She knew she couldn’t simply walk away and pretend she hadn’t seen what she’d seen. But taking on a system so deeply entrenched in corruption seemed like an impossible task.
Laura’s fingers trembled slightly as she dialed the number of the real estate agent. After three rings, a cheerful voice answered.
“Hello, this is Emma from Citywide Realty. How can I help you today?”
“Hi Emma, this is Laura McKenna. I’m calling about the apartment on Oak Street?”
“Ah, yes! The cozy two–bedroom unit. What can I do for you,
Laura took a deep breath. “I was wondering if it’s still available and if I could move in soon?
“Let me check that for you,” Emma replied: Laura heard the sound of typing in the background. “Great news, Laura! The apartment is still available, and you can move in as early as next week if you’d like.”
A wave of relief washed over Laura. “That’s perfect! T’d love to move in next week.”
“Wonderful! I’ll email you the lease agreement right away. Once you sign and return it, along with the first month’s rent and security deposit, the place is all yours.”
“Thanks so much, Emma, I can’t wait to get settled in.”
After hanging up, Laura let out an excited squeal. Finally, something was going right in her life.
The morning of moving day arrived, and Laura woke up early, a mix of excitement and nervousness fluttering in her stomach. She had barely finished her first cup of coffee when she heard a knock at the door..
“Hey, sis!” Jen’s voice rang out as Laura opened the door. “Ready to get this show on the road?”
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT–What the Ata De
CHAPTER TWENTY–EIGHT–What If It’s All a Lie?
Laura grinned. “As ready as I’ll ever be. Thanks for coming so early.”
“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Jen replied, giving her sister a quick hug
They had just started carrying boxes to Jen’s car when two more familiar faces appeared.
“Saraya! Todd! You guys made in!” Laura exclaimed, surprised and touched to see her work friends.
Saraya from accounting gave Laura a warm smile. “Of course we did. We couldn’t let you do this all on your own.”
Todd from IT nodded, already eyeing the larger pieces of furniture. “Yeah, plus I heard there might be pizza involved later?”
Laura laughed. “You heard right. Pizza’s on me as a thank you for all your help.”
The group quickly fell into an efficient rhythm. Todd took charge of the heavy lifting, his IT muscles proving surprisingly useful for moving furniture. Saraya, true to her accounting background, organized the boxes by room, labeling each one meticulously.
“Hey, Laura, “Saraya called out as they were loading the truck. “Where do you want this box labeled “Memories‘?
Laura paused, thinking for a moment. “Let’s put that one in the bedroom. It’s mostly old photos and stuff”
As they worked, the conversation flowed freely.
“So, Laura,” Todd grunted as he lifted a particularly heavy box, “how are you feeling about the new place?”
Laura smiled, wiping sweat from her brow. “Excited, nervous a little bit of everything, I guess. It’s a big change, but I think it’s exactly what I need right now.”
Jen chimed in, “I’m just glad you’re getting out of that awful apartment. Remember when the ceiling leaked for three weeks straight?”
“Ugh, don’t remind me,” Laura groaned. “This new place is going to be so much better.”
By early afternoon, they had arrived at Laura’s new apartment. As they began unloading the truck, Laura felt a sense of accomplishment wash over her, This apartment represented a fresh start, a space that was truly her own after the tumultunus events of the past few months.
“Alright, team,” Laura sald, clapping her hands together. “Let’s get this stuff inside, and then pizza and beer are on me!”
The promise of food and drinks seemed to energize everyone. They formed a human chain, passing boxes and furniture from the truck to the apartment with impressive speed.
“Where do you want the couch, Laura? Todd called out, he and Jen struggling with the bulky piece of furniture.
Laura surveyed the living room. “Let’s try it against that wall for now. We can always move it later if it doesn’t work”
As they maneuvered the couch into place, Saraya emerged from the kitchen “Laura, your wine glasses are unpacked and ready for christening this new place. Just saying”
Laura laughed. “Let’s finish unloading first, then we can celebrate properly.”
Finally, after a few more trips up and down the stairs, the last box was brought in. Laura looked around at her friends, all sweaty and tired but wearing satisfied smiles.
“I can’t thank you guys enough,” she said, feeling a lump form in her throat. “This means more to me than you know”
Jen wrapped an arm around her sister’s shoulders. “That’s what family and friends are for, sis. Now, I believe someone mentioned pizza?”
Laura grinned and pulled out her phone “One extra–large supreme and one vegetarian coming right up!”
While they waited for the pizza to arrive, they all collapsed onto various pieces of furniture, exhausted but content.
“So, Laura,” Saraya said, opening a beer, “how are you feeling about everything else? You know, with work and all?
