On the day Ariel arrived, he stepped into the immense building, the very place Mrs. Molly had promised to meet him. Peter, adamant that he meet her first thing, had stressed the importance, but unforeseen events had delayed Ariel. Despite the lateness, Ariel remained true to his word, opting to forego checking in at the hotel for the night.
Amidst the forest of towering, identical buildings that initially befuddled him, Ariel felt like a stranger in a place that had evolved beyond recognition over the centuries. His memories of grand castles, with servants and blood-slaves, now felt like dusty relics of history. Following Mrs. Molly's instructions, he took the elevator to the nineteenth floor, only to realize that Peter hadn't truly prepared him for the reality of this bustling world. Here, people toiled relentlessly for money, their existence wholly dependent on it. The incessant rush and urgency around him finally made sense – this was a realm of offices and commerce.
Finally reaching his destination, Ariel met Mrs. Molly, a woman in her late thirties with glasses perched on her nose. Her cheeks bore the gentle traces of time, and her short curly brown hair cascaded to her shoulders. Clad in a dark coat and a skirt just covering her knees, she exuded an air of authority and grace. As he stepped into the hectic working hall, Ariel couldn't help but regret entering this bustling hive of activity. The cacophony of voices, clattering machines, and mingling scents overwhelmed him, amplified by his heightened senses.
Yet, amidst the chaos, their eyes met as Mrs. Molly approached him near the main entrance. The moment hung in the air, a bridge between his old world and this uncharted one.
"Hello, Mr. Ail, I got a call from Mr. Peter two days ago," she said, extending her right hand for a handshake.
"ÆRİËL", he replied, gently releasing his hand from the shake.
She paused, studying him from head to toe, adjusting her glasses. The other office workers couldn't help but notice his commanding presence, causing them to momentarily halt their activities. His aura held a unique power, capable of influencing those around him with just a single glance. In their midst, he appeared to be an embodiment of perfection, surrounded by an air of mystery.
"You've certainly captured everyone's attention, sir," she remarked, guiding him further into her office with a lift of her left hand.
[After entering her office]
"Would you like something to drink?" she asked, tilting her head slightly and taking her seat behind the desk.
"No, thank you," Ariel rejected, his voice resonating with confidence.
"...., um, okay. As Mr. Peter instructed, I have organized all the necessary documents, and all you need to do is sign here... and here...." she explained, flipping through the papers and indicating specific areas.
"He, being the authorized partner, prohibits us from sharing further details. Any disclosure of additional information could be highly detrimental to the contract and the parties involved," she continued, emphasizing the importance of confidentiality.
Ariel found himself at a loss for questions, feeling overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation and the enigmatic nature of the contents before him.
"Um...., is there a problem, sir?" Mrs. Molly inquired, raising her eyebrows as she stood up from her chair. Ariel also rose from his seat and approached her closely, leaning in as he spoke, "Makė mė uṅdėrstaṅd."
"I've arranged the documents for your new apartment, a place for you to stay, as Mr. Peter instructed. I have been his attorney for over a decade, and I've personally toured all the places that meet the criteria within the past two days. He mentioned that you would be visiting today and wanted you to have one of his largest apartments, where his son once lived before joining the military. The place has been vacant ever since, and you need to sign these papers to claim it under your name. I must admit, I am still uncertain about your relationship with him and why Mr. Peter wants you to have it, considering the high market prices for apartments right now," she recited, her delivery as unwavering as a scripted paragraph.
As Mrs. Molly paused to catch her breath, a surprised gasp escaped her lips, and a hint of embarrassment colored her face. She quickly reached under her desk for a bottle of water, confusion still evident in her expression.
As Ariel took the pen from the table and signed his name in Latin, he felt a deep sense of gratitude towards Peter for this unexpected gesture. In a world where people would go to great lengths for their fortunes, his friend's act of kindness was a pleasant surprise.
Looking at Mrs. Molly, who was still drinking water, Ariel raised his thick eyebrows to prompt her to hand over the documents. Realizing her momentary lapse, she hurriedly retrieved the papers and handed them to him.
Exiting the building with the documents in hand, Ariel now possessed the key to his new apartment, a place he hadn't anticipated finding so quickly. The information provided, including door codes and cleaning services, were written in details. Though he hadn't yet familiarized himself with those specifics.