Chapter 1
Emma
Cleaning up cat vomit and taking urine samples from puppies was not how I was picturing my Friday night, but one had no choice when they were interning at Thatcher Veterinary Clinic.
Between finishing my 5,000 word essay for my mid semester exam and wrestling six husky pups for urine samples, I'd surprisingly choose the latter. Anything was better than continuing that mind-numbing essay for my veterinary epidemiology class. I know, sounds fun doesn’t it? Out of 5,000 words, I had…126.
So, not great, but that was a problem for the coffee-fueled study session I would be having later. I checked the labels of the urine samples of all six husky puppies before my train of thought was interrupted by my phone ringing.
“Em! What time do you get off work today? Was thinking we could go apartment hunting. I just finished my last class for the day,” Juliet said when I picked up.
“I’m just about finished, I’ll meet you back at school and we’ll go.” Thatcher was only a ten minute walk away from Everett University, which was incredibly convenient for me as a working college student. Juliet and I currently lived in a tiny apartment that we only got because it was right next to school, but that was barely big enough for the two of us, while Brooke graduated with her business degree and lived in her townhouse (courtesy of her family). Aurora also lived by herself because she’d already graduated with her journalism degree last year. The four of us had shared a dorm at Everett for our first year and that’s how we all became best friends.
“I’ll have your latte waiting for you, see you in half an hour, bye Em.” She hung up and I pocketed my phone before bringing the tray of samples out to my designated resident/friend, Dr Miller.
“Hey Liv, got the samples you wanted,” I placed the samples on the table in front of her before taking a seat.
“Thanks Em…by the way, my friend Penelope that I was telling you about just called, she has a son, Luke, I think. He’s around your age, very nice boy, just graduated from UPenn with an engineering degree,” she smiled.
I sighed. Olivia was relentless when it came to matchmaking for me. Apparently, she’s made it her life mission to matchmake me with every twenty-something year old guy she meets.
Dr Olivia Miller was the one who interviewed me a year ago for this internship when I was still a 2nd year at Everett. Now, I’m halfway through my 4th year and if all goes well, I will be a permanent surgical intern at Thatcher by the end of the year.
“I’m sure he is a very nice boy but unfortunately I'm not interested in dating anyone right now” I emphasised anyone in hopes she would get the hundredth hint that i’ve dropped
Olivia deflated in her chair. “You’re such a beautiful girl. One of these days, I’m going to find the perfect boy for you and I'll make you go on a date with him before you can say no,” she said.
“God, you sound like my mother,” I laughed and shook my head, regretting ever telling her I was single.
Olivia picked up the samples, “i’ll take these to the labs, you can go back home and i’ll see you tomorrow.”
I went back to my locker and packed my things up before saying goodbye to Maeve, our sixty-seven year old receptionist and leaving the clinic. I breathed in the cool spring air as I walked through the bustling streets of Manhattan. There was something about spring that I just loved. I didn’t know why but ever since I was a kid I loved when the winter snow melted away and the world seemed to come alive after the cold dormant winter. The air is fresh and crisp, filled with the gentle fragrance of blooming flowers and budding leaves. Maybe it’s how connected I felt with nature, and how free and at peace being with nature felt for me.
When I arrived back at Everett, I saw Juliet holding two cups of coffee in a tray and looking down at her phone with her nose scrunched in concentration. Her “Hey Jules,” I said as I grabbed one of the coffees off the tray.
“Hey! Got good news. Brooke got us a meeting at The Ivory, isn’t that great? Courtesy of her brother, apparently he’s friends with the owner. Pays to be a Kingston, right?”
“That’s great, but isn’t The Ivory really expensive?” I asked sheepishly.
“That’s the first thing that came to mind, but don’t worry Brooke said we can just take a look at the apartment and negotiate a deal with the leasing director. She even gave us permission to name drop ‘Kingston’ too,” she grinned.
The Ivory was about a ten minute subway ride away from school which was not too bad considering it meant it would be only a five minute walk to work and ten minute train to school.
