Behind the Shower Curtains (Revised)

Static

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING

Clary

"It's just a couple of days, you'll be back before you know it," My mother said as I looked out the car window. It was full of red lights from all the cars that were cluttered around the street. We were stuck in Manhattan traffic trying to get to my father's home. Before the incident, the gorgeous penthouse used to be our home. It was the first thing my father bought when he inherited Morgenstern Inc. the parent company to some of the most successful and influential fashion companies in the world.

After the divorce, I'd usually just walk to the penthouse from school, but ever since my father married Megan, the 28 year old 'high society influencer', as she likes to be referred to, I've refused to go back. She makes living there insufferable and painful.

My father has tried to get me a chauffeur, but I usually just avoid them or out run them. My mother had tried to walk me to the penthouse, but I make too much of a scene. So now, she just drags me into the car and makes sure I actually walk into the lobby before she leaves. After a month of struggling and getting into some nasty fights with her, I tried to explain to her that I would genuinely just start walking on my own, but by then she didn't buy it.

"I just don't understand why I have to go...It's not like he even pays attention to me, I'm just stuck in a room all day doing nothing, until I have to go have dinner with Megan while she scrolls on her phone." I huff at her, rolling my eyes as I say her name.

"Clary, please don't start this again" My mom said in a whiny and very frustrated tone, she sounded like she was at a breaking point, so I decided not to push further, she gets like that sometimes, especially when Megan is brought up. Finally, my mom pulls over right in front of the Alicante Park Building. It was a tall victorian style building with plenty of glass to make it glow in golden hour. I get out of the car and slam the door without saying good bye to my mom. I knew I couldn't muster up the right tone, and I didn't want her to get more upset than she already was. The incident had made things so fragile, not just between my mother and I, but between all of us. Thinking of how much my family has changed since just last year brings tears to my eyes.

The door to the building was framed in gold with a nicely kept black rug leading up to it. I opened the door and walked into the lobby. The floor was made of a beige marble, with black marble interruptions to create a swirly design. To my right was a bar where the doorman worked, It was high, thick, and made of the same black marble as the designs on the floor, with a golden frame to contain it. Henry stood behind the bar, smiling at me.

"Hello Miss Clarissa, Welcome back." He said with his signature doorman smile. Henry is in his mid twenties, and currently studying for his masters in business, which makes your head hurt when taking into account how long his shifts as a doorman are.

"Hey Henry, how've you been?" I asked as I leaned on the bar. Henry was the best part of my visits. I would get weekly updates on how his MBA program is going, and maybe, if I was lucky, I would get some gossip on Megan.

"I've been great, my break is almost over, so I will be back in school soon, but... Mr.Quinn on the 12th floor said he may have a job offer for once I graduate, and let me just say, the pay is pretty good" He says in a low voice. I felt my face light up.

"What! Henry that's awesome!! Wow, I feel like you just got here, can't believe you're already leaving us!" I exclaimed, lightly punching his arm.

"Yes, well, Let me graduate first, but things are definitely looking up, pretty soon I might actually be able to have my own apartment in the city!" He glowed at the thought. Suddenly, Gertrude comes out of the office. She was a leasing agent, and therefore, Henry's boss. Because Alicante is one of the most expensive penthouses in Manhattan, gossiping with residents isn't exactly allowed. So, Henry immediately straightened up and hit the security button on his side of the bar.