Penthouse Part Two

As the morning sun filtered through the small gaps in the curtains, Alana stirred from her slumber. A gentle warmth caressed her eyelids, coaxing her awake. With a sleepy gaze, she peered towards the source of the light, only to be met with a dazzling display of sunlight streaming in through the window. Emitting a soft groan, she pulled the covers up to her chin, relishing in the comfort of her bed for a few moments longer. Eventually, she mustered the will to rise and start her day.

As she slowly opened her eyes, she murmured a drowsy greeting to herself. She paused, considering whether to rise and start her day or to surrender to the temptation of further slumber.

After much contemplation, she ultimately made the decision to forgo her initial plan and instead rose from her slumber to commence her morning workout routine. At long last, the clinic has expanded its team of veterinarians, affording them the luxury of a 4-3-4 schedule. This arrangement allows them to work diligently for four consecutive days, followed by a well-deserved time off of three days. Having been pushed to her limits in the past, she found herself struggling to maintain even her own well-being. The state of her residence was far from pristine; her laundry hampers overflowed with unwashed scrubs, and a fine layer of dust seemed to coat every surface. Fortunately, her lack of cooking ability ensures that her kitchen remains immaculate, with only just a couple of cups requiring a rinse.

With a tenacious air, she reached for the phone and dialed the number of the cleaning service she had spotted on the bulletin board at her condominium. Today was the day she would put their skills to the test, and if they proved to be as good as advertised, she would gladly enlist their help every other day to tackle the never-ending list of household chores.

One potential solution that could be of use to her is the incorporation of a meal prep service into her routine.

She slipped into her sports bra and leggings, seamlessly tying her hair up into a messy bun that now reached her shoulders. As she retrieved her key and stepped outside, a flurry of activity caught her eye. Boxes and wrapped furniture littered the front area, while a handful of workers bustled in and out of the next door property.

For as long as she could remember, the penthouse situated opposite hers had remained unoccupied. Her unit had been acquired by her father at a relatively lower price, owing to the previous owner's inability to sustain its upkeep. She loves the experience of residing on the uppermost level, where the absence of thudding or scraping noises from the neighbor above provided a sense of tranquility.

As she gazed upon the well-worn leather furniture, a thought crossed her mind and she spoke softly to herself, "It is unexpected that I have a neighbor."

The implication of a male presence moving in was not lost on her. The furniture exuded an air of elegance, with its somber hues of black and grey.

As a naturally courteous individual, she reciprocated the smiles of the workers, leaving them taken aback by her kind demeanor, especially considering their prior experiences with being disregarded by those of higher social status.

With a simple gesture, she had earned even more appreciation from the workers who continued to diligently carry out their tasks.

As Alana stepped out of the building, she swiftly donned her AirPods and queued up her favorite playlist, eager to embark on her daily run. As she strode towards the building compound, her figure glided past an incoming car.

Xavier was engrossed in his iPad, scrolling through the multitude of documents that Dawn had forwarded to him while they were in the car. As Yang was driving, he couldn't resist whistling upon catching a glimpse of Alana's hourglass figure as she ran past them. At the sound of a whistle, Xavier lifted his gaze to notice the figure of a woman as she brushed past them.

"Eyes on the road, Yang!"

With a stern reminder to keep his focus on the task at hand, he redirected his attention back to the stack of paperwork before him, diligently affixing his electronic signature to each document.

Simultaneously, the vehicle came to a stop before the grand entrance, and Xavier's long legs emerged from within. At a towering height of 6 feet and 3 inches, he meticulously fastened his suit jacket before stepping out of the car. As he emerged from the vehicle, he was warmly welcomed by Rio, who had been patiently waiting by the side of a pillar.

With a crisp salute reminiscent of a soldier, he greeted his boss, "Morning, Boss."

Xavier's gaze was fixed on him, his eyes laden with anticipation. "Have you discovered anything?" he sought clarification.

"Alana Blair, a veterinarian , was employed at Mercy Pet Emergency Hospital. As your neighbor, she will be the sole occupant of the adjacent residence. Despite her busy schedule, she maintains a low profile and prefers to keep to herself. In essence, there is not much to report about her. "

With a humhp, he pressed on towards the elevator. Having owned the penthouse for several years, he found himself in a unique situation as his current condo was undergoing extensive renovations to merge with two additional units he had acquired. As a result, he made the decision to temporarily relocate to the penthouse.

As the elevator doors slid open on the 20th floor, a scene of industrious activity greeted him. Workers were meticulously tidying up the remnants of shrink wrap plastic and cardboard boxes, having just completed the task of stowing away every last piece of furniture.

Expressing gratitude, Xavier conveyed a simple yet powerful message with two words: "Thank you."

HE refused to let their efforts go to waste. He expressed his gratitude before entering the residence that would serve as his home for the next six to seven months.

As Rio drew near, an attentive team member, he scanned the surroundings with a watchful eye, ensuring that all was properly secured.

As Rio entered the room, one of his companions fixed him with a significant gaze.

"What?" He retrieved his cigarettes and made his way to the emergency staircase, with his companion trailing closely behind.

"Boss neighbor is a beauty!" He recalled of how Alana beamed with a warm and welcoming smile.

"Really??"

"If the boss requires the services of a handyman, please inform me. I must confess, I find myself have a crush on her" 

With a derisive tone, Rio scoffs at the notion of the other person having any possibility of success. A chuckle escaped Rio's lips.

" As soon as a woman lays eyes on the boss, let us just kissed the effort good bye"

There are those who take it to the extreme of seeking out his company simply to bask in Xavier presence.

Flicking the cigarette butt into the nearby ashtray, he strode purposefully towards the house, intent on setting up the surveillance system. The installation has been completed and online connectivity is now imperative, as Xavier is set to start residing today.