In the car, Connor quickly tried to make his way over to Eliza's building. William was so adamant about it, Connor felt like a gun was being held to his head. Bunny sat beside William in the front seat, next to the window.

As commotion caused the men in the front to shout at each other and the traffic in their way, Jack sat quietly in the back. He was still in a daze from that girl back at the whorehouse. He never imagined his first girl would be a prostitute. He wondered if he'd ever see her again, and if so, would he have to pay? She seemed to really enjoy it. He thinks she even orgasmed. She definitely wouldn't charge him the next time around.

"Finally." William said as the car came to a halt. The men all jumped out as William began making his way toward the building.

"Be careful walking around like that. You never know who wants your head." Bunny said. "That's why we're here. To protect you."

"Right now, Eliza needs the protecting." William answered without ever looking back. He quickly made his way up the flights of stairs in Eliza's building. Despite it being in the early morning, he banged hard on the door.

Inside the apartment, Eliza laid in her bed with tears down her cheeks. She could hear the banging on the door, and she knew it was William. But she'd already promised herself she wouldn't allow him to once again come into her life. He was only causing her harm.

The banging wouldn't stop. In fact, it intensified as he called her name. "Eliza!" Bang. Bang. Bang. "Eliza!" Bang. Bang. Bang. "Come on, 'Liza! Let me in!"

She allowed herself to curl into a deeper fetal position.

"Eliza, if you don't let me in I'm gonna come in myself!" He shouted. "Eliza—"

His words quickly stopped as Eliza swiftly opened the door. Her dark brown eyes were reddened with tears. Her mouth was turned down in a frown. She held her robe shut, concealing her body. Most of all, she looked scared. And that was the last thing William wanted.

"Did he hurt you?" William asked.

"Who?" Eliza played it coy. She hoped that William would just leave it be, but of course, that wasn't on his agenda.

"What did he do to you?" He asked once more, in a firm voice. Almost like one would use when talking to a child. He viewed her as someone to be protected and preserved.

"I don't want you coming here anymore." Eliza told him.

"What did he do!?" William's voice became louder. To William, Eliza didn't deserve to be exposed to that part of his life. It was a paradox, he expected his street clout would tend to Eliza all while keeping her away from it.

"I don't know what you're—" Eliza's words were quickly cut off by William grabbing her by the arm. His strong grip caused her robe to slip down, revealing a bruise on her arm. Eliza began to shake as William lifted his fingers, softly brushing the tender skin. She squeezed her eyes shut as she began to sob.

She was naked. Exposed. There was nothing left to hide. She melted into him, her arms lazily making their way around his neck. Her face nuzzled into his chest, her tears percolating his vest. She knew that no matter how hard she tried, she wouldn't find anyone like William. At night, she'd pray to God and ask why him? Why someone white, and someone involved in such sin? And why someone who was so addictive, she could've get herself away from him?

From around the corner in the hallway on the steps, Jack, Connor and Bunny stood there overhearing everything. Their backs rested against the wall as one of their feet stood a step up from the others. Connor and Jack stood with their heads bowed, holding back tears themselves. They believed the worse happened to Eliza, and they wouldn't dare ask any questions about it in the future. Bunny wiped his brow, questioning why it had to come to this.

It practically took hours to convince William that all Ernie did was threaten her. Once he was able to calm down, they both laid in the bed. William laid with Eliza's back to his stomach, their knees bent in synchronicity. Once Eliza fell asleep, he left a kiss on her shoulder before slipping out of bed. He was only in his boxer shorts.

He paced her apartment, thinking about what he'd done to cause this mess. He questioned if gaining power was worth it. And he wondered if he should continue on his quest to rise. He figured returning home was always an option, but for that he'd lose the one thing he fought the hardest for: freedom.

He stood by the window in Eliza's kitchen, and looked out into the street. His strong hand gripped onto the frame of the window as he leaned to one side. He could see that Connor and Bunny moved to the car to watch the sidewalk. After using his bicep to wipe his face, he looked over his shoulder at Eliza. She continued to sleep.

He crept over and stared at her. Then slightly removed the bedsheets from her lower half. After pulling her silk undershorts to the side, it was his final way of checking her. Then slowly he covered her back up, leaving a kiss on her forehead.

Eliza opened her eyes slowly as she laid in bed. Her fluffy hair was rid of the pomade from the night before. She looked up at the ceiling, and looked at the starry shapes that swirled in her vision. After a yawn she reached beside her, and of course, William was absent. Once again, he'd left her without warning.

She crept out of bed, threw on her robe and put on the kettle. After a calming cup of tea, she began to prepare for work. She looked around her apartment, trying to be certain that William left. In a stroke of luck, maybe he'd pop back in again. Maybe he had only left for a moment. But it got to the point where she could no longer wait, she would be tardy to her job. Once walking to the front door, she realized someone slipped a note into her apartment.

It seems as though there has been complaints in regards to your apartment. If the commotion continues, I will have to ask your leaving of this building.

—Your Landlord

At work, Miss Marion was her usual self. She sat on the couch and didn't do much of anything. Sometimes Eliza questioned if her mind was leaving. But the old lady looked to Eliza, and in a rare occurrence, actually acknowledged her.

"Eliza." Miss Marion said. Eliza looked to Miss Marion, stopping her work for a moment. "Come closer, dear."

Eliza obliged.

The old lady took a good look at Eliza. The way she stood with her hands folded in front of her, how her makeup was less significant as it usually was, slight the redness in her eyes. She knew something was off. "You seem to be rather down today, has something happened?"

"No, Miss Marion. I guess I'm a little tired, that's all." Eliza answered.

"Are you absolutely sure?" Miss Marion asked. Eliza nodded, standing there without much movement. Inside she tried to hold back her sorrow, hoping to maintain a professional exterior. After a moment of silence, Eliza continued on with her work.

And as she did so, Miss Marion continued wondering what happened.