Apartment Hunting

It was time to shop for her apartment! Ben walked down with her. Driver Chung opened her door and Ben got in on the other side.

Mingxi was sitting in the front and was directing the driver where to go first. They drove twenty minutes to the edge of the city. A realtor met them in the lobby and led them up to the fourth floor.

It had everything that Evelyn had requested. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a kitchen with an island. One of the bathrooms had a bathtub. The apartment was actually quite beautiful but the apartment was designed for someone taller. The cabinets were too high for her to reach. The mirror in the bathroom was set up too high for her to see her entire face.

The second location was a few minutes away closer into the city. Evelyn liked the security in the building. There were security guards, and a thorough security system on the door. The problem with this one though was that it was a little on the smaller side. Evelyn enjoyed larger spaces.

The third location was half an hour from WWO. It was outside of the city and offered even more security. It offered a little more privacy as it was in a more rural area. Because the location wasn't in the city there was more land. The apartments were more spacious.

This one actually had two bedrooms, a study, and three bathrooms. In the bathroom connected to the master bedroom, there was a hot tub. She actually enjoyed baths at the end of the day so the hot tub was a big selling point for her. The master bedroom had a built in safe in the wall and there was also a small walk in closet.

Evelyn liked that this was the penthouse. She had an outdoor space that was perfect for enjoying barbecues during the summer.

There were many windows and it offered a lot of natural light. Evelyn was in love with this place. She knew Mingxi had saved the best for last.

"I'll take it," she said. Ben and Mingxi didn't really interject their opinion, letting Evelyn look over the place and decide for herself.

"Okay, I'll contact the seller and we can have everything drawn up in about a week." The realtor beamed, taking notes.

"Can we do it today? I apologize for the inconvenience but I'll pay full price right now. If you can make this happen I'll double your commission." Evelyn said. Evelyn knew that the offer was enticing and she wasn't disappointed. Within two hours everything was signed and Evelyn was now the proud owner of a new apartment.

"Congratulations, sis," Ben said. He gave her a hug.

"Thanks Ben," she said hugging him back. The realtor must have smiled the biggest smile while saying goodbye to the three. Evelyn reset the lock system and put in a new code.

"So what now?" Ben asked when they were done. They stood in the empty apartment.

"Mingxi, hire some cleaners, I want this place deep cleaned by the end of tomorrow." She instructed. She realized what time it was and called Zain.

"Hey Evelyn," he answered when he picked up.

"Oh crap I never got back to you today." He said. Evelyn laughed.

"If you're too busy we can always reschedule." Evelyn suggested.

"No no. How did everything go today?" He asked.

"I'm the proud new owner of an apartment," Evelyn said cheerfully.

"That's great!" He said, clearly happy for her.

"We definitely have to celebrate. What are you in the mood for?" He asked her.

"Sushi, if we're going to celerate do you mind if I invite a few more people?" She asked him. Ben had rolled his eyes when she said sushi. She always wanted sushi.

"Not at all, is there a specific place that you want to go to?" He asked her.

"Sushi Palace," she replied.

"Okay, I'll book a room, 6:30?" he asked.

"I think that should be fine." She answered. They said a few more things and hung up. She turned to Ben.

"You always want sushi," he said.

"Are you going to tell me you don't want any?" She challenged.

"Well no," he said, she laughed at him. He was the same.

"Do you want to see if Chloe and Phoenix want to come?" She asked him.

"Sure," he said.

"Great, you call Chloe. I'll call Phoenix." Evelyn said. She paused turning to Mingxi.

"Do you want to come?" She asked her. Mingxi thought about it for a second. Evelyn often took her places and Mingxi was grateful for the friendship her boss extended to her.

"Okay, thank you," she replied. Evelyn smiled at her before moving off to call Phoenix.

"Hey Li Li, how are you feeling?" Phoenix asked when she picked up.

"I'm feeling much better," she said.

"Actually, I'm calling because I just bought an apartment. We were going to go out to celebrate. Please come with us." Evelyn said.

"Congratulations!" Phoenix said excitedly.

"Of course, I'll come. What time?" She asked.

"6:30 at Sushi Palace." Evelyn replied.

"Great, I love sushi! Oh, who else is coming?" Phoenix asked.

"Ben, Zain, Mingxi, I'm trying to get a hold of Chloe and maybe Jinhai." Evelyn answered.

"Li Li, how are things going with Jinhai?" Phoenix asked. Evelyn hesitated.

"Things are good." She answered after a moment's pause.

"So are we going to pretend the past five years didn't happen?" Phoenix asked.

"No, but how long am I supposed to punish him for it?" Evelyn countered. She suddenly found herself defending him.

"Do you still have feelings for him?" Phoenix pressed her. Evelyn frowned.

"It's just, Li Li, you're technically still married." Phoenix said.

"I'm well aware." Evelyn said sharply. She knew Phoenix meant well.

"But whatever happens, happens. Shawn has been cheating on me for the past year, we're separated now. I'm not tethered to him, nor do I owe him anything." Evelyn said her temper flaring.

"Oh I don't care about that," Phoenix laughed. Evelyn's anger slightly lessened.

"I'm not worried about Shawn. I personally hope he bites it. What I meant is, you just got out of a serious relationship. You're going through a lot. I just don't want you to do anything you would regret. Because it's Jinhai. He shouldn't be your rebound." Phoenix reasoned with Evelyn.

Was she using Jinhai as a rebound Evelyn questioned herself for a moment. No, he was coming on to her. He, barged right back into her life. He, wanted to make all of these promises to her. But all of a sudden everything made sense to her.

She didn't want to use him as a rebound. He was always special to her. She didn't want to start anything with him until she was ready.

"You're right," Evelyn said finally.

"I'm not using him though. It's just he keeps showing up and I just don't have it in me to tell him to go." Evelyn admitted.

"I understand. I know you'll do what's right for you." Phoenix said.

"I'll see you soon," she said. They said a quick good bye. Evelyn inhaled and let out a slow breath. Then she called Jinhai to invite him. He agreed and said that he would come with Zain. She figured that Zain must have told him.

She went back to the room.

"Chloe said she had to move some things around, but to tell you that you'r worth it." Ben said. Evelyn rolled her eyes but smiled.

"Alright let's go back to WWO so I can get my car, that way Driver Chung can take the rest of the night off and not have to wait for us." Ben said. The girls nodded and they went back downstairs together.

When they got to WWO it was 5:45. Sushi palace was a ten minute drive so they had some time to kill. They went to Deming's office and saw that he was still here.

"Come in," he said when they knocked. Mingxi, Ben and Evelyn filed in.

"Hi Ba," Ben and Evelyn said.

"Good evening, Mr. Wei?" Mingxi said.

"Xiaoli, twice in one day? To what do I owe the pleasure?" Deming asked.

"I bought an apartment," she answered, smiling.

"Oh? Where?" he asked her, closing the folder of a document he was looking at.

"It was the place outside of the city," she said. She took out her phone.

"Here, take a look." Evelyn said coming around the desk to show him pictures.

"Oh I like it," he said smiling. He was thankful that his daughter didn't seem too worse for the wear.

"I know! I'm so happy." Evelyn beamed. They chatted for a few more minutes. At 6:10 they left and went down to the garage.

They all piled into the car and Ben drove them to Sushi Palace. The traffic was good and they got there at 6:18. Ben parked his car in front of the restaurant and immediately a valet opened the door.

Ben handed the keys to the guy and they all exited the car.