Lethal Affairs

I - Welcome to My World

"This is a private property!" a gruff voice jerked her up from sleep, "you cannot sleep here!" Ysabel turned to see the person that had dared disturb her sleep and clumsily fell to the floor.

Nothing was going as planned.

She had driven down to New York from Ohio, missed her way a billion times, gotten a flat on the highway, and had fallen asleep at the entrance to her new residence while waiting on the lazy Land lord to show his face.

"Are you Miss Pyralis?" her head snapped up quickly to the stranger at the mention of her name.

Damn... now he is hotter than fire! she thought foolishly.

She had expected her land lord to be a wrinkled old man, but the fine specimen standing before her was the complete opposite of her expectations.

Focus, she chided herself as she looked away to clear her mind.

"Are you Mr Lells? ... the land lord?" the stranger smiled softly at her, and she found herself beaming foolishly at him, "you sounded much older on the phone when I spoke with you."

"I am not Lells, I am Tyr." he said extending his hand in a greeting, "Lells could not make it. I am here on his behalf to give your keys and a copy of the documents." Ysabel shook his hand and just stared at him.

So fine...

She had been unsure about moving to New York, but perhaps this was the perfect place for her. She followed Tyr diligently as he took her up many floors and around the building.

"This is it." he said unenthusiastically opening the door.

For a few seconds she stood staring at the apartment, not sure how to react or if she should react at all.

It wasn't as pretty or as classy as it had seemed, actually it looked nothing like the pictures, but she couldn't back out of the deal anyway. She had no choice but to learn to like the little musty, ugly apartment, it would have to do as her home for the next few months.

"Home sweet home." she murmured dispassionately as she stepped in after Tyr.

A lot of things were at stake in New York, she could not afford to be displeased with it. Moving from Ohio to New York in pursuit of her dreams was a very bold move, and many would say foolish. She could not clearly state that she had made the right decision, but neither could she  remain in a place that promised a life of stagnation, and very little success.

Fresh out of college. 

Literally - she was fresh out of college. College is an expensive dream. For the next three months of summer she would be an apprentice at Vern. A top executive had taken an interest in her work, and hopefully, if she proved herself, she would be offered a permanent position.

The art industry's cut throat, and although she was positively interning at Vern, she would be keeping her eyes out for an opportunity at other companies. She had bills, student loans and debts to pay, she could not afford to be idle even for a moment.

"Do you like it?" Tyr asked.

Ysabel looked at the man. He was like a description from a smoldering romance book; tall, dark and very handsome, probably also very dangerous.

Joey had warned her to be careful, even giving her some self defense tips, claiming New-Yorkers are not to be trifled with. Although he had been displeased that she was dropping out of school and moving away for the summer break, he would not dare not support her. She was his child.

Aunt May had been the opposite. She had told her to find herself and try her luck, and if it did not work out, she could always return home.

Home would always be home, and if she changed her mind, she could return to school in the fall - and accumulate more debt.

Ysabel felt the chill of a stare and turned to find Tyr watching her carefully. She needed to stop her constant daydreaming, lest she find herself in trouble in New York. She cleared her throat loudly and forced a charming smile at him.

"Thank you for showing me around, I am quite pleased with it."

"Quite pleased." he muttered to himself, "if there is something that displeases you, tell me and I will inform Lells of it."

"There's no need for that." she replied.

Tyr watched her in silence, and she restrained herself from fidgeting under his gaze. It felt like he was trying to see into her soul. It made her uncomfortable, but before she could confront him concerning this, he spoke.

"Mr Lells will be seeing you tomorrow." he glanced at the fancy watch on his wrist, "If there is anything that displeases you, anything at all that you need, please inform him of this. Enjoy the rest of your day."

Without another word, Tyr strode out of the apartment. Ysabel could not tell why she stared at his retreating figure, but she continued watching regardless as he strode down the hall to the stairs, instead of the elevators and disappeared from her sight.

"You must be the new tenant." a voice piqued from behind her. Ysabel turned to look at the owner of the voice. It was a small Asian lady with a shock of blue hair.

"Yes." Ysabel answered, " I am the one, but perhaps not the only."

The woman giggled at her response, "Trust me," she said, "you are the one and only. We have not had a tenant in many months, and believe me it is not because of the lack of rooms."

"Why is that?" Ysabel asked, but held her door open for the lady to come in.

"Who knows? Just be grateful that you met the criteria to get an apartment here." she smiled as she entered the apartment. "I'm Jessie, my room is just two doors down."

"I'm Ysabel, with a Y, not an I." she replied.

"Ohhh.. So, Ysabel with the Y,  was staring down Tyr as he trotted down the hallway with his arrogance and pride."

Ysabel felt her eyes expand into saucers. "I was not staring him down." 

"Yes you were." Jessie smiled, "I saw you." 

Ysabel felt the weight of embarrassment come upon her.  "It is all right." Jessie soothed her, "We've all had our share of staring at that man."

"Is he also a tenant here?" 

"I wish." Jessie plopped down onto the bed in despair, "I heard he stays at a fancy place in Manhattan or something of that sort. He is a dear friend to the old man, that's why he sometimes happens to attend the little get-to-know-your-neighbor party - those are held monthly by the way. You must be very lucky to get Tyr to show you about your apartment."

"No, I am not lucky." Ysabel grinned, "Mr Lells was just sick."

"I've never seen Lells sick. Trust me it's luck." Jessie said seriously, her eyes twinkling with a secret that she could not tell anyone. "I am free for the day, if you want I could be a genie and help you with unpacking and all that jazz."

"Thanks. I will truly appreciate that." Ysabel decided that she liked the little lady. 

She had made her first friend in New York City. That in itself was an achievement, usually, many people stayed clear of her as if she had a disease, but perhaps New York was made for her.

New York here I am!