A MAZE OF GREED

Florence felt pity for Ruth, but she also understood the landlord's stance. She would have done the same if she was in his shoes. Who wants to be generous enough to take this much efforts for someone that they barely know? She thought.

She was returning from shopping and was unlocking the door of her rooms when she heard loud noises coming from the third floor. She first ignored it thinking, it was not her concern. She was tired after all the walking and carrying the heavy bags full of groceries and other essentials. She went shopping early in the morning as she was having a special guest tonight.

She was about to close the door after getting inside her room when she heard Ruth's last name. Curiosity rose in her that led her to follow the noises. She reached the third floor, to see that the landlord was about to touch Ruth who was on her knees pleading with teary eyes.

For some reason, Florence always got intrigued by Ruth's silent and kind personality. She had heard only good things about Ruth, and their little interactions confirmed every claim made by people. Watching Ruth begging the man while sitting on her knees made Florence upset, and she decided to intervene in the matter.

"Hurry up, Florence. I don't have all day for this. Step aside and let me handle this situation. My wife must be waiting for me." The landlord became more impatient with wastage of time.

Florence looked at Ruth. "Ruth, do you promise that you will pay all the rent next month?"

Ruth's eyes shot up at Florence's words. She bit the insides of her cheek as she gave a thought to the question. When she came to the decision, she slowly nodded her head. "Yes, I promise!"

"Very well!" Said Florence.

She then turned to the landlord while pulling out some cash from her small purse, that dangled from her wrist. "Here!" She extended the money towards the man.

Not only the landlord but every person present there watched in surprise, their mouths agape. It was the first time that Florence had stepped up to help someone and that too willingly. She never interacted too much with anyone other than a reason. She kept herself aloof from the people around her. And when she decided to show up here, no one expected her to be this generous as it was not one of her traits.

"Florence-" Ruth watched wide-eyed as Florence offered the money to the landlord.

But Florence didn't mind her and said to the landlord, "Here's the rent of this month. If Ruth can't pay the next month's rent, she will leave your property without objection. Do you agree?" She asked in a strong voice.

The landlord had a hard time believing Florence's actions as he knew about her nature very well. He was also one of her earlier admirers, so he knew that the woman never did something out of kindness. She didn't have that bone in her body.

His eyes shifted at Florence's determined face and then to the money in her hand. He was in a dilemma.

"I think Florence is right. Give Ruth one last chance!" Mr Payne, who earlier had tried to mediate the tension between the landlord and Ruth said.

With a long sigh, the landlord took the money from Florence's hand. "Fine! But, if she would not be able to pay the rent next month, then I will not listen to any argument." He reminded.

"Don't worry. It will not lead to that way!" Said Florence.

The man gave a curt nod to her then glanced one last time to Ruth and left while counting the money bills.

"Thank you for helping Ruth, Florence! I appreciate your actions." The old man said with sincerity.

Florence was not used to getting such praises. This kind of appreciation was foreign to her. She was used to being called names and condemning stares. The praises she heard were about her beauty and her skills of bringing smiles of satisfaction to her visitors' faces.

It was after a long time that she was praised for her actions instead of her seductive body. She peered around at every person's face to see that they couldn't believe her actions, but their eyes showed that they admired her efforts.

The old man's words made her a little uncomfortable, and she began pondering what she did was right or wrong.

Not knowing how to react, Florence only gave Mr Payne a small smile. She was about to turn to leave when a small voice called her name.

"Florence..."

Ruth stepped ahead to get Florence's attention.

"Umm... I... would you mind to come inside? I... I want to talk to you." Ruth said slowly. Her tears dried, but there was still moisture in her closely set eyes.

"No need to thank me with the formalities, Ruth." Florence said.

Ruth shook her head slightly and hurried. "Please, I insist!"

Florence was hosting a special guest tonight. She had waited for this man for weeks. At their last meet, which was sometime a month or so before, he promised to meet her again. Florence waited for him to contact her again for all these days but he didn't. It was the only previous evening that she received a note from him. He had informed her that he would come to visit her at her house.

She was ecstatic to hear from him. The man preferred to see her at a place on the outskirts of the Vincardine. So, it took her by surprise when he informed her about his arrival at her place.

She started preparing for his visit from that very evening. She cleaned her small home, picked her best attire and jewellery that complimented it. And in the morning she went for grocery shopping to make him a decent dinner.

She still had so much to prepare and get ready before he came. And hence she was in a hurry. The whole incidence with the landlord had already wasted much of her time and now Ruth wanted more time of her. She considered declining Ruth's invitation but Ruth's expectant face made her choose otherwise.

'It is still afternoon and I will have a couple of hours to get ready. So, accepting Ruth's invitation will not harm. I will tell her to hurry up.' Florence thought to herself.

She smiled at Ruth and didn't wait for her to follow into her room. Ruth relieved to see that Florence had accepted her invitation and now she would get a chance to thank her properly. She followed Florence into the room.

The spectators were too curious by the unfolding of the events. Some of them shamelessly peeked through the door of Ruth's room.

Florence's plucked dark brows knitted in annoyance. She turned around and shut the door on the faces of those curious and nosy neighbours.

Her cat-like brown hazel eyes swept around the small room. As per her expectation, there were very few things. A table and a chair, two lamps, a Stuff of sewing, an old bed, a shelf and some necessary utensils in the small kitchen area. Her delicate and straight nose scrunched up a little as she noticed the mess on the bed and the floor.

Ruth was cleaning it when the landlord came. She forgot about it as her mind was too distracted by the event. Ruth's round face flushed in embarrassment when she noticed Florence's expressions. She mentally smacked herself for not thinking about this mess before inviting the guest.

"Oh... sorry! I was actually cleaning my room when the landlord came. Please don't mind it. Sit here." Ruth hurriedly picked up the clothes and other things that were spread on the bed. She made a space for Florence to sit.

As there was no other alternative to sit, Florence had to listen to Ruth.

She sat on the bed while adjusting the bottom of her dress. She tucked her curly brunette hair behind her ear and looked up at Ruth.

"So tell me what you wanted to talk about."