New home (2)

Sarah opened the door of unit 12A and held her breath. She was facing a long hallway with four doors on each side. At the end of the hallway, it opened to an open area which faced a large window. Sarah walked forward to the end of the hallway, and found herself in a large living area, furnished with a large sofa and two chairs with matching ottomans, as well as coffee table. On the right is an open concept dining area with a dining table and 8 chairs. Behind dining area is a high-end kitchen. On the left and in front are floor to ceiling windows, exposing breathtaking city views. There is a glass door from the living area, leading outside. Sarah stepped out and observed that there is a wrap-around U-shaped terrace. Which ends with high walls. 'This must be the division between my terrace and one from 12B', Sarah concluded.

She looked at the view of the city and then turned towards Aiden with a huge smile. "I like it a lot."

He was happy for her. "Let's check out other rooms."

Going from living area, on the right side they found one bonus room which was empty and had mirror across one wall. 'This is a great room for exercising', Sarah thought. Next are two medium sized bedrooms with a full bathroom each. Bedrooms were furnished and beds were already set with bedding, like they just waited for someone to come and sleep in there. Bedrooms have large windows, and great views. Last door on that side is a storage with space for hanging coats.

On other side of the hallway is another storage. Washer and dryer are in there, as well as control box with cables for network. Also, there is a wireless router, already connected and working, and it has a sticky note on it with network name and password. Next is a study with built in bookshelves, large work desk and sitting area. Work desk has a PC and two large monitors. Sarah is happy to see the PC, 'Dad must have thought of this.' Thinking of her dad made her a bit sad. Next room is a huge master bedroom with a spacious bathroom. Bedroom has a king-size bed which is already set up. In that room is also a sitting area with sofa and chairs, and a work desk. On work desk is a custom made laptop, with a sticky note on top of it. Sarah checked the note and saw "Enjoy!". It was her dad's handwriting. Sarah took the note and looked at it for some time before tearing it into pieces and trashing it. If this was two days ago, she would be happy to see note from her dad. But now it's not the same. Hurtful words he said are repeating in her head, and she can't help but get sad whenever she remembers him.

Aiden saw change in her expression and hugged her. "I'm here", he whispered. He was not sure what made her unhappy, but whatever it is, he wants her to know that he is right next to her and that she can rely on his support.

She hugged him back, and they held each other for some time. "Let's check the rest" She broke the silence.

Next door was the powder room. Everything was set up. They found extra linen in the storage, clean towels in the bathroom as well as toiletries, and even toilet paper was stacked in each of the bathrooms. Sarah checked the kitchen and found utensils and dishes as well as pots and pans. Everything was neatly stacked. "My mom thought of everything!"

On the kitchen island Sarah found documentation related to the apartment. She sat on the sofa in the living area and started reading it.

"I will go and get stuff from the car while you read that", she heard Aiden say.

"Yes. Car keys are on the island." she mumbled. She thought for a second before standing up and handing him one of spare keys for the apartment. "For you."

He looked at her in surprise, before pulling her into his embrace. "Thank you."

"You are very welcome." Sarah could see that he is very touched by her gesture. "Now go and get things from the car. It's lunch time." She reminded him.

She went back to the paperwork, and from there she found out that unit comes with two reserved parking spots in an underground parking. 'I will move car there later' She was happy that unit comes with everything she could think of.

Soon Aiden came in with their suitcases and took them to the master bedroom. Sarah immediately opened hers and from a side pocket started pulling out some small devices and arranging them on the floor. He observed her while she sorted them by the type, then regrouped them by some other criteria. Seeing that she has no intention to explain what those gadgets are, he had to ask. "What are those?"

"I want to bring Eve here." Sarah said without removing her gaze from the devices. Seeing that he is still standing next to her, she lifted her head to look at him. He was eagerly looking at her, obviously expecting more information. Sarah smiled and pointed while explaining, "This is a microphone, it has a good range and sensibility, even if you whisper from other side of the room, Eve can pick it up. This is camera, it has infrared and x-ray. This is sensor for temperature, and it can be for the whole area or focus on a spot. This is..." She explained each different type and he listened.

When she finished, she looked at Aiden and saw that he is satisfied with her explanations, so she can go back to her work. Sarah was looking up on the walls and corners and planning where to set up the devices so that Eve can 'see, hear and speak' in her new apartment.

Aiden saw that she is busy planning. "How about I go and get some groceries. I can cook lunch as a home warming gift to you. "

Sarah didn't hear him, she was in her world, planning. "What?"

He walked to her and cupped her cheeks with his hands, so that she faces him. "I'm going to get groceries, and make lunch. OK?"

She blinked few times. "OK".

He kissed her on the tip of the nose and stood up.

"Oh, wait!" Sarah pointed toward the kitchen. "On the kitchen island is documentation which shows where parking spots are. Check it out, and park there when you come back."

He leaned in, and kissed her on the lips. "I will be back soon."

She smiled and nodded. Then went back to her planning.

...

Sometime later, Sarah was setting up sensors for Eve in the living area when she heard the doorbell ring. She was standing on a chair, on her toes, reaching top of the corner, so she ignored it. But when it rang the third time, she decided to go and see who it is. 'Did Aiden leave his keys behind?'

Sarah opened the door and she saw a middle-aged man, probably in late forties, standing in front of her doors. He is short, and Sarah can see from above his thin hair slicked back with a lot of hair product. He looked up at Sarah and first thing she noticed are glasses with a thick large circle shaped lens.

"Can I help you?", Sarah asked.

He stared at her with his eyes which are magnified by the glasses. Sarah felt very uncomfortable and was holding herself back from closing the door on him.

"I'm your neighbor." He fidgeted his fingers in front of his chest. His back is hunched slightly. Sarah can guess that he is about a head shorter than she is if he straightens up.

Seeing that he is not saying anything else, but just staring at her, Sarah spoke. "Well... hello neighbor."

"My name is King, I live in 12B", he finally said. "I heard commotion in the hallway earlier and guessed that new neighbor came in, so I wanted to say hi."

"Hi.", Sarah responded.

He moved slightly left then right craning his neck to look behind Sarah into her apartment. "So, are you by yourself?"

At that time there was a sound from the elevator working. Neighbor King scrambled towards the door of his apartment. "I just remembered I left something on the stove. I will see you later, neighbor.", he said with a forced smile, as he disappeared behind closed doors.

Sarah felt shivers down her spine. 'This one is creeping me out.'