Just Watch Me

Tarrin had purchased the apartments at the suggestion of his friend Linux, who claimed it was a good strategical move, now that Tarrin was back at his estate.

Tarrin needed the apartments because the land they were located on backed up to his estate, and he could keep his personal life that much more secure having control of the area around.

“It’s business, if you refuse to sign the new lease, and provide the 8%, then I suggest you start looking for a new place to live.” He didn’t want to be the bad guy, but he had no choice. Being a softy has only ever landed him in regret.

Tarrin eyed her, waiting for her response. The smell of cleaner tickled his throat, and he assumed from her appearance, she must have recently cleaned apartment. Suddenly finding her diligence attractive, he quickly pushed the thought aside.

Hearing the finality in Tarrin’s voice pushed Josey’s desperation further. Looking at him, trying not to lose her temper even more and cry pitifully, Josey took a deep breath.

“2 months then. Give me 2 months, I can pay half of it now, today. I will even pay interest on it if you can give me two months. I have a younger sister, I cannot let her end up homeless on the street, please!” Mentioning Emily, the tears broke through and streamed down her face.

Just then a light quick sound of a wooden flute filled the air. Josey pulled out her phone from her oversized hoodie and noticed she had a message.

“Congratulations, Josephine Park, we are excited to inform you that you have been selected to report for employment at Terrace Pharmaceuticals on...” Jumping suddenly from her seat, Josey screamed in pure joy. She managed to get the job. All her worries fled from her as excitement took over.

She noticed Tarrin staring at her, taken aback, unaware she was about to turn things around. Calming herself, she set her phone down as she walked around the table. With his eyes just watching her as she came up next to him, he had turned in his seat and she stopped short of hitting his knee.

Leaning towards him to grab his pen with one hand and the papers with the other she could only hear the beating of her heart.

“I will sign the lease agreement, and I will have YOUR 8% within the 30 days, Mr. Stormway.” Josey said sweetly as she signed the agreement and handed him the pen.

“Yoo hoo, Mr. Stormway ?” He wasn’t responding.

He was just staring at her as she tapped the table with the pen to get his attention. She had come close enough he could smell her scent through the cleaner. She smelt so good. Warm and inviting. Something inside her called to him.

Rolling back away from her, abruptly, in the chair, Tarrin suddenly stood. He subconsciously straightened himself, feeling uncomfortable.

Trying to keep his distance, he stretched his arm out and took the pen from Josey. He quickly signed next to her name and ripped the carbon copy off. Setting the copy on the table between them, he turned to grab his jacket and put the form in the tenant folder.

“Remember, 30 days. You will need to pay at the front desk.” Quickly telling her this, he headed for the door.

“See you at work, Mr. Stormway!” Her cheerful voice rang in his head, but he was in too much of a hurry to really grasp the meaning of her words as he went out the door.

After dancing in a small circle, Josey grabbed the papers off the table with a huge smile and stuffed them back in the envelope. She wanted to hurry home to cook a big dinner for Emily and surprise her with the good news.

“How’d it go dear?” Agatha asked, a little concerned after having heard several different shouts coming through the wall.

“He didn’t bully you, did he?” She prodded further.

“Yes, and no, but it doesn’t matter. Guess what?” Josey responded as she closed the door to the office room.

“What?” the old lady asked smiling at Josey’s bubbly tone.

“I got the job!” With a loud happy whisper, Josey relayed the news to Agatha.

“You did?! Oh, that’s wonderful dear! Your sister will be happy as well!” Agatha beamed in response as Josey nodded and headed out the door, throwing the old lady a wave.

Practically skipping back to the apartment, there was nothing, at this moment, that could take the good news away. Josey pulled out her phone to text Cece and Jared, promising them dinner and drinks with her first paycheck.

The confirmation text said she was to report Monday, at 8:30 am, wearing business-casual attire. Also, she was to bring all the necessary documents to HR. It was Friday so she had plenty of time to hunt down her birth certificate and get a deposit form from the bank in the morning.

“Hey!” Josey said as she answered her phone when Jared called her.

“I assume congrats are in order?” His smooth voice asked.

“Yes, thank you so, so much! I was for sure I wouldn’t get the job. I still don’t know how I managed it, but that doesn’t matter now, what matters is I am going to officially be an office worker!” Josey responded, practically gushing with excitement.

“Well, it’s just the first step Josey doll, you will be contracted for a year, right? Make sure you do your best to get hired on permanently. Do you know which department you’ll be working in yet?” Jared asked casually.

“Oh, the message didn’t say. I guess I’ll find out when I go to HR on Monday, right? I don’t care which department it is. As long as I try my best, I’ll be able to save towards Em’s tuition next year regardless. I will give them my best ‘Go, go Josey!’ attitude and become permanent in not time!” Fist pumping the air as she answered Jared, Josey quickly shielded her face from embarrassment as she received a few looks from people passing her on the sidewalk.

“Ha ha, yes, might I suggest you ask them to place you in their product development department. It has several subcategories other than just pharmaceuticals. Like beauty products, skin care, etcetera. I heard they’re always needing help. Anyway, I have to jet, busy, busy.” Jared hung up the phone in Josey’s ear.

Shaking her head at Jared’s sudden cutoff, Josey shrugged it off. She was already at the apartment anyway and she still had lots to do.

Watching her enter the apartment, Tarrin signaled for Mara to take him home.

He knew it was out of character, but leaving the apartment office, he felt the need to keep an eye on her. Having Mara follow Josey with the car proved his initial thought. Josey was a clueless idiot. Seeing her jump and bound around on the sidewalk, oblivious to people staring at her, just confirmed it more. She definitely wasn’t a Hunter, and if she was, they had sent a real good one this time.

“Do you think it’s her?” Mara asked as they slowly drove away the moment lights were shining from inside the apartment.

“I’m not so sure. She agreed to the 8%, so there has to be someone backing her, otherwise, with what I’ve learned, she can’t possibly afford it. Most of the tenants refused to sign, except two, but they are older and have history with the apartments. I waved the 8% with them once I was certain they were no threat.” Tarrin responded as he pulled out his laptop from the back of the seat.

Mara, Tarrin’s bodyguard, nodded at his response and continued to drive in silence back to Tarrin’s estate.

On the laptop, Tarrin pulled up the video feed from the security cameras he had placed around the apartments as soon as the complex was signed over to him. 

One camera was luckily pointed straight towards Josey’s apartment door, catching the side of the adjacent doors. He had full view of her coming and going, though he really couldn’t possibly see her as some assassin sent in disguise to kill him.