"Oh Christy!" I called in a sing-song voice.
I walked onto our tiny balcony to see her sleeping on the chair. I rolled my eyes and dropped what I was holding onto her lap.
"Owww." She moaned, opening her eyes. She picked up the envelope that was on her lap. "What's this?"
I smiled at her widely, sitting down on the edge of her chair.
"All of my money, I now have enough to buy a condo!" I said brightly, Christy squealed, grabbing me in a hug. I laughed. "I'm not going condo-hunting yet though, so calm down."
"Fine." She pouted. "Tomorrow then."
***************
Linda's eyes turned to slits. She reached out for me, her nails growing to a pointed tip. They glistened in the light.
I backed away from her as far as I could.
"No, please, leave me alone!" I pleaded with her, shielding myself from her hands. She grinned, and I saw pointed teeth, they looked like fangs.
"I don't think so, Laurel. Not this time. This time I will make sure that when I leave you are dead." She hissed.
'Dead, Dead, Dead' The word ran through my mind.
I screamed at the top of my lungs, and looked around to see me in my bedroom. I looked beside me to see Christy in her bed, slowly waking up.
"What's wrong Laur?" She asked tiredly.
I gulped and pulled the covers up to my chin, wrapping them around me tightly.
"Nothing.." I whispered, closing my eyes tightly.
I heard her turn over in her bed, and then silence....
***************
"The balcony overlooks the city, also, the ground floor has many things to offer you. There is a lap pool, leisure pool, hot tub and sauna and many restaurants and stores." The lady drawled on.
I had to look around in amazement again, it was a beautiful apartment. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a spacious kitchen, dining room, living room and balcony. There was already furniture and decorations. It would take up most of my money, but there would be enough left for food, my portfolio and other necessities.
'My portfolio.' I thought to myself with a smile. It was finally happening...
"Miss Quinn?" The lady looked at me curiously. I smiled at her and nodded.
"I'll take it!" I said, not having to think twice. She smiled back happily, and I followed her to her office.
***************
"Wow." Christy breathed. She turned to me and grinned. "I'm jealous!"
I laughed at her, an idea popping into my head.
"Well Chris, there are two bedrooms...." I drifted off.
"No Laurel, this is a new start for you. I'll always be here, but for now I have to step out of the way. Besides I'm sure you will let me come over whenever I want!" She finished with a giggle.
"Definetly, oh! Come look at the balcony." I grabbed her arm, pulling her outside to see the view. "Isn't it wonderful?"
"I'm gonna miss you." She said sadly.
"Aw Christy, I'm not going anywhere. I'll still be in the city." I comforted her. She turned to me.
"How about we go out for dinner?" She suggested.
"Sure! I'll invite Nick too." I replied, heading towards the phone. "And I'll tell him to bring a friend."
I laughed as I heard Christy sulking in the next room that I was trying to set her up.
***************
We were all having a good time. The only problem was, Nick had brought his friend A.j. Christy seemed to be taking a liking to him, and he was being very friendly with her. But, he kept making snide comments about me, and shooting me looks. I didn't want to tell him that Christy was doing the same thing as me.
"So, how's the new condo?" Nick questioned. I smiled and opened my mouth to tell him all about it, but someone beat me to it.
"They let you buy a place on the corner?" A.j. asked casually. I wouldn't let him get to me.
"A.j. leave the girl alone for god's sakes." Nick said dryly, shooting me an apologetic look. I smiled at him assuringly.
"Shouldn't you be out there getting more diseases right now?" He continued on. I glared at him. "I mean it must be a hobby of yours.....collecting STD's."
"She doesn't have any fucking diseases." Nick said through gritted teeth. I just continued to eat my dinner, and Christy glanced at everyone uneasily.
"Cat got your toungue?" He countered.
"I'm not going to start a fight with you so you may as well give it up." I said emotionless.
"Why not? Afraid everyone in here is going to recognize you? Just because you've fucked them all?" He taunted, pleased with himself. I swallowed hard, he was getting way too personal now. But I couldn't let him know that he was getting to me.
Nick's face turned red out of anger. He clenched his jaw tightly and pulled A.j. out of his seat by the collar.
"We will be right back." He spat out, dragging him out to the door.
Christy raised an eyebrow at me.
"I don't get why he is so disrespectful towards you." She commented.
"He's the one I told you about, the one that was with Nick the first time I met him." I explained as her eyes widened.
"And he doesn't know I'm a prostitute...." She whispered, biting her lip.
"I won't tell him, and i'll tell Nick not too either." I assured her, she gave me a thankful look.
"I'm sorry i'm not defending you, but I'm kind of frightened of him..." She said with a nervous giggle, I smiled at her.
"It's alright, Nick seems to be doing a good job of that." I said as I watched Nick and A.j. from what I could see. I peered behind a guy's head to see Nick slam A.j. into a wall.
"Crap Nick is getting really pissed." Christy said skeptically. "Maybe we should go stop him."
I looked at them again.
"He's not going to hurt him, but it seems A.j. is just really stubborn." I chuckled. "He just wants to intimidate him, I suppose."
"I think he's doing a good job of that..."She replied.
I cleared my throat and composed myself as they made they're way back inside. Christy grabbed her glass of wine and sipped it.
"Say it." Nick said to A.j. I stared at him confused.
A.j. mumbled something I couldn't understand under his breath.
"Speak up A.j." Nick said smugly. A.j. glared at him and repeated himself.
"I'm sorry." He said through clenced teeth.
He obviously didn't mean it, but it would do.
"It's okay." I said shortly, grabbing Nick's hand from under the table and giving it a thankful squeeze.
***************