Page 38 of Mike's Assistant

Henry rolled his eyes and looked back at Jake. “Mr. Bradford, may I have your phone number?”

“My phone number?” questioned Jake.

“Yes, sir. I’ll be able to send you a secure link. It will download your key and give you access to the elevator and residence. Of course, you’ll need to set up a pin for it to be usable. Additionally, I have a physical key if needed.”

Jake’s eyes widened. “Oh. Um, okay. My number’s 555-857-0987.”

Within moments, Jake’s phone dinged. “Please, go ahead and click the link. You’ll be able to register. Do you mind, for security’s sake, if I take photos of the boys and add them to our system?”

“Um… what?”

“I assure you. Our system is closed, and only our security team will have access. It’s simply a security precaution.”

Jake looked at me, and I gave him a smile. “It may be good to do, but it’s completely up to you. Also, if Henry’s not here, other staff will know you and the boys.”

Jake nodded. “Okay. I guess that’s fine.”

“Excellent,” Henry said, coming around the counter and crouching to Sam and Abel’s level. The boys instinctively stepped closer to Vanessa, and Abel tightened his hold on his stuffed animal.

“Hello, young sirs. My name is Henry, and I’m glad to meet you.” Henry pointed to Sam, “Samuel,” then pointed to Abel. “And Abel, correct?

Sam’s eyes widened, and he studied Henry momentarily before nodding. “I’m Sam. He’s Abel. Why do you talk funny?”

“Sam,” Jake scolded, but Henry laughed.

“I do speak funny, don’t I? It’s part of my job. Do you young gentlemen mind if I take your photo?”

Abel looked at Sam, and Sam looked at Abel before staring back at Henry. I could only imagine what they made of Henry. By their expressions, they thought he was nuts. Sam caught my eye while Jake was staring at his phone. I give him an encouraging nod. Finally, after what seemed like minutes but, in reality, was seconds, the boys agreed.

Henry quickly took the photos before returning to his computer. After a few more moments, Jake and the boys were cleared to head to Hayden’s apartment.

“Have a great rest of your evening,” Henry said after ushering us into the elevator.

“Thank you,” Jake said with a smile.

The door closed, and I turned to Jake. “Hold your phone to the panel.”

Jake did as instructed and instantly the panel lights came to life. “You’ll want to press the PH, and then you’ll need to confirm it on your phone with your pin,” I explained.

Jake nodded, pressed the button, and quickly confirmed it on his phone. The elevator immediately took off. Jake looked back at me and whispered, “PH? Does that stand for what I think it stands for?”

“Probably,” I whispered back.

“I don’t know if we can stay—”

“It’s fine, Jake. Trust me,” I interjected before he could finish his sentence.

His nervousness was palpable, and I wanted nothing more than to ease his concerns. The elevator dinged, signaling our arrival, and the doors slid open. I gently urged Jake onto the small landing. A lone, dark wood door stood ahead, with walls on either side painted a deep gray. “Just like before, hold your phone to the lock and authorize the access,” I instructed.

Jake complied, and upon entering his code, the locks clicked open. Taking a deep, audible breath, he hesitated for a moment at the threshold, which lasted only a moment longer before he took the plunge and stepped inside.

I watched the play of emotions on his face, reliving my own awe when I first witnessed the grandeur of this place. The grand crystal chandelier, casting an opulent glow on the polished marble below, always took the breath away. I glanced at Jake, catching the upward tilt of his head as he took it in.

To the right, the modern kitchen with its sleek lines beckoned, but I knew what had captured Jake's full attention. Those floor-to-ceiling windows. The vast expanse of the Gulf, a shimmering sheet of blue greens, and the distant form of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. It was a view that never ceased to astonish, no matter how many times you looked.

Jake seemed rooted to the spot; his gaze unwavering. "It's… it's unbelievable," he finally muttered.

I took a moment to appreciate the plush white sectional that dominated the living room. "Wait till you sink into that couch," I remarked, pointing towards it. "And just so you know, there's another equally cozy living area upstairs. Perfect for lazy evenings."

---