Playing the Game

by Liliana Rhodes

“I’m so sorry, Becca. I went to bed before you got home and should’ve left you a note. Gabriel wants me to move into his apartment.”

  “Wait a sec, your boss?” she asked, her eyebrows shooting up. “You haven’t even gone on a date and he wants you to move in? Wow, you must be some kisser!”

  “Yeah, I know, crazy right? He was here yesterday and I don’t know what happened, but he said I can’t live here. He said his apartment is near the gym so I wouldn’t even need a car, I could walk.”

  “Really? Where the gym is? That’s a pretty swanky area. You might want to check it out. What’s the worst that could happen? It’ll beat the hell out of living here.”

  “You’re nuts,” I said, laughing. “I can’t move in with him. I barely know him.”

  “Well, there are movers here and they look like they’re ready to work. If you’re not moving, maybe Gabriel won’t mind if I moved in,” she said with a big grin.

  I went down the stairs and opened the apartment door. Stan was standing outside. Beyond the open main door of the building, I could see a small moving truck with two men waiting on the sidewalk.

  “Good morning, Miss,” Stan said. “I’m sorry if we’re a bit early, but I thought you might like the day to relax and get settled in after the move.”

  “I’m not moving, Stan. I barely know Gabriel and he’s my boss. I can’t move in with him.”

  Stan laughed. “I believe you misunderstood, Miss. Mr. Kohl doesn’t live there, this was his apartment. He hasn’t lived in the penthouse for at least four years. Before you make up your mind, why don’t you at least come and see the place?”

  Stan caught me by surprise. Behind me, Becca pushed her way through the door, put her arm around my shoulders, and smiled.

  “That’s a great idea, Cassie,” she said. “You should check the place out, it could be perfect.” Looking at Stan, she tilted her head to the side. “So Stan, what’s he charging her for rent?”

  “There is no rent,” he said. “Mr. Kohl said there would be no expenses.”

  “Seriously?” She pushed me back inside the apartment and lowered her voice. “You have to take this. Listen, I love having you here, but there’s no way I’m gonna let you pass this up.” She stuck her head out the door and looked at Stan directly. “Where’s your ride, Stan? Let’s see this place.”

  I couldn’t argue with Becca. I’d be stupid to not take advantage of this opportunity, but it didn’t feel right. Just what I could save from rent alone would make a huge difference in my life, but I couldn’t live there rent free. That wasn’t like me at all.

  I had convinced myself that Canyon Cove was going to be where my life would turn around. But I didn’t think it had anything to do with an apartment or even a man. The city gave me what I came here for--a job. I didn’t need a fancy place, but I was curious to see where Gabriel lived.

  Becca and I grabbed our bags and locked the door to our apartment. Stan had a folded wad of bills in his hand and he gave each of the movers some cash then patted them on the back. He walked over to a nearby dark blue sedan and opened the two passenger doors at once, then motioned for Becca and I to get in.

  “I told the guys to go get some breakfast,” he said. “They’ll be back in about an hour. I figure that’s enough time for you to see the place and make your decision.”

  Everything was moving so fast I didn’t feel like myself. Things like this didn’t happen in real life. I felt like I was watching a movie, and I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next.

  The car sped in and out of traffic as it made its way to the downtown area of the city. Stan slowed down and pulled up in front of a tall glass building in the shape of an obelisk that reflected the sky. As he stopped the car, a doorman in a European-styled navy suit with a long coat stepped forward and opened the car doors. Becca and I stepped out as Stan handed the doorman the keys to the car, then motioned for us to enter the building.

  As we walked towards the ornate front doors with contemporary iron design work over the glass, another doorman appeared and opened them for us. I stopped as soon as I stepped into the lobby. I had never seen anything like it before.

  The lobby was wide with tall square columns that held up a coffered ceiling with hidden lights, which made it look like it was glowing. Everything was marble, from the ivory-colored walls to the black and white Art Deco style flooring. The columns created open rooms with black leather chairs on top of pale blue rugs. Decorative sconces hung on the walls.

