As Alexander pulled into the parking lot of the apartment building, he could feel Nora's unease. He parked the car and turned to her, trying to put her at ease.

" just… just relax. Take a hot shower, eat something.

Nora nodded, her eyes still filled with uncertainty. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Alexander watched her as she exited the car, her posture stooped and her steps hesitant. He waited until she had entered the building before turning off the ignition of his car, his mind still trying to make sense of his actions.

*******

Back in his study, Alexander sat at his desk, staring at the blank computer screen. He had a lot of work to do, but he couldn't focus. He had let a stranger into his home, violated his own sense of privacy.As the hours passed, Alexander's confusion turned to frustration. Why did he offer to help Nora? It made no sense. He wasn't the kind of person who helped strangers. He didn't even like most people.

Nora, meanwhile, had taken Alexander's advice and treated herself to a long, hot shower.

The steam and the scent of lavender helped soothe her frayed nerves, but she still felt uncertain about the situation. She didn't want to take advantage of Alexander's kindness, but she had nowhere else to go.

*****

Finally, unable to bear the gnawing anxiety any longer, Alexander stood up and strode out of his office. He climbed the stairs, his steps quick and decisive. He had to talk to Nora,

He reached the top of the stairs and knocked on her door. "Nora?" he called, his voice firm and commanding. "Can we talk?"

There was a long moment of silence before the door opened. Nora stood in the doorway, wearing a baggy t-shirt and pajama pants. Her hair was damp and there were dark circles under her eyes.

"Yes?" she asked, her voice barely audible.

Alexander took a deep breath, steeling himself. "We have a lot to figure out. How long are you planning to stay here?"

Nora bit her lip, considering her options. "As long as you'll let me," she replied, her voice hesitant. "I… I have nowhere else to go."

Alexander nodded, his expression unreadable. "Fine," he said. "But you'll need to follow my rules. You'll stay in your room when I'm working. You'll clean up after yourself. You'll stay out of my way."

Nora nodded, her eyes downcast. "Yes, of course."

Alexander studied her for a moment, his gaze inscrutable. "I need to know I can trust you," he said, his voice low.

Nora met his gaze, her eyes filled with resolve. "You can," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "I promise."

Alexander held her gaze for a moment longer before stepping back and pulling the door closed. "Goodnight, Nora," he said.