This is an AU story which means it takes place in 'Another Universe.' So basically, nobody knows anyone from Anubis because they never went to Anubis…but then somehow they meet each other or just a few of them meet. This story will be Mamber and the whole thing is in Amber's Point of View.
Disclaimer: I don't own House of Anubis or any of it's franchise.
Big City Lights
I stepped out of my taxicab in awe. I couldn't believe I was finally here, the city where dreams came true. I could already tell that my life was going to change here, in New York City.
The sidewalks were full of people clad in dark clothing, walking hurriedly to their destination. They passed by the blinking signs and screens as if they were average. Of course, it must've been to them, but to me it was all new and exciting.
It was night time, but this was the city that never slept. It was just as busy, if not busier than during the day.
The driver got out and took my bags out of his trunk before waiting impatiently for his pay. He stood in front of me and held out his hand.
I quickly took out my wallet and threw the bills in his hand. I gave him a few more than was due, because I honestly felt bad for him. The poor guy must've been about sixty, with his balding gray hair and wrinkly skin, and he was still working as a taxicab driver.
He walked swiftly back to the cab and peeled away as quick as possible, earning a few honks from the people he cut off.
I chuckled a little before reaching down and grabbing my bags by the handles. I had stuffed all my possessions into two large duffel bags and one huge suitcase. It was a difficult feat and I had to have my younger sister sit on the suitcase while I zipped it up.
My apartment was in a tall cylinder shaped building. I was only renting a one bedroom, two bath apartment but it wasn't very cheap. I guess I could've picked a building that wasn't so nice and moved when I started making more money, but I didn't want to be stuck in a contract at some crappy place.
Of course, I had more than enough money that I'd inherited, because my family is quite wealthy. However, here in New York I wanted to build my own success. I had brought a good deal of money with me, but once it ran it out I would use the money I earned. I also kind of wanted to prove to my father that just because I hadn't gotten the best grades in school, didn't mean that I couldn't become successful.
I walked up to the doors, which were thankfully opened by a doorman. I don't know how I would've opened it myself when I was carrying all my bags.
I entered the lobby and looked around. The floors were marble, or at least appeared to be. Leather armchairs were off in one corner, with a dark wooden coffee table in front of them. A small television hung on the wall near the armchairs. The front desk was in the opposite corner, and it too was made of a dark wood.
I walked to the desk and smiled at the lady sitting behind it. She must've been in her early thirties. She had light blonde hair, chocolate brown eyes, and a dazzling smile. She had on a small Bluetooth to answer the phones, which seemed to be ringing constantly, because she kept hitting a button and saying "Hello, Cornerstone Apartment building. Please hold."
"Hi, I'm Amber Millington. I'm here to collect the key to my room." I said, flashing my bright smile again.
She seemed a little taken aback by my English accent. However, she quickly recovered and smiled right back.
"Hello, I'm Amanda Moore. Let's see if I can find you in the computer." She typed in something quickly, probably my name or something, and then scrolled down the page. "Ah, here we are. Amber Millington, apartment 32E. You're on the fifth floor, not counting the ground floor, which is where you are now."
I nodded, memorizing the number of my apartment.
She quickly wheeled her chair to the other side of her desk and scanned the many rows of keys. Finally she grabbed one off its hook and passed it to me.
"There you go. Call me and let me know if you have any problems." She said before looking back at her computer and answering a call she had put on hold. "Thank you for holding. How can I help you tonight?"
My heels clicked on the floor as I walked to the elevator, blocking the rest of Amanda's conversation from my ears.
I stepped into the elevator and clicked the number five button, before finally dropping my bags. I let out a huff of relief and leaned against the rail.
My silk green dress had wrinkled a little, after my long flight and taxi ride to get here. I smoothed it out and ran my fingers through my blonde curls. Of course my hair wasn't naturally curly, but I liked to alternate between straight and curly.
The elevator doors opened, I picked up my bags and I stepped out into the hallway. It was carpeted up here and the walls were painted a dark green. All the doors were the same dark wood with silver numbers and letters hanging under the peep hole.
