Chapter Nine

Eliana Brown

~•~

William Caddel didn’t believe me when I said my injury wasn’t serious but by the next day, I wasn’t limping anymore.

Catherine felt pity for me when I told her what happened to me but was intrigued to find out that William had helped me again. He was practically a stranger yet I owed him so much already. I hated it.

Emily had shown me three apartments today already. They were very nice and I’d love to stay in them, but they were way out of my budget. I didn’t have a job. I couldn’t afford to stay in an expensive apartment.

When we stopped in front of another expensive apartment complex, I groaned. “I doubt this is in the range I told you, Emily.”

Emily wasn’t just an agent. She was also a friend. We weren’t very close but we knew a bit about each other’s lives.

Rent in New York was already crazily expensive. Even the smallest apartments cost more than a thousand and apartments like those barely had water inside except it was a shared house.

I wanted something I was going to be comfortable in in the next few years while I got my life together. I was starting from scratch as I had spent all my adult years with Harry before he fucked me over.

I would have had a lot more savings if I wasn’t providing for both myself and Harry. He didn’t have a source of income yet he was so good at squandering money. Ugh. I hated even thinking about him.

“This one is not as expensive as the previous ones, I promise.”

I scoffed. “It screams extravagance, Emily. I know I complained about the previous apartments being too small but you don’t have to be petty and show me places I can’t afford.”

Emily rolled her eyes, dragging me inside. “You’re so dramatic. It’s huge, yes.” She affirmed even if she didn’t need to say anything. I could see it. They had a doorman and even a lounge. In my previous apartment, no one gave a fuck about the tenants. “It has a pool in the backyard so you can easily mingle with your neighbors. Who knows? If you live here, you can snag a rich man for yourself.”

“That sounds nice, Em, but you’re forgetting the most important part.”

“What?”

“I can’t afford it.” I hadn’t even heard the price but I knew I wouldn’t be able to afford it. Even if I had a job, I wouldn’t be able to.

She rolled her eyes again. “I told you it’s cheaper than the other ones I showed you today. Each floor has four apartments, except the highest floor. It’s a penthouse.” She explained as she dragged me toward the elevator. “The doors are password protected.”

“Emily–“

“Shh.” She cut me off as the elevator took us upward. “The owner of this building is trying to give back to the community; luxury for less.”

I cocked my head at her. “How would they be able to earn from the building then?”

She shrugged. “From their pocket. They’re very rich so it doesn’t hurt their pocket. There are only three apartments left. Why don’t you just check it out to see if you like it?”

I bit down on my bottom lip. She had assured me the price was cheaper than I thought but that still didn’t mean it would be affordable for me. However, there was no harm in checking it out.

I nodded, but it wasn’t like I really had a choice anyway. She had already pulled me out of the elevator.

The hallway was very spacious and at the end, it led to a small balcony. I didn’t even have time to admire the place before Emily was already opening the door. When I stepped inside, I gasped. “It’s furnished?”

“I forgot to mention that, yes.”

“Wow.” Without waiting for her, I walked around the apartment. It was huge and there were two bedrooms. Both bedrooms came with their baths and there was another bathroom for visitors. The full house was furnished and it scared me. How much could it possibly cost even with the discount?

The kitchen was exquisite and I was already imagining what it would be like to cook in such a huge kitchen.

“How about the other two? Can I check them out?”

Before I could step aside, Emily stood in my way. “Uhhh, they all have the same blueprint. They’re basically the same. They have the same space and the same amount of natural light.”

“So what’s the price for the apartment?” I asked even if I was scared to know the answer.

“Don’t look so nervous.”

“Just tell me.”

“If you sign the lease, the first month is actually free, but the subsequent months cost twenty-five hundred.”

“Twenty-five hundred?” I echoed. It was a very generous deal for an already furnished apartment. Even if I rented a very cheap apartment, I would need to furnish it and furniture would be cost as hell, but this apartment was too good to be true. With the discount, I expected to hear at least five thousand. “Where are the cameras?”

Emily laughed.

“Why has no one told me about this deal prior to today?”

“It’s a relatively new building. Not many people know about it. I stumbled across this deal by luck.”

“Are you sure this isn’t a trap to lure people here and sell their body parts?”

“Are you taking it or not? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

I knew that, but it seemed like a shady deal. However, Emily was my friend and wouldn’t let me walk into a trap. She must have verified the place before she showed it to me.

I needed an apartment and this place had everything I wanted. I didn’t have to buy new stuff. All I had to do was move in. Maybe the universe was paying me back for the past shitty weeks. Who was I to say no to it?

“I’ll take it.”