Chapter Nine
I had to be in a dream. The condo—my new home—was simply stunning. It was a four thousand square-foot urbanized wonderland filled with expensive and stylish furniture, marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and a view to the city that took my breath away. The best part was the brilliant D-274 Steinway piano sitting at the centre of the living room.
I felt like a queen sitting high on her throne above the clouds.
“I’m absolutely speechless,” I gasped. “This is seriously all mine?”
“Yes,” Abraham replied.
“What about yearly taxes on this thing? I can’t afford it you know.”
“All the maintenance and condo fees will be taken care of,” Abraham said.
“Until the end of time?”
“Yes, until the sky falls and the earth swallow s us whole.”
“Wow.”
I rushed to the piano like an excited schoolgirl on Christmas morning. The sounds from it were majestic, echoing throughout the penthouse suite, creating a full, rich sound.
“We had some of the city’s top acoustic engineers in to calculate the optimal spot for this piano,” Abraham said.
“You’re kidding, right?” I asked.
“It’s true. Shadow wanted everything absolutely perfect for you.”
I raised a brow. “You know, Shadow is spending quite a bit of money on a girl he plans on dumping in a couple of weeks.”
“What can I say? He’s a gentleman about it, as long as you don’t break his heart.”
“Like that’s going to happen,” I snickered as I rose from the piano and examined the few books I owned neatly lined up on the bookshelf. “He doesn’t even want a relationship.” There was a brief silence. “So you guys moved all my stuff?” I asked, changing the subject of conversation.
“Yes,” Abraham said. “It’s all here.”
“You moved my underwear as well?” I asked, feeling embarrassed that they may have seen a couple of pairs of granny panties that I owned.
“ I didn’t move it,” Abraham stated. “Shadow had a few of his maids from his estate come down and pack, move, and unpack all of your belongings. It didn’t take too much time.”
He paused for a moment, glancing at his watch. “Well, I best give you some time to settle into your new home,” he said. “On the fridge is a list of numbers should you need anything. There’s a personal chef, a personal maid, a gym trainer, a chauffeur, and whatever else you desire.”
After he left, I spent the next three hours running around my brilliant new condo squealing like a complete idiot.
After I was done, I grabbed my phone, wanting to call Justin to tell him how kick-ass my new place was. However I remembered he was pissed at me. I stared at the limited list of numbers on my phone and realized that there was really no one I could call to share my excitement with.
What good was having all this amazing stuff if I had to experience it alone?
#
I decided to head to the gym in the condo and work out. Aside from playing piano, exercise was another quick pick-me-up when I needed an immediate injection of endorphins to combat the blues.
Dressed in my ratty pair of jogging pants, and an old t-shirt displaying the ravenous mug of the Cookie Monster, I entered into the exercise room, found a treadmill, and attacked it.
While I ran, I couldn’t help but wonder if Justin would ever forgive me. Even though it’s been only a day since he stormed off, I missed him already.
Of course now that I had money to spare, I could go out and try to meet some new people, but who was I kidding? I liked having Justin around. He never judged me like others did.
I could come to class dressed like a donkey’s ass and he’d still chat me up like a normal human being without second glancing me.
But I had to let him go. It was the right thing to do, wasn’t it?
I felt my legs begin to seize up and I stopped the treadmill. Sweat dripped down my face, which I wiped away with my t-shirt.
The exercise didn’t help my mood much. Not only was I still pissy, but now I was a sweaty mess as well.
As I stepped off the treadmill to get some water, I noticed that three other girls in the gym were staring at me. They were all dolled up in expensive yoga pants while plastered with makeup and they stared at me like I was the creature from the black lagoon.
Seriously--it was a fucking gym. They could at least try to break a sweat.
I scowled at them and they immediately broke out into gossipy whispers, which was irritating.
I snapped.
“What the hell are you looking at?” I asked.
One of them, a snooty little Barbie girl with a condescending smile shook her head. “Nothing sweetheart,” she laughed. She had a familiar voice. “I’m looking at absolutely nothing. I love your outfit by the way. I heard Sesame Street is in this year.”
“Apparently so is dressing up like a whore,” I retaliated. Perhaps that was a little harsh.
“Bitch,” the blonde said, looking aghast. She spat in my direction and then headed for the exit, her little minions hot on her heels.
Great.
Less than five hours in my new condo and I’ve already made enemies, which was the complete opposite of making new friends.
As I strolled towards the elevators, I noticed that everyone who passed me by glared at me like I was some disgusting sweaty pig. Was this what it was going to be like living here? To have judgment cast on me by these rich bastards every time I set foot outside my condo?
I entered into the elevator, which to my relief was empty.
Now, more than ever, I missed Justin and how normal I felt around him.
When the elevator doors opened again on my floor, hot tears were streaming down my sweaty face.
#
I tried texting Justin a few times throughout the week, hoping to hear from him, just to make sure he was okay.
Okay that was a lie. I missed him and his friendship.
Even though I crushed his heart, I just wanted the small glimmer of hope that one day he would speak to me again, despite me deserving nothing less than the finger from him.
I became a slave to my phone, frequently checking to see if there was a text back.
None.
I felt myself sink into depression.
Justin didn’t show up to lectures either, which was strange. He was the model of punctuality and discipline when it came to classes. If the world was burning all around us and the skies were raining blood, he’d still be sitting in his seat during lecture time.
I spent the next few days going to class, and then going straight to my condo and locking myself away from the rest of the outside world. I didn’t want anyone to see me this miserable.
Tonight, I ended up lying on my couch, watching episodes of shitty reality shows in front of a seventy-inch television while devouring an entire Hawaiian pizza.
I felt like I was going through a break up. I wondered if this was what the rest of my life was going to be like, living life in solitary like a spinster, avoiding human interaction like a plague.
I missed my dad. I missed Justin. I missed talking to someone--anyone about my day and listening to theirs in return.
I just wanted to feel like someone cared about me. That someone out there still loved me.
Tomorrow was my first date with Shadow, and unexpectedly, I was looking forward to it. I desperately needed company.
I closed my eyes and crumpled into the couch, feeling like an empty husk.
My last thoughts before I drifted to sleep were of Shadow and his beautiful eyes filled with the same overwhelming loneliness that I felt now.
#