Meanwhile...

Riley POV

Having done all I could for the day and having nobody that I can help, Rachel allows me to go home. I could have stayed at the office but even she had supplier meetings this afternoon. I should have known from Grantley's perverted ways, that today wasn't going to get any better, as I arrived home and climbed one flight of stairs to find my apartment door wide open.

Shouts were coming from inside and with Mavis' door open, I threw caution to the wind and ran up the last flight, concerned that my elderly neighbour had taken on the intruders which had broken in. 

What I didn't expect to find was Joel cowering in the corner as Mavis swats at him with her broom. 

"What the-"

"Riley!" Joel exclaimed with relief. "You're home!"

"I am.." I state looking towards Mavis who gives up her fight and leans on the broom out of breath and slightly off colour.

"Mavis?" I question reaching out and placing my hand on her small shoulder. "Are you alright?"

"Her?! She has been beating me!" Joel cries as he gets up from his hiding spot. 

Seeing a battle-ax like Mavis change colour and not in a good way, I go into panic mode and grab the nearest seat I could before getting her to sit down. I know she isn't feeling a hundred percent when she allows me to fuss.

"Talk to me. Is everything okay?!" I ask her checking her pulse. I'm not sure how knowing her pulse would help but I've seen it in films and I'm only guessing that is what I need to do right now.

"Oh Riley, darling." She says quietly. 

"I'm here. Just take it easy and when you are ready, tell me what happened."

It takes her a few breaths before she looks at Joel. "He was letting himself in and I wasn't having it."

My heart instantly warms to the old woman, who knew exactly who she was beating with a broom, all for me.

"You knew it was me and you carried on hitting me?!" Joel asked in disbelief.

"Oh you deserved it. You hurt Riley in the most disgusting way. You should be ashamed of yourself!" She snaps.

"Me? You crazy old wi-"

"Stop!" I shout, interrupting him and grabbing the broom as Mavis goes to lift it and swipe at him. "That is enough, the pair of you. Joel shut up. Mavis just breathe, you've gone a funny colour of grey and I don't like it."

She nods her head before closing her eyes briefly. 

"Let me get you a drink." I whisper.

"No! I'll get it. I'm not being left in here with her." Joel says leaving the lounge and shooting off into the kitchen. Less than a minute later, he is back holding a glass. 

"I don't want it. I bet he poisoned it." Mavis says shooting narrowed eyes at Joel.

"I wish you old bat. If Riley wasn't so fond of you, I'd pay to put you in a home."

"Joel!" I snap at him in disgust.

He looks at me "What?! You weren't the one being beaten with a broom all for nothing!"

"I wouldn't call cheating on Riley, nothing." Mavis says.

"Neither would I. Thank you, Mavis." I answer taking the glass from him and taking a mouthful. "It's fine. Now have some."

"Stop twisting my words." Joel answers before taking a seat on the couch opposite. "I came over to see you."

"Hmm. When you know I work through the day." I respond.

"It was suppose to be a surprise." 

"It was a surprise, alright." I mutter as Mavis winces. "This is madness, I'm taking you to hospital."

"No." Mavis answers squeezing my hand. "No, I am not leaving to go to some hospital. I am fine, just a little light headed, it happens from time to time."

"How often?" I probe.

"When I happen to forget my breakfast in favour of defending our homes.. I'm okay darling, really."

I watch her carefully for a few minutes before nodding. "Fine, but you're having some breakfast, around here."

"Riley, I want to talk-" Joel speaks.

"Not now. Okay? Right now I am panicking about my neighbour and all I am concerned about is making her breakfast. So I'd like my keys back and I would like you to leave."

As I get to my feet, Joel shoots to his and tries to stand over me in an intimidating fashion, but I tilt my head back and stare back at him. "My keys. Now." 

Although Joel has never been violent towards me, he has been cruel, from his jibes about my weight to making me feel unworthy when we go out. Now, after cheating on me he stands here offended that I would rather spend my time with my elderly neighbour than spent a second with him.

"But-"

"Keys." I repeat.

With a growl, he pulls out the keys and pushes them into my hand. "I'll come back later, when you've got rid of that." He shoots a glare to Mavis who in true battle-axe fashion, sticks her middle finger up. 

"Kiss my ass." 

"Mavis." I hush making her look away from us both. "Goodbye Joel."

He chooses to storm out the apartment without another word, only proving to me that I made the right choice in kicking his ass out.

Turning to Mavis who is sat back looking at me, I smile "Waffles, pancakes, or bagels?"

