AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What kind of phone calls? Who is this?”
The woman finally identifies herself as Vivian Legend, the Magnolia Park property manager. “It’s bad and now they’re starting to threaten me. I don’t want to give them your number, since you are the new owner, but I figured I needed to let you know what was going on. All because of that notice that went out Friday.”
“Ms. Legend, please, take a deep breath,” he says and runs his fingers through his hair. In the back of his mind, he feared something like this might happen.
“I’m just going to turn my phone off. I can’t deal with much more of this.”
“That’s probably a good idea. I was planning on coming by the complex tomorrow afternoon but why don’t I stop in as soon as the leasing office opens. I’ll do what I can to answer any questions or concerns the tenants might have. It’s going to be rough at first, as we make the transition, but I think everyone will understand and agree with me that some changes need to be made.”
“They’re not happy with the—” Vivian Legend continues. “Quite frankly, I’m not too happy with some things either.”
Jameson had consulted with his legal team before the letter was even drawn up. It’s no wonder the place looked as ragged as it did—the tenants were paying the same rates from almost ten years ago. The previous owner was drowning and was too stupid to realize how much money he was losing.
“I’ll see you first thing in the morning, Ms. Legend. Try to enjoy the rest of your afternoon.” Jameson did his best to be straightforward with everyone—he didn’t have time for fake people or those who tried to sugarcoat things—but this situation might be a little more tense than he had originally expected.
Chapter 4
Kat
“I’m going down to the leasing office first thing in the morning,” Kat says as soon as she gets back from taking out the trash. “The compactor is broken again. They want to raise the rent around here, then they need to start fixing things.”
“That thing is broken more often than it works,” Wesleigh shakes her head. “Seriously, the last two times I’ve dropped off some stuff, I had to leave it sitting out to the side. I felt a little weird leaving trash where anyone can rummage through it, but I didn’t want to bring it back here.”
“Ugh, that’s disgusting.” Kat scrunches her nose.
“Tell me about it. We shouldn’t have to put up with it being like that. Oh, and you can also let them know the spot on the ceiling in my bathroom is getting bigger. I tried to tell them the roof was leaking again.”
“Nooo. Seems every week there’s something not right about this place. I’ve been in a foul mood ever since we got that notice on Friday. I feel sorry for whoever gets to hear from me tomorrow. They’re seriously going to get an earful.” Kat slips off her shoes and walks back to her bedroom.
A few minutes later, she comes back to the living room with her laptop in her arms.
“Still can’t decide which outfits you want to take with you to Vegas?” Wesleigh looks up from the sofa where she’s watching one of the streaming networks.
Kat drops down into the oversized recliner and lets out a sigh. “No. And since I’m taking one suitcase, I need to make sure everything will fit.”
“Shoes go inside your carry-on. Along with your make-up. Just in case your bag doesn’t make it with you.” Wesleigh sits up straight and turns the volume down on the television.
“Don’t say that. Talk about a major panic attack.”
“I know, right. I’d flip out if my bag got lost.”
“I really wish you could go with me. I hate knowing we’re not going to be able to experience Vegas together.”
“Me too,” Wesleigh says and pulls her legs underneath her. “With two tests and a paper due, there’s no way. Let’s not even talk about the rent situation either.”
“From the looks of the itinerary they sent me, the shoots start early in the morning and last almost all day. I’ll have some free time in the evenings, but that’s it. Oh, and I’ll have the weekend, but I’m so broke, the only thing I can afford to do is lay out by the pool.” Kat laughs at her own remark; unfortunately, the statement couldn’t be further from the truth. Thank goodness the modeling agency is giving her a food allowance or else she be eating at White Castle every single day. And even that wasn’t cheap—not in Vegas.
“You might want to double check where you’re staying. Some of those hotels charge you to use their pool,” Wesleigh shakes her head. “Which I think is nuts.”
“Don’t tell me that,” she says and rolls her eyes. “There goes any chance I was going to have of working on my tan.”
“Tell me again which hotel they put in.”
“The Scarlett. It’s right in the middle of the strip. Close to the Flamingo and the huge Ferris Wheel.”
“Hopefully that’s not the case with their pool. Or maybe the agency included a couple pool passes with your room.”
“Let’s hope so, or else this is going to turn into one very long trip.”
