Hey, I'm back. :) First of all, I would like to say sorry for I didn't notice that there were lots of mistakes last chapter. I swear when I checked it there was nothing wrong- but when I published it... -.- also, sorry for the long wait.

Anyways, I would like to say thank you so so much to: thelovelyflorencelovett , Miss Bellatrix Lovett , Lady Musket, RedEyedOreos123 , Larissa Baptista, and awesomefrankiefan. Your reviews means a lot to me :")


It is already dusk by the time Mrs. Lovett reaches her house- or rather, Richard's house. She decided to go to the park first- to pass time- before going home, not wanting to see Richard. She is angry at the fact the he easily left her there in danger. He- and she- is lucky that Sweeney Todd is the attacker. Because if not, the she doesn't know what could have happened to her- and she doesn't want to think about it.

She can still remember how Richard ran for his life. He is like one of those patients in Bedlam who wants to get out and when given the chance, they run like hell- never looking back. He never considered her, he never even hesitated. If she is in the same position that he was in earlier, she would definitely bring them both to safety.

She casually walks inside the house, passing through the long hallway. There are three doors on each side facing each other; passing by the second pair of doors, she reaches the last one- the living room- where she knows Richard will be waiting for her. She can envision him pacing in front of the window- looking troubled- constantly checking if she arrived yet.

Staying outside, she wonders for a second if she should relieve him of his worries- if he is even worried- or torture him by going straight to her room and not show up until tomorrow. But, she thinks it is much better to show up and let him see how she feels; he must know.

Slowly turning the knob, before she even gets the chance to open the door, it is forcefully yanked open. The impact causes her to stumble forward. She yelps in surprise expecting to fall face flat on the floor, but instead of falling, she collides with Richard's body that is engulfing her in a fierce hug. .

"Eleanor, you're okay! Thank heavens! I won't forgive myself if something terrible ever happened to you…" Richard fusses over her, checking her body for any signs of bruises all the while, telling her how relieved he is that she is fine- but she's having none of it. She just stands there unresponsive, letting him fret over her. After a few seconds, she grows irritated of Richard's hands all over her and his babbling. She pulls away from him, slightly pushing him- she can only take so much.

"I'm going to bed- I'm worn out. I'll see you at breakfast." She does not look at him- keeping her face sideways as not to meet his gaze. Not waiting for his reply, she continues to walk down the hall until she makes it through the grand stair case. Reaching the top, she turns left and heads to her room- located just across Richard's.

As she enters her chamber, she hurriedly removes her dress and changes into a nightgown. She is exhausted and really needs- wants- to rest. She stands at the foot of her bed, letting the back of her knees touch it. She closes her eyes, spreads her arms and slowly lets her body fall. As soon as her back hits the bed, she lets out a deep sigh. Sinking into the warmth of her comforter, her body immediately relaxes.

She closes her eyes, freeing her mind from any thoughts. But, images of Richard keep flashing in her head. Much as she tries to block it, it's insistent. Sighing in defeat, she opens her eyes. Sitting up straight, she then crawls on top of the bed; there, she sits with her back resting on the headboard. She grabs the pillow to her side and hugs it to her, resting her chin on the soft cushion.

Looking outside the window to her left, she fixes her gaze at the sky. She marvels at how perfect the night is. The moon is full and is shining brightly, while the stars are scattered all around- shimmering in their own little ways.

Guessing that she will not get the sleep that she wanted, she allows herself to think about Richard.

Richard is the kindest hearted person Eleanor ever knows. He has always been there to help her- until now. He has done so many things for her that she will forever be grateful for. If it wasn't for him, then she does not know where she will be now. He is the reason why she's living a grand life today. She is really thankful that Richard found her that day…

It was an unusually sunny afternoon in London; Mrs. Lovett was sitting under the tree at Hyde Park. Just today, she found out that she cannot afford to rent another night in the inn that she was staying at. She was low on money, and finding a decent job wasn't as easy as she thought it would be. She doesn't have a choice now but to sleep in the streets- she can always go back home but she'd rather not.

Sighing, she closed her eyes and rested her back on the tree trunk. What would happen to her now? She left her house to escape the life that she had there and start a new beginning- Out with the old in with the new. But, she didn't expect that it would be like this. It was all too literal. Now she's back to square one- no money, no house, no food, no nothing.

"Whoever you are up there, if you're real then help me!" She shouted, knowing that people around the park would probably think that she was crazy- she didn't care.

She opened her eyes, checking her surroundings. She didn't know what she was looking for- a sign, maybe? Of what? She really didn't know. But nothing's there. There were no changes, everything were as they were before.

"I always knew you weren't real! Or if you are, then I'm guessing that you don't like Me." she shouted again, looking up. She noticed that black clouds started forming in the sky- covering the sun. It was going to rain. Oh good!

She stood up and straightened her dress, ready to go and find a safe place-alley- where she could stay. But before she even begun to take a step and leave the tree that was providing shade for her, it started to rain heavily.

The tree wasn't enough cover, so the rain begun to hit her. The first drop landed on her face, shocking her. She quickly wiped it away- as if it burned her skin- but it was soon followed by another drop, and another, and another… until she was soaking wet.

Frustrated, she went to sit again, grasping a fistful of grass. The soil underneath her turned into mud, staining her dress and her hands. Feeling hopeless and miserable she cannot help it anymore, she let out a loud ear piercing scream. Then... she cried- cried in anguish. Her wails and uncontrollable sobs were drowned out by the rushing sound of the rain.

