THREE

I take a stroll around the apartment, pausing to admire the vaulted ceilings and exposed rustic beams. It doesn't get much better than a penthouse apartment under normal circumstances, but nothing about this situation is normal, and this place is a dump. To be fair, I'm sure this is considered upscale by someone with average taste and a few million dollars in the bank, but it pales in comparison to my mansion.

Even as a child, I was fascinated by anything related to space, and my consistent cash flow has enabled me to invest handsomely in my little hobby. I wanted to be an astronaut, but once I discovered my talent for mergers and acquisitions, I had more than enough work to keep me grounded right here on Earth.

I run my finger over my newest toy, a replica of a NASA telescope.

I stoop down to adjust the focus of the scope's lens. I enjoy getting acquainted with my tools before putting them to use. I like pushing all the buttons and turning the knobs to figure out what each one does. I attribute it to my desire to be hands-on and in command.

Standing up, I check the time on my Franck Muller. Amelia would keep me on the phone for hours, updating me on every detail of my life if I didn't control her. I rush out of the room, closing the door behind me, and begin looking for my gym bag.

"I have to get going; I don't want too much time to slip away from me," I say.

"I've updated your schedule, and the confirmations should arrive on your end soon," Amelia says.

“Thanks. If I don't talk to you later, I'll see you bright and early tomorrow," I say as I hang up the phone.

I walk to the front door and return my gaze to the half-empty apartment. I added a few more tasks to my never-ending to-do list. I need to have maintenance come in and change the air filters and fix the leak in the guest bathroom at some point.

There's so much to do. Dammit!

This place is nothing compared to my home, which has eight bedrooms, six bathrooms, a tennis court, and a pool. I enjoy open spaces with lots of fresh air and well-kept lawns. This condo is none of those things, but I know it will be well worth the investment in the long run, despite the fact that my master bedroom is undoubtedly larger than this entire apartment.

Fortunately, I'm only here for a month. I don't think I can slum it for much longer. My coworkers think I'm insane, but there's a method to my madness. I like to get my hands dirty and get a firsthand feel for each business and piece of real estate I buy. I didn't get to the Forbes list by making dumb investments, and I'm not going to start now.

Despite my brief stay in a place that fell short of my usual standards, I wanted to make the place as comfortable as possible by bringing a few of my favorite items with me. I just wish it included my fully-equipped gym. I'm not going to use a shared facility like the one provided here. Furthermore, there is barely enough equipment and space for two people to work out in that tiny room they call a 'Fitness Center.' I make a mental note to look into the additional costs of improving the modest gym so that future residents can have a more inclusive living experience.

I'm sure everyone has to pay for a gym membership, but if we could include that amenity, we might be able to raise the asking price. I unfasten my tie and pull out my phone to check my overflowing calendar for the hundredth time today. Amelia, my secretary, has my schedule meticulously planned, with several alarms set to sound at various times throughout the day, but with ever-changing markets comes a schedule that shifts by the hour.

I'm wondering if I have time to run to the gym for a quick cardio session. I've never been overweight or out of shape, and I'd like to keep it that way by maintaining my muscular physique. I always make time for fitness, no matter how many meetings I have on my calendar. I look down at my phone and consider rescheduling a few meetings, scrolling through my contacts to call Amelia.

"Good day, Mr. Delgado." I was about to call to inform you that the movers will be bringing over a few more of your items later today."

Amelia's voice is raspy due to years of smoking, and it used to irritate me when I first hired her. I've grown accustomed to her voice and look forward to hearing it when she answers the phone.

Amelia is usually at her desk when I walk in, her ashy blonde hair slicked back into a bun at the nape of her neck, a pencil stuck between her teeth as she balances the ringing phones on her desk. She manages all of this while also responding to the hundreds of emails I receive every day. I'm not sure how she does it all, but she's damn good at it.

"Perfect," I proudly proclaim. "I was hoping that everything else would arrive today." You know how much I despise being without certain items, especially in this place."

"Sir, yes. "You know I've got it under control," she says. "Speaking of staying on top of things, since you're already on the phone, I have a few items to go over with you."

I pay attention as she rattles off a few changes to my schedule that have yet to be entered into my calendar, which reminds me of why I called in the first place.

"Listen, I'm canceling my meeting with the executives of Nova Corporation and rescheduling it for tomorrow," I say.

"That'll make tomorrow a long day, but I'm sure we'll make it." "Are you going to the gym?"

"Am I really that predictable?" I inquired.

She laughs briefly before responding. "You certainly are. The only reason you start rearranging your schedule is to go to the gym."

I smiled and began walking around the apartment, taking inventory of the growing to-do list while Amelia went over the recent documents that had arrived during my absence.

As I walk down the hall, I notice that the floors need to be waxed and that the crown molding needs to be replaced. I enter a spare room in the back that I've designated as my telescope room. The walls are covered in constellation posters, and I have several high-powered telescopes positioned around the room.