After three days in bed fighting the persistent cold, Elizabeth felt energized enough to go and move to her apartment. She packed her suitcase and called a cab.
Liz reached the building and headed to the lobby while pulling a huge suitcase and one carry on behind her.
"Good morning!", she greeted the receptionist cheerfully. "I'm Miss Williams, the newest tenant in your fourth floor unit."
Receptionist raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me, but our building manager didn't inform us that you will arrive. Give me a minute to call him and confirm."
Liz did her best not to frown while thinking that this is rather unprofessional. She paid a security deposit and rent for three months in advance. They should know that she is coming.
Few minutes later, receptionist looked at Liz and clarified what she already overheard: "Our manager said that the unit is not rented. I'm sorry, but I can't let you in."
Liz was outraged. "Not rented? How is that possible? I paid deposit! Are you trying to scam me?"
The receptionist narrowed his eyes at her. "Miss, please, calm down or I will need to call the security to escort you out."
Liz was losing her composure. "Escort me? But I paid deposit! I want my money back!"
The man looked at Liz and thought how something seems off. She is either a really good actor, or she really believes how that unit is hers. "Miss, are you sure you paid?"
"Absolutely! Look, I have a receipt!", Liz pulled her phone and opened the email with confirmation.
Receptionist looked at the email and then at Liz. "Miss, that is a receipt for Continental Views. This is Pacific Skybridge."
"Oh…", Liz thought that she is about to pass out. What the heck is Continental Views? She had a fever last few days, but she remembers speaking with a building manager! Just how sick was she? That paper clearly had only two… Liz inhaled sharply when she realized what happened. Accidentally she called the other apartment building, the one which has the penthouse with a view! And she made a payment based on the instructions from the building manager. The rent amount and conditions are about the same, so she didn't notice!
She took a deep breath and addressed the receptionist. "Excuse me. Can you, please, call a cab for me? It seems that I'm in a wrong place."
Receptionist made a face, unable to hide his irritation. "Of course."
"I am so sorry for earlier.", Liz awkwardly said. "It was a mistake from my side."
Receptionist forced a smile. She yelled at him!
After about ten minutes in the cab, Liz looked at her future apartment building.
The receptionist seated in this lobby expected Liz.
"Miss Williams, we are awaiting your arrival since two days ago.", he greeted her cheerfully. "My name is Joshua. You can call me Josh, or J. I respond to any. Allow me to help you with your luggage." He showed her way toward the elevators.
Joshua is super-chatty, explaining how the building is at an amazing location, walking distance to a lot of trendy restaurants, boutiques, art galleries and nightclubs, as well as other shops… Liz could not wait to reach 31st floor. That man is talking too fast and too much.
"You are lucky to get this unit, Miss Williams...", Joshua chatted endlessly. "It is a half floor unit, so there are only two apartments on this floor, both with breathtaking views. Only you and Mr. Anderson get to enjoy this blissful atmosphere. He is in the other unit, but if you ask me, yours has the better half of the views. The unit is high, so you don't hear the street noise…"
Liz tuned him out. He gave her the passcode to her apartment door and insisted to get her suitcase all the way to the living area. Then he guided her to the kitchen, explaining that all the important information including phone numbers and maps of the neighborhood are in the brochures on the kitchen island. Liz practically pushed him out of the apartment after giving him a tip. She didn't want to risk him start the apartment tour. She saw it already.
Liz stepped out on the wrap-around terrace and enjoyed the view. It's cloudy, but at least it's not raining. From this side of the terrace, she can see the great wheel on the left and the Space Needle on the right, and in between is the Pacific Ocean. Other side of the terrace provides great city views with mountains towering above. One deep breath later, Liz was appreciating the fresh ocean air. Who would think that she is almost downtown Seattle? It is quiet, air is fresh… wonderful. She remembered that this building includes a private garden on the fourth floor level. In summer, during the dry season, it will be nice to go on a bench and read a book.
Liz wondered if the fourth floor is too low. Maybe she will hear the street noise from there… well, it does not matter. If it's noisy there, she can just relax on her terrace.
She glanced down and observed busy traffic on the State Route 99 for some time.
Liz smiled while thinking how it was an accident that she got this apartment, but it's not bad. Not bad at all. She can imagine how impressive the view will be when the night falls and the lights come on… or when the sun comes out.
Liz remembered that the receptionist mentioned Mr. Anderson as her neighbor who lives in the other unit on this floor. She hopes that he is not someone who throws loud parties or something like that. She is a quiet person, and on rare occasions when she wants to indulge in loud music, she will use a headset. And as long as Mr. Anderson does not disturb her peace, they will get along fine.
Thinking about Mr. Anderson, if he has the other half of the floor, that means that only that wall on her left is separating her terrace from his. Well, at least it's fully enclosed, so she can't see him (and he can't see her). She likes her privacy.
Liz went inside. She should unpack, buy some groceries and few decorative items. Oh, and probably lease a car. If she does not do that, she will rely on cabs all the time. In New York people don't drive much due to a good network of public transportation. But Seattle is more car-friendly. And her unit comes with two parking spots. She might as well use one. Bonus with owning a car: she can use elevator from the underground parking level, so she can avoid that chatty Joshua person.
Liz wheeled her suitcase into the bedroom and changed her clothes in order to go out. She has a lot of things to do! Oh, and she will meet with three potential house-helpers later in the afternoon. Liz hopes that she clicks with one of the girls, and she finds her friend-for-hire.
How she is missing Brianna and Mia! They are her best friends, currently on a trip through Europe. Two of them will be back in few days, if they don't extend their vacation, again. Until then, they are exchanging photos. Well, even with them back, they will be on the East Coast, but at least they will have time for phone calls. Liz sighed while thinking how her friends are enjoying.
When was the last time she went on a vacation, or did anything just for fun like most of the people? She can't remember.
Liz's idea of a fun afternoon is going to a library, and exciting Friday evening is snuggling in the bed with an adventure novel. Yup, Liz likes to read. Thanks to her love for reading, she always excelled in her studies and skipped grades and managed to be a neurosurgeon at the age of 26. She was always the best, in a way it was a burden because she always had that pressure to maintain her position number one, no matter what she does. But Liz does not mind. She likes to be challenged to do more, better, faster.
Liz is elated every time her father is looking at her full of pride. She knows that her father sacrificed a lot to raise her after her mother passed, and this is her way of saying thank you: to make him proud of her. By making him proud, she is letting him know that he did a great job in raising her.
Liz snapped out of her thoughts. She needs to go and… yes! Buy groceries. That first.
---
If you are not reading this at 'W e b n o v e l . c o m', then the content you're reading is stolen! Please support the author by reading this novel from the original source.