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“Now you stay put while I get your snack together.”
Walking over to grab his organic cheese puffs and milk from the counter, I return to the blanket with a smile. My cell phone rings just as I’m about to plop down. Sliding it out of my pocket, I see the alert for a message inviting me out.
Rachel knows I can’t go out during the week.
I have my fingers ready to tap out my response when I pause to think of the last time I actually went somewhere and had a good time. Magdalene has strict rules about going out, especially if it involves drinking. While I completely understand her reasoning, I’m charged with caring for an infant and I’m no good to him if I’m drunk. It’s never lost on me that the same rule doesn’t apply to Magdalene. She certainly doesn’t seem to mind throwing a few back on a nightly basis. I’m positive she’s more familiar with red wine than she is with water.
A loud bang on the piano draws my attention back to the floor. Clapping my hands as if he’s finished a masterpiece, he waves his little arms proudly as I settle down, placing his snack in front of him.
“You’re all the fun I need,” I say. Jacob smiles as if he understands and reaches for a puff to throw in his mouth.
There’s a knock at the door and I jump up to answer it. I open the door and Marie is standing there holding bags filled with the different props she must plan to use during the lesson.
“Hi,” I say.
She pulls her thin eyebrows together into a frown and shakes her head at me.
I sigh loudly, knowing exactly what she wants. Marie has a thing about speaking English when she’s around, so I guess it’s fair to say I’m being taught French too… against my will.
“Bonjour,” I say, stepping aside to let her in.
Her frown disappears as she nods her approval at me. She walks over to Jacob, talking a mile a minute.
While she’s giving Jacob his lesson, I use the time to fix a snack for myself and figure out what to cook for dinner. I check the fridge for cheese options and decide to whip up a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich. While I’m at it, I take out a few items for dinner.
I’m glad Jacob isn’t a picky eater. Most of the time he happily devours all my homemade baby food blends. Magdalene doesn’t trust store-bought baby food and that’s something we can both agree on. Most of the brands I’ve come across have more preservatives in them than actual food, and that simply won’t do for my Jacob.
Yes, I’d like to have a more active social life, but brainstorming different baby food options, and spending alone time with Jacob is fun to me. Even though his parents seem to prefer going out with their high-society friends, I can’t imagine being away from him. I love watching him grow and learn new things, even if that includes blowing spit bubbles at Marie.
Chapter 2
ASHER
I walk around the apartment, pausing to look up at the vaulted ceilings and exposed rustic beams. Under normal circumstances it doesn’t get better than a penthouse apartment, but nothing about this situation is normal, and this place is a dump. To be fair, I’m sure this is considered upscale to someone with average taste and a few millions in the bank, but it’s nothing compared to my mansion.
This place pales in comparison to my house with its eight bedrooms, six bathrooms, tennis court and pool. I love open space with lots of fresh air and manicured lawns. This condo is none of those things, but I know for a fact it will be well worth the investment in the long run, even though I’m positive my master bedroom is larger than this entire apartment.
Thankfully I’m only here for a month. I don’t think I can slum it any longer than that. My partners all think I’m crazy, but there’s a method to my madness. I like to dig in and get a first-hand feel for every business and piece of real estate I purchase. I didn’t land on the Forbes list by making stupid investments, and I won’t start now. Despite my short stay in a place below my typical standards, I wanted to make the place as homey as possible by bringing a few of my favorite items over. I only wish that included my fully equipped gym. There’s no way I’m using a shared facility like the one offered here. Besides, there is barely enough equipment and space for two people to work out in that tiny room they have the nerve to label a ‘Fitness Center.’
I make a mental note to look into the added costs associated with improving the modest gym so future residents can have a more inclusive living experience. I imagine everyone must pay for a gym membership, but if we could add that amenity, it may be reason to increase the asking price. Loosening my tie, I pull out my phone to check my jam-packed calendar for the hundredth time today. Amelia, my secretary, has my schedule laid out to perfection with several alarms set to go off at various times throughout the day, but with ever-changing markets comes a schedule that changes by the hour.