Laura sighed, her smile fading slightly. “It’s been tough, not gonna lie. The suspension has been… well, it’s been hard. But I’m trying to stay positive. This new apartment feels like a fresh start, you know?
Todd nodded sympathetically. “We’ve got your back at work, Laura. A lot of people think the whole thing is BS.”
“Thanks, guys,” Laura said, feeling a rush of gratitude. “It means a lot to have your support.”
The conversation was interrupted by a knock at the door – the pizza had arrived. For the next couple of hours, they ate, drank, and
laughed, christening the new space with warmth and friendship.
As evening approached and her friends started to leave, Laura hugged each of them tightly.
“Thanks again, everyone. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
Jen, the last to leave, gave her sister an extra squeeze. “I’m proud of you, sis. This place is going to be great for you.”
After closing the door behind Jen, Laura turned to face her new apartment. Stacks of boxes and misplaced furniture greeted her, and she felt a wave of exhaustion hit her. The task of unpacking and organizing everything suddenly seemed overwhelming.
“That’s a problem for tomorrow–Laura,” she muttered to herself, deciding to tackle the rest in the morning
She managed to find her pajamas and toothbrush before collapsing onto her unmade bed. As she drifted off to sleep, Laura felt a glimmer of hope for the future, despite the challenges she still faced.
The next morning, Laura woke up determined to bring order to her new living space. She started in the kitchen, unpacking dishes and arranging them in the cupboards. As she struggled to reach a high shell, she heard a knock at the door.
Curious, Laura made her way to the entrance, wondering who it could be. Opening the door, she found herself face to face with an imposing figure – a tall, muscular woman with striking features and platinum blonde hair pulled back in a tight bun.
“Hello,” the woman said, her voice tinged with a thick Russian accent. “I am Svetlana Volkow, your new neighbor. I live next door and thought I would come to welcome you.”
Laura blinked, momentarily taken aback by Svetlana’s commanding presence. “Oh, hi! I’m Laura McKenna. It’s nice to meet you.” Svetlana’s eyes scanned the apartment behind Laura, taking in the chans of boxes and misplaced fumiture. “You are just moving in, yes? Do you need help?”
Laura hesitated, not wanting to impose on someone she’d just met. “That’s very kind of you, but I wouldn’t want to take up your time..
Svetlana waved her hand dismissively. “Nonsense Thave free day, and it is good to help new neighbors. Please, let me assist.” Before Laura could protest further, Svetlana had already stepped inside and was surveying the living room with a critical eye. “Um, okay,” Laura said, closing the door. “I guess I could use some help with the heavier stuff. I was just working on the kitchen
Svetlana nodded. “Kitchen is good place to start. Show me what you need.”
For the next hour, Laura found herself warlding alongside her new neighbor, impressed by Svetlana’s efficiency and strength. What would have taken Laura all day to accomplish on her own was finished in no time with Svetlana’s help
As they worked, they chatted, and Laura found herself warming to her new neighbor’s direct but friendly demeanor.
“So, Svetlana,” Laura said as they moved on to the living room, “have you lived in the building long?”
Svetlana nodded, easily lifting a heavy bookshelf that Laura had been struggling with. “Five years now, It is good building, quiet neighbors. Where do you want this?”
“Oh, um, maybe against that wall?” Laura pointed, still amazed at Svetlana’s strength. “And what do you do, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“I am professor of art history at local university,” Svetlana replied, setting down the bookshelf with precision.
Laura’s eyes lit up. Really? I love art! I majored in Fine Arts in college, actually, though I ended up going a different direction career-
wise.”
Svetlana turned to Laura, a spark of interest in her eyes. ‘Is that so? What kind of art do you enjoy?”
As they continued arranging gfurniture and unpacking boxes, their conversation flowed easily, centered around their shared interest in art. Laura found herself gesturing animatedly as she described her favorite painters, while Svetlana offered insights into the historical context of various art movements.
CHAPTER TWENTY–NINE – The Final Countdown Begins
“You know,” Svetlana said, pausing in her work to survey the room, “that wall there would be perfect for large painting. Do you have any art pieces?”
Laura’s face lit up. “Actually, I do! I have this abstract piece I bought years ago, but I never found the right place to hang it in my old
apartment.”
She rummaged through a nearby box, carefully extracting a large canvas wrapped in bubble wrap. As she unveiled it, Svetlana stepped closer, her eyes critically assessing the plece.
“Ah, this is interesting work,” Svetlana nodded approvingly. “The use of color, the bold brushstrokes… yes, this will look very good on that wall”
Together, they hung the painting, stepping back to admire their handiwork.
“It looks perfect there,” Laura said, grinning. “I can’t believe I kept this hidden away for so long.”
