Joker: A Fair Lady.

VII

Arthur and Grace walked along the busy sidewalk. The two smiled, talked about the moment in Pogo's and enjoyed the freshness of the night. For the first time Arthur felt pride throbbing in his chest, it was a fright so satisfying that he could not explain it. He watched the redhead at his side, hugging his arm, talking and laughing as she used to. Arthur's responses were to smile, demonstrating how happiness bathed over him and shone a different light. It was no longer opaque or dark, it was bright, and it was thanks to the support provided.

"Let's buy something for dinner. What about a pizza?" Grace gushed. He let out a slight laugh.

"Whatever you like."

"What do you like more? Pepperoni or ham?"

"Pepperoni doesn't sound bad," he said smilingly.

"Okay, Mr. Fleck, a pepperoni pizza will be."

They found an Italian restaurant, stocked dinner and went straight to Grace's house.

♣♦♥♠

Upon arriving in the neighborhood, Grace noticed a family car parked in front of her edifice. She stopped suddenly, Arthur get concern and looked at her strangely. The radical change in her face and the trembling of her body was a sign that made her uncomfortable.

"It's all right?"

She swallowed hard.

"I'm afraid not." Grace approached him, put her hand to his arm and looked at him with hazy eyes. "Richard is here." The strangeness transformed into a tense face; each muscle contracted with rage. "Let me see what he wants," she continued nervously, "I won't be long."

"I'll go with you," he released immediately, detonating firmly.

"I don't want to get you in trouble, Art ..."

"No," Arthur interrupted. "I will go with you," he insisted.

Grace looked at him in amazement, she nodded and they both entered the building. The elevator ride turned out to be eternal, however Grace noticed how serious Arthur was and that worried her too much. The doors opened, the two went out and she saw her ex-couple, sitting in front the door of her apartment. The woman armed herself with courage and approached at an accelerated pace.

"Richard!" She called. He looked up and discovered his girl next to a squalid and graceless man.

"Wow, wow," he released as he lifts. "So, it was true."

"What the hell do you want?" Grace asked furiously.

"I wanted to see, with my own eyes, the fact that you were already dating someone else," he said, glancing at Arthur.

"What's it to you if I'm dating someone or not? You and I are nothing anymore. I thought that was clear."

"Did you really change me for this guy?" He demanded, still looking at his companion. Arthur remained calm while he had the food in hand. "Come on Grace! What terrible tastes you have."

The redhead sighed fed up and turned to look at Arthur, who had averted his gaze a little.

"Get the fuck out here, Richard."

"I'm not leaving here, Grace. Not without first talking about your little friend."

Another sighed came, she turned around and approached Arthur to take him from his arm and get into her apartment. He watched the redhead curiously and turning Richard aside, took out her keys and opened the door.

"Grace!"

"Go to the hell!"

She opened the door made Arthur pass first and, about to enter, felt as he held her arm. She glanced at the rage Richard detonated.