The Gilded Cage

chapter 2

I stood at the bus stop and sat on the long bench completely engrossed, tucking the rebellious strands of my hair behind my ears as I read with intense care and slowness, as if stalling for time. Soon, I screamed with joy and excitement, drawing surprised and puzzled looks from around me. Then I caught myself and let out a strong sigh of relief that came from my depths when I learned that my performance evaluation was excellent!

Well, this means my vacation will start with peace of mind...

And after it ends, I will put effort into studying well for the exams...

I'll rest for about two months, and after that, I'll take a few theoretical and practical tests and be done with the torment of studying forever...

I whispered with satisfaction and excitement: "Only the apartment is left..."

I agreed with the apartment owner weeks ago to rent it from him. He agreed to a reasonable, acceptable amount. Thank God I found the apartment at this time. Good, I have an apartment and a job soon, so I won't need my parents or Sam and Ethan during this period, especially since my parents want some privacy away from the noise and work...

They have the right to get some rest, and it seems they will extend their rest period by spending the vacation on one of the islands.

At least work matters or worries and troubles around them won't spoil their atmosphere. The great thing is that before they left several days ago, they held a birthday party for my twenty-first. It was a modest party, but its simplicity made me happy too. It's enough that the smile didn't leave all of us that day...

For me... joy doesn't need a dazzling path to enter my heart. Sometimes the simplest things make us happy instead of our eyes being busy with beautiful things beyond the reach of our hands. I see my happiness with my insight, not my sight!

Anyway...

I was exhausted a lot today, as I woke up early to reach this city. It's about an hour away from my city, but because of the crowds today, I was delayed by more than half an hour, and I want to rest a little...

I searched the information network for apartments for rent and found an apartment a few days ago, and here I am today going to see it. If you're wondering why I'm moving from my city to here, it's simply to work in the largest and most prestigious hospital in this city. This is what I aspire to. In my city, I never felt drawn to any hospital as much as I felt towards this city's hospital, so I...

My thoughts were cut off by the arrival of the bus and its stop directly in front of me, so I headed towards it...

A reasonable period of waiting and stopping at two previous stations... then finally!

I got off the bus, staring at the place contemplatively and carefully, searching with my gaze for something. Here I am going to get the keys to the apartment overlooking the beach, and here he is standing in front of a small shop waiting for my arrival. I smiled at him and said in a soft, calm tone: "Good morning, Mr. Edward."

He is a relatively old man, seemingly in his late fifties, wearing a thick brown scarf around his neck to warm it, and his dark eyes stared at me as soon as he turned around, then smiled and said, shaking my hand warmly and kindly: "Ah! Miss Charlotte, good morning!"

We talked a little about the apartment subject, and he seemed to speak quickly, throwing abbreviated words as if he were busy!

And my expectation was correct, as he said he had to return home quickly and couldn't delay any longer, so I took the key and the apartment address from him accurately...

The problem is I haven't seen it yet... foolishness and recklessness on my part, right? Actually, madness...

I contented myself with seeing some pictures of it through the website where I found it and didn't bother to make sure more...

It doesn't matter, the important thing is that I found an apartment, period!

I took a taxi and gave him the paper with the written address. He said it was a nearby address, and when he dropped me off, I paid the fare and took my small bag in which I put simple clothes and some necessities temporarily for a few days until my affairs settled, then I'd move the other clothes and things...

I walked two steps then stopped, admiring the place with admiration. It was beautiful and soothing to the soul. The apartment overlooks the beach, and around it are restaurants and simple, wonderful clothing stores. The place isn't crowded but quiet and very beautiful, with everything from services, facilities, and markets... and frankly, this made me wonder at this moment about the apartment's rent price compared to its amazing location!

My feet moved towards it. It's not an apartment in a building but an independent apartment a few steps up, with many similar apartments next to it in design. Here I am taking a few simple steps until I noticed a shadow behind me. I ignored it; there was nothing suspicious. But when I extended my hand to open the door, another hand extended, so I turned around curiously and in astonishment, but soon my looks changed to annoyance and sharpness, saying with great distress: "You?!"

I took a cautious stance, raising both my hands and clenching them with great tension! It's that scum...

Oh God, have mercy on me. It's okay to meet anyone except this one specifically...

He eyed me carefully for seconds, then exclaimed in surprise: "It's you! Is it a coincidence, or are you following me? Or perhaps fate!"

I stood opposite him firmly and exhaled in annoyance: "Listen, you, you've already received from me what no one would be pleased with unless you were insensitive and indifferent. So maybe the question is directed at you. Are you following me or what? Are you stalking my movements?!! Were you appointed to spy on me? What on earth do you want from me!"

He furrowed his eyebrows as he stared at the place well and muttered faint words I couldn't hear, then looked at me again and said with a small, puzzled smile: "Well, I found what displeases me, as you say, but it seems you completely misunderstood! I'm not here to follow you but for another matter..."

He added with some sarcasm: "By the way... maybe as you just mentioned, fate willed that we meet again. What do you think?!"

My eyes sharpened as I glared at him with dislike and muttered, turning my face away: "It seems you don't learn easily, not even from the first time! You're the reason my mood has been foul all week, and because of you, I suffer from bad nightmares!"

He tilted his head with provocative indifference, which annoyed me, and then he advanced a little, saying with dismissive impatience: "Fine... You're standing in my way. Now step aside, please..."

I raised my eyebrows in confusion, repeating what he said in bewilderment! Then I said impulsively: "I beg your pardon, but you're the one obstructing me..."

He looked at me questioningly: "Obstructing you from what, exactly?"

I answered him, carrying the bag: "From entering my apartment!"