Chapter 7
Hakeem can’t believe his eyes, Alexandria Heights is grander than he had imagined.
He didn’t often come to this side of town, too rich for his blood.
He would often join Charlie for walks through Wychwood park in the spring, an excuse to visit the nice bakeries in the area.
He has seen the building in passing, but Alexandria Heights is something else entirely from up close.
It tears through the skyline of Solomon City, a glamorous giant towering over the metropolitan landscape.
Built of white stone and lined with seemingly endless windows.
The interior of the lobby is lush, marble pillars lining its hall.
Full bodied plants of lush greens, in pots of gilded ceramic, a crystal chandelier that lights the whole room in a warm halo of light.
There’s even a fountain in the middle of the lobby, indoors.
That was extravagance like Hakeem had only seen in the luxury hotels in movies and on TV.
Hakeem makes his way to the concierge desk, feeling extremely out of place, and goes up to the older gentleman who looks him over from behind his half moon spectacles.
“Good afternoon, my name is Hakeem Al-Najim. Sorry to interrupt but I believe I have an apartment showing here today? I have the email if you need to see it.”
The older man pushes his glasses back into place at the bridge of his nose–Hakeem fixing his own pair in a nervous tick–holds up a hand. “That won’t be necessary, sir. The Nocturne group has sent a list of applicants in advance, I just need to see some identification.”
Hakeem shuffles through his messenger bag and pulls out his mage license and hands it to the man behind the desk. “Will this work?
“It shall do nicely, sir.”
The gentleman behind the desk takes Hakeem’s card and scans it under the desk. Offering Hakeem a polite smile he returns the I.D. “All seems to be in order, Mr. Al-Najim. Just a moment while I ring Mr. Nocturne.”
He holds up a finger to Hakeem while he picks up a phone. A voice comes through the line from the other side. It catches Hakeem’s attention, drawing his focus like a moth to a flame. It causes a moment of confusion before he shakes himself out of it.
“Yes, Steven?”
“I have another applicant at the front desk here for you, a Mr. Hakeem Al-Najim.”
“Send him up, thank you, Steven.”
Steven hangs up the phone and directs Hakeem to the elevator. “The elevator has been authorized to take you up to the penthouse floor. Do take care, Mr. Al-Najim.”
Hakeem thanks Steven then heads to the elevator which opens for him before he pushes any buttons.
He steps in and presses the button for the penthouse.
Realization dawns upon Hakeem and he shouts out towards the concierge.
“Wait, did you say penthouse ?!” Before Steven could answer, the door of the elevator closes and takes Hakeem up.
* * *
Hakeem steps out of the elevator into a short, wide hallway. White marble walls and a black rug with geometric red lines cutting across the fabric fill the space. Hakeem takes a few steadying breaths as he takes slow, careful steps towards the grand double doors across from him.
“Okay, Hakeem, this is fine. They didn’t put the exact apartment for security reasons, that makes sense, yeah?
Charlie knows where you are and there were security cameras in the lobby, right?
This for sure isn’t some recluse billionaire who hunts people for sport or chains them up in sex dungeons in their penthouse apartments.
Never to be heard from again, lost to the world, their disappearance covered up by shadowy figures tasked with protecting the rich.
Gods, I spent too much time with Khalo Shadi this holiday season. ”
Hakeem wills himself to stop shaking and rings the doorbell.
He waits a moment before the doors slowly open before him, holding his breath not knowing what waits for him on the other side.
He never expected a tall, slender elven man.
Pale skin and deep green eyes, face framed by black hair that falls to his shoulders and ends in blood red tips.
A deep gray v-cut shirt revealing the top of what seems to be a strong chest, paired with black skinny jeans that hug his legs.
“You must be Hakeem.” The same voice from over the phone earlier, the one that drew him in with its mysterious allure, brought Hakeem’s attention back to the man before him. He nods his head hurriedly, unable to form words. “I’m Jackson, come on in.”
* * *
Jackson raises an eyebrow at the man standing in his doorway, like a deer in headlights unable to move.
He looks him up and down taking him in. Messy brown curls, tan skin, thin circular glasses nestled on the bridge of his slightly curved nose.
A light stubble of dark hairs frame his soft jawline.