She did not notice it when someone approached her, standing by her side. She realized that she had company only when a hand reached out to her, handing her a handkerchief. She looked up, finding a man smiling at her- how she wanted to tug down the corner of his lips- now is not the time to be smiling.

"Leave me alone!" she glared at the man, turning her back to him. She knew she was acting rudely but she just cannot deal with people right now. But the man only chuckled and squatted down in front of her in response.

"I cannot just leave you here ma'am. I can see that you are not well. How can I be of help with you?" the man asked, sounding genuinely concerned for her. Mrs. Lovett looked at him, and smirked.

"You wanted to help me? Fine! I need a place to stay, new clothes, and food. I'm quite hungry." She said, crossing her arms- challenging the man. Knowing that he could not provide her of what she needed, she grinned- for sure he would leave her be now.

But instead of walking away, the man beamed at her and nodded. "Okay ma'am. I'm quite sure that I can accommodate you in my house." he offered. She was shocked, she did not respond to him right away for she cannot quite process yet what he said. She just stayed there, staring open mouthed at him. Maybe this is the help that she asked for from above.

When she got her senses back, she stood up and wiped her hands on her dress. She nodded at the man as confirmation the she was up to his offer. He beamed at her and started walking- she followed. He led her to the carriage that was already waiting for them. 'He must be wealthy' she thought.

Being a true gentleman, the man gestured for her to step inside the carriage first. Truth be told, she was hesitant to go with him. She doesn't have a clue about him- she doesn't even know his name. What if he was some kind of a murder? Then she would be doomed. But he doesn't look like one- he truly seemed to care. Deciding, maybe she would take the risk and go with him- she got nothing to lose anyways.

She climbed in and the man followed next. After they settled, he spoke to her. "I believe the food would be ready once we arrived at my house." he smiled to her but she didn't return it, she just nodded and remained silent.

"And ma'am, as for your dresses- first thing in the morning, I will accompany you to the market- you can buy as many as you want." this time, she forced herself to at least say thank you to him- she did, muttering it half heartedly.

That was the last of their conversation. They rode in silence- only the gallops of the horse and the people outside could be heard inside the coach. But in the middle of their journey, Mrs. Lovett could not take the quietness anymore- it was too deafening.

"I would like to tell you- while it's still early- that if you're expecting me to pay you for all of these…" she gestured around with her hands "… Then I am sorry to tell you that I do not have the money. But don't worry; I would gladly leave if you want me to. Just stop this carriage and we'll both be fine."

The man was staring at her- shocked. He did not speak for a while, but when he found his voice to reply, he made it clear to her of his intentions. "Oh no ma'am, I am not asking you for anything in return. I just really wanted to help... But well, actually ma'am there's one thing I need from you."

Mrs. Lovett raised an eyebrow at the man's unknown request. Not so good thoughts of what the man could have wanted from her were running in her mind- Just when she thought that she would get everything for free, and now this. Well, it is only fair- she just hoped what he wanted was not what she was thinking of.

"What is that?" she asked, slightly nervous of what would his answer be. He could easily take advantage of her!

"Well, ma'am, I would like to… know your name." That's it? Mrs. Lovett sighed in relief. A blush was forming on her face. She cannot believe she just thought of this man to be a murderer and a… well… rapist. She got such an overactive mind- she should keep it down and not jump into conclusions- it would do her good.

She held her head high to mask her embarrassment; clearing her throat she answered him. "Eleanor. Eleanor Lovett. You?"

"Richard Wright, at your service." He bowed down to her and took off his imaginary hat, making her smile- though she didn't let him see it. She nodded to him and turned her back. She doesn't want him to be too comfortable with her. She cannot let people get in her again. No more attachments- she wanted her to remain as Richard, the stranger.

Well frankly, the opposite happened. Richard's good personality struck her- he is everything that she is looking for a man. He is everything that Sweeney Todd will never be. He is like the copy of Benjamin Barker. She soon grew fond of his company and without knowing it, she let him get in that tiny little heart of hers- but now she knows, of course.

But although she feels something for him, she cannot bring herself to fully love him. She does like him, yes, but love is too big and too special to be given to him. He is perfect, but there's something lacking in him- she cannot tell what. But he on the other hand is very sure and vocal of his love for her. He told her many times that he loves her- she knows that he wants her to say it back but she can't- maybe not ever.

Sometimes she gets confused of their relationship- if there ever is one. They are not lovers but they act like one. She is loyal to him- she doesn't let men court her, though she can always do. And he is the same to her- he doesn't look at other women. They also have their silly little fights like husband and wife does; sometimes she gets jealous when he would talk to other women- and he, with men.

It is kind of unsettling because she is always the kind of person to put label on anything. But now, she is stuck because she does not know what to call her relationship with Richard. Though one thing's for sure, and that is they are not lovers, no- she thinks they will not get into that level. She really needs a name- what would she say if someone asks her what's between her and Richard? She doesn't have an answer.

Deciding that thinking is just making her crazy, she lies down on the bed and gets under the covers. She lets out a long yawn, ready to submit into the world of dreams. But before sleep can claim her there is one more thing that comes across her mind- making her smile. It is not the answer to her dilemma but it somehow eases her- it best describes their status.

Richard and she… they are more than friends, less than lovers.


I know there's no Sweeney in here but in this chapter I would like to elaborate more on Richard's character and how Mrs. Lovett ended up living with him. Don't worry, I promise not to forget Sweeney on future chapters.

RedEyedOreos123- I'm trying to work out the length of every chapter but I still find it hard to write very long ones. Please bear with me. :)

feel free to criticize :

Reviews make my day ;)