Jim pushed the door to the flat open and invited Daniel inside with a theatrical gesture.
"Welcome to my humble estate!" He said in a dramatic voice before entering. Daniel followed him inside, not really sure what he was expecting.
By the looks of it, Jim seemed to enjoy antique-looking furniture. There was a chandelier above the dinner table and dark red curtains framing the large window. So far, Daniel was more than impressed. He couldn't imagine how Jim could possibly afford all this.
Jim glanced over his shoulder before opening the double doors into the living room. There was a hint of a smirk on his lips when he turned around and welcomed Daniel inside, like he already knew Daniel would love it.
"You have seen nothing yet," He said.
Daniel couldn't help the grin on his face, the excitement and total awe he felt as he walked into the living room. It had Brown Oak ceiling beams, 20' long built in wall of cabinets and a television panel. There were two sofas in the room, both in the same rococo style and wine red shade. It was marvelous.
After a few moments of admiring Jim's sense of taste in furniture, they headed to the library. There actually was room for a library in the flat! Daniel could imagine sitting in there, the perfect spot for his work. A silent room, where he could do research and relax in the evenings.
The library had the same style as the living room, with brown oak panels. Bookcases covered the left wall and two armchairs were placed in front of the fireplace. Both looked generations old, almost as old as the painting hanging above the fireplace.
"Is that a Rembrandt?" Daniel asked. It couldn't possibly be, but it sure looked like it.
"There is more to you than meets the eye, isn't there? Are you interested in art?" Jim asked.
"Not particularly no. I do recognize this painting though..."
Jim chuckled and they continued their little tour. Daniel started to wonder if Jim had robbed a museum at this point. He wasn't even sure he was in a flat anymore, because everything reminded him of a mansion. He spent a few minutes looking around, fascinated by every little thing inside, from the lamps to the rug on the floor. Daniel could see Jim smiling in the corner of his eye, probably amused by his behavior.
The biggest surprise was the kitchen. It was modern and clinical, a mix of stainless steel and wood, with shiny clinker floor. Jim explained the old kitchen had been impractical to his style of living, he preferred his kitchen as modern and easy-to-use as possible. The thought of Jim actually using a kitchen seemed unlikely for some reason, but Daniel kept that thought to himself.
"Have I impressed you yet?" Jim asked, leaning against the kitchen counter with his arms crossed.
"With a place like this, it's hard not to," Daniel replied, sounding somewhat out of breath.
This place was amazing. There was modern and traditional furniture blended together in a harmony of contrasts. Daniel would feel weird about it in the beginning, for sure, considering he'd not been sleeping in an actual house for years. When he was overseas, he'd moved between different hotels and cheap apartments, which wasn't much better than a seedy motel. This was a dream.
"Well, if this impresses you... You should see the bedroom," Jim added with a playful wink.
Daniel let out a soft laugh, feeling how his guard dropped. He didn't feel strange about Jim joking around, as he was sure that was all there was to it. Jim had observed and commented many women on the way back to the flat, in ways that suggested he wasn't swinging the other way, at least not completely. Daniel didn't care, whatever way, it didn't matter. Jim was a bit strange for sure, but then, who was he to judge?
There were two bedrooms in the flat, both astounding. Jim's room had more of the antique mansion style with a king-sized bed, red cushions and a large mirror, while Daniel's wasn't quite as show-off with a normal size bed, a bureau for clothes and a small desk. It was still a mansion for him, compared to his current residence.
"Wow, this seems ancient..." Daniel mused as he inspected a Ming vase. "Where did you get it?"
"A souvenir," Jim replied. "Some of my employees travel all over the world." Daniel waited for a couple of seconds to see if he'd elaborate, but he didn't.
Daniel continued to explore his room. There were many items that could easily be a hundred years old. Why Jim dared to keep them in the flat was a mystery. They seemed valuable. Jim however, didn't show any signs of worry.
Apparently, there was a small cellar downstairs too, but Jim considered it unimportant. When Daniel had asked what was down there, Jim had only dismissed the question.
"I like the variety," Daniel said when their little tour around the flat was over.
"I'm very changeable," Jim explained and sat down in the sofa by the fireplace. Daniel joined him on the sofa and leaned back, hands on his stomach and legs spread in a relaxed way. He liked the couch, the room, the antiquities and pretty much everything. It was comfortable, luxurious and spacious enough for both of them.
"So, if I dare ask...how much is it a month?" Daniel asked. There was a slight hesitation in his voice. He was afraid to ask, especially now that he seemed to have fallen in love with the place.
"It's about...1590 pounds," Jim estimated, without even reacting to the outrageous number coming from his lips.
Daniel could feel the blood drain from his face.
