The Gilded Cage

chapter 3

I inserted the key, ignoring his presence, but he grabbed my arm, turning me towards him, looking at me with disapproval and lack of understanding: "Hey, you, it's my apartment!"

What is he saying now! I am absolutely not available for his nonsense!

I sighed with impatience, pointing to the key and raising it in front of his face: "This key is mine, and I received it just today, and I took the housing address here. If you're homeless, that's not my problem, so don't trespass on people's homes and properties. It's a bad habit the law might punish you for! And what do you want by appearing before me now? What are you doing in this city anyway! Well, it's not as if I'm asking because I'm interested... don't answer my question, I don't want to hear your voice..."

I was about to enter after opening the door, but he grabbed my arm again and said in a sarcastic tone tinged with disapproval: "My dear, I agreed with its owner to rent it. Perhaps you're mistaken about the address, although the key you have might—"

I interrupted him impatiently: "Don't touch me like that again, or I'll punch you. And if you don't believe me, here's the owner's phone. Now leave in peace before you expose yourself to legal accountability and problems; we're starting to attract attention around us!"

He snatched the phone from my hand with utter rudeness and muttered in astonishment: "I have this number too; I met him, and he gave me this key and address. This apartment is mine, Miss. Perhaps you took a copy of it by unintentional mistake. Come on, all you have to do is go to him and explain the matter to him, that's all..."

He said it with complete simplicity, pushing me by my shoulders and forcing me down the steps, heading towards the door to enter!! I quickly went up firmly, grabbing his arm forcefully: "Have you gone mad?"

He exhaled in annoyance, turning around listlessly: "The mad one is you! I paid him the amount a while ago to live here, so go and tell him about the mistake that happened and sort it out with him, away from me!"

I stared at him in astonishment and disbelief. Could it be... could what he's saying be true? Why would the owner make such a mistake?

Let's say he made a mistake with the key...

What about the rental license then?!

I already signed the lease agreement!!

I bit my lip nervously and anxiously. I was afraid he had made a mistake, and if he didn't intend for me to be the tenant, this young man would definitely take it, and I wouldn't allow that. I came before him! And there are billions of people living on this huge planet, so why do I see him among everyone, for heaven's sake?

I said calmly, trying hard and with difficulty to smile at him: "Uh... listen, let's talk inside, and we'll call the owner to see what he says."

And that's what happened. We entered the apartment, and I admired it with admiration. Its furniture was beautiful and wonderful, its color brown mixed with white! There were two rooms, each with its own bathroom. The kitchenette was modest but okay, and the balcony was wide...

Not to mention the two balconies in those rooms as well. I liked the apartment very much...

And I'm not ready to give it up to this young man... never!

I sat on the sofa firmly, trying to call the number repeatedly, but he didn't answer his phone!

I tried again, many times... non-stop, and here he was eyeing me with mocking, provocative looks: "See? He won't answer your call because he doesn't know you. I'm sure it's a misunderstanding and that you took the key by mistake. I'll try calling on your behalf..."

Then he added confidently: "He'll definitely answer..."

Just now...

I was staring at his features carefully, and only then did I realize they were very distinctive!

What caught my attention the most was the color of his eyes, which seemed like the color of... a white plate full of pure honey, with the bright morning sun rays reflecting on it! As for his hair, it was almost the same color as his eyes, except many blond strands ran through it, in addition to his somewhat dark roots! As if his hair combined all shades of yellow and brown! And what highlighted the color of his hair and eyes more was his thick black coat and his white cotton shirt.

Wait! Why does he overdress to this degree? A scarf, a winter wool hat, gloves he just took off, a thick coat, and a cotton shirt! Are we at one of the poles?!

He raised his left eyebrow engrossedly as he stared at his phone screen. Someone like him doesn't deserve these features at all, yes...

He hides behind these attractive features corrupt and nasty morals. I met him a week ago on my way home...

I was forced to change my route to a nearby club due to my colleague's insistence on accompanying her, so I went reluctantly, and it was a very bad idea! This young man was there, dancing with one girl, fooling around with another, and flirting with another, and so on! When I felt pain in my head and a severe headache, I decided to leave, excused myself from my colleague, and waited for a taxi...