She loved the way the steering wheel felt in her hands as she turned corners, sped up, slowed down, anything she needed to do felt amazing. It might have been the freedom she hadn't felt in so long. The car hooked up to her phone seamlessly, and the gps sounded great coming from her speakers. She found her way pretty easily, it was about 30 minutes away from Tony and Pepper's place. She found a parking place and got out to look around, a little deli on the corner across the street. The "church" Pepper had mentioned was right across the street. It had a beautiful window up top, but it definitely didn't look like any church she had ever seen. She looked around the outside of the apartment building she had applied for. It was a typical little building, nothing special stood out from it. It was about five stories tall, about as tall as the "church" across the street. She felt oddly at ease, the street was busy, cars always going by, a few shops up and down both sides. It was active. Most shop signs said they were open late, that was good. That meant people. She clung her sweater to her chest, covering her scar that ran down her chest over her right breast. It was a large scar, just over six inches from top to bottom, it was her reminder of what happens when you don't listen to the red flags. She made her way across the street towards the little deli on the corner, it might be a good place for lunches, or even fresh bread from time to time. With it going to just be her most of the time, shopping trips were mostly unnecessary. The deli shop smelled amazing, and she let her eyes slowly go over the menu they had over the counter, she stood back and off to the side so anyone coming in wouldn't think she was waiting in line or starting one. The bell attached to the door behind her rang, she ignored it letting her eyes continue to wonder over the menu and the counter with the deli meat behind it.
"May I make a suggestion?" A deep voice come from behind her. She almost jumped out of her skin, jumping off to the side away from where the voice came from, she instinctively put her hands up towards her face. Knocking into a little table and chair set, she stopped. She looked at he man from between her fingers, her face flushing red feeling embarrassed. "I didn't mean to startle you." He put his hands up to show he was harmless. "I mean no harm."
Kolhara placed her hands back down, crossing them across her chest. "No, sorry. I- I was just looking around. I wasn't in line or anything. I'm sorry." She turned towards the door to dart out. The man was slightly taller than her, his face still held a friendly and apologetic smile.
"Please don't leave because of me. My friend and I come here a lot. I thought if you were torn on what to get I could help." Kolhara stopped. "Oh n-no I just, I was just checking the place out. I was thinking of renting one of the apartments close by and I wanted to check out the area to see what it was like. I'm so sorry to have been in the way." She reached out her hand to shake his. "I'm Kolhara."
"My name is Wong." He took her hand and shook it. "Again, I didn't mean to startle you. This place has the best tuna melts." He gave a small wave to the clerk behind the counter who had watched the whole interaction. The clerk waved and began Wong's order, it was obvious he came here a lot. "Is there anyway I can make up for scaring you?"
Kolhara shook her head, "No need, honestly. I just... you just caught me by surprise." She gave him a genuine smile. "If I get the apartment across the way maybe I'll cash in on lunch sometime," she laughed jokingly. She looked towards the clerk who was still watching them. "I'm sorry for the commotion." She gave a small wave. The clerk nodded that he had heard her, continuing to make Wong's order. She looked down at her phone, it was almost lunch time. She also had an email from the owner of the apartment building across the street. He was willing to work with her without informing Cyrus of her application. Her heart gave a small leap, finally things were starting to look up. Just as she was about to put her phone back into her pocket it rang, it was her lawyer. she looked at Wong, "Sorry, I have to take this, I'll see you around." He nodded and walked up to the counter to watch his order be made as she walked outside the deli answering the phone.
"Hello?" She answered.
""Hello Mrs. Wright?" Her lawyer's secretary's voice came from the other end.
"Yes, this is her."
"Mr. Shlip wanted me to call and let you know that we have heard back from Mr. Wright's lawyers. They are willing to start court proceedings as soon as you're ready." Kolhara gave a small sigh of relief. "And Mr. Shlip said that it looks like most of this will be able to be done outside of court, so you won't have to do a lot of time inside a court house."
"Ok, thank you so much for letting me know." Kolhara smiled as she hung up. she placed her phone back into her pocket. She could have screamed. She was so happy. A new apartment, a new car, almost no court time, Cyrus was willing to go to court, things were looking up more than they had in years. She replied back to the email about the apartment and set up a time in a hour to go see the inside of the apartment. She stopped back inside the deli, ecstatic with the news she had received. She walked up to the counter, her breakfast of coffee seemed forever ago, and the knot that had originally taken it's home in her stomach had started to disappear and she was starting to feel hungry. She stood next to Wong and made an order of a Ruben and a passion fruit tea. Their orders were done at the same time and wanting to share her good mood she paid for Wong's order.
"It really should be the other way around." Wong said, happily obliging Kolhara.
"You can get the next one." She smiled at him again before going and sitting down to eat, Wong making his way out of the deli and out onto the street. Kolhara watched him until he passed the shop next to the deli and was out of sight. She finished her Ruben and tea with some time to spare before the appointment to see the apartment. Kolhara made her way towards her car, almost passing it forgetting it was her car. She got in and sent Pepper a quick text message, just updating her on her morning and letting her know things are going well. At 12:30 she got out and waited on the sidewalk for the landlord. He seemed like a nicer older man, he gave her run of the apartment, thankfully not hovering over her, he stepped out to talk to one of the tenants across the hall from the apartment she was looking at. She was at the top floor, towards the front, with a full look at the "church" across the street. Being up higher she could see the roof of the "church", it had a cute little hangout space up top with what looked like a garden. A gentleman was sitting on a bench in the garden reading a book. Obviously too far away to read or know what book, all Kolhara could tell was that it was a very thick book. She could somewhat make out the gentleman reading it. He was about her age, with facial hair in an attractive way, darker haired, and he wore jeans and a grey t-shirt. She felt him look up and towards her, she doubted he could see her, as the light was off in the apartment, but he waved towards her in a friendly manner, she waved back and he went back to his book.
Having enough of staring at the neighbors she checked out closets, the bathroom, kitchen, and small areas where damage could be, the apartment was small, but well taken care of. Just needed a little cleaning. She noticed the little porch that was outside some sliding doors in her living room and stepped out onto it. The sound of the cars below her passed by unknowing she was even there. She could see her little beetle down on the street perfectly. There was just enough room on the patio for a small cafe table and chair. This apartment was perfect for her.
As she stepped back inside the apartment the landlord popped his head back inside. "What do you think?" His voice was gruff, like he had smoked for quite a few years.
Kolhara looked around the living room measuring out a couch and other odds and ends she was already planning on filling the rooms with. She looked back out the window and the man across the street was gone. She looked back at the landlord and nodded. "I'll take it."