The Key

When I woke up I looked around the room and realized I was in my apartment. It was getting dark out. And I could smell pancakes. So I got up and walked to the kitchen to find Atlas, my boss, cooking pancakes and bacon. “That smells amazing” I said once I reached him, taking a piece of bacon off the plate. “Yes, well I’ve had a lot of practice when I was younger” he said. Still focused on making sure the pancakes were a perfect golden brown. I looked around for Titan and saw him running up the cat tree in the living room. He was having a blast.

“So um, since I was at the spa today, I wanted to know if the furniture delivery and set up went smoothly?” I asked. He glanced up once he was finished prepared the meal. “Yes. Everything went according to your specifications. And I must say, I’m highly impressed Allie”. I beamed. “Thank you Atlas”. “It was no bother little one. I have high expectations from my employees and you e been able to do more than someone who has been working for the company for the past 10 years. You’ve done well” he said handing me a plate.

We ate together finishing another episode. But I couldn’t help this feeling of still wanting to know what was on that drawer. “Um, Atlas can I ask you a question?” I said. “Technically you just asked a question, but go ahead” he said laughing at me. I rolled my eyes. “I was wanting to know what’s in that drawer. Would you give me the key please?” I asked. He stopped eating for moment and looked at me. “Are you sure you’re ready for this Allie? Once you open that drawer there’s no going back. You’ll stay here even if you don’t get a contract with my company. Is this what you want?” He looked deep into my eyes.

Those beautiful icy blues looked at me in waves. My heart was beating quickly in my chest. And I couldn’t get the words to form out of my mouth. I want this. I want you. Please give me the key. I want to see what’s inside. But nothing came out. They were stuck in my throat. After a few moments, even though it seemed like forever, I mustered the strength to stand up and grab his hands. I lead him to my room. I may not be able to speak at the moment. My voice, a coward. But, I can at least still show him.

Once in my room, I sat silently at the foot of the bed. He looks at me again, places his hands around my face, looking for for me verify what I’ve been trying to say. I give him a nod. Relief rushes through his eyes. The then takes a key that was on a chain around his neck, hidden under his shirt, and unlocked the drawer. He backs up, allowing me to open it when I was ready.

I slowly stood up from the bed and walked to the dresser. I sat on the floor and grabbed the handles. I didn’t dare to look up at him yet. I was itching to pull it open since I moved in a few days ago. And now it’s finally an itch that I can scratch. I couldn’t wait anymore. I slowly pulled the drawer out. And what was inside shocked me.

There was lingerie in one corner of the drawer. A few black boxes in the middle. With what I can only assume was sex toys. But an old wooden box to the far right caught my eye. I lifted it up out of the drawer. The top of the box was split in the middle. And there was a circle in the center. From what I assume would be a spot for a key, a circular one at that. But as I looked closer, the box had initials on the front. C.B.

I walked the box to my bed, forgetting everything else that was in the drawer, and sat down. I played with my necklace while trying to figure out what the key could be or who C.B. was and then it dawned on me. I took my necklace off and placed the pendant in the slot. It would take some effort to spin the pendant, but the stone in the center helped me more than I expected. There was a click, and a release. The box was open.

I looked up at Atlas, who was just staring at me at this point. I put my necklace back on, and opened the folding lids. Taking out the contents one by one, I examined them. There were documents, ledgers, bank statements, a will, and pictures. I looked at the pictures closely. It was me when I was 3. With people I didn’t recognize. And one photo in peculiar, was a boy with black hair and blue eyes holding me on his lap. I looked at the back of the picture, Calliope (3) and Atlas (13). I looked at him in that moment. And he came and sat down beside me.

“Yeah, we knew each other when we were young. Your parents worked for mine. When they died, you disappeared. My parents didn’t know where you went. But the moment I saw your application, I had to make sure it was you. And in the elevator, I got confirmation when I saw your necklace” he said, looking down and holding my hands. “But that doesn’t change anything between us. Actually, one of those documents states an arranged marriage between us. Which, we don’t have to follow if you don’t want to. But if we do, my parents have this account dedicated to the wedding still. And there’s more. Much more. Things that we won’t be able to access unless we do get married. But I promise you, I’m not forcing you to do anything. I’ll let you look over everything tonight. And…I’ll see you tomorrow okay? Besides, I still need my favorite person to finish my lobby soon” he said as he winked at me and left me to my thoughts.