My New Beginning.
Angel's Point Of View
As I stepped off the plane and into the bustling Los Angeles airport, a mix of nerves and excitement buzzed through me.
My eyes scanned the crowd until they landed on a tall man in a crisp black suit, holding a sign with my name neatly printed on it.
I swallowed hard and walked toward him, suddenly hyper-aware of how surreal this moment felt. Up close, he was even more striking—his blonde hair slicked back with precision, a pair of dark shades masking his expression.
There was something effortlessly composed about him, like he had done this a hundred times before. Meanwhile, my heart was still racing from the flight.
“Ms. Caribello?” He asked, his voice deep and professional.
I managed a nod, gripping the strap of my bag a little tighter.
Without missing a beat, he took my luggage, handling it with practiced ease, then gestured toward a sleek white car waiting at the curb.
So this was it. My new beginning.
He effortlessly lifted my luggage and led me to a sleek white car parked nearby.
Once inside the vehicle, I glanced out the window as we drove towards the hotel where I would be staying during my work on the project with Mr. D'Amano.
The scenery whizzed by, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was going to be a crazy chapter of my life.
Upon arriving at the hotel, the man—who I now realized was my escort—helped me unload my things at the security checkpoint for proper check in, and guided me through the elegant lobby.
I felt the weight of my luggage lift as we made our way to the elevator. When the doors opened, I was met with a stunning view of the city, its vibrant energy spilling into the luxurious surroundings.
Mr. D'Amano sure had a fondness for glass buildings, and the panoramic view stole my breath away.
The man retrieved a black card from his pocket and placed it on the door knob, triggering a soft beep that unlocked the door.
As we stepped into the penthouse, I was immediately awed by the expansive and chic living room.
Every corner was adorned in pristine white, except for the lush green carpet that anchored the space. A floral scent filled the air, making me feel oddly at home.
“Wow,” I whispered, taking it all in. The man cleared his throat, pulling me back to reality.
“This is where you’ll be staying, Ms. Caribello, until Mr. D'Amano says otherwise. Your belongings will be sent to you shortly after being checked at security. You have a meeting with him tomorrow.”
“Sir, can you tell Mr. D'Amano I can’t stay here for long? I don’t have a huge amount of money to pay for a place as expe….” I began to protest, but he cut me off.
“It’s his penthouse, Ms. Caribello. You need to stay here because you’re working on one of his projects, so consider it free.”
He turned to leave before I could respond, and I let out a frustrated huff.
“Uptight much?” I mumbled, plopping onto the plush sofa.
Minutes later, a lady from the security team delivered my luggage. I took it up to my room, arranging my belongings in the wardrobe before changing into a more comfortable outfit.
As I settled in, a message from Red popped up on my phone, wishing me good luck with the project. But despite my attempts to sleep, my mind was consumed with thoughts of Raul D'Amano.
Every time I closed my eyes, I could see his piercing gaze and feel the intensity of our earlier encounters.
"Fuck, Angel! You need to stop thinking about him; he’s a married man,” I scolded myself, yet my body betrayed me with memories of how he looked at me while I danced.
Frustrated, I groaned into my pillow, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep—not with the fear of having yet another erotic dream about him. It had been a recurring theme for days now, and it was driving me crazy.
Realizing I wouldn’t make it to see the apartment I was interested in tomorrow, I decided to call the owner and arrange to view it this evening instead.
After a quick conversation, he texted me the address. Dressed in a big green shirt and a pair of black leggings, i left the penthouse.
I hailed a cab and handed the driver my phone to show him the address. He smiled as he looked at it.
“That’s such a lovely neighborhood, ma’am, and it isn’t expensive,” he remarked, and I smiled back, relieved.
“That’s good to hear, sir. How long have you lived in LA?” I asked, wanting to keep the conversation going.
“Twent Two years. I’m originally from Philadelphia before I moved here,” he replied.
