APARTMENT

Alexis

The sweet peas aroma had filled in my nostrils and it drove me to the kitchen counter, where my Aunt was preparing the breakfast. I descended the stairs and carried my luggage along. Although it was heavier than I expected at first, I tried to be as quiet as I could. Once I brought all the three suitcases, I sat on the stool next to the counter and watched Aunt preparing breakfast for us.

Last night, I packed all of the stuff I might require. In fact, Aunt Sol asked me to put everything I need but It would be too much. In case I need anything, I can come back anytime and take it. It was a great night spent well. I mean, we both learned a lot from everything. She learned the technology and I learned to be patient with time.

I dressed up in casual boots and jeans with a jacket to cover. Having a bad hair day wasn't the worst thing I encountered in the morning, I pinned them in a messy bun. But, leaving Aunt Sol and shifting to another place, it would be difficult for me. 

"It seems that you are excited to experience your new life, right?" She said in a low voice.

I could feel the pressure she was trying to hide. She was anxious and feeling low that I am leaving. I don't know how to comfort someone but I got up and hugged her from behind.

"Yes, I am excited but I am afraid too. But that's what life is all about, isn't it? And I have you by my side, so there won't be anything I won't be able to accomplish." I smiled and tightened the hug.

"Okay! Okay!" She turned around and kissed my cheeks. "All I want you to grow but please, be careful when you are in an unfamiliar place. As tempting as living in a castle sounds but there was always some hideous history hiding within thick walls." 

I furrowed my brows at her and smirked, "you are watching criminal documentaries again, right?" 

"Yes, I am." She laughed at my statement.

Suddenly I remembered and asked her, "Don't you have an interview to attend. Don't be late. Sit here and eat your breakfast… this is going to be a great opportunity, Aunt and here you are busy preparing breakfast." I made her sit on the chair and passed the plate of freshly prepared salad and sweet peas. It was a healthy and light breakfast.

"I will be heading right after it but don't you forget that you have to reach Royal residency before noon. So, you should eat breakfast too." She made me have a bite and later I continued to finish it.

I cleaned the dishes while Aunt Sol dressed for her interview. I knew that she would be sad when she was back at home and I was gone. But I have to be strong, for her.

She was about to leave when I placed goodluck kisses on her cheek and waved her goodbye. I finished the remaining chores and took my luggage out. I waited outside for the can i book and then drove away from my home to the end of the city. Last time when I travelled by train, it took me more than two hours, however today, we got stuck in random traffic jams and I reached the castle entrance in four hours. If i had nothing to carry, I could have travelled on the train but carrying three suitcases and needing to change trains in between, it would have been a pain in ass.

Luckily, the guards at the entrance gate provided me with a wheel cart so I carried my luggage effortlessly. I left around ten in the morning and now it's almost three. Phew! At least, I have reached. I provided my proof letter and finished all the formalities before proceeding inside. However, this time, a helper was appointed to me. 

"Miss Martin, right? Hi, I am Karl Earnest! It's a pleasure to meet." The helper appeared kind and offered his hand for a little hand shake.

"Yes, I am. Thank you for helping me." I greeted with the same gesture.

"Let me guide you to your apartment. Please, follow me." Being professional, he simply asked me to follow him with my luggage wandering corridor to corridor.

The place was screaming royalty and people like me only imagined in dreams to be here. Maybe, I was still dreaming but who cares? Each and every wall of this palace was decorated with beige and gold with contrasts of brown in between. The royal maroon curtains falling from above like a river of molten silk flowing. The greenery in the garden that I peeked from the huge opened windows, I haven't seen such a variety of plants in my life. Although, my feet were hurt but it was worth a while.

Karl stopped in front of a door. There was a metallic number plate which said, "148".

He put the keys in the lock and opened the door of the apartment.

When I heard that I would be getting an apartment, it wasn't exactly what I pictured in my mind. This place was so huge that I got myself a living room, a lobby, two bedrooms, attached washrooms and kitchen. Apart from that, there was a balcony view from the master bedroom which was a perfect place I always wanted.

I gazed at the whole furnished apartment. My mouth gaped in astonishment and I couldn't rest my eyes. It was something fascinating for me.

"I hope you like the place." Asked Karl.

"Like? I love this place. I couldn't ask for anything else." I wanted to jump at him in excitement but I kept my decency level.

"Great! This place is already filled with everything you might need, in case if you want anything else, you can directly call the service centre from the numbers provided to you on the emergency panel." He informed me further.

"That's cool." I was still shocked.

"Please, make yourself comfortable, we will meet tomorrow morning." He smiled gently before leaving.

I locked the door behind me and carried my luggage to the master bedroom. Before I started to take out my stuff and place them in the proper place, I clicked a few pictures and sent them to Aunt Solace. 

I wandered in the apartment and gazed at every corner. It was difficult to believe that I was really going to live in a royal residency. 

I realised that I have to shift my stuff so started shifting my clothes in the wardrobe and footwears in the cabinet. It consumes another two hours to empty my suitcases. It was tiresome and I was literally exhausted. 

"Oh… Alexis… you worked your ass off to reach here…" i mumbled to myself. 

My outfit was sweaty and dust sticked around. So, i decided to take a bath but before that, I placed a call to Aunt Sol with my phone.

"Hey, Aunt!!? How are you?" I asked her.

"Missing you alot. This home feel so empty without you." She complained and I felt sad hearing that.

"That's why you didn't call me?" 

"Oh no… I thought of hundreds of possibilities of you being busy. So I waited for your call instead…" she replied with a raise in her voice. She was trying to be confident and once this call would get disconnected, she would cry.

"I wasn't busy, just arranged the wardrobes and other stuff. How about you and your interview?" 

"It was good. They told me that they will call me back soon." She replied.

"Great. I was thinking about taking a bath. My body aches. It was a tiresome journey of four hours and then I worked fixing the place. But I'm all okay." I told her about my day.

"Dear, then go and take a bath. Your health and hygiene should be your priority. We can talk later. Go and rest." She said,

"You are so sweet… miss you, love you…" I greeted her before disconnecting the call.

I was smiling like a fool when I entered the washroom. There was a tub and shower, and a thermostat to change the temperature. To be honest, I wasn't familiar with such luxury.

I managed to change the temperature of shower to warm and let it soothe my aching muscles. I was washing my hair with an expensive shampoo placed in the small cabinet. My eyes were closed and I was raising the foam from my hair when I suddenly felt a touch on my back. My heart skipped a beat and I washed my face immediately to check upon. When I turned around, there was no one but I was sure that I felt a tap. 

Maybe, the exhaustion was making me feel that way. I bathed quickly and walked from the shower. When I entered the room, I felt like I was being watched. Something wasn't right. I wanted to change clothes but this feeling won't go.

I changed into pyjamas and laid on the bed when the doorbell rang. I went to check the door and opened it to see a food trolly. The maids were distributing the dinner to the apartments occupied by other people also. I thanked them and smiled before closing the door.

So far, the place seemed good, except that weird feeling of being watched.