Chapter 32 Chapter 32
ALINA'S POV
What do you do when you receive gifts from the devil?
You reject it. Right?
But what do you do when this gift is something you've prayed for, imagined, and now getting in a way beyond your imagination, only it's somehow wrapped and presented up by the devil? What do you do then?
A gift from heaven, wrapped by the devil.
Shiny and sparkly. What you need. What you want.
Hmm?
Take it or leave it? What you say?
Well , I say take it!
Yes. Take it.
Who gives two fucks about the devil's intentions? I mean, you're clearly getting blessed. Finally getting blessed. Why should the appearance of the devil holding your present stop you from accepting??
This is your shiny gift we're talking about here. Take it!
The devil may as well be invisible at this point. At least that's what I think. Especially when it comes to matters like this.
A house.
A freaking house. An apartment, a very luxurious looking one at that! Fully authorised and attached to my employee benefits for handling basically the biggest project of my life!
Sweet lord Jesus, I worked for this. I WORKEDDD for this. I don't care about anything else. To hell with the devil! To hell to Roman the bastard, I'm taking my benefits!
"Are you sure this is it? This one?" He tried to test me. To gauge whether or not I'd decline? Get pissed by his little childish games of making me run around cause of some timer shit.
Nope.
None can do mister. You have no idea how many butts I've sucked sucked to get my ass here today. What's your little arrogant butt I can't suck?
I can.
"Why?" I cocked my head, staring right at him. Shoulders high. "You said I get to pick whichever flat or elevator I want. Don't you want that anymore?"
He scoffed, "I said it, didn't I? I can't take that back."
"Then this is It!" I responded, standing straighter now. Putting my shoe down. A thud sound following after, but I didn't give a shit. "I choose this flat, sir. This is it. Can I see inside?"
He stared at me, smirking. Almost chuckling. What's so amusing? "I don't see why not, Alina. Jordan?"
His shadow moved instantly, dialing some codes by the side of the elevator I chose. Although I could still find traces of dissatisfaction on his features. He hadn't been excited about any of the moves so far. I noticed even before we left Oxygen.
It was a workday after all. Could he be mad I wasn't doing the job I'm being paid for?
Couldn't be. He knew his boundaries that much I've gathered from his constant appearance around bastard Roman.
But him aside, did I mention what an absolute miraculous environment this place was? Did I?
I'd admit. First I thought something fishy was going down. I mean, this was Roman. You never can be too careful with the bastard.
But for the environment? This location right now? The house? This section of the building that I've seen and currently still admiring??
I got just three words;
OH. MY. GOD.
Oh my God!
The elevator dinged open right then. An automatic smile stretching on my lips at the thought of going in and pressing the number for my floor. The entire building could be at least 6 floors.
But as the door spread completely open, I paused. Scratch that, I froze.
The elevator did not open for me to step in. At least not in the way that'd permit me to use it to get to other floors.
It opened instead right into a living room!
An actual living room.
LIVING. ROOM.
"Well?" A chuckle came from behind me, bastard Roman stepping forward. "Aren't you checking it out anymore?"
I blinked. Stunned. Speechless.
But still, "Don't tell me..." I whispered, shaky. "Don't tell me this elevator opens right into the apartment. In- into the living room. The house. Like the actual house."
He didn't respond to me. Just smirked. Going in instead. His shadow, Jordan following behind while I stood at my spot. Outside. Suprised beyond measure.
"Alina, get in, will you? Do you have to show how starved you are for stuff like this??"
What?
I blinked. Barely registering the insult. The sheer cleanliness, sophistication, space and beauty of the entire apartment had taken a hold of my mind already.
"Oh my God," I kept muttering under my breath as I forced myself to move. Stepping into the said space, the cool air hitting me. Clean and fresh!
My eyes moved from taking in the warmly decorated living room to the dining area, then the kitchen, the visitors section. A freaking spacious room, well furnished and spotless! Then the main bedroom which was at least 10 times my current apartment back home. I'm saying the entire apartment.
The entire thing.
That was the main bedroom. My bedroom!
"Oh God," I stumbled backwards at some point. Positively the side of my thigh for confirmation. Just so I'd be sure I wasn't imagining any of this right now.
"An entire space..." I muttered, "A new...a new apartment."
That was on my bucket list for this project.
I was going to take out of my first paycheck to get a new apartment...but I've got this instead. This!
My eyes watered before I could control it, my knees weak.
