AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Ithink this place will suit you quite nicely,” Jalik said, leading me into my new apartment. “All the paperwork has already been dealt with and the cleaners got it ready, so you can officially move in this second.”
Right then, there was no furniture, but the place was still absolutely amazing. The bathroom alone was bigger than my place in The Under. After furnishing and decorating, I suppose it would feel like home.
“What do you think?” he continued.
“It’s beautiful,” I said as I strolled to the giant ‘window.’ It wasn’t truly a window, but a large scenic image built into the wall to give the illusion of looking out a window to a lakeside view. I found the remote that changed the image, scrolling until I found an Earthen orchard.
I focused on that so that I could ignore everything I wanted to say to him. It was only just yesterday that things between us crumbled as he essentially kicked me out of his apartment the second he could. But I kept it to myself.
Ultimately, getting me this apartment was very kind of him. I never could have afforded a place like this without his help and whatever strings he pulled for me. How could I complain?
“I love it,” I added.
“Good, good. I’m glad you do. It was very lucky this apartment was available.”
“Very lucky,” I repeated flatly.
“It simply makes sense for you to live in a place like this and not The Under. The Black Star Casino is making you into a public figure. You should be living like one, too.”
“This place is very big, with a lot of space.” I tried to match Jalik’s enthusiasm for me moving in here. But our conversation yesterday still stung. It was hard to get too excited.
“You deserve a place like this. Did you see all that closet space? Perfect for all the dresses you’ll perform in. No space like that in The Under.”
“Nope,” I said flatly again. I couldn’t tell if Jalik was just ignorant of how I felt in all of this or simply didn’t care.
“Plus, obviously this place is far more secure than anywhere in The Under. After everything with Erznet, there is no being too careful.”
That was true. That whole ordeal was terrifying, and I was glad for it to be over. But part of me wished for a new crisis to emerge so I could run back into his arms and he’d welcome me back into his home to stay.
“We have top-notch security running every hour of the day. We’re also above the casino, so only people who live here have access. You won’t have to be afraid of creeps like Erznet anymore.”
“And you can’t beat the commute,” I said, almost trying to convince myself more than anything else. I wouldn’t miss the walk to and from The Under, but still…
“On top of all of that,” Jalik said, approaching me at the window. His reflection appeared behind me as he placed his hands on my shoulders. “My place is just down the hall. So, if you need anything, anything at all, I can be here in an instant.”
I didn’t respond. It honestly felt like he wanted to keep me near but didn’t actually want me around. It was frustrating. Was I in some kind of friends-with-benefits situation, a toy he only took off the shelf when he was ready to play?
But at the same time, I wanted to melt into him. As his hands gripped my shoulders, I wanted nothing more than to stay in that moment forever.
“Really,” Jalik continued. “All the guys live on this floor. So that makes this place even safer. This is a great place.”
“So great… And I can move in right now?”
“Yes. You can take an afternoon nap here by… well, this afternoon. I’ll just have you put your name to a few contracts, and this place is as good as yours. Like I said, I have everything else covered.”
I didn’t respond. It was getting harder and harder to think of nice things to say. I was losing the energy to match him.
“And before you ask,” he added as he guided me away from the window into the spacious bedroom, “I’ve already put in an order for the cleaning service to come by twice a week. One of the perks of living here.”
“Yeah, that is nice. I’ve never lived in a place that was… clean.” I couldn’t help but think back to my apartment in The Under. It was considered a luxury when I found a free rug in a dumpster to cover a gross stain on the floor.
“This place is going to treat you well. Don’t worry about anything. You’re lucky you know me. Draven was ready to give this place to someone else. But I fought hard to get it for you.”
The way he talked about the apartment, he radiated with pride. Yes, it was a very nice thing for him to do for me. But it didn’t make all of it hurt any less.
This was just a way for him to keep me around just for when he wanted me. When he was horny or whatever, but nothing more. Though, I couldn’t seem ungrateful for everything he’d done for me.
So I forced a smile onto my face. And he smiled back with pride.
