Fragile Memories

Chapter Two

When I took a step out of the taxi, it felt like I was entering a new whole world. A new life that I wasn't sure was a good thing or not.

There was only one way to find out. Face it and get it over with.

Sweet coated my palm and I discreetly wiped it away on the hem of my skinny jeans. I heard Ms. Bowman wishing me luck behind me and informing me she would be back soon but I barely heard her. The taxi drove off, leaving me standing on the sidewalk alone with my suitcase.

I stood before the building. It was so tall that I had to tilt my head back completely to meet the end of it. I had been told that it was the tallest building in the crowded city and I agreed. The Baldelli family had built it three generations ago. I was told that the building was for the company itself but the entire two floors at the top of the building were a penthouse for the Baldellis. I still couldn't believe that I had walked past it countless times, not having a clue that I was actually walking past my family.

On my left side, there was yellow police tape around a space. There was a hole in a glass window from the highest floor. My heart beat faster as I realized it was the shape of a man

On the news, the street was filled with the media and people with morbid curiosity all day and night. But that was days ago and it was now empty with few local tourists walking by. It seemed like they either lost interest or were kicked out. Though I noticed some couple whispering to each other and pointing at the cracked window.

"Miss. June, Mr. Baldelli welcomes you. I'm Sam, at your service." A dark-haired and well-built man in a doorman uniform with his arms clasped behind his back spoke to me, his voice polite. He snapped me back to reality and I paid more attention to my surroundings. He stood in front of the door of the luxury building. "May I take your suitcase?"

"Sorry, I was daydreaming," I said sheepishly. He silently requested me to give him my suitcase with a hand in the air. I lifted my old, small dark purple suitcase to him and he took it. "Thank you so much."

Relief crossed his eyes, his shoulders relaxed and he returned my smile. He also let out a discreet sigh, or rather, he thought it was discreet. I pretended to not notice. He told me to follow so I did.

I made a note that my eldest brother probably held high exceptions if a simple courtesy gave Sam this much relief. He would not be disappointed as I knew I probably hold myself to higher exceptions than him.

Asher Baldelli was a very busy man. I doubted that he would have the time to talk with a teenage sister that was a lot younger than him. I would not burden him. To be honest, I didn't know if I wanted to talk to him either. Or anyone, for that matter.

Sam took me to the elevator where another doorman waited for me. The other doorman was an old man with a bored expression this time. He took the suitcase from Sam and motioned for me to enter the elevator. He was quiet and didn't dare to strike up any conversation. He seemed to be stiff. I tried to talk once or twice politely to ease the tense atmosphere but all I got were dry answers. I decided to take the hint and kept quiet.

When the elevator stopped at the top floor, the gold doors finally opened to reveal a huge loft and I stepped into the penthouse. The first thing that caught my eye was the glass walls, showing the best views of New York City. The large leather couches were bent in a circle in the middle of the loft. The TV screen was huge. The ceiling was very high, ten times my height. There was a white marble stair that twirled around upstairs. All of the design was modern, mostly of white and black color. I felt like I'd just stepped into another world all over again.

"June." A warm voice greeted me from my side.

I turned to see a tall, muscular man in a tan turtleneck walking out of a hallway with a smile that flashed his pearly white teeth. Tanned skin, brown curly short hair, a strong Roman nose, his chin dimple was very visible and a brown honey color dripped from his eyes. We looked nothing similar, save for our eyes and hair color.