Time of My Life
Chapter 1
Oh god I feel like I've lost money instead of gaining more.
Damn the exchange rate!
And everything is so overpriced here!
Gah, let me start from the beginning.
The plane ride was great. Father dearest had paid for first class, of course nothing lower than that for a member of the Clan.
I had steak on the plane.
Yeah, it was that high class.
Anyway, it was wonderful while I was flying in. The little scattered islands were as beautiful as I had imagined it.
Extremely … green.
The population seemed pretty nice too.
People were very much welcoming at the gate, I could see my fellow passenger's loved ones waiting with … something they called leis.
It was basically a garland of fresh flowers that they put around the neck. But they smelled so heavenly! Especially the white and yellow ones.
And I know because the guy standing next to me got it flung around his neck and basically into my face.
But I didn't mind really, because the said person, who flung, immediately apologized and offered me a lei too.
I couldn't resist.
Things went wonderful until I stepped out of the taxi and realized how expensive it was. I gave the woman fifty dollars and she gave me back five dollars and twenty four cents.
That was more than 300 bucks back at home in China. Sigh.
I had rented a one bedroom, one bathroom apartment in an old hotel now turned building, in the middle of tourist central. Or that's what the taxi lady told me.
"Careful, pretty thing like you wouldn't want to mess with the wrong crowd," she told me before rolling up the window and driving away.
I almost scoffed at her comment. 'Course I was careful. And when did I ever mess with the wrong crowd?
Licking my lips, I dropped my suitcases and hitched my duffle bag higher onto my shoulder as I struggled with the intercom.
Now what was it? Oh yeah, A803.
Apparently the manager was supposed to let me in. We exchanged a few words over the little metal box to confirm I was who I said I was and then it happened.
As soon as I heard the incessant buzz that signaled the opening of the door; I knew the noise would drive me insane if I ever heard it again.
Thank god, I would be getting my keys in about two minutes.
Third floor, three doors to the right. Aha! Easy to remember, 33!
But I didn't really need that to find my apartment.
The manager was at my door and he barely looked at me as he tossed me a set of keys. One for the lobby door, another for the elevator, one for my mail box and another two for my apartment.
Gosh, think five keys is enough? Back in Japan and even China, I was all set with two keys, three at the most.
Before I opened my mouth to respond he spoke first in a very gruff voice that sounded like he just woke up, "Rent's due on the fifteenth of every month. Five hundred and fifty for yours. And … "
He scratched the back of his head as he thought. "Oh yeah, your parking. 26 got it?"
I nodded and smiled, "Thanks!" And then I began to scrap with the door. Yes, we really did battle for ten whole minutes.
Okay, it was really me doing the battling and the door knob just resisting.
As I tried all five keys I really, really, really hoped that the apartment wasn't a roach infested motel looking place. Cause I couldn't stand it if it was.
Hey even I had standards.
But thankfully, it wasn't. It was sparsely furnished, with an old beat up couch and a small coffee table.
Great, no furniture. Well … at least it didn't look that bad. The room smelled faintly of fresh paint, which I supposed was slapped on only a couple weeks before.
And hey! The lights worked.
Hmm …
The kitchen was on the right and looked okay. Well actually I wouldn't call it a kitchen; it was more of a little niche in the middle of nowhere.
And two doors was plastered straight ahead, bathroom and bedroom I supposed.
I opened the door to inspect the bathroom, and well … whaddaya know? It was looking pretty high tech. Honestly, it looked new to me.
Even better!
But the bed. Oh the bed. It was horrible.
As I threw my stuff into the room I vowed to myself that the first thing I'd do in the morning, was to find a new bed.
I sighed as I looked to the bed again. Gross. New sheets too.
And … will you looky here!
Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Double whoa! And did I say holy shit yet?
Well, "Holy shit."
Mother was obviously worried because on top of my clothing in the red suitcase, there it was; shiny, small, and plastic.
Meiling, I hope this will help. Yelan had helped me set up your account. It's a surprise going away gift. I didn't want my little girl without money and everything familiar in America. And don't forget to call me every night!!
With lots of love, Mommy
I swear, I almost choked on my own saliva. WHOA again.
I am definitely going shopping tomorrow.