I walked down the line of them until I reached 32E. I turned my key in the knob until it clicked and the door swung open.
I had sent a personal interior designer here before I arrived so it wouldn't be empty. It was a good decision. The foyer was small but it had a welcome sign, a coat hanger and an area to put your shoes.
I walked into the living room and gasped in surprise. There was a maroon couch and lounge situated in front of a large plasma screen television. The floor was hardwood and the walls were doused in a cream colored paint.
To the left was the kitchen which didn't really have any barrier from the living room. All the kitchen appliances were brand new and stainless steel and the countertops were made of dark gray granite. The cabinets were the dark wood that seemed to be a theme in this building. The stove was glass top and all of the pots and pans hung above it.
There was a small four person table close to the wall. There were a few windows against the wall that had a very nice view.
After exploring the kitchen I walked down a small hallway that had two doors. I opened the one to the left and found a small bathroom. It had a sink, a toilet and a small shower. The walls were a light brown and the rugs and towels were red.
Next I opened the door to the right and discovered my bedroom. The walls were a very light green. There was a four poster bed that was made of a Carmel colored wood with light blue satin sheets. The throw pillows were the same blue with a border of white. On either side of the bed were matching end tables. An alarm clock that was set to the correct time sat on both of them. A large vanity was resting against the left wall, with a leather stool pushed in front of it.
I dropped my bags on the bed and kicked off my four inch heels before falling back onto the bed. I took in the scent of the clean linen and closed my eyes. Tomorrow, I would be starting work as the assistant to the assistant of one of the biggest fashion influences in the world. Verona Claire was one of the biggest labels and her merchandise was sold in many countries all over the world.
I opened my eyes and reluctantly got off the bed. It was extremely comfortable but I needed to take a shower and then unpack.
I opened one of my duffel bags and pulled out my shampoo, conditioner, razor, shaving cream, and body wash.
There were two doors on the right wall of my room. I opened the one closest to me and it revealed a walk in closet. I smiled, glad that I would have enough room for my all my clothes.
I opened the next door and found the master bathroom. The walls were light blue and the towels were the green of the walls in my room. There was a large marble counter with two sinks and a mirror above each one directly across from the door. The toilet was in the left hand corner, about five feet away from the door. There was a large shower a few feet away from the sinks. By the shorter wall there was a raised area in which the bath tub was built into.
I placed the toiletries in the shower before turning it on. I quickly undressed and climbed in, shutting the glass door behind me.
I let the hot water run over me while I closed my eyes and rested. I was exhausted and completely jetlagged. It was only about 7 o'clock at night but I just wanted to curl up under the covers of my new bed. Unfortunately, I still needed to unpack and eat something or I might've died of starvation.
After a five minute shower, I rummaged through my suitcase and pulled on my pink striped night shirt. I moved my suitcase into the walk in closet. I hung up all my clothes, put my tons of shoes on the shelf and placed my jewelry in the drawers.
Next I unpacked the remainder of things in my bags which were mostly toiletries, food, a few books and all my electronics like my laptop and iTouch.
This all took about two hours (an hour and a half was taken up by the clothes. What? I like shopping, okay?), and by then I was starving. I was really tired though, so I just ate a big bowl of Special K cereal.
I finally climbed into my bed, and pulled back the covers. I wriggled underneath them and sighed. I looked out the window on my left hand side. There was an amazing view of the city. The lights looked so beautiful in the darkness; they twinkled like the stars that couldn't be seen here.
I closed my eyes and listened to the traffic rushing by outside before falling into a deep sleep.
…
I was awoken abruptly by the screeching of my alarm clock. I groaned and slammed my hand down onto the off button.
I pulled my cheek off my pillow and sat up in bed. I let out a huge yawn and stretched my arms for a few seconds before getting up to get dressed.
It was 5:30 A.M. I didn't usually wake up this early but I wanted to impress my boss, and more importantly my boss's boss, Verona Claire.
I looked at many outfit choices before deciding on a lilac satin button down shirt with short puffy sleeves, a black belt that sat right underneath my ribcage, and a tight gray tweed skirt. I slipped on my black velvet stilettos and accessorized with a chunky black bracelet and black hoop earrings.