The second the luxurious high-rise apartment building came into view, our jaws were on the floor. Just from the exterior, we could see floor to ceiling windows that gave off probably panoramic views of the city. We stepped into the lobby and we both inhaled a sharp intake of breath as we looked in awe at the stunning grand watched window and the lobby adorned with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, plush seating, and warm ambient lighting, giving off a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere.
“Okay so this place is amazing but we need to keep our cool and not get too excited when the leasing director comes. Negotiating faces on,” said Juliet as she gripped my arm tightly.
After gaping at the breathtaking views of Manhattan and the huge terraces that included fire pits and small gardens, the leasing director, Sandra, came over to us and introduced herself.
“Welcome to The Ivory, you must be Ms Sterling and Ms River,” she glanced an unimpressed look at both of us before walking. “Right. Follow me please.”
“I think we’re underdressed,” laughed Juliet as we walked past a couple wearing a tuxedo and quite literally, a floor length ball gown. I playfully swatted her arm and whisper-yelled, “you think?!”
Sandra led us to the elevators. The doors were made of sleek glass, and they opened to reveal a touch screen control panel. She pressed on the illuminated buttons on the control panel and placed her palm on the panel. This place has biometric hand print recognition?! Juliet and I side-eyed each other as we tried to tamp down our excitement. The elevator stopped at the fifty-second floor.
“This is the highest floor of our residential units. The Ivory is fifty-five floors, the last three are the penthouse.” She stopped outside apartment 5213 and opened the door with, you guessed it, biometric finger recognition.
We stepped into the apartment and it took everything in my power not to gasp in shock. The living room had a floor-to-ceiling grand arched window that allowed the beautiful spring sunshine to flow through it and shine across the fluffy L-shaped couch. Sandra led us through the house and showed us the kitchen, two separate bedrooms, each with their own en suite bathroom, walk-in closets and to top it all off, a reading room. A goddamn reading room. If we don’t get this apartment I think I might die from disappointment. Once I saw the circular shaped window with a big round bay window seat and bookshelves lining the walls, I was sold.
“The Ivory has a 24-hour concierge service, a rooftop garden with a panoramic infinity pool, private lounges, and fitness centres equipped with the latest technology and it makes it one of the most sought-after addresses in New York City,” said Sandra as she concluded the tour of the building and we ended up right back in the grand lobby.
Now came the dreaded question. “So, uh how much is the rent per month for this place?” asked Juliet in her best attempt to sound bored. When Sandra told us the price, I thought my cream cheese bagel from this morning threatened to make a reappearance. I glanced at Juliet who I could see was struggling to hold back a cough from choking on her matcha latte. I was the first to recover from the initial shock. “I see, may we have a moment to discuss some things? Thank you,” I smiled. She cast a disapproving glance at us before turning on her heel and strutting off to the concierge desk.
“Oh my god, that is crazy it should be illegal to charge that much,” said Juliet before adding, “I mean I knew it was gonna be bad but that was bad bad, you know? Did you see the walk-in closets?!”
“Okay calm down, Brooke said we could negotiate the rent with her, right?”
“It’s eight thousand dollars, Em, and it doesn’t even include utilities. That’s five-thousand dollars more than our budget and our budget was already stretching it,” said Juliet as we walked over to Sandra.
“So uh, how set in stone is this rent? Our best friend Brooke Kingston said that we could maybe come to some sort of agreement, a special discount perhaps?” asked Juliet sheepishly. I knew I could only count on her to name drop so shamelessly.
“Ms Sterling, that is the price after the special discount. I'm sure your friend would tell you that we have over 600 applicants wanting just that apartment alone. I suggest if you are unable to accommodate our rent prices, you-,” Sandra got cut off abruptly by a deep, gravelly voice that rolled over me like a velvety caress. “Ms Sterling and Ms River?” The two of us swivelled towards the voice behind us that made the snobby leasing director freeze like a deer in headlights.
holy shit.
