29

Richard sat in the back of his Bentley, the engine idling with a low vibrating sound outside a modest real estate office in the Heights. Earlier that day he had decided he would do anything to force Giselle to see him and this was one of his whims. He was staring at a folder containing the deed information for Serayah’s apartment complex.

"Mr. Aris is ready for you, sir," Miller said, opening the car door.

Richard stepped out, adjusting his cufflinks. He didn't do "requests." He did acquisitions. He walked into the cramped, wood-panneled office where an elderly man in a corduroy jacket sat behind a desk piled high with paper.

"Mr. Hemingway," the man said, standing up. "I must say, I was shocked to get a call from your office. What could a man like you want with a twelve-unit walk-up in this neighborhood?"

"I’m a man of sentiment, Mr. Aris," Richard said, sitting down without being invited. He placed a check on the desk. It was blank, save for his signature. "I want to buy the building on Oakhaven Drive. All of it. Today."

The old man looked at the check, then back at Richard. He didn't look impressed. He looked weary. "It’s not for sale."

"Everything is for sale," Richard countered, his voice like silk. "Name your price. Triple the market value. Quadruple it. I want the keys to every unit, including 4B, by sunset."

Mr. Aris sighed, leaning back. "You don't understand. That building was built by my grandfather. My father ran it during the depression. I grew up in 2A. My grandchildren are slated to inherit the titles when I pass. It’s a family inheritance, Mr. Hemingway. It’s not a piece of real estate; it’s my family's history."

Richard’s eyes narrowed. "History is expensive to maintain. I can give you enough money to buy ten buildings in a better zip code. You could leave your grandchildren a legacy of billions, not a crumbling brick walk-up."

"Some things don't have a price tag," the old man said firmly, pushing the blank check back across the desk. "I’ve heard of you, Richard. You can buy the world and reshape it to fit your standards. But you can't buy my memories or the legacy these buildings hold to me and my family. I was even thinking you wanted to rent one of the houses or something, but buying out the properties, No sir. The building stays in the Aris family. Good day."

Richard stood up, the chair scraping harshly against the floor. The "calm" he had been maintaining for days snapped. "You are making a massive mistake. I could have the city council condemn that building by morning. I could make your taxes so high you’ll be begging me to take it off your hands."

"Then you’ll have a long fight on your hands," Aris said, unfazed. "And I have nothing but time. Please leave."

Richard stormed out of the office, the bell on the door jangling violently. He reached the sidewalk and slammed his fist against the roof of his car.

"Sir?" Miller asked, stepping back.

"He refused," Richard hissed, his face contorted with a rare, raw fury. "The old fool is clinging to that damn piece  'inheritance.' Spoiling my fucking plans, damn it."

"We can find another way, sir. Security can—"

"No!" Richard roared, pacing the sidewalk. "I wanted it clean. I am trying all I can to make sure this does not blow up into something it’s not suppose to, and now that old fool just got in the way of my plans. For the first time in ten years, someone said no to me. Have I lost my grip?"

He looked up at the fourth-floor window of the building a block away.

"Fine," Richard muttered, his eyes dark with a vengeful fire. "If I can't buy the house, I’ll buy the street. Miller, call the city. I want a 'utility emergency' declared on Oakhaven Drive. Shut off the water. Shut off the power. If I can't go in, I’ll smoke her out."

"Sir, that will affect the entire block."

"I don't care about the block!" Richard screamed, turning on Miller. "I need to get my daughter in law out of there asap. I want her to realize that the only warmth left for her is in my house. Do it now!"

He got into the car, his chest heaving.

“Sir, I know how invested you have been in trying to get in touch with your daughter in law, but doing this may just push her away. Let’s take it easy and device other measures”

“Urghh.. I am just stressed as fuck about everything. Damn it!” He cursed under his breath.