The Last String

|02| New York, New Life?

|02| New York, New Life?

The tall skyscrapers that I've seen on tv were all in front of me now. The bustling sidewalks filled with people satisfies me. Maybe New York will do good things for me. But then, I don't know if I will do good to New York. 

Dad said that I will be staying in a condo unit here in Manhattan while they will stay at the Upper East Side Mansion. He argued that my new school is nearby the condominium complex that we own so he decided that it's high time for me to move out. I didn't said things about it. They won't let me say my opinion so why bother talk? He just gave me the keys and left me after an hour of driving from the airport. I don't even know my unit number! That old hag.

A bellboy assisted me with my things and I thanked him for that. Having four large luggage bags, it's a pain the a*s. 

I go straight to the lobby to ask what floor my condo unit might be in. 

"Uh, excuse me?" She ran her gaze to me as if I am not suitable in this place. I almost raise my eyebrows on what she did. Is my checkered red skirt, black turtleneck cropped top and heeled ankle boots not suitable for this place? Or is it my piercings that she worries about? Nonetheless, she's a judger. 

"Yes, what can I do for you?" 

"May I ask in which floor is Mr. Gin Gray's condo unit? He seems to forget to tell me what unit number it is." I said boringly. She then raised her eyebrows on me. She freaking raised her eyebrows on me! 

"I'm so sorry but we cannot give the information to you." She said in a bitchy tone. What an attitude! 

"I'm his daughter, Mallory Gray. Check it on his guest list." 

"The only names on his guest list were Adela Gray and Finn Gray. You sure doesn't look like an old woman or a guy to me." I faked a gasp and laugh. She's making me laugh that I'd love to smack her face. 

I grabbed my phone and dialed Dad out of my will. In the second ring, he answered the phone. 

"What's the unit number? The lobby attendant won't give it to me." I asked. He sighed. Maybe he remembered that he didn't tell me what unit number I will be staying. 

"The penthouse 2001." 

"Great. And can you fire your lobby attendant? She's full on disrespectful." I said and eyed the lobby attendant who's still eyeing me like I'm some sort of trash. 

"I'll talk to the manager later." 

"Thanks Dad." I ended the phone call. 

"I'm Finn Gray. Seraphine Mallory Gray. Have fun talking to your manager!" 

I looked back and see the bellboy attendant looking all shy. I shrugged. I don't mean to scare him. 

We rode the elevator to the twentieth floor. New Life Condominium is something that we own apart from the chains of hotels that we have across the world. It's not biggie for me. I don't like people snooping on my business that's why we were in New Jersey back then. But right now? I don't care anymore. 

When we reached the twentieth floor, I figured out that there's only three doors including the emergency stairs. So I therefore conclude that I only have one neighbor. It's a good thing. I don't like associating myself with neighbors after all the fuss that my ex-neighbors created. Duh. 

I gave the bellboy a hefty tip and smiled at him. 

"I won't eat you, you know? That girl needs a lesson to cut her thorns." I said and closed the door before me. 

The condo is so spacious. The first thing I did was to activate the password pad so I don't really need to bring the keys anymore. 

The whole room screams money. From the furnitures, the carpets and designs—they poured money on this. Surprisingly, they have a good taste. 

I searched for my bedroom which according to my father, is the biggest room here in the condo unit. Well, it has four rooms and the entertainment room, music room, and library was excluded. The kitchen is nice too as I walked past by it awhile ago. This unit is a dream for everyone. 

I plopped down on my bed and removed my shoes. I suddenly feel tired and the next thing I knew, I drifted off to sleep.

***

"Thank you." I said to the delivery man as he put my parcels to the living room. Someone from the lobby paged me that my parcels came and that woke me up from my deep slumber. I can't help but to groan but those parcels mean so much to me. 

I glanced at the clock and saw that it's already nine in the evening. I haven't eaten a thing yet so I decided to dine out. I took a shower first before going out. 

I clad in a simple wine colored sheer top, high waist faded jeans and nude pumps. Not too fancy outfit for a dinner. I  put my red hair in a bun and put enough make up on my face. When I say enough makeup, it means skipping the foundation and just settle for a light cream and tint for my cheeks and lips. But then, I can't skip on making sure that my eyebrows will be naturally on fleek. 

With a phone and wallet in hand, I walk along the busy streets of New York City. The night is pretty chilly but it's nothing that I cannot handle. I searched for a diner of my liking. Greasy foods will be enough for me and it's always been my choice of food. I can go all healthy with vegan foods but you can never go wrong with pizzas and burgers.

A colorful diner caught my attention. It's packed with people but I can see that it still has some vacant chairs. 

I entered the diner and the smell of roasted bacon and sizzling sounds of burger welcomed me. The diner is packed with people of different ages. They must be serving some real good food here. 

I sat by the counter and looked at the menu they offered. It all looks amazing. The waitress before me smiled as she saw me looking excited on what to eat. 

"Can you give me your bestseller please?" I said  while grinning like a kid. She seems amused by watching me. 

"Bestseller, coming right up!" 

I watched the people come and go with a smile on their faces. This place is something. It has its charm that can make people come back. I can feel it. I can't pinpoint what it is but there is something unrecognizable and it's charming. 

"Fried Chicken, Mac n cheese with homemade fries, and Iced Red Lemon Tea for ya." She placed my order on the bar counter and gave me the receipt. Oh, it's cheap. I didn't expect it due to the hefty amount of foods. 

One word to describe the food: Heaven. 

I can't stop myself eating. Normally, I don't eat this much for dinner but these foods deserve to be eaten! 

"Do you deliver food?" I asked the lady named Maria who received my order awhile ago. The chicken will be perfect for late night snack and the mac n cheese? I love it! Where have you been all my life? I need these foods. It's somewhat a comfort food that touches your soul. Maybe that's the reason why people kept on coming back. 

"Yes we do. Here, it's the menu with the diner's number." She gave me a leaflet and I gladly accepted it. 

"Thank you," I chirp. 

I stayed for about one hour at the diner. Maria and I clicked and we talk a lot. I will be looking forward on meeting her. She said she's just doing a part time on the diner since the school hasn't started yet and they own it. It's their first branch in New York and now they have twenty-five branches around U.S. and I feel glad about it. 

"Bye Maria!" I waved my hand and she waved back to me. I happily walked back to my condo unit with a happy tummy. 

Like what Gavin said, New York isn't bad afterall. It's a concrete jungle and I happen to be a lioness. 

Let's grace New York with wildness, shall we?