The ride was pleasant, and I found myself wishing every cab driver could be as friendly. Once we arrived, I thanked him and paid the fare, feeling grateful for the enjoyable ride.
The neighborhood was just as beautiful and peaceful as he had said. I sent a quick text to the apartment owner, letting him know I had arrived.
With a new city to explore and a project that could change everything, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my life was about to take an unexpected turn, one I was both excited and terrified to embrace.
I stood outside the quaint bungalow, the evening sun casting a warm glow over the peaceful neighborhood. I sent a quick text to the landlord to inform him of my arrival. Moments later, an elderly gentleman with a kind demeanor approached, extending his hand in greeting.
“Good evening, Ms. Caribello. I’m Mark Hensley.” He introduced himself with a warm smile.
“Good evening, Mr. Mark Hensley. Thank you for accommodating my request to view the apartment on such short notice.” I replied, shaking his hand.
“Not a problem at all. I’m glad we could arrange this. Shall we take a look inside?” He suggested, gesturing towards the entrance. I nodded with a smile.
“Of course, lead the way.”
As we stepped into the cozy bungalow, I couldn’t help but admire the well-maintained interior. The living room was spacious, with large windows allowing natural light to flood the space.
The kitchen, though modest, was equipped with modern appliances, and the bedroom offered a serene view of the backyard garden.
“This is a lovely place,” I remarked, turning to Mr. Hensley “Could we discuss the rental terms?”
“Of course,” he nodded. “The monthly rent is $1,200, which includes water and electricity. Tenants are responsible for cable and internet services.”
“That sounds reasonable,” I replied. “Is there a lease agreement, and if so, what is the duration?”
“We typically offer a one-year lease,” he explained. “However, I’m open to discussing shorter terms if that suits your needs better.”
“A one-year lease works for me,” I agreed. “Is there a security deposit required?”
“Yes, a security deposit equivalent to one month’s rent is required,” he confirmed. “This will be refunded at the end of your tenancy, provided there are no damages beyond normal wear and tear.”
“Understood,” I said. “Are pets allowed in the property?”
“Small pets are permitted,” Mr. Hensley replied. “We do ask for an additional pet deposit of $200 to cover any potential damages.”
“That’s fair,” I acknowledged. “When would the property be available for move-in?”
“The bungalow is currently vacant, so you could move in as early as next week,” he offered.
“That would be perfect,” I responded, feeling a sense of relief at the prospect of securing such a charming place. Mr. Hensley reached into his briefcase and handed me a copy of the lease agreement.
“Feel free to review this document. If everything looks good, we can proceed with the necessary formalities.”
“Thank you,” I said, taking the lease from him. “I appreciate your flexibility and transparency throughout this process.”
“It’s my pleasure,” he replied warmly. “If you have any questions or need further clarification, don’t hesitate to reach out.”
After a thorough discussion and reviewing the lease terms, I felt confident in my decision.
"Okay, Mr. Hensley, I’ll transfer the security deposit and first month’s rent tomorrow,” I informed him.
“That sounds excellent,” he responded, his eyes twinkling with satisfaction. “I’ll notify my lawyer, and we can have the paperwork ready by the end of the week.”
“Thank you so much,” I said, extending my hand once more.
“It’s a pleasure, Ms. Caribello. Welcome to your new home,” he said, shaking my hand firmly.
After Mr. Hensley left, I lingered in the cozy bungalow, envisioning how I might decorate the space to make it truly mine.
The possibilities seemed endless, and for the first time in a while, I felt a flicker of excitement about the future.
Later that evening, back at the penthouse, I indulged in a long, relaxing bath.
The warm water was so soothing that I was tempted to spend the entire night there, but I knew better. Reluctantly, I emerged, dried off, and slipped into an oversized red shirt before sinking into the soft, scented bed.
I spent hours scrolling through my phone, trying to distract myself until I grew sleepy enough to drift off without my thoughts wandering to Mr. D’Amano. But no matter how hard I tried, he occupied my mind, living rent-free in my head.