"Is It to your taste?" His voice came right then. Stepping out from a private study by the side, his features satisfied. "If you don't like it, that'll be a shame. You can't switch now, rules are rules."
I scoffed lightly. Weak from the sudden wave of emotion as I stood.
"Rules are rules... I like it." I faced him, swallowing down every heavy emotions. The edge of my eyes still stinging but at bay. "I like it very much."
He smiled. Hands proudly in his pocket. "That's good then."
"Yeah, but is this real though?" I asked, serious now. "I mean... Do I really get this kind of apartment, just like that? No payment or anything?"
"Payment?" He faced me, "Why do you think you need to make payment?"
"Well... this place it's... I don't know."
"You don't by any chance think this is above you, do you?" He pressed, staring intently at me. Waiting for an answer. Whereas I had known.
What could I possibly say even? This place was too much for me, and that was a fact.
I could never afford this in 10 years based off my earnings. And expenses. Responsibilities too. I still had debts to pay. Tons.
This place was above my pay grade. Above me.That was a fact.
I looked away from him then, not a word. But he stepped close instead. Coming to me. Standing in front of me. Our height difference clear, even with my heels. His entire aura and body structure oppressing.
I suddenly felt small without meaning to.
Gone was all my sharp mouth and energy from earlier.
But in that, "Alina," he called my name.
Making me rise slowly to meet his gaze, trying not to squirm.
"Nothing is above you. No amount of money can or should be compared to you. You're incomparable and definitely deserve much more than this. How can you think a measley apartment like this is too good for you?"
He stared at me, frowning. I stared at him, uncomfortable.
"I just think I can't afford it if-
"Don't you work?" He cut me off, tone scolding. "You work endlessly, you should be able to afford things you want. You should afford things you want. Stop depriving yourself and feeling less for no reason. You're too good for such!"
"Well..." I blinked, stunned. Speechless. "O-okay."
"Okay what?" He pressed, narrowing his eyes at me. Scolding. Making me feel weird and out of sorts.
But I didn't want to recoil anymore. I straightened, shoulders more relaxed. Holding his gaze as I said, "Okay. I deserve this apartment. It's mine, I'll take it."
"Better," he said after a bit, stepping away. I exchanged glances with his shadow. No smiles either.
"That's all I brought you here for. As for the rest, you'll receive them at the office. Jordan will handle the rest. Including your paycheck."
Paycheck?
I was receiving my paycheck? It was still a few days before it's due. And also, Boldlines wasn't the one paying?
He was doing It directly??
I moved my mouth to ask, but he'd already stepped out of the apartment then. Jordan moving, silently urging me out.
We took the elevator back down, heading into the main foyer again. Heading out.
"You should move in soon," he called out, heading for his car. Another one parked just behind it. A new driver standby.
"I can move in?" I clarified, somewhat anxious. I still had questions to ask. "Isn't it too soon?"
"It's your apartment, why leave it vacant?" He glanced at me, getting into the car. Jordan shutting the door behind him, actively walking up to me.
"He'll take you back to the office after you get cleared at the entrance and receive your necessary access keys." He explained, handing me documents from an envelope.
"More confirmations to sign," I mumbled, taking them.
"It's procedure," he commented, firm. Turning away to face the other driver, but his words made me wonder.
"If it's procedure that means you've done this a few times already. Does that mean I have neighbours?" I asked, calling out to him.
He paused. Slowly turning to me, no words.
"Do I have neighbours?" I repeated, "Persons from office maybe?"
He just cleared his throat, "You'll see."
You'll see?
Wha-
"That's not a response,"
But he'd already gotten into the car. Starting up the engine right then. Windows sealed off. Tinted. And I could only watch as they drove away. The other driver walking up to me.
"Let's head to gates, miss"
I just nodded silently. Sighing.
One more look at the building again. The documents of approval and occupancy in my hands, the memory of the apartment, the thought of ticking off something on my bucket list and even living here...
I couldn't help but smile all over again. Joy and excitement returning. Especially now that I'd get the access keys and everything at the gates.
Meaning more evidence to get Cleo screaming to the heavens when I
tell her.
As if on cue, my phone vibrated in my purse.
"Excuse me," I stepped to the side, rushing out my phone.
Cleo.
Look at her working by the spirit, huh?
I took it quickly. Instantly smiling as I said into the phone,
"You will NOT believe the day I've had today, Cleo!"