The red-haired girl was lost for words for a moment. However, she soon asked again, “Do you need any help?”
Luke looked at the girl with great interest and thought for a moment. He then nodded his head. “As a matter of fact, I do.”
“What kind of help?” the girl asked again.
Luke said, “The hotel that I checked into is a bit expensive, so I’m hoping to find a place that’s less expensive but just as convenient.”
Mind whirling, the girl said, “Are you okay with an apartment?”
Luke was startled. “I’m only staying here for a week. Are you talking about an apartment hotel?”
The girl shook her head quickly. “Not exactly. The room next to mine was vacated recently. I know the landlord well. It won’t be a problem if you rent it for a week.”
Luke pondered for a moment and didn’t immediately give a reply.
Noticing the look on his face, the girl continued, “It won’t be too expensive. Also, it’s in the 17th arrondissement and in a nice area.”
Luke thought for a moment, then smiled. “Can you show me?”
Greatly relieved, the girl also smiled. “Alright, let me pack up my stuff.”
Luke watched the girl pack up her easel, but when she was about to pick it up, Luke did it with a smile. “Let me do it. I think I’m stronger than you.”
The girl hesitated for a moment, but didn’t refuse. She simply indicated a direction, and they went east.
They chatted on the way, and Luke learned the girl’s name: Elena Tatu.
She was a student at a private art college with a name that Luke didn’t quite catch.
Elena’s English wasn’t bad. She said that she might go to America to teach someday.
Luke found that odd. “Don’t you feel that Americans aren’t the arty type?”
Elena giggled. “That’s what a lot of people think, but I don’t think so. At least, it’s easier to make money in America than here – well, provided that I can get my diploma.”
Luke smiled. “I’m sorry, I know nothing about art. Even in America, I’m one of the most uneducated guys I know.”
Elena, however, looked at him curiously. “But you left a… unique impression on me that I can’t describe. When we look at Venus, we won’t think she’s not beautiful just because she doesn’t have a college degree, right?”
Luke hesitated for a moment before he said, “But… Venus is a woman, right?”
Taken aback, Elena laughed. “No, no, no. I’m talking about the feeling, the beauty of innocence.”
Luke secretly broke out in a sweat. He never expected that he would one day catch the eye of a French girl.
Elena wasn’t exactly pretty, but her looks were agreeable and she was slightly plump.
Hm, was it because she spent most of her time sitting and sketching instead of moving around? Luke observed her and wondered.
Ten minutes later, they reached a white, six-story building.
The building next to it was of a similar height, but it was red, with old but beautiful window frames and a mottled iron fence. It indeed looked more elegant than most buildings in America.
Elena opened a door and gestured for Luke to follow her, before she quickly closed it. “Remember to close the door as soon as you can. You should know that Paris is getting more and more dangerous. Tourists like you should be more careful.”
Luke simply smiled and didn’t say anything.
It remained to be seen who would be the more unlucky one if he did run into a robber.
Going up to the top floor, Elena walked over to a unit that was clearly an illegal wooden construction and opened the door. “Take a look around. This is the place.”
Luke checked the room and saw that it was small.
It was only a dozen square meters in size, but it got a lot of sunlight.
Hm, that was to be expected, since the entire room was basically right under the sun.
Thankfully, it was still January, so it wasn’t too hot.
The furniture was very simple, too: apart from a bed, a desk, two chairs, a closet and a cabinet, there wasn’t anything else.
Luke looked at Elena in confusion. “Where’s the bathroom?”
Elena, who was outside the door, pointed to one corner. “It’s over there. It’s a shared bathroom with that room over there. Well, that’s where I’m staying.” She was somewhat embarrassed.
Startled for a moment, Luke then smiled. “Just you?”
Elena’s face burned. “Yes, just me.”
Luke checked the bathroom, which had an interesting design. It separated the two illegally-constructed rooms, but both rooms had doors to access the shared bathroom.
Hm… had this place initially been designed for a couple?
Luke was somewhat surprised, but he didn’t let it show on his face. “What about the rent?”
Elena was glad that he asked. “If you’re going to stay for a week, how about 150 euros? No, no. A hundred euros will be fine.”
Luke said, “I can accept 150 euros. Where’s the landlord?”
Elena held out her hand with a smile. “Let me reintroduce myself. I’m the landlord’s daughter. So, you can stay here and wait for my dad to return.”
Luke was speechless. “I’m honored to know this other side of you, esteemed and beautiful Mademoiselle Tatu.” He too stretched out his hand.
They smiled at each other after shaking hands.
Luke said, “If that’s all, I’m thinking about getting something to eat. Do you want to join
me?”
Elena said, “Well, I just had breakfast… But I think I can have a cup of coffee.”
Luke nodded his head. “You must let me buy it for you for your help.”
Elena nodded her head happily. “Let’s go to the coffee shop on the street corner.”
Five minutes later, they sat down inside the coffee shop.
Yes, the coffee shop was very close by. It was less than twenty meters away from the apartment building.
The coffee shop was quite small, and only had two tables inside.
Luke couldn’t quite understand the menu. He simply asked Elena to help order for him.
While he had breakfast, Luke chatted with Elena.
He deliberately steered the topic toward things he was interested in, like places of unrest where criminals tended to gather.
Naturally, Luke couldn’t outright ask the questions, but he did get a lot of information thanks to his looks.
Elena had always lived in the 17th arrondissement, which was reasonably safe.