Juvie

two | "wait, is that code for an escorting service?"

Suddenly coming to her senses, she slapped the handsome strangers' hand away from her, "I asked you a question, who are you and what are you doing in MY home? You better have a good answer, otherwise..." She spoke in her most threatening voice.

"Otherwise?" He cocked his head to the side, a cheeky smirk still apparent on his face as he challenged her.

"Otherwise, I'll have to use this." She moved her hand away from her back and held the perfume in front of her as if it were a gun, her fingers positioned on the spray handle.

"Perfume? Really? That's how you'd protect yourself from a burglar?" He raised his eyebrows in mock surprise.

"Yes. And then I'd cut off your balls and feed them to you!" She yelled, her annoyance growing at his unfazed state.

"Ria sweetheart, is that you? Why are you shouting?" Nonni's voice emerged from the living room.

"Nonni, don't you worry. There's a thug in our kitchen, and I need you to remain calm and call the police right now." She spoke slowly in response to the still completely calm man who brought the cup in his hands up to his lips and took a small sip.

"This is some good tea, would you like to try some?" He asked Ria mockingly, moving his cups towards her lips.

"Ria, what are you talking about?" Nonni yelled back, "a thug? Oh! I see you've met Hunter. Oh yes, both of you come in here so I can introduce you to each other properly."

"What? Nonni, you're friends with the burglar?" She turned on her heel, throwing Hunter the dirtiest sideways glance before entering the living room, with him behind her, chuckling quietly.

"Nonni, you didn't tell me, your granddaughter was so...feisty," Hunter stated before licking his lips lightly to irritate Ria more.

"Shut up. Nonni, who is this and why the hell is he in our home?"

"This is Hunter Mace. Hunter meet Ria, my granddaughter. Ria meet Hunter, my friend. Before I found you, I had nobody so I joined the community befriending service and Hunter here was a volunteer there and he would visit me a few days a week." Nonni explained to her granddaughter.

"Befriending service...wait, is that code for an escorting service?" Ria gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as she glanced from Nonni to Hunter.

Hunters' eyes widened in response to the accusation, "no, no. I am not an escort. The befriending services just offer friendship and help to older citizens."

"Oh, thank god." Ria breathed out a sigh of relief.

"I wish," Nonni replied absent-mindedly, with no shame.

"Nonni, please," Ria replied, bringing her hand to her head in further annoyance whilst Hunter chuckled.

"What? I know a snack when I see one!" Nonni exclaimed, eyeing Hunter up and down.

Hunter howled with laughter in response to Nonni before taking on a more serious expression, "actually Nonni, things are a little...tight right now and I need a place to stay...just for a few nights. I was wondering if I could stay here?" He asked, "although if it's too much of a hassle, that's fine. I wouldn't want to cause any problems for you guys."

"No, no, it's no problem at all Hunter. Stay as long as you need." Nonni nodded.

"No, it is a problem actually. I don't want him staying, I don't know him." Ria retaliated, her hands crossed over her chest.

"Ria, why not? He's my friend, I've known him for years." Nonni explained slowly to her granddaughter.

"Honestly, it's fine." Hunter laughed awkwardly, moving towards the door.

"No. This is my home. And you can stay here." Nonni decided, giving Ria a clear 'I don't care what you think, this is my choice' look.

"Thanks, Non, I owe you big time." Hunter replied happily, "I'll just sleep down here on the sofa."

"My beds' more than available...for sharing." Nonni stated matter-of-factly.

"No, that's okay. A beautiful woman like you needs her beauty rest." Hunter laughed softly, "Whilst Ria here on the other side...I'm sure I can sleep in her bed if it's too uncomfortably down here."

"What?" Ria nearly screamed in surprise.

"Oh god, not with you in it of course. You'd be sleeping on the floor." Hunter explained before bursting into laughter, along with Nonni. Only one conversation with Ria and he recognised that she was too easy to wind up, too uptight and in desperate need of a laugh.

"Ugh. I'm already done with both of you." Ria rolled her eyes, before making her way upstairs to her bedroom whilst Nonni and Hunter remained laughing at her.