Exploring the Apartment

Before either of us can say a word, Austin is pushing the button and the elevator doors slide shut. I glance at Erin and see the smile that had once crossed her perfectly made up face is gone, replaced by what I would almost call a sneer. 

“So… How long have you been working for Austin?” I say in an attempt to start a civil conversation with a woman who clearly dislikes me.

“For longer than you will be around. I was here before you and I will be here long after he tires of you.” she snaps back.

Okay I was not expecting that much hostility.

Before I can respond she continues “Here is your key card. Only you and Mr Aves will have access to the apartment. If you lose this I will not replace it. You will have to admit your mistake to Mr Aves.”

She hands me the keycard and then turns to wait for the elevator.

“I thought you were meant to help me get settled?” I ask, an eyebrow raised.

She looks me up and down before saying “A whore like you won’t be here long enough to need to be settled.”

Without another word she stalks into the elevator and the doors swish shut.

Wow! What is her problem? I think before examining the swipe card she gave me.

I walk over to the door and search for the swipe panel so I can get into the apartment. I fumble a little before swiping the card once I’ve found it. The door unlocks and I slowly open it, not knowing what to expect. My breath catches slightly as I take in the room I have just walked into. I climb the stairs into what can only be described as a loggia. To my left the large open plan showcases the fantastic view of the city through giant crystal clear windows. To my right the space is completely open to the elements. Upon closer inspection I notice an electrical panel with a touch screen. Briefly tapping the screen to wake it up I see that when the weather turns or the temperature drops there are doors set to automatically close in order to preserve the space. Huh, neat. I think while also wondering about the extravagance of it all. Before I get too caught up in the astounding views I go back to my exploration. Between the two sides there is a small hall and as I walk through I spy a private interior elevator. After checking through the floor to make sure I haven’t missed anything, I take the lift up to the next floor.

The lift door opens and the sight that greets me almost brings a tear to my eye. Directly in front of me is a stunning spiral staircase heading upwards towards yet another floor. My heels echo on the white stone floor as I make my way to the right. As I walk the floor to ceiling windows capture my eye and as I walk closer through the large room I am drawn by the glittering lights of the city below. This might all be worth it just for the view. I think. Looking around I notice exactly how large this room actually is. It spans the width of the entire building, and everything within it screams money. On one side of the room is a miniature grand piano, to the other is a fireplace not currently in use. In front of the fire are luxurious looking cream coloured sofas centred around a shiny glass coffee table. Retracing my steps back past the staircase I come across an elegant dining room filled with dark oak furniture. The contrast to the white stone floors is simple yet stunning and I find it hard to believe that all this belongs to the man I met. 

Going through the door to the right I walk into a state of the art kitchen complete with a steam oven and a fully integrated coffee machine. Sigh. A girl could get used to this. The white quartzite countertops look like they have never been used since being installed. Backtracking back past the dining room I come across what is obviously a spare bedroom. Heading back towards the stairs I notice a door I hadn’t seen earlier, opening it I find myself staring into a gigantic coat closet. My whole bathroom could fit inside this closet! I think before deciding to head upstairs.