Page 1 of Beautiful Noise
CHAPTER ONE
Kori Griffin.
I stepped out of the stairwell just in time to catch the property manager prying the lock off my apartment. My heart began to beat erratically and regardless of the three flights of stairs I’d just climbed to reach my unit, the mist of sweat coating my skin didn’t have a damn thing to do with climbing stairs.
“What are you doing?”
“Sorry, kid. I held off as long as I could.”
“But I?—”
“Was two months behind and promised to get caught up on your payments two weeks ago.”
I swallowed the lie I intended to tell. There was no way in hell I could pay the twenty-six hundred dollars I owed. A combination of the past two months arrears and the upcoming payment which was due a few days ago.
“Isn’t there anything you can do? Please! I really don’t have any other options. I got something consistent now, cleaning, and it pays pretty decent. My first job is tomorrow. I should be able to get caught up in no time.”
“My hands are tied. Rog rented the place today. The guy paid first and last in cash so the place is his. He’s moving in in the morning.”
“Shit,” I mumbled lowly, glancing at the shiny new lock Phil was in the process of affixing to the door.
“What time in the morning? Maybe I could just stay tonight and be out…”
Phil flashed me a sympathetic smile and shook his head gently. “I can’t do that. Did you get all your stuff out? If not, I can at least let you in for a few minutes to get what you need. Cleaning crew will be here in an hour or so.”
With money tight the way it had been over the past six months, I kept my belongings in my car. There was never anything personal left in the tiny studio apartment I’d secured six months prior. History had proven that living in the city was far too expensive and there was never any guarantee I wouldn’t be thrown out on my ass. It had happened before, which was a hard lesson to learn, but Ihadlearned. And since then, I kept my things with me just in case.
“I’ve got all my stuff, but thanks anyway,” I mumbled, accepting the reality that I was yet again homeless.
“Good luck, kid. I’m praying things turn around for you. You’re one of the good ones.”
Kid?
I’m twenty-six. Haven’t been a kid in a long time.
I understood that to Phil, who had just celebrated his sixty-fourth birthday, I was a kid. But in reality? I was an adult who should have my life together.
Not being kicked out of a shitty, overpriced studio apartment where the landlord was rent gouging because he could.
“Thanks, Phil. You’re one of the good ones too, even if you’re putting me out on the street.”
“Aw come on, kid. I told you, my hands are tied?—”
“Kidding, Phil. I know if you could do anything you would.” I offered a genuine smile because it wasn’t his fault I was homeless.
“I really would, kid. You be careful out there, okay?”
“I will. Thanks for everything.”
Tugging the strap of my duffle further up my arm, I pushed through the metal door that led to the stairwell. Instead of descending the three flights of stairs I’d just climbed moments before, I sank down on the concrete stairs, dropping my duffle to my feet. I lowered my arms on my knees and rested my forehead on them.
“God, please. Something’s gotta give. I’m tired. So damn tired and it feels like every time I take one step forward, I get knocked ten steps back.”
I thought about how excited I had been to get hired with Elite Cleaners. They were known for their celebrity clientele which meant they paid top dollar because the clients expected a certain look for the staff that cleaned their homes. Starting first thing Monday morning, I would have a consistent rotation of homes to clean and the potential to clear a grand a week, plus tips.
After a few months, I would have enough to secure a new place. A better place in a decent area and hopefully one I could keep.
But at the moment, my current issue was where the hell I would sleep for the night.