CHAPTER FIFTY–ONE–The Price We All Pay
Laura’s phone buzzed on the coffee table, its screen lighting up with an incoming call. She glanced at it, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Ryan’s name flashing on the display. For a moment, she hesitated, her finger hovering over the screen as she debated whether
to answer.
“It’s probably about work,” she mumbled to herself, trying to quell the mix of excitement and anxiety bubbling in her chest. Taking a deep breath, she swiped to accept the call
“Hello?” Laura said, aiming for a casual tone.
“Laura, hey,” Ryan’s voice came through, warm and familiar. “Hope I’m not catching you at a bad time.”
“No, not at all,” she replied, settling back into the couch. “What’s up?”
There was a brief pause before Ryan continued, “I’ve got some news that I think you’ll like. I’ve arranged for a penthouse in Long Island, closer to the R&D office where you’ll be working. It’s all set up and ready for you to move in whenever you’re ready.”
Laura’s eyes widened in surprise. “A penthouse? Ryan, that’s… wow. I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you’ll take it,” Ryan chuckled. “It’ll make your commute a lot easier, and trust me, you’ll love the view.”
Laura’s mind raced with possibilities. A penthouse in Long Island? It seemed too good to be true. “That’s incredibly generous of you, Ryan. Are you sure?”
“Absolutely,” he assured her. “Consider it a welcome gift from Sivarra Tech. We want our employees to be comfortable and focused on their work, not worrying about long commutes or finding a place to live.
Laura couldn’t help but smile. “Well, in that case, I’d be crazy to say no. Thank you, Ryan, This means a lot.”
“Great! I’ll send you the details shortly. Looking forward to having you closer to the office,” Ryan said, his tone warm but professional
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, they ended the call. Laura sat there for a moment, still processing the news. Then, almost instinctively, she reached for her phone again and dialed Jessie’s number
Jessie picked up on the third ring “Hey, Laura! What’s up?”
“Jessie, you’re not going to believe this,” Laura began, her voice brimming with excitement. “How do you feel about moving to Long Island?”
There was a pause on the other end. “Long Island? What are you talking about?”
Laura laughed, the sound bubbling up from her chest. “Ryan just called. He’s arranged a penthouse for me in Long Island, closer to the office. And I want you to move in with me.”
“Are you serious?” Jessie squealed. “A penthouse? In Long Island? Girl, you better not be jalang!”
“I’m dead serious,” Laura assured her. “It’s all part of the job package, apparently. So, what do you say? Want to be roommates in a swanky Long Island penthouse?”
“Do I want to be roommates in a swanky Long Island penthouse?” Jessie repeated, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Gee, let me think about that for a millisecond. Yes! Of course, yes!”
Laura grinned, feeling a rush of excitement. “Great! I don’t have all the details yet, but flyan said we can move in whenever we’re ready. How soon can you pack?”
“How about yesterday?” Jessie laughed. “Oh my god, Laura, this is insane. I can’t believe this is happening!”
“I know, right?” Laura agreed, her mind already racing with plans. “Okay, let’s start packing tonight. I’ll let Ryan know we’re ready to inove as soon as possible.”
“You got it, roomie,” Jessie said. “This is going to be amazing. I can’t wait!”
They chatted for a few more minutes, making plans and sharing their excitement before hanging up. Laura sat back on the couch, a wide smile on her face. For the first time in a long while, she felt like things were finally looking up
The following week, Laura and Jessie found themselves in the back of a sleek, black luxury car, their suitcases safely stowed in the trunk, Ryan sat in the front passenger seat, occasionally glancing back at them with a smile as his driver navigated the morning traffic.
“I can’t believe this is happening.” Jessie whispered to Laura, her eyes wide as she took in the plush leather seats and the soft classical music playing through the car’s high–end sound system.
CHAPTER BUTY PA
Laura nodded, sharing her friend’s amazement. She turned to Ryan, who was tapping away on his phone. “Thanks again for doing this, Ryan. It’s really above and beyond.”
Ryan looked up from his device, flashing them both a warm smile. “It’s my pleasure. I want all my employees to feel valued and comfortable. Besides, the penthouse has been sitting empty for a while. It’ll be nice to see it put to good use.”
As they drove, the cityscape gradually gave way to more open spaces, with glimpses of the coastline peeking through. Laura found herself drawn to the window, watching the scenery change.
“So, Laura,” Ryan’s voice broke through her reverie. “Are you excited about starting at the R&D department next week?”
Laura turned back to him, nodding enthusiastically. “Absolutely. I can’t wait to dive in and see what projects I’ll be working on.”
“That’s what I like to hear,” Ryan grinned. “I think you’ll fit in perfectly with the team.”
The rest of the drive passed quickly, filled with light conversation and Jessie’s excited observations about their new neighborhood. Finally, the car pulled up to a modern, glass–fronted building that seemed to touch the sky.
“Here we are,” Ryan announced as the driver came around to open their doors.
Laura and Jessie stepped out, craning their necks to take in the full height of the building. Ryan led them inside, nodding to the doorman as they entered a marble–floored lobby.
“Your apartment is on the top floor,” Ryan explained as they entered the elevator. He swiped a key card and pressed the button for the penthouse.
As the elevator ascended, Laura felt a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling in her stomach. The doors opened directly i penthouse, and both women gasped audibly.
into the
The space was stunning. Floor–to–ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the coastline, flooding the open–plan living area with natural light. Modern, minimalist furniture dotted the space, complementing rather than competing with the view.
“This is… incredible,” Laura breathed, stepping further into the apartment.
Jessie was already exploring, her eyes wide with wonder. “Oh my god, Laura, come look at this kitchen!”
Ryan chuckled at their enthusiasm. “Why don’t I give you a quick tour?”
He led them through the apartment, pointing out the various amenities. The kitchen was indeed impressive, with state–of–the–art appliances and a large island perfect for entertaining. The living room flowed seamlessly into a dining area, all overlooking the breathtaking view.
“There are three bedrooms,” Ryan explained, leading them down a hallway. “Each with its own en–suite bathroom. And here’s the home office space, which I thought you might find useful, Laura.”
Laura peeked into the office, already imagining herself working there. “This is perfect, Ryan. Thank you.
After showing them the rest of the apartment, including a small gym and a spacious balcony, Ryan checked his watch. “I hate to run, but I have a meeting I need to get to Will you two be okay getting settled in?”
“Oh, definitely,” Jessie assured him. “We’ve got plenty to keep us busy.”