Wide silver eyes take in the view of Jackson’s apartment, his hands nervously clenching the strap of the bag across his shoulders, his arms bulging under his jacket from the tension.
Jackson had to admit, out of all the applicants he had to deal with today, this one was the cutest; in a lost puppy kind of way at least. Or perhaps a bunny rabbit.
He stood a few inches taller than Hakeem, which made the bewildered man seem even more withdrawn.
“Come on in. Excuse the mess, I just settled in myself.” Jackson stands to the side and lets Hakeem wander in, closing the door behind them.
Hakeem turns to face Jackson with bashful gratitude, “Thank you for your time, I won’t keep you long.”
Jackson gives Hakeem a quick tour of the apartment, smirking at the mage’s wide eyed wonder.
Hakeem’s head is on a swivel as Jackson leads him through the open concept downstairs; with a living room area across from the T.V.
and fireplace with a three seater recliner couch directly across the mantle, and a loveseat to the side with its back to the kitchen.
Hakeem giggles as he bounces once on the plump cushions, clearing his throat and averting his gaze when Jackson catches him.
Hakeem’s hand lingers on the wide double door fridge with a large freezer drawer and ice maker.
An island of granite, smooth under Hakeem’s trailing fingertips, with a newly replaced electric stovetop and oven.
It is a modern kitchen of Hakeem’s dreams, spacious and new; the excitable man made that very clear with his many, many ramblings and observations.
Under the stairs leading to the second floor is a sizable powder room for guests and a laundry room with top of the line appliances.
Jackson can’t help but notice Hakeem’s soft gasp, the sound filled with wonder, as he leads them up the glass staircase to the second, a railing that overlooks the first floor, wrapping around the apartment.
Hakeem pauses, taking in the view from the second story.
Jackson studies the man’s profile in the soft light drifting in through the terrace door, sun kissed skin and brown curls gilded by the golden light.
Had he reacted the same way when Brenda showed him the apartment decades ago?
Three bedrooms fill the second floor each with an ensuite full bath attached and massive walk-in closets, both shocking Hakeem with their ample space, the awestruck mage’s jaw dropping open.
The first room closest to the stairs is occupied by Jackson, leaving the room in the middle of the hall and the room at the end free to choose from, pending the approval of Hakeem’s application of course.
The boys conclude the tour in front of the glass doors leading to the terrace.
Jackson gestures to the view and turns to Hakeem. “And finally, the terrace. I hope you don’t mind but it’s off limits for now. I need to find someplace safe for the mana well, and I don’t feel right letting anyone near it at the moment.”
Hakeem looks out at the crystal ball nestled on runed bricks, amazement apparent on his face. “Oh my stars, that is an impressive model. It must hold a lot of magic. The ones we get to use in the labs are nowhere near as impressive.”
Jackson raises an eyebrow at the comment. “Right, your application mentioned you’re a research student at the university labs. I have to offload mana often or I get a sickly feeling in my gut. You know, I’m in the law department. It’s funny how we’ve never crossed paths.”
Hakeem withdraws at the comment, shoulders rising to his ears, hands tightening on the strap of his bag. “It’s a big campus, plus I’m not the outgoing type so the odds were even lower.”
“Well that means I don’t have to worry about wild parties in my apartment while you’re here.” Hakeem perks up, stiffening when Jackson puts a hand up abruptly. “Let’s go over some papers in the kitchen and see if we can’t wrap this up.”
Jackson gestures to the stools lining the kitchen island, beckoning Hakeem to follow.
Before he does, Hakeem’s attention is caught by a strange glow coming from the terrace.
“Um. Jackson? Your mana well, it’s reacting oddly.
” Jackson turns on his heel to see what he means.
His eyes widen when he notices the ominous green and black glow shining from the crystal orb, before his brows furrowed in annoyance.
Jackson hurriedly pushes Hakeem behind him, shielding his guest from the terrace. “Get back towards the kitchen, I’ll take a look. Don’t come out there, my magic is…temperamental.”
* * *
“You will not throw a tantrum today. You are my magic and you will behave, got that?”. The wind has picked up and seems to be swirling angrily around the mana well. Jackson takes a couple angry strides towards the orb, leaving Hakeem waiting in the apartment, and places his hands just above it.