Chapter 26 Moving Upstairs
When the call came in, Kiara was probably still at Sibley’s place, so s
she didn’t answer.
Still, Kiara’s curiosity got the better of her.
“How do you know all the details?”
Finished
in this
Joy rolled her eyes. “Who else but Les Robson on the eighth floor? He’s a paparazzo–knows every scrap of gossip complex. She glanced at Kiara, worried she might not recognize the name, then added, “You know, the guy in the group chat who goes by LuvNile
They’d first met during the early days of the disaster–bonded over a single cup of instant noodles.
Now that Joy mentioned it, Kiara could place him. So that’s the human newswire who lived on the eighth floor.
“And what about Elmer in that other building? What’s his deal?” Kiara remembered him vaguely.
Once, she’d made a batch of Cajun rabbit bites, and Elmer had loudly threatened in the chat to come steal them.
Kiara was happy to keep a low profile in Skyhaven, but if anyone crossed her or tried to take what was hers, she had not problem sending them on a one–way trip to hell.
The last guy who’d made that threat was already there.
Joy shook her head. “Not sure, but I think his mom is somebody’s mistress.
She’d gone to school in Briross and was only home for a couple of days during summer break, so she didn’t know many people here. If you really want to know, I can have Les dig into it. The man’s a paparazzo–there’s nothing he can’t find our.”
Kiara didn’t refuse, ‘Alright.”
Sibley perked up, also intrigued. “Think he’d know if there are any houses for rent here? I’m willing to pay more, as long as it’s close to this building.”
She had thought about staying with Kiara, but after so many years of friendship, she knew Kiara was used to living alone. Even if Kiara wouldn’t complain, it’d still be inconvenient.
Sibley didn’t want to trouble Kiara or force her to make adjustments.
Before Kiara could suggest the vacant unit across from her unit, Joy exclaimed, “Well, you’re talking to the right person! I own Iwo units on the ninth floor.”
She hopped up, walked to the entryway, and returned with two sets of keys. Handing one to Sibley, she said with a grin. “You’re Kiara’s friend–no rent.”
Kiara was a little surprised, but then again, Joy’s family ran a pharmaceutical company. These days, people in that business are making money hand over fist.
For the wealthy, buying an extra couple of condos was no big deal.
Sibley wasn’t the type to hesitate over a genuine offer. She took the keys and smiled. “Then I won’t be shy. I’ll stay for a while -thanks, Joy”
“You’re welcome. We’ll be right across the hall from each other now,” Joy said cheerfully. Truth was, she’d been wanting to live loser to Kiara anyway, and this was the perfect excuse.
They settled the arrangement quickly, and Kiara realized it was the best option all around.
Earlier, Joy had opened her door for them, making herself a target.
Skyhaven’s doors and windows were top of the line, but that didn’t mean someone couldn’t break in. Living alone on the seventh floor was risky for a single woman.
On the ninth floor, it would be much safer. Kiara could install an electrified gate at the stairwell–anyone trying to force their way through would end up as a well–done cautionary tale
Finished
Chapter 26 Moving Upstairs.
In the days they’d spent together. Joy had proven herself decent enough.
Kiara couldn’t guarantee the future, but for now, Joy was worth trusting.
Plus, once they were neighbors, learning medical skills from Joy would be much easier.
But
Kiara crossed her arms and walked into the living room, her gaze falling on Alec, still lying unconscious.
What on earth was she supposed to do with him?
After weighing her options. Kiara decided to leave Alec on the seventh floor.
She didn’t know him well, and letting a handsome stranger into her life just because of his looks was the kind of reckless thing 18 year old Kiara might have done but she was 23 now,
With Joy and Sibley moving up to the ninth floor, the seventh floor would be empty–perfect for Alec to recover in peace.
She’d leave some food within reach so he wouldn’t starve if he woke up. That would be enough to repay him for saving her. Besides, with wounds like his, waking up at all was far from guaranteed.
The city was still without power, and in the suffocating heat–well over 160 F–the condominium felt like a steaming sauna. Thankfully, the water was still running. They took turns cooling off in the washroom. Kiara even made sure Alec had some relief from the heat despite his unconscious state.
Half an hour later, the outside world had gone completely silent.
Kiara pressed her ear against the door, listening carefully. Not a sound. She eased it open a crack, her fingers curled tightly around the hilt of her switchblade as she pushed it wider.
The hallway was empty. The mob that had been shouting for her blood had long since gone.
Joy’s ninth–floor units were fully furnished, so all she had to do was gather her clothes and food..
being about the same height as Sibley, she even gifted her several brand–new outfits she’d never worn.
With her greater strength, Kiara hauled most of the useful supplies from the seventh floor up to the ninth for them. An hour later, everything Joy needed was safely upstairs.