"Pancakes, with mimosas." She responds as I laugh. 

"Well unfortunately, I don't have champagne."

Her wicked smile only extends. "I do. It's in my fridge." She answers holding out her keys and wiggling them back and forth.

Normally, I wouldn't indulge. But I've had a bad day and I think I deserve it!

*****

"You know what Mavis?" I ask looking over at her. "You're the hippest old person I know."

She laughs "You are only as old as you feel."

Not only was my elderly neighbour stashing a bottle of champagne in her fridge, she also happened to be stashing a roof garden which I knew nothing about. Now we were sat on her roof garden, drinking mimosas, having breakfast/lunch whilst enjoying the Vegas sun.

"This is the life." I sigh pushing on a pair of sunshades. 

"Yes it is." Mavis says before lighting a cigarette.

I look over to see that it's not an ordinary cigarette either. "Are you smoking cannabis?!"

The old woman smirks "I am."

"Oh my god. Who are you?" I laugh sitting up.

"A woman who intends to leave this world with a bang." She smiles back.

"Not any time soon. I like having you around."

"As I like being around you too. You're like the daughter I never got to have." She answers reaching across the table and taking my hand.

I enjoy this moment, with her on this roof, sun on our skin, smell of cannabis in the air as she gets high. The madness of this situation only makes me laugh. "Is that habitual?"

"Medicinal. I am currently shrinking cancer cells. Or at least trying too." Mavis says, wiping the smile from my face instantly.

"What?"

"Oh no darling. I'm not seriously ill. Cannabis is suppose to shrink cancer cells. I'm using it for my arthritis."

"Oh." I answer relieved. "I almost had heart failure then."

"Oh you can't get rid of me that easy." She laughs before putting on a pair of red sunshades.

"I don't want to."

"So how come you've come home early, not that I mind sharing this roof with you, now it is finished."

I delve into details about Grantley and his perverted ways as well as telling Rachel what happened. Her response was as expected, to swat Grantley with her broom until he knows the meaning of respect and apologises to me, verbally and written, preferably in his blood.... She's dark too, it seems. 

But it's her response to Rachel that shocks me as well. "That woman needs a good kick up the backside and reminding what it is like to be harassed! Sitting in her office with a stick in her ass. She needs a reminder on equal rights! You should not be placed in an environment like that and you've told her time and time again. I know you have."

"I know.." I murmur.

"She better not ever show her face around here. I'll give her a piece of my mind. Ignorant witch."

I hide my smile as I take a sip of the mimosa and look over to the Vegas strip. I'm about to comment on the view when Mavis chirps in again.
"Have you seen that lovely man again?"

There has only been one other man who has been around my apartment besides Joel in a long time and I know she means Zak. The thought of him brings a smile to my face.

"I have.. I have a confession. He's a client. Which means that he won't be coming around here in any capacity."

"Oh.."

"Rachel has reminded me of he company policy. It's forbidden to cross the line and become a little more than just a client. I can't lose my job over something that may or may not ever happen. I support Avery when things are rough. I can't let her down, especially with the twins." I tell Mavis making her frown.

"Well that is a shame. Can't you see him on the side, secretly?"

"I wish. It would be my luck that we get caught. No, Rachel made it clear that nothing can happen."

Mavis makes a disgruntled face before responding. "He has good arms, shoulders too."

I glance over to her as she looks at me innocently. "Uh huh. What else did you notice?"

"Nothing much... However when he put the gifts on your doorstep, I couldn't help notice what a fantastic ass he has too."

A laugh escapes my chest instantly as she grins back at me. "You wicked woman." I playfully scold.

"Yes I am. But I can I give you two bits of advice?"

"Sure, why not?" I reply. 

"Don't allow yourself to settle with a man like Joel. He is no good. You will do you best with someone who supports and grows with you. Not hold you back." She says honestly.

"I know. Joel isn't happening again Mavis. I got comfortable in living with his bullshit. Not anymore..."

"Good."

"And the second bit?" I ask reminding her of the two bits of advice she wanted to give.

"Oh, yes. Take life by the balls, Riley. Don't live in the guidelines, exploit them. When I go to my grave, I won't go with regrets. Can you say the same?"

I think about it for a few minutes before answering "No, I can't."

"Then it's time you change that."

"I've never broken any of the rules before." I laugh. 

"It feels good. Doesn't it?!"

My smile remains as I watch her smoke her joint, rocking her foot to the music playing from inside her apartment, wearing those cherry red shades. 

She really was the hippest elderly woman I've ever met and a complete badass rock star in my eyes.