Fluffy brown hair that was tousled, yet perfectly styled. A jawline that could chisel ice. He had to be at least 6 foot 2, maybe even 6 foot 3, with solid muscle packed into every inch of his expensive designer suit. He practically dropped of wealth and power. And dimples. Of course he had dimples. I’ve met my fair share of good-looking guys, but he was a whole other level.
“Blake Riddle. Owner of The Ivory,” the man turned to us and smiled.
Riddle. He must be the friend of Brooke’s brother that set up this tour for us.
“Juliet Sterling,” said Juliet as she shook his outstretched.
He turned to look at me, something flaring in his eyes that I couldn’t decipher. “Emma River, it’s nice to meet you,” I said.
“M-Mr Riddle?” Said Sandra, clearly taken aback by his sudden presence.
“Sandra,” He nodded, acknowledging her presence before turning his attention back to us, “How did you find the apartment?”
“It’s beautiful, but out of our budget,” I admitted. “Thank you for setting this up for us, though. We appreciate it.”
“Well, then.” Sandra cleared her throat. “Mr Riddle, I can take it from here, I’m sure you’re very busy with-“
“What’s your budget?” asked Blake as he completely ignored her. I glanced at Juliet before answering. “Two-thousand five hundred a month. In total.” I almost cringed from embarrassment as I said it out loud. It was pathetic compared to regular rent.
I expected Blake to laugh in our face and throw us out but as I glanced at his face I saw his pensive expression, as if he was deep in thought. A glimmer of hope shone through Juliet’s eyes as I tried to tamp down my excitement. There was no way in hell he would agree to that price, in fact he would be losing mone-
“Done,” said Blake.
Juliet, Sandra and my mouths all simultaneously fell open in shock as I gaped at the man before me. “What?” I asked. Did I hear that wrong?
“Two-thousand five hundred a month. Done,” he repeated. “Sandra, draw up the papers.”
Surely, I was dreaming. There was no way Blake would rent us the apartment for such a low price. The Ivory would be taking a huge profit loss. Actually, I have no idea. There was a reason I'm a vet science student and not a business one. But it had to be, right?
I looked over at Sandra who was as white as a sheet and I thought I saw a vein pulse in her temple. “S-sir, surely you're joking?” she stuttered.
Chocolate brown eyes glared down at her.
“I’ll be right back,” she said, visibly shaken.
I turned to look at Juliet who had stayed silent this whole time, presumably from shock. “Um, what’s the catch? Why would you do that?” she asked.
“No catch,” he said casually. “Owed the Kingstons a favour. My only stipulation is that you sign right away. I doubt the long list of people on the waiting list would be happy I let you skip the line.”
I had a gnawing feeling in my gut. I didn't like taking favours from people. Granted, it was the deal of a lifetime and i'd be an absolute idiot not to take it. I couldn't help but feel uneasy about it, favours meant you would owe people something in return. It wasn't always said outright that you would have to pay them back somehow, but deep down you would both know it. I would know it. Sandra came back moments later and practically shoved the papers at us. I pushed all thoughts of that aside.
Sign the papers first and deal with the rest later. Even if I didn't want to take any handouts, I was still pretty damn elated about this deal. Sure, the apartment was gorgeous, but having my own apartment made me feel elated and free. It was a sign that I was free from my parents, they couldn’t take this away from me. It was mine.
Blake slid a glance at me before turning and walking off. I sensed something in the way he stared at me but I just couldn’t identify it. Juliet and I signed the papers and left The Ivory with huge smiles on our faces. “I can’t believe that just happened, did you see the look on Sandra’s face?” laughed Juliet.
As I lay in bed that night, I couldn’t help but think about how free I felt and how slowly but surely, I was getting out from under the strong hold my parents had over my life. The first bit of freedom I felt was when I got my acceptance letter to Everett and moved into my dorm. Moving out felt good, but now that I had just got my own apartment, a fresh wave of pride and freedom washed over me, and I craved for more. Now I just had to make sure that a certain brown-haired businessman didn't take over control of the life that I was slowly getting back.
