Flatmates

One in a million

          When Luke was looking for an apartment in London, he didn't really expect anything too fancy. Just a small place to stay for his last year of college. It's not like he could afford better anyway. So when he saw an advertisement for a really good looking flat in the centre, for such a small amount, he wasn't really believing it. It seemed like a cat fish. The only two pictures shown a modern, fully furnished, nice decorated apartment that should be way above his range of price. The ad didn't say much more. Just that the visits would only be the next week with the landlady, and that candidates were asked to bring all requested documents in a file with them. Even though it looked really too good to be true, Luke hasn't found a place yet and he was running out of time, so he'd better take every opportunity. He was already expecting it to be a fake ad, so what could happen anyways?

He took contact with the landlady by e-mail, and she gave him an appointment for the visit and interview three days later. Luke tried to look his best on this particular morning: all neat blond hair, fresh white button-up and light soap scent. He avoided to wear any of his piercing and covered the small tattoo he had on his left collarbone. Giving one last look at his reflection, he left his hotel room thinking he was just the good amount of formally dressed.

But when he walked through Belgravia distinct, he felt a bit under-dressed. Everything was claiming his belonging to a world of luxury, refined delight and 'haute couture'. The white smooth classical facades screamed their appurtenance to the royalty when Luke was just another boy without a crown. He almost gave up on the visit. He could not afford living in such a neighbourhood, the ad must be fake. But he also thought that it would be really rude of him not to show up at all. Yeah, he would just go apologise saying he was mistaken, either by a whole fake ad, or by a price lacking at least a zero.

He entered one those white majestic building, and was welcome by a concierge who look at him severely, his eyes were judging every bit of his being. The man, who eyed him scornfully, was somewhat fifty, according to the baldness of his skull and to Luke's estimations. His tanned skin and features tended to show he had some Indian origins. The young man tried stay collected under his sceptical examination.

"You're here to visit Mrs. Irwin's apartment, I suppose?" the man said with slight posh tone.

"Yes. I'm Luke Hemmings."

"Hu-hum", mutter the concierge, looking down at his desk. "And what time is your appointment?"

"10:30, sir."

The older man looked up at him, when he pronounced 'sir'. He sent Luke an intense and enigmatic glance, but quickly return his attention back to his task. Not looking at the young blond man, he said "It should not be too long before someone comes down for you. You can sit in the armchairs behind you if you want."

Luke did as told and sat down in a very comfortable club armchair, whose brown leather looked vintage but was undeniably qualitative. A nice collection of newspapers and magazines was on display on the coffee table in front of him. He took the time to inspect all of them before choosing on to eventually read. But before he could finish his task, a young woman, probably in her early twenties just like him, crossed the lobby walking at a determined pace. Her heels clicked loudly on the marble tiled floor. She didn't even acknowledge Luke or the concierge and pass the door with haughty and pissed expression plastered on her face. The young man raised his eyebrows at her disrespectful behaviour and send a questioning look to the concierge. But he seemed completely unconcern.

Luke couldn't question any further because another woman appeared in the lobby. She was a bit older, probably in her early thirties. She wore an aura of assurance and an elegant black skirt suit, very cinched at the waist, both very professional and really attractive. Her graceful traits evoked some feline figure to Luke. She sighed at the sight of the other girl leaving the building in a fury, then turned to Luke and give a polite smile.