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“Do you like it?”
I turn my head to face him, noticing the anticipatory expression on his. “Like it? It’s amazing. I almost can’t believe what I’m seeing.”
He smiles, his eyes nearly twinkling. “The plan is to build out the first level with retail. Coffee, a bakery, perhaps yoga, or a dry cleaner. Useful things. Four floors of loft apartments, and mine on the top.”
“The entire top floor is yours?”
“Yes. Come see it.”
I follow him as he takes off, reminding me of the shy kid I used to hang with on our way to the opening of a favorite movie franchise. I have a feeling if I could peel back the layers of the man he is now, I’d find the boy he used to be.
As we walk, he explains the plans he has for the rest of the district. More apartments, retail, lots of green spaces and amenities to attract hip younger crowds away from the big city. I have to admit, it’s genius.
Just before we reach the door though, he pauses, pointing between two buildings on his left. “But there lies my opposition. Garrett and his nasty buildings. He won’t sell them, won’t renovate them, and refuses to be agreeable to any changes in the city. Word is, he even borrowed heavily from several relatives to pay his back rent.”
“But why? It benefits him too.”
“Garrett is a man stuck in the past. He thinks we’ll become just like New Onyx, which is literally impossible. We’re a fifth the size of that city and half that of Clearbrook. If he could stop being so stubborn, he’d see what an oasis this could be for young adults. It’s a short drive to New Onyx.”
“So you’re building around him?”
“While I can, yes. Eventually I’ll wear him down. That will be a beautiful day, Eli. Come.”
I follow him, both impressed and amazed by his demeanor and vision. “Well, I get it. I wasn’t looking forward to moving back, but I’m getting excited now.”
“Wonderful,” Michel says softly. “I guess it was time for both of us.”
“Yeah.”
Michel pulls the chrome handle on the glass doors, stepping to the side to allow me to pass. Inside is a swanky lobby decked out in marble and gold. From the door to the elevator bank is a carpet runner in black, and the ceiling is adorned with crystal-and-gold chandeliers.
To our left is a reception area that is presently empty. Michel gestures for me to follow him. Off to the side is a small room with rows of mailboxes and package delivery bins. Beyond that is what appears to be a business center.
“I’m building an enclosed pool on the lower level. Right now it’s being prepared. It was nothing but boilers and forgotten factory items.”
“Wow, Michel. This is impressive.”
“Thank you. Once it’s available for other occupants, we’ll have a reception area and a concierge. My idea is that a resident will have everything they need and anything they want within a short walk.”
“It’s perfect.”
He beams. “Ready to see my place?”
“Absolutely.”
Michel leads me to the elevator banks. It only takes a few seconds to arrive and when we step inside, he uses a key card instead of pressing the button.
“The elevator to my floor is private. A guest can only get up here with an access card given to them by the front desk. Or me, of course.”
“Cool.”
When the doors open again, we step out into another narrow foyer drenched in more marble. Beyond that are glass doors that lead into Michel’s apartment, which hardly seems the correct word for such opulence.
With another keycard, he swipes the door handle and it opens on its own. He gestures for me to follow him, but I can barely make my feet work. It’s like stepping onto a movie set. The brooding hero in his dark lair, looking out over the city he protects.
“Michel…”
“It’s over the top, I know, but again, I had to make a statement. If I wanted the citizens here to trust me to remake their city, I had to prove I had the chops.” He smiles. “And the wealth.”