  Stan waited for Becca and me by the elevator as we looked around. As the glass elevator rose, we were able to see the skyline of Canyon Cove, including the Great Park.

  “Wow, how far up are we going?” Becca asked.

  “To the top,” Stan said. “The 51st floor. The apartment is two floors, four bedrooms, with a view of the entire city.”

  “This is ridiculous. I don’t need this apartment and I definitely don’t need that much space. I don’t belong here,” I said. “I’m sorry for wasting your time.”

  “Shut up, Cassie,” Becca said. “Just take a look at the place. You don’t have to stay. Come on, I know you’re curious.”

  The elevator slowed to a stop and the doors opened to a white marble hallway similar to the lobby. Stan walked towards one of the two tall dark wooden doors, put in the key, and swung the door open before motioning for Becca and me to enter.

  The first thing I noticed when we entered the apartment was the wide plank distressed wood floor that stretched out beyond the wide entryway to the dining room ahead of us. Just past the dining room were floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

  As we followed Stan further in, the apartment opened up. The room ahead of us was the dining room, which shared the space with the living room and its two-story glass walls with a view of the park.

  “Holy crap,” I whispered.

  “You could say that again,” Becca said.

  We walked over to the windows and as I stood in front of it, I felt the cold emanating from the glass. I looked down the length of the building but had to step back when I felt dizzy.

  I couldn’t believe the view and couldn't pull myself away from it. As I admired all the different buildings and the large rectangular Great Park in the middle of everything, I wondered if I could see mine and Becca’s apartment from here.

  “As you can see, the apartment is furnished,” Stan said. “The only things you’ll really need are your clothing and some groceries. A library rounds out this floor. If you’re ready, I can take you upstairs to see the bedrooms.”

  Forcing myself to turn away from the view of the city, I noticed a large room on the other side of the dining room that I assumed was the kitchen. I was probably more curious to see the library than the bedrooms, but it didn’t matter. I had already made my decision. I didn’t need to see any more.

  “I can’t do this, Stan. I told Gabriel yesterday I wasn’t moving, and I meant it.”

  “He told me you would say that,” he said as he pulled out his phone, tapped it, and held it up to his ear. Stan came closer to me and I could hear the ringing, then Gabriel’s muffled voice.

  “Yes, Stan, she said no, didn’t she?” Gabriel said.

  Stan handed the phone to me and eyes wide, I knew what was going to happen. Gabriel would convince me to stay even though I didn’t want to.

  “Cassie, it’s Gabriel. I know what you’re thinking, and I’m not in the position to argue with you right now. Promise you’ll stay the weekend and we’ll discuss this on Monday.”

  “No, this isn’t right. You have to let me pay rent or something. I can’t just live here for free.”

  He sighed, sounding frustrated. “You work for me, right?”

  “Yes, but what does this have to do with work?”

  “You’ve just been hired to housesit for me.”

  “That’s ridiculous.”

  “If you don’t accept your added responsibility, I’ll have to fire you.”

  “You don’t mean that,”
I said.

  “Do you want to test me?”

  “No,” I said, giving in.

  “I told you, you don’t have a choice. If you want to consider this interim housing, fine. But I will not sit by while you live in that hovel,” he said sternly before his voice softened. “Cassie, I’m only doing this because I care about you.”

  My heart thumped in my chest when I heard his words. He hung up before I could say anything, but it didn’t matter. Whatever Gabriel’s reason for pushing me to stay there, he won. I was giving in. And as much as I wanted to fight it, I was falling for him.

  * * *

  That evening, after the movers and Becca had left, I watched the sky change colors as the sun set. I was so overwhelmed by everything that I didn’t even take notice of the furniture or anything else in the apartment. Now that I was alone, I decided to look around.

  I kicked my sneakers off by the marble fireplace in the living room, then walked barefoot on the soft, light gray rug towards a tan and ivory curved couch. Sitting down, I ran my hand over the expensive fabric of the seats.

