Landlord's Daughter

Chapter 2

In my mansion of a house, it always feels like I can't get any peace. There's always maids and servants (yes, servants) running around, or the occasional client and businessmen. Even though my dad has an office building (more like an office skyscraper), the clients and businessmen that he really takes to are invited over to our house. On those days I'm told to dress my best, be polite, and make small talk with them over dinner before leaving quickly so they can go discuss things in peace.

Since I'm the only child, my dad can afford to spend all his excess money on me. There's a gym, I have my own dance studio and art studio, a huge garden, a pool, everything. My room has a private bathroom the size of Sam's room with a jacuzzi that can fit six. My room also has a balcony that looks out to the city, since my house is on a hill. I go to the art studio if I'm bored, the gym if I'm upset or angry, the dance studio when I'm feeling motivated, or the rooftop if I'm feeling lonely. Which is most of the time.

Being an only child with an overprotective dad, I hardly get to do the things the rest of my friends do. While my friends Matthew, Sam, Riley, and Jane go out to bars and other places, my dad is so strict on rules. I have a curfew (what the hell?) of 11, I'm not allowed to drink or go to bars, he won't let me meet with strangers, etc etc. He wouldn't even let me have a boyfriend until I was 18, thank god my birthday is in March, and my dad didn't even like my only boyfriend. Really long story that is painful to retell.

I don't even get to go out on my own without people bugging me. My chauffeur acts like my bodyguard at times, and seriously, I do have hands, I can drive myself. Damn overprotective dad. On most occasions that I want to go out, I shut the door of my studio and climb out the window. Only once had I actually gotten locked out when I shut the window accidentally. From then on, I always kept a thin block of wood on the windowsill. Today, same drill. Walk casually into my studio, shut the door, wade through the clutter on the floor (it looks like a hurricane had just came through, there's about a foot worth of stuff on the floor), grab messenger bag full of art supplies, get to window, open and climb out, shut, free!

Outside the studio window was the garden, and I stood up and straightened my skirt before sneaking over to the sidegate. The soft sound of grass brushing someone's legs opened my eyes and I quickly slipped out the gate, thankful that the gardener keeps the gates oiled.

I made my way around the mansion to my silver convertible, and the glare of the sun made me shield my eyes. Today's weather was great, so I left the top of my convertible down as I drove through the city playing some of my favorite music.

The familiar cute red awning displaying the name, "Little Coffee Shop" come into view as I pull up and park. I first found this shop on a day like this, where I snuck out and drove around town just going to new places to spend my time. Often, I would scope out a nice little coffee shop or restaurant where I can just draw in peace. Other times, I go looking around thrift stores or whatnot. I've just found myself coming back to the Little Coffee Shop because it makes the best snacks and the lady who owns the shop is really nice.

A bell chimes as I push open the door, and the scent of fresh brewed coffee and cookies overwhelms me. A petite lady with graying hair was cleaning the counter, and her soft brown eyes lit up when she saw me.

"Eve! You look lovely as usual! The latte and which this time--cookies or macaroon?" I looked down at the display case, a cupcake stand proudly showcasing five different macaron flavors, and standing next to it another cupcake stand, this time with different cookies fanned out. I'm not a big fan of sweets, but I'm always a sucker for chocolate and macaroons.

"I'll take a raspberry and passion fruit macaron this time Becky," I decided. Becky quickly opened the display case and picked out my macarons before putting them on a plate. I put the money on the counter and smiled at the petite lady.