Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79438 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
I walk to the front door and glance up and down the street after knocking.
The door opens, and a man in his late fifties lifts an eyebrow at me. “Lillian?”
“Yes. You’re Jeffrey?” I force a smile to my face.
“Yes.” He nods for me to come in.
“Thank you for allowing me to view the house on such short notice.”
He leaves the front door open and walks into the living room. “Take a look around.”
I ask Jeffrey questions about the plumbing, gas, and maintenance of the house as I move from room to room.
Everything feels outdated, but beggars can’t be choosers.
I give Jeffrey a hopeful look. “When can I move in?”
“As soon as you pay the deposit.”
“So if I make the payment now, I can move in today?”
When he nods, intense relief spreads through my body. “We have to sign a contract, but yes. The place is empty, so there’s no reason for you not to move in.”
“Thank you so much!” Looking around the living room, there’s a glimmer of hope that, just maybe, things will get better.
“Can we meet here at two this afternoon to sign the contract?” I ask.
“Sure. I’ll be here the whole day.” He gestures to the kitchen. “I want to check the plumbing.”
“Thank you!” Walking out the front door, I head to the cab.
During the drive back to The Ritz, my thoughts return to Callan and what happened last night.
Callan shouted at me and chased me out of his car.
Just thinking about it, intense embarrassment and heartache threaten to drown me.
The fight with my parents and having them disown me.
I close my eyes when the wave of disappointment and hurt hits again.
And Sadie. She was so cruel.
I shake my head while biting back the tears.
The cab stops in front of The Ritz, and I settle the fee before climbing out of the car.
When I walk into the lobby, I stop by reception. A different woman is on duty this morning.
“Can you check if Callan Wright is home, please?”
Her eyes flick to me, a light frown on her forehead. “Who can I tell him is here?”
“Lily.”
She dials his number, but just like the night before, there’s no answer. “Once Mr. Wright returns, we’ll notify him you were here.”
She turns her attention back to her work, clearly dismissing me.
I go up to my room to wait for Callan.
That’s if he even comes to my room.
God.
Please don’t let me lose him.
Covering my face with my hands, I burst out in tears. My sobs are uncontrollable, my shoulders shuddering beneath the weight of everything that’s happened.
It takes me a while to regain control of my emotions, and I quickly wash my face.
Noticing it’s almost eleven, intense panic seizes my heart. Not caring that I look a mess, I hurry out of the room and take the elevator down to the lobby.
When I approach the reception counter, the receptionist frowns at me. Before I can ask, she says, “Mr. Wright isn’t home.”
My heart sinks to my stomach. “Are you sure?”
Offended, her frown darkens. “Ma’am, make an appointment with Mr. Wright before coming back. We uphold a high policy of privacy regarding our residents.”
My shoulders sag, and having no choice, I go back to my room to collect my luggage.
When I’m back in the lobby, the receptionist gives me a look filled with warning.
“I need to check out,” I mutter, giving her a glare of my own.
Cow.
She takes my keycard, then says, “We hope you enjoyed your stay at The Ritz.”
I shake my head at her. “No, I didn’t. Your service sucks.”
Turning around, I walk away from reception, feeling rattled that Callan isn’t home yet.
With the weight of the world bearing down on my shoulders, I drag my luggage behind me as I walk to the nearest electronics store so I can buy a new cellphone.
It takes over thirty minutes, and when I leave, I head to the subway.
On my way to the rental that will be my new home for the unforeseeable future, I realize I have no one’s phone number. I won’t even be able to call Sadie so I can get the rest of my belongings.
God. When will this stop. I can’t handle any more problems.
I’m mentally and physically exhausted by the time I reach the rental, but it takes another hour of signing a contract with Jeffrey and going over all his rules before I’m finally alone.
The house is so empty I hear my footsteps echo as I pull my luggage to the bedroom.
Letting out a sigh, I feel downright miserable.
Callan’s probably on his way to Houston already. Even if he returns my calls, it’s of no use because my parents have the phone.
What am I going to do?
I don’t have his family’s address or phone numbers. I have to wait until tomorrow before I call his office, but there’s no guarantee they’ll give me his number.