Unwanted Heat

With that I’m left alone in this incredibly large, elegant apartment that I know I could never afford. Despite now being awake for more than 24 hours, I find myself full of energy and can’t help wanting to explore my new home, even if it’s only a temporary new home. I walk through the living room, wanting to head straight for the kitchen but I stop in front of patio doors that I discover open to a small but cozy patio complete with a two chairs and a small table. There isn’t much of a view, you kind of look across the street to another building but the thought of just being able to step outside for a few minutes without having to step around or over drunk/high people is perfect for me. I love the sound of the hustle and bustle of the city below me, yet the patio makes it seem like I’m far enough away from all of that.

Back inside, the kitchen is more impressive than I ever could have imagined. There is a full size gas range, a dishwasher, a small walk-in pantry and a full size fridge. The kitchen itself is easily as large as my last apartment. As Carter mentioned, the fridge and pantry are stocked with what you would expect to find in a kitchen: spices, flour, sugar, milk, eggs, cereal, snacks, fruit, vegetables, soda, beer and wine. I could not shop for a couple of weeks and not starve, but I’m actually eager to go food shopping -I can’t remember the last time I was able to cook an actual meal. Despite trying, I quickly discovered there are only so many things you can cook in a microwave or on a hot plate that end up tasting halfway decent.

Finally pulling myself away from the kitchen, I go down the hall to discover the office is set up for someone to be able to work completely from home. There’s a large desk with a printer, scanner and fax machine, a small filing cabinet and even a laptop which looks brand new. There’s a large closet in the room that has more office supplies in it.

Next to the office is the bedroom, which is even larger than the living room is. The bed must be a king size which seems ridiculous for one person, but I can’t help but throw myself on it, and I’m immediately engulfed by the thick blankets. I didn’t think my bed at the apartment was too bad, but after lying on this even for a few minutes I realize just how uncomfortable my other bed truly was.

Just off the bedroom is a large, empty walk in closet that I don’t think I could ever own enough clothes to fill. Next to the closet is a bathroom that would be every girl’s dream: there is a separate walk in shower, a large soaking tub with jets and a double vanity.

Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever dreamed of living in a place like this. I thought the house I moved into with him was impressive, but compared to this, that place was nothing. I can’t help but worry that at any moment I’m going to wake up and find out all of this was just a dream and that I’m still back at the crummy apartment building listening to my neighbors fight over who took the last pill.

Needing to put tonight behind me, I take a quick shower in my new bathroom, vowing to spend some time in the soaking tub tomorrow and change into a shirt to sleep in. Despite the energy burst, I fall asleep the moment my head hits the pillow.

Flashback

“You’re nothing! We open our house to you and this is how you repay us??? No wonder your mother didn’t want you! I bet she doesn’t even know who your father is!”

“I’m sorry…”

Slap

“Get out of here! Go to your room and don’t come out! I don’t want to look at you! I’ll be calling tomorrow; I need you out of here. You’re just like your mother… a fucking slut! I bet you were fucking him tonight weren’t you?” “No! I swear-” Slap!

“You will only be good for a fuck…no one will ever love you! Get out of my sight!”

End Flashback

Ring Ring

I wake up twisted in blankets, and covered in sweat to the sound of my cell phone ringing somewhere in the apartment. Glancing at the clock I realize I slept until almost noon; I can’t remember the last time I slept for so long. I quickly make my way to the living room and find my phone on the coffee table where I must have left it last night before I went to bed. I see I have a missed call from Bridget. I hit the send button to return her call.

“Kenzie, dear, how are you? Nicholas told me what happened at your apartment last night, are you okay?”Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“I’m fine, thank you, Bridget. I’m staying in one of PFS’s condos for now, Nicholas insisted-”

“He was right to, dear. The press loves the fact that Nicholas is being pictured with the same woman and will probably come after you even stronger now. I don’t know if you’ve had a chance to check, but your picture is already on several different websites-”

“What? Why?” I immediately panic that the press somehow found out about the break in last night.

“From the art exhibit you attended, dear. Pictures were apparently leaked of you two from inside the exhibit last night, plus you were pictured going into the exhibit.”

“Oh. I’ll have to check out the sites later today.”

“So far it seems mostly positive, although a few sites are placing bets on how much longer you will be by Nicholas’s side. You don’t need to worry about them though. Nicholas told me he was very satisfied with this arrangement so I think the press will be disappointed when you continue to be seen with him. He asked me to confirm the details of your date for

Saturday night if you have a few minutes to talk?”

“Of course.”

“He would like to pick you up at five on Saturday and take you to dinner. Seeing as you both live in the same building now, unless you object, he will pick you up at your apartment door.”

“No, that’s fine.”

“The date Saturday will be just the two of you-”

“Oh?”

“Mr. Parker thinks it’s important to be seen with you casually so as to not raise any suspicions that you might only be accompanying him to public events. Although there won’t be any press around you Saturday, it’s likely someone will recognize you and it will be reported to the media.”

“I suppose that makes sense.”

“Do you have any questions about Saturday, Kenzie?”

“No, I don’t think so.”

I spend the rest of the day lazily enjoying my temporary new home. I soak in the luxurious jetted tub and watch movies on the incredibly comfortable loveseat. The food that Nicholas’s housekeeper left me was amazing, just like he said it would be… you would never know that it was made previously and then frozen. I don’t know how I could ever thank Nicholas for everything he and Carter did for me last night; not only did he provide me with a place to live temporarily, he made sure everything was taken care of back at my apartment. I know I need to apologize for how I reacted about the background check and read what Carter sent me. It contained pretty much what I knew it would. I should have understood why someone in Nicholas’s position would need people to have background checks run on them; for all he knew, I could have been some gold digger after his money. I get it and still don’t like that it was done, but I should have reacted differently. I vow to apologize on Saturday night when I see him for our next date. The last thing I want is to seem ungrateful for everything he did last night.