Eyes So Blue I Drown

28| Knocking

ARABELLA

To say this apartment is everything is not a lie. It's in Milan, a place I could never usually afford, yet, here I am, walking around my small but amazing two-bedroom apartment.

When the agent first showed it to me, I thought for sure she was lying about the rent price. Who would willingly give a place like this up? And I know I'm going to have to work out how I can afford to find something else after my year is up. Living here is going to be like no other.

I remember when Otto and I were looking at apartments, we never even checked out anything this flashy because we knew we could never afford the price tag associated with renting such luxury. The agent said the owner wanted to do something nice for someone, like a pay it forward, but this is more than nice, and I am unsure why someone would do themselves out of so much money. But hey, I am not complaining, I get the privilege of living here, and that's a gigantic bonus.

When my uncle and aunt helped me move in with Gary they couldn't believe what they were seeing either. The views are spectacular. Every window has floor-to-ceiling views, looking out over the city, and at night the skyline lights up in the most amazing array of colors. The building is well-maintained, security part of the features, which is great because you can't get into the building without a key card.

The place even came with some furniture, which is a bonus, and it's all high-end beach-inspired and totally unaffordable. The best part is the gigantic television on the wall in the living room-I can't wait to sit on the sofa, curl up and watch some of my favorite shows.

The apartment has a large open-plan style kitchen, dining, living room area. The apartment is cool, classic, and sophisticated with its chic blues, off-whites, and paneled walls complementing the timber flooring. The lighting is soft and modern. The kitchen has an island bench, a dishwasher, and all the modern appliances you could ever need.

The bedrooms are off to the side, and each has its own en suite bathroom, which is decorated beautifully. Honestly, I can't wait to plop down on the gorgeous king-size bed, with its high sides and pillows everywhere.

The only problem I see is I will need to get a second job in order to save as much as possible, so when my time here is up, I can afford to stay on and continue to rent at the high price tag it would normally bring.

Gary helped me to move in, grunting as he went.

I didn't see Luca, and I'm thankful for that. They don't like him at all. I don't like him either. I think.

~~~

I haven't seen either Luca or Gary for over a week now. After Gary helped me move in, that was it. He doesn't follow me anymore, and when I go out, he isn't there, so all good.

No one is around now, it's just me.

My parents left to keep on traveling, and June moved in with a friend- didn't even know she had one of those. Took a while to get her out. She insisted when I first moved that she stay with me. I declined.

Grabbing my bag, I pull the strap up and head toward the door. I have two job interviews today, and I'm hoping and praying I get one of them. Both at prestigious extracurricular companies. They're for positions teaching martial arts and dance-jobs I'm praying I'll secure. Because that's what I love doing, and I don't doubt my skills at all.

When I pull the door open, Luca's standing there, fist raised ready to knock. He looks good, dressed as usual in his suit and a face of stone to match. Everything is business to this man. Typical.

"Luca." I say his name with a soft smile, not wanting to be rude. I shouldn't be seeing him, he's got his money, and that should be the last of our interactions.