The next day Elise went to the to-let room she had seen in the paper. A middle-aged woman opened the door. She was very friendly and a gossip monger if her elaborate report on other tenants was anything to go by. Just what I needed! Elise thought dryly. As she had speculated the tenants were all uni students, which suited her just fine. Now if they don't start hitting on me it would be cherry on the cake. The apartment was on the third floor and the building itself was closer to the King's college.

The apartment had perfect view, great ventilation and not at all taxing on her purse. And all the stores were at walking distance.

"This apartment is just want I need!" said Elise.

"So you are taking it then!" asked the woman who had introduced herself as Mrs Emily Penham.

"Yes! But you see I have just joined the job and won't be able to pay in advance. However, I am ready to pay in advance for the next month!" said Elise looking little desperate and hopeful.

"Not to worry dear I shall phone Mr Riddle right away. I am sure he'll agree. Come I'll make you a cuppa!" said Mrs Penham.

Elise numbly nodded with a small smile. This is sooo not happening. The chance would have been a fine thing but this had to be a coincidence. No, world is rarely lazy for coincidences to happen and no one would set this up. It was like the fate wanted her to meet Riddle Sr. The expression 'fate is a bitch' just made sense to her. Yes she was happy, her plane was coming together but that did not mean she wanted to confront him so early. Just last night she had finally decided and today she found the means. Oh this is coincidence alright! Silently fuming and cursing the fate she clambered down behind Mrs Penham.

The tea helped sooth her ragging nerves as Mrs Penham went to hall to have a privet conversation with Mr Riddle. In the end Elise decided it was a good this. Now she can get this over with and move on with her life. Few minutes later Mrs Penham come in and took her seat. She smiled brightly at her.

"Mr Riddle agreed like I said. So when are you moving in?" asked Mrs Penham.

"I don't have much with me, just clothes. So maybe in a day or two." Replied Elise getting up to leave.

"Then I suppose it would be prudent to know your name!" said Mrs Penham with a laugh.

"Ah yes! My name is Elise Lane, nice to meet you." Said Elise with her own laugh.

Walking out of the door Elise bid goodbye to Mrs Penham and hailed a cabby. It was already five in the afternoon, she had came straight way from work. Now the hard part began – pacifying the O'Donnell's. She only hoped they wouldn't make much fuss. Na what was she thinking! But a woman could hope. As expected they did put up fuss. The next day Patrick tried to pay her in advance and it was not even a week!

"Mr O'Donnell I can't possibly accept. It's not even a week! Everyone would think you are showing favouritism. It's against the work ethics and you could be sacked for doing this!" rambled Elise panicking. To her utter exasperation he looked amused!

"And why is that you look so amused around me? Am I that funny?" asked Elise exasperated. At this Patrick started to openly laugh. She could feel the whole floor looking in their direction. Patrick was always level headed at the office, never the one to crack up like he was right now.

"You have a very good sense of humour, a sarcastic one at that, which might I add is something I enjoy and appreciate! But it's you conduct which amuses me!" said Patrick with twinkling eyes. "As for your worries let me just say the owner of this company understands the value of a good investment."

"If you insist. Thank you, sir!" said Elise not convinced at all. Patrick just chuckled at her scepticism.

That night she sat down on the desk and finally let loose all the thoughts about Riddles. She had already decided to write letter to Mr Riddle thanking him for understanding. So why not write one to Riddle Sr. too. Meeting had the potential to turn dangerous and he won't probably listen to me. On the other hand a letter will be read completely and it would give him the option to consider everything carefully while a meeting would force him to decide just then.

Decided, she started penning the two letters.