  Turning around, I looked at the long black rectangular table with chrome legs in the dining room. The table was surrounded by ten tan leather chairs with chrome accents. The table and chairs stood on a large oval rug similar to the one in the living room. Above the table hung five lights with glass blown fixtures. A white wall blocked my view of the kitchen, but from where I was sitting, I could see a large built-in stainless steel refrigerator unlike anything I had seen in a home before.

  Part of me wanted to run around the apartment and take in as much as I could as quickly as possible, but I still couldn’t believe I was there. I stayed on the couch, nervous that if I stepped into another room, I’d wake up and realize it was all just a dream.

  I was used to living in places like the apartment I had lived in with Becca. I learned early on that anything too good to be true usually was. But what was the catch here? When was the clock going to strike midnight and change the apartment into a pumpkin?

  As night fell, the lights automatically came on and gave the room a warm glow. My stomach rumbled loudly and I realized I didn’t know where to go for food. I picked up my phone, ready to call Becca, until I remembered it was Saturday night and she was working.

  I walked into the kitchen to look around, hoping there was a can of soup or something left from when Gabriel lived there. As my feet padded along on the cold white tile floor, I heard the front door unlock. My first instinct was to hide, so I ducked near one of the oversized islands. It didn’t occur to me that whoever was entering the apartment was using a key, only that someone was coming in.

  I stood up and moved closer to the kitchen doorway to see who was there, but I couldn’t see anyone. I knew they were going to walk through the doorway soon. The clacking of shoes on the wooden floor grew louder as they entered the dining room and my heart beat even faster.

  Hanging over the island next to me were several pots and pans. I reached up and unhooked a frying pan, then held it back over my shoulder, ready to wallop whoever was entering the kitchen. I tightened my grip around the handle of the frying pan as the footsteps came closer. I was too afraid to look, so I closed my eyes and swung with all my might.

  “Get out of here, you fucking son of a bitch,” I screamed as I swung my body with the frying pan.

  The pan was yanked out of my hands, and with a clang, it dropped to the floor. My eyes flew open as I was spun around and strong arms wrapped around me from behind, pinning my arms to my sides.

  “I always knew you were feisty,” Gabriel said.

  I breathed out a sigh of relief, happy to hear his voice. As I relaxed, he kissed my neck and I melted against him.

  “You can’t just barge in on a woman like that. I could’ve really hurt you.”

  “I don’t think so,” he said with a laugh.

  Gabriel let go of me as he laughed. I spun around to look at him, annoyed by his arrogance. He was wearing a charcoal gray suit that was perfectly tailored for his body.

  As he continued laughing at me, he took his suit jacket off and folded it delicately over one of the dining room chairs. I wanted to yell at him just for the hell of it, to knock him down from his high horse a bit, but at the sight of him in his perfect suit with his crisp white button-down shirt that hugged his shoulders and biceps, my anger drifted away.

  Tilting his head towards me, Gabriel smiled. He started rolling up the sleeves of his shirt when the doorbell rang.

  “Good thing I got here before the delivery boy,” he said. “I can only imagine the damage you would’ve done to him.”

  “Delivery? What did you order? This place has everything.”

  “Everything but food,” he said, opening the door.

  On the other side of the door was a skinny boy with messy blond hair who couldn’t be more than sixteen years old. His eyes lit up as he recognized Gabriel. Gabriel took the bags from him, put them down on top of the foyer table, then reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet.

  “Oh no, man, you don’t need to tip me. Just tell me how I can get a shot in the MMAC,” the boy said.

  “You just have to work hard,” Gabriel said as he shoved a hundred dollar bill into the boy’s hands. “Have a good night.”

  Gabriel closed the door, picked up the groceries, and brought them into the kitchen.

  “I figured with the move you didn’t have enough time to go shopping,” he said. “If you need anything else, just call the store. Tell them what you want and give them this address. Everything will be charged to me.”

  “You don’t have to do that. I can buy my own groceries.”

  “As long as you’re living in my home, you won’t pay for anything.”