"A 1590 pounds? A month?! Are you kidding me, who the hell can afford something like that? I can't even afford a rundown hotel!" He burst out, before taking a deep breath and feeling embarrassed over the sudden outbreak. "I'm sorry…" He added with his gaze on the floor. Jim observed him calmly, didn't even flinch at his shouting.
"90 for you," Jim said. "I'm willing to bargain, but it's a onetime offer. Normally, I wouldn't go this low...it's bad for business, but I'm eagerfor a variety of company. You seem interesting enough."
Daniel's eyes widened for a moment, shocked by the generous offer.
"90? Really? But, you can't pay the rest of the money by yourself...that's just—"
Jim held up a hand to silence him and he complied instantly.
"Don't underestimate me," He said. His voice sounded deeper now, it was low and impatient. Something flickered in his eyes before it disappeared again, all in a few seconds.
"You can pay me back later if you really want to," He continued, voice back to normal, while shrugging off the sudden change in temperament. Daniel wasn't sure how to respond, he felt grateful but a bit overwhelmed.
Jim seemed like a nice, successful guy, handsome too. He could easily get a flat-mate or a girlfriend to live with him if he wanted to. Yet, he was eager for company? What did he mean by that? Perhaps others had been apalled by the price, or perhaps it was Jim that had high standards? Daniel felt slightly flattered by the thought.
"I'll take it," He replied after deciding it was a good offer. He'd pay Jim back one way or the other... eventually. Although, he'd probably have to rob the bank to afford it.
Jim's features softened into a satisfied smile, eyes filled with excitement like he was a little child with a new toy.
"Splendid!" His voice was high-pitched and clearly overjoyed which was a big contrast to the low impatient tone he'd used only a little while ago. Jim reached out his hand and Daniel grabbed it, then they shook hands as if striking a business deal. Daniel was now officially a flat-mate. Matthew would be proud of him for taking another step towards human contact.
Daniel observed as Jim started playing with a pen, twirling it between his thump and index finger. At times he seemed so old for his age, like a man with much wisdom and knowledge. Other times, he seemed childish and impulsive. Unpredictable, Daniel noted. That was the most accurate word to describe him.
Daniel rose from the sofa and said:"Well then, if we're done here I should-", but then the cheerful melody of "Stayin' alive" interrupted him. Jim rolled his eyes before he picked up his phone and gave it a quick glare.
"Is it okay if I take this? Work," Jim said and held up his phone. Daniel nodded and Jim walked out of the room with slumped shoulders, suggesting it wasn't a call he was happy to recieve.
The Bee gees. An interesting choice for a ringtone, Daniel thought. To be honest, everything about Jim was quite interesting.
After about ten minutes and a few startling shouts Jim re-entered the room with an agitated expression on his face.
"Sorry. Seems I have to leave for now. Can't trust anyone to do their work properly these days," He said with lowered brows and put the phone back in his pocket.
"I see. I guess I'll just head back to the motel and finish some work myself. Should we discuss the rest tomorrow?" Daniel asked and rose from the sofa. He wasn't longing to go back but felt it would be rude to impose and just move in right away. They had just agreed on living together, it would probably be best to continue this another day.
"You don't need to do that. Your room expires tomorrow morning, you have no money to pay for another day and you have no other place to go. Besides, I've already sent someone to pick up your things. They'll be here in less than an hour," Jim said and glanced at his watch.
"How did you even know…?" Daniel mumbled, but didn't bother to finish the sentence. He felt like an open book in Jim's presence. Daniel wondered if he really was so obvious, because Jim must have known he'd move in.
"I know an interested client when I see one. A businessman, remember?" Jim pointed at himself. Daniel was sure that wasn't the full story.
"Just who are you really?" Daniel asked, fascinated and confused at the same time.
Jim laughed in response, although he didn't answer, and went into his bedroom to pick up a change of clothes. Few moments later he headed towards the door with a bag in his hand.
"Just make yourself at home. I'll be back in a while," He said through the door and left.
Daniel sighed and picked up today's newspaper from the coffee-table. He returned to relaxing in the sofa while browsing through different articles, there was everything from children's birthdays and elderly care to heavy crimes.
His gaze stuck on a particular article and the headline read: "amateur detective solves murder of TV-personality."
Daniel had never heard of a Sherlock Holmes until now, probably because he'd been out of the country for a few years. Apparently he'd missed something important. This Sherlock Holmes assisted the police occassionally and offered help to ordinary people with problems, if they interested him. Daniel put down the newspaper. Sherlock Holmes, a name he would definitely remember.
Daniel closed his eyes, remembering how he used to assist people with similar matters, though his help was of a different nature. He cursed under his breath for letting himself remember. Everyday, he thought about that life more often. The itch, the excitement. How much he missed it.
He needed something unpredictable, something to stimilate him and keep his mind occupied. Somehow, Daniel had the feeling Jim might be able to help him with that.