After She Left

TWO

"She's been through more hell than you'll ever know. But that's what gives her beauty an edge... You can't touch a woman who can wear pain like the grandest of diamonds around her neck."

-Alfa (c)

"Here we are," Hanna said, a sigh following her words.

"Here we are," I repeated, not quite believing it.

We had just landed, taking the first steps in this city after six months. The sun immediately hit me, making me remove my leather jacket.

"The car is waiting, miss Gold," Henry said from behind me, he had come here a day earlier to make sure all safety aspects were taken care of.

"Missed you too, Hen," I winked at him, taking Hanna's hand in mine and walking to the car.

I certainly hadn't given the security aspect of moving back enough thought. The car I had to drive in had black windows, pretty sure it had to be bulletproof as well, knowing my dad would go all out on this one just to make sure I was 200% safe back here. In the car with us sat 2 guys - Henry and the driver, however, apart from that there was another car behind us filled with 4 other bodyguards. This was all too much, I had to make a mental note to talk to dad about this, even though I had a feeling nothing I'd say would have an impact on this decision.

"Hen, where are we going?" I asked, knowing well dad wouldn't let me live in the old house, yet the tiny hope in me remained.

"Your penthouse apartment, it is located right next to "The Gold's" main building, Miss Gold," Henry's monotone voice replied.

I rolled my eyes, to which Hanna replied with a laugh, placing her hand on my thigh.

"Come on, many people could only dream of being in your place, yet here you are rolling your eyes," she pinched my cheek, "be more grateful, Preciosa."

"I would've loved a small studio apartment more than a damn penthouse one, you know, there's literally no need to spend that much money on me," I looked out of the window, the familiar streets making me feel a little uneasy.

"I'm sure your dad had reasons for choosing the place, besides it was already a huge step for him to even allow you to come here without them," she reasoned.

She had a point and I knew it, probably it was the safest option in every way possible since that was my dad's priority when it came to me moving. It didn't, however, make me feel any better about being so spoiled, I was never one to love money, I'd rather of earned everything in my life on my own. Perhaps then I would appreciate certain things far more and would be a stronger person, instead of having to depend on others quite often.

"Thanks for being the one with brains in this relationship, Han," I gave her a peck, smiling teasingly.

"Oh, shush, Preciosa," she laughed, "We both know it's always been me."

"Then I guess I'm left with being the pretty one, huh?" I teased.

She pouted, barely able to fight the smile: "love, we know I've taken that one too."

"Hey! That's mean!" I laughed, nudging her side.

"Girls, we're here," Henry said, stepping out of the car to open the door for us.

Even small things like this always made me roll my eyes, but then again - everything did. It would make people look at me as if I was more than normal, yet all I wanted was to be everything but, especially with what I had gone through when it came to cancer. For once I wanted to live the way I chose to.

"Thanks, Hen," I mumbled lowly, taking his hand to get out of the car.

I looked at the building in front of me, and internally cringed, it looked like everything but normal, it looked like pure money, with the red carpet in the entrance, everything decorated in gold, even the damn butler coming towards me had a wine red suit with golden accents.

He was smiling at me in the fakest smile I'd ever lived to see. Well, perhaps apart from Eden's. The thought of her made me bite my lip and look downwards.

"Miss Gold! What a pleasure!" he said in an energetic voice.

So fake, I thought. Perhaps I should just give him a couple of thousands of dollars, he could do something he actually loves doing, poor thing.

"Welcome to "Argent". I'm Jack and I'll be your butler on your stay here," he beamed, saying the buildings name in french.

Great, just great. I had been to France enough of times to know what the word meant. They had actually named the building "Money". I'm pretty sure my facial expression was "this must be a f*****g joke", because Hanna decided to step in, smiling at the guy.

"Hey, I'm Hanna, we're very glad to be here. Ruby is just stunned from how beautiful this place is," she lied very convincingly and politely, "could you show us the way to the apartment, please?"

The butler either actually believed her words or was simply dumbstruck by her beauty, since all he did was nod his head, the smile on his face not faltering: "yes, miss, just follow me."

Hanna nudged my side, giving me the "get your crap together" look my mom and she seemed to be very fond of.

I rolled my eyes one last time, looking at Henry for some kind of help, yet he just raised his brow, smiling as if he was very pleased with himself. Great, I'm on my own.

I followed after the guy after quite loudly asking him: "Is there a gym or basketball court here, by any chance?" The groan that came from Henry from behind me made a pleased smile appear on my face.

After the question was asked, Jack gave us a small tour, not to mention the rundown of the history of "Argent". I could only hope he got paid enough for keeping up the happy act for the time being.

Once he had taken us to the elevator that would take me to the penthouse apartment, I opened my purse to give him some money, to which he shook his head: "miss Gold, that's very generous of you, but in "Argent" we don't accept tips."

I smiled at him, still putting the money in his hand: "Jack, think of this as a request. I need you to not be my butler, as in, could you be invisible? I came back to be normal, yet having a butler kind of takes away from the whole experience."

His smile still wouldn't falter: "of course, miss Gold. I'll be as invisible as a ghost."

With that, he bowed to all three of us and left.

"Your things are upstairs already, miss Gold," Henry gave me a golden card, "for the elevator to work you simply need to put your hand on the touchscreen, it also opens only with the fingerprint. It will take you to your apartment, but in case it doesn't work, which shouldn't happen - just use the card, we're the only ones who have this card, it gives you a chance to do the whole thing without fingerprints or handprint. Hanna's fingerprints also work."

This was all too much, yet I decided to try and survive without complaining at least for the rest of the day: "where will you be staying?"

"That's none of your concern. In case you need me, just say "Henry" and I'll be there," he said, winking at me and walking away.

Previous thoughts of not complaining were immediately out of the window: "I can't believe this! They probably have microphones and so on installed in the damn apartment. This is too much!"

Hanna put her finger on the little touchscreen and the elevators doors opened: "Preciosa, your parents want you to be safe. And if this is what it takes, then you better get used to it."

She took me by the waist and pulled me in the elevator, then once again put her hand on the bigger touchscreen. The elevator immediately reacted, closing the door and moving upwards. A fingerprint to get in and the whole hand to get up? If this wasn't overdoing it, then I don't know what was. It made no sense to have 2 lock systems put up simply to get the elevator moving. Thank God I at least had the card to make it somewhat easier.

In about 5 seconds we were up there. Once the elevator opened, I couldn't help the sigh that escaped my mouth. It couldn't be denied - the place was incredibly beautiful. It had 2 floors, also a pool outside. Dad had surely wanted me to feel cozy since he had added my favorite things ever - a hamac and library. There also was a gym, which I made a mental note to use as quickly as possible to torture Henry.

I searched around for my bedroom - the place had a total of 3, while Hanna rummaged around the kitchen, probably wanting to stuff her face. Why 3 bedrooms? No clue. I walked to the door I assumed had to be my bedroom since the door was the biggest.

"Here it goes - new home," I sighed opening the door.

I'm pretty sure my jaw hit the floor due to the sight before me.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I asked the person laying in my bed.