  Gabriel had a way of leaving me speechless. I opened my mouth, ready to argue with him again, but then I noticed the tender look in his eyes. He stepped closer to me and his large hands cupped my face. He kissed my forehead gently and tilted my face towards him.

  My breath caught in my throat. In my mind, I had relived the kiss in the locker room so many times I almost thought it was a dream. I closed my eyes as his lips came down upon mine.

  His hand slipped down and pressed my body tighter against him. As I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, I tilted my head, wanting more of the kiss.

  As I moved my tongue to meet his, he picked me up and sat me on the counter. He lifted my sweatshirt off me, leaving me in my bra, and leaned me back so I was lying on the cold granite.

  “I’ve wanted you from the moment I saw you,” he said.

  His hand slid over my shoulder, moving my bra strap down as his lips closed over mine. His kiss became more demanding as I unbuttoned his shirt. I reached the last button, then pulled away from his kiss to admire his muscular torso, but just as I was going to move my hand up his smooth chest, the doorbell rang.

  Gabriel’s brow wrinkled, looking confused. As he lowered his head to kiss me, the doorbell rang again.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, shaking his head. “Maybe it’s that kid again or the doorman.”

  He walked out of the kitchen and I hopped down from the countertop and pulled my sweatshirt back on.

  “This better be good,” I muttered as I followed him to the door.

  Gabriel opened the door and a woman with long dark hair in a short, skintight, amber-colored dress smiled as she held up a bottle of wine.

  “I knew you couldn’t stay out in the country for too long,” she said. “I missed you. Even if you never called like you promised to.”

  Looking at her with her perfect make-up and slutty clothes, I wished I had changed out of my yoga pants and sweatshirt from earlier. But then I realized it didn’t matter what either of us was wearing, I was in his apartment, not her.

  With Gabriel’s hand still on the door, I slipped under his arm and then put my arm around his waist and stroked his bare chest with my hand. I gave the woman a big smile, then looked up at Gabriel and batted my eyelashes. />
  “Honey, you didn’t tell me we were having guests tonight,” I said, smiling.

  “Cassie, this is Monica. She lives at the other end of the hall,” Gabriel said as he took the bottle of wine from Monica. “Oh, a Cab. You know how much I love a good Cab. This is a very generous gift, Monica. Cassie just moved in today.”

  As Gabriel pushed the door closed, Monica started to speak, but he ignored her and kept his arm around me.

  Walking back towards the kitchen, his cell phone rang, stopping him. He pulled the phone out of his pants pocket and a name flashed across the screen, but I couldn’t make it out. Gabriel hesitated as he looked at his phone. I thought he was going to answer it, but then he looked at me and put the phone away.

  We went back into the kitchen and he set the bottle of wine on the counter. I was a little jealous seeing that Mack was right about Gabriel being a player but quickly convinced myself it was in the past. After seeing Monica though, I wondered what Gabriel saw in me. I knew I was pretty, but even on a good day I never looked that perfect. If all his women looked like her, I couldn’t compete. Plus I didn’t want to compete. The more I was near him, the more I wanted him for myself.

  As I put the groceries away, Gabriel’s phone chimed. He took the phone out and held it up to his ear. I tried to pretend that it didn’t bother me, but I couldn’t help myself, it did. Even without knowing who it was, I was jealous. Who else would call him late on a Saturday night? It had to be a woman.

  While I finished putting the groceries away, I strained to hear a voice from voicemail, but I couldn’t hear anything. My insides felt like they were burning from my jealousy. I was being stupid. He was there with me, not with someone else. If I said it to myself enough, maybe I’d believe it.

  Gabriel sent a text, then his phone beeped as he got a text back. He sighed then put the phone back in his pocket and stared past me, like I wasn’t there. I tried to catch his gaze but his eyes darted away.

  “Thank you for letting me live here,” I said, trying to bring him back from wherever it was he went. “And thanks for the food. I love cooking. You’ll have to let me make you dinner sometime. It’s the least I can do to make it up to you.”