"Are you alright?" He grabbed her shoulder slowly.
She took his hand gently. "Yes. Actually... I feel relieved."
Terrence didn't let go. His fingers tightened just a bit, like he was making sure she wasn't just saying it to sound strong.
"Aunt Effie, why don't you go get ready?"
She looked up. "Where are we going?"
"It's a surprise," he responded with a small grin.
She raised an eyebrow but didn't press. There was a trust between them now—like whatever he says, she would follow without question.
"Alright," she stood up slowly "Just don't make me walk too far. My legs still hurt from earlier."
She bit her lip, leaned in, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before turning toward the stairs.
Terrence watched her go, still not used to how easily she transition from innocent to flirty.
'I should check my package.'
Walking to the side of the stairs, he opened one of the storage cabinets.
Inside were the clothes he ordered yesterday. Effie accepted them up while she was making breakfast.
With the bags in hand, he headed to his bathroom and took a quick shower.
After drying off, he dressed in a casual black blazer, a crisp white undershirt, black pants, and polished shoes.
To finish the look, he slipped on his new Rolex.
He needed to look like he has money to spend where they were going. Custom-fitted clothes would've been better if there was more time, but that could wait.
Effie came down an hour later, now wearing a short black dress. It wasn't too formal, but it showed just enough of her legs to make him look twice.
"You look good in black," he complimented, offering his hand.
She blushed a little before taking it.
They walked hand in hand—but not toward the front door. Instead, they headed to the garage.
By now, the whole neighborhood likely knew what happened. Staying low-key until they moved made sense.
The electric car moved slowly onto the street and headed straight toward their destination.
They passed through the same neighborhood park, then continued toward the city square. But instead of stopping there, the car kept going—deeper into the city.
Soon, they reached the road that ran beside the most famous river in town.
Effie glanced around, still clueless about where they were going.
He just smirked and kept his eyes on the road, refusing to answer.
After a few more minutes, they passed a tall and grand building.
This place wasn't just for apartments and penthouses. Around it stood department stores, luxury shops, and more.
They parked the car first, then walked toward it.
At the entrance, a man in a suit was already waiting for them.
He looked presentable—short brown hair, clean-shaven face, average build. His suit was neat but not flashy, like someone used to doing business without showing off.
"Mr. Terrence?"
Danny stepped forward and shook his hand. He gave Effie a quick glance and introduced himself, but avoided long eye contact—probably assuming she was his client's girlfriend.
"Would you like to see the place first?"
Terrence shook his head. "No need for that. As long as it looks as good as the pictures, it's fine."
This was a luxury apartment building, so chances were any issues would be minor and easy to fix.
Danny nodded. "Let's head this way."
They followed him into another room on the first floor.
Inside the office, the broker handed him the paperwork.
Normally, this would've taken more steps, but the bonus he received made him more willing to skip some of the usual hassle.
Danny quietly handed over a list of things to pay: the broker's fee, one month's rent in advance, and a two-month deposit.
Effie's eyes widened when she saw how much the total jumped, but she said nothing and waited.
Noticing her reaction, Terrence took her hand to reassure her. Then, he transferred the payment through his banking app.
"Well, the paperwork is complete. Here are the smart keys and the standard set. This is your copy of the contract for your records."
Danny offered as he stood up. "I'll be happy to escort you to your new place."
They followed him through the shiny marble lobby. Soft lights made the place feel warm and calm.
The elevator doors opened smoothly. Danny pressed the button for the top floors.
Inside, the soft carpet made their steps quiet. Effie looked around, noticing the clean metal and glass designs. She watched the city skyline unfold as the elevator rose, floor by floor.
When it stopped, Danny led them down a quiet hallway with nice paintings on the walls.
click!
The door clicked open, revealing a spacious apartment .
Sunlight poured through tall windows, filling a spacious living room furnished with expensive pieces.
A modern kitchen boasted the newest appliances, and a balcony offered a clear view of the river. Everything looked new and well cared for.
Danny smiled. "This apartment has everything you'd expect in a place like this—comfort, luxury, privacy, and a great view."
Terrence gave a short nod, already picturing what life might look like in this place. Effie stayed silent, eyes drifting across the room as a faint smile formed on her lips.
The apartment wasn't as big as their old house, but it looked more expensive and high class. The view alone was enough to make her fall in love with it.
"I'll leave you two. If anything comes up or you have questions, don't hesitate to reach out," Danny said, giving Terrence a firm handshake before heading out the door.
With the place finally private, they stepped out onto the balcony.
A cool breeze touched their faces right away.
From this height, everything looked beautiful—calm water, drifting yachts, and city outline stretching far beyond.
"I like this place." She rested her head on his shoulder.
"Me too,"
For her, this marked the start of a new life with him. For Terrence, it was only the beginning of something much bigger.