After I was fully clothed I went to the bathroom and put on some make up. I applied foundation and a little blush first. I put on brown eyeliner to bring out my blue eyes, and added some mascara.
Once my face looked satisfactory, I plugged in my hair straightener. My hair was naturally wavy, but it was much easier to do things with when straight.
I ran the straightener through my hair a few times, and then pulled it into a French twist.
When I was finally ready I made myself a coffee, grabbed my purse and locked the door behind me before racing to the elevator.
The doors opened and I clicked the ground floor button impatiently. It was only 6:30 and I wasn't due at work until 7 but I wanted to make sure I wasn't late on my first day.
I tapped my fingernails against the railing, wishing that the elevator would speed up already.
Finally, the doors separated and revealed the lobby. I rushed out of the elevator, said a quick hello to Amanda and ran out the doors.
As soon as I was outside I stepped out onto the street with my arm raised and shouted at the top of my lungs, "TAXI!"
One quickly pulled up and I climbed in.
"Where're ya headed, tootse?" The cabdriver asked, looking at me from his mirror.
"33 Fifth Avenue." I replied, looking out the window.
The driver grunted and pulled into the upcoming traffic. I wasn't looking to have any conversation with the man, but he struck one up.
"Why are you up and about so early?" He asked while stuffing a piece of gum into his mouth.
He seemed to be in his late twenties and had a heavy Jersey accent. He had dark hair that was almost to his shoulders and extremely untidy. He looked exhausted and could use a good shave, if you asked me.
"Work. It's my first day." I said, smiling a little.
"Say, you're not from around here. What kinda accent is that? British?" He looked at me from the mirror again. I saw his eyes giving me the once over, resting a little longer on my chest.
I hastily buttoned the two ones I had left undone. I didn't want this creepy cab driver looking down my shirt.
"Yeah, I lived in London. I came here to follow my dream of becoming a fashion designer." I wasn't sure why I was telling him all of this. I could've easily just ignored him, but I almost felt like I needed to talk to somebody. I didn't know anyone here.
"Isn't that why everyone comes here, to follow their dreams? I can't tell ya how many passengers I've had who are new here, who came to chase their crazy dreams. Sure, some succeed but most of 'em just end up broke and jobless." He replied.
Suddenly, I didn't want to talk to him any longer. I didn't want him telling me that my dream was impossible. I was sick and tired of people telling me I'll never make it.
I didn't reply to him, and he remained in silence for the rest of the ride. When he pulled up I thanked him, gave him his pay and climbed out without another word.
The building was very intimidating. It was the tallest on the block by far, and had a powerful aura to it.
I took a deep breath and entered before I could chicken out.
The lobby was very similar to the one of my apartment building, but instead of there being lots of dark wood this one was full of stainless steel. The coffee table by a small TV was made of it, so were the doors and even the front desk.
A man with curly brown hair sat behind the front desk. He was reading a newspaper and drinking from a small mug.
"Excuse me." I said, smiling at him. "What floor is Verona Claire on?"
He folded up his newspaper and looked at me. He had olive colored eyes and a large hook nose. He might've been very attractive had it not been for the nose.
"Floor 21." He replied. He smiled back and revealed many yellow crooked teeth.
I mentally shuddered and turned away, headed to the elevator. I don't see why some people have such bad oral hygiene. It's not that hard to brush your teeth.
I clicked the button for the 21st floor and tapped my foot as the doors closed. I was so nervous for my first day. I didn't want to screw anything up, especially because my boss's boss is The Verona Claire.
The elevator only stopped a few times to pick up a couple of people. All of them were clad in office outfits and carrying coffee cups. They were all socializing and talking to one another. I felt the pang of solitude again and wanted to get out of the elevator as soon as possible.
It finally opened on my floor and I took one more huge breath before stepping into my new workplace.
This is where I leave you for now! She will be meeting Mick soon, probably in the next chapter. I have no idea if they'll all be this long because I have a very busy schedule. But I'll try my best. Please review!