Circumstantial

Chapter 4

I killed enough time restocking the shelves at the store, then picked up a burger on my way back from the supermarket. It wasn't as bad getting home early knowing that Kate would be coming home tomorrow. After taking a cool shower and getting dressed into casual attire I felt strange. It wasn't like I was going out on a date or anything, but somehow I caught myself checking my reflection out in the hallway mirror as I headed to the garage. I thought about changing my navy T-shirt for a shirt, then shook my head in disbelief. No way was I gonna hope for anything beyond fixing the conceited snob's geyser. I steeled my rationale, then picked up my toolbox and headed to the car.

It's six fifty-three and I'm standing outside her apartment building. It's a posh looking place with Victorian style windows and a doorman at the front door. She said she'd be free at seven, so I'd give her another few minutes before heading up.
I scout the neighborhood and notice that it's quite a convenient area to live in. There's a café up ahead, a garage with a convenience store, and a few more upper class apartments.
I once again look up at her fourth floor apartment window and then check my watch. A figure approaches me and I look up.

"Can I help you, Sir?" A security guard asks.

Apparently, we aren't supposed to loiter around areas like this. Rich people were shit scared. Me, standing there, staring at their windows with a suspicious looking toolbox in my hand. Definitely a red flag. Probably afraid I was up to some stalker, serial rapist, suicide bomber kinda crap.

"I'm here to see Ms Bennett, fourth floor." I hand him Sarah's business card. At this point I'm half tempted to ask if she's an undercover operative or under the witness protection program.

He nods and gestures to the front door. "This way, Sir."

"Good evening," the doorman holds the door open and greets me politely.

"Thanks, man." I smile, feeling like a VIP. It was no wonder that Sarah had a superiority complex. She was living the high life. Man, if I lived here, I'd feel better than everyone else too. I head to the elevator and hit the fourth floor button.

As I walk down the hallway, my sneakers squeak on the polished marble tiles. I press the doorbell. Her front door is a light shade of pink, which forces me to smile, and before I can hide it, the door swings open.

"Hi,"

"Hey," we both greet in unison.

She seems flustered and her eyes are wide, as if she wasn't expecting me and I caught her at the wrong time. Her dark hair is open, cascading over her shoulders and ending at her waist. It softens her features, accentuating her curves. She stares up at me for a moment, towering over her small frame.

I clear my throat, feeling awkward for all the wrong reasons.

"I told you to call me to schedule," she says softly. Her expression is filled with panic.

Say what now? I frown. "I thought we agreed I'd come at sev-"

"Oh, just forget it! I have unexpected guests, so just go do your thing and don't make eye contact!" She hisses, ushering me inside.

What in the name of psycho is up with this woman?! I hear some chattering and a woman's laughter in the distance before she shoves me down the hallway to the power box.

"There. Now, do you have everything you need or will you come disturb me for something while I'm busy entertaining my guests?" She asks obnoxiously.

Entertain? The image of her body draped around a pole in just her underwear floats through my mind.

"I'm good," I mutter, placing my toolbox on the ground. She's literally making me feel like she's doing me a favor.

"And what does that mean?" She raises her eyebrows and crosses her arms over her chest as if I'm back chatting.