ʙᴇʜɪɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴜʀᴛᴀɪɴꜱ| ateez

✭𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍✭

✭𝐖𝐎𝐎𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐆✭

Later that evening, the world seemed to sway gently around me as I strolled back from therapy, taking a detour for a solitary coffee by the river. The soft melodies streaming through my earbuds complemented the gentle caress of the evening breeze, creating a calm and introspective ambiance. I let my thoughts meander, reflecting on the session and the words exchanged between San and me earlier in the day.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, a sudden intrusion into my tranquil reverie. Pulling it out, I saw a message from my mom. "Come to this address; we want to show you something," the message read, accompanied by a location pin.

Curiosity piqued, I hailed a cab, relaying the address to the driver. My mind raced with possibilities as the city lights blurred past the window. My parents had always been supportive, especially after everything that happened, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement mixing with my curiosity.

The towering apartment buildings were a stark contrast to the modest ones I had seen earlier in the day. Every structure in this neighborhood screamed affluence, from the perfectly manicured gardens to the sleek facades. The streets were quieter here, the hush punctuated only by the distant hum of luxury cars and the rustling of trees.

Checking the address one more time on my phone, I confirmed I was at the right place. But what was I doing here? My apartment hunt had been focused on cozier, more budget-friendly options. This place felt out of my league.

Before I could delve deeper into my thoughts, the large wooden door of the building slowly opened, revealing a grand, dimly lit lobby. The subtle scent of sandalwood wafted through the air, and the echo of footsteps on polished marble floors reached my ears.

A familiar voice called out, breaking the silence. "There you are!"

I looked up to find my mother emerging from the lobby, her face lit up with excitement. Behind her was my father, a playful smirk on his face, clearly in on whatever surprise awaited me.

"Mom? Dad?" I blurted out, a mix of confusion and curiosity evident in my voice. "Why am I here?"

My mother approached, her arm slipping through mine, leading me inside. "Patience, dear," she said, her voice brimming with mischief. "We thought you might like to see a place here. It's not every day you go apartment hunting, after all."

I raised an eyebrow, more questions forming. "But this place... It's..."

She chuckled, cutting me off. "We'll explain everything. But first, the grand tour."

As we ventured further into the building, I couldn't help but wonder what they had in store for me. Whatever it was, this evening had taken a turn I hadn't expected, and I was eager to discover what lay ahead.

As we delved deeper into the building, the opulence only seemed to grow. High ceilings adorned with intricate chandeliers, walls embellished with tasteful art, and plush carpets underfoot created an ambiance of luxury that was almost overwhelming. My parents led the way, guiding me down a beautifully lit hallway that opened up to a series of doors.

"We wanted you to have the best," my father began, his voice filled with a mix of pride and anticipation. "We know you've been through a lot lately, and while an apartment isn't a solution to everything, it's a start."