Page 29 of Enigma: The Complete Collection
I try to hide my smile, but my lips furl at his compliment, especially considering the fact it was the exact words he said to me months ago outside of the business class lounge.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “But I have to return to work.”
After all, I was only walking down this street to get the team’s early morning coffee.
Isaac curtly nods but remains quiet. Clara clasps her hands together as if she’s considering a plea. I awkwardly wave, spin on my heels, and cringe at my lack of elegance.
I don’t turn around, but I can feel Isaac’s heated gaze tracking me until I enter the bakery. Upon entering, I spot Harlow standing near a noticeboard in her bakery. Her head turns toward the door when she hears the bell chime.
“Are you still looking for an apartment?” She yanks down a flyer from the noticeboard.
Nodding, I bridge the gap between us. I’ve been seeking an apartment since I arrived in Ravenshoe. I just haven’t secured one yet. Most apartments in the area are either out of my price range or the moderately-priced ones have hundreds of applications, and mine is always denied.
“This place sounds ideal.” She thrusts a piece of paper into my hand—two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an underground garage, and a balcony all for twelve hundred dollars a month.
“What’s the catch?”
I’ve always believed if something is too good to be true, it is. This apartment seems too good to be true.
“Is it located in Ravenshoe’s equivalent of the Bronx?”
Harlow laughs boisterously and slaps my forearm. “There’s no Bronx area of Ravenshoe. Call and make an appointment,” she suggests. “Then crumple up the advertisement and throw it in the bin. That will stop anyone else applying.”
The advertisement does look newly printed, and none of the slips at the bottom have been torn off yet. Maybe if I’m quick enough, I could beat the other applicants.
I yank my cell phone out of my pocket and dial the number displayed.
“Because this apartment has just become available, the owner wishes to keep it on a month-to-month periodic lease,” the real estate agent advises, moving toward the glass double door that opens onto a beautiful balcony.
“Okay, that’s fine.”
A month-to-month basis suits my requirements perfectly. In my line of work, I can’t commit to anything permanently, not even a relationship.Well, that’s a somber thought.
“All appliances are supplied with the apartment, and you’ll have access to a laundry downstairs.”
I nod, acknowledging I’ve heard her as I wander around the apartment. The living area is large and would comfortably fit two double sofas. The kitchen is compact but is adeptly equipped with a range of high-end stainless-steel appliances.
All the rooms have ample natural light, and the master suite has a walk-in closet, but the one thing that stops me in my tracks and makes my heart flutter is the clawfoot bathtub in the main bathroom. I could imagine spending hours soaking in there after a long day at work or dancing.
“Will you require an application package?” the real estate agent queries.
“And that’s the very last box.” Harlow plops onto my red suede sofa while blowing her hair out of her eyes.
We’ve spent the majority of our morning moving into my new apartment. Because I was miraculously the sole applicant, my application was approved the next day. After paying a deposit and one month rent in advance, I picked up the keys the following morning, but with Alex’s stringent work regime, I’ve only moved in now, three weeks later.
“Can you smell that?” Harlow eyes me curiously while taking in a large whiff through her nose. “That’s the smell of freedom!”
I giggle at her comment, even though she’s accurate. I love Regina. She’s like the mother I never had, but no self-respecting twenty-five-year-old likes living with their mother. Although I rarely have the opportunity to go out on dates, it’s nice to know I can invite private companions to my residence if I want to.Why was Isaac’s face the first one to pop into my head during that thought?
Harlow returns my head from the clouds. “Speaking of freedom, did you get your hard-ass boss to give you the long weekend off?”
“Yes.”
It was as painful as pulling teeth, but after groveling, begging, and pleading, Alex let me have the long weekend off on the condition I work the next four weekends in a row.
“Where are we going again?”
Harlow has nagged me the past three weeks to get the weekend off, but whenever I ask her where we’re going, she only responds with, “It’s a secret.”
