I tried my hardest not to stare at the security guard, standing beside me in the elevator. Am I at the police station? Every move I made was being observed. The elevator finally reached the floor, and I sighed in relief when I stepped out. Surprisingly, the guards didn’t follow, and the doors closed, leaving me alone in the empty hallway.

The hallway was the same quality as a luxury hotel; velvet wallpaper, marble flooring, and glass chandeliers which travelled down the hall. I imagined Sebastian would have a private floor or even a penthouse. However, this building was massive. I’m sure there is a whole community of rich assholes like him living here. I recalled the apartment number he gave me and finally found Sebastian’s door. His door was at the end of the hallway. I was going to knock but paused and pressed the buzzer.

I waited in silence; anxiety was starting to build up. What if this was a setup? I could be killed the second I stepped in. He is a member of one of the most terrifying, powerful crime syndicates in the country. Sebastian could do anything to me if he wanted to. He probably already knows everything about me, even where I live.

My endless list of worries ended when the door opened. I glanced at my new boss, Sebastian, and instantly looked away. He looked even better in the light. I have never met a guy that looks so perfect in my entire life. I bet he has gone through a lifetime of beautiful women. Wait, why am I admiring him? He almost killed me the last time I saw him!

“Are you going to keep standing here?” He asked, snapping me out of my thoughts. I walked in and tried my hardest to stare in awe at him and his apartment. It was a large, open space with the kitchen, living room, and three connecting doors. I assumed two were bedrooms and then a bathroom, “Right, wait here a second. We’re heading out. I just need to get my stuff,” Sebastian instructed, walking to one of the doors. He stopped in his tracks, and turned back to me with a smirk, “Don’t steal anything you can’t afford.”

“Asshole,” I muttered under my breath as he walked into one of the rooms. I sat down on one of the sofas and stared at the massive, wide-screen TV in front of me. I wished I could have something like this, a place to play all my video games and watch late-night shows. There were wide sliding glass doors to my left, which opened to the balcony that overlooked the breath-taking skyline of the city. Sebastian was so lucky to live here. When I finally can afford to move out of Granton, this is where I want to live.

A few minutes later, Sebastian left the room and marched around the house, opening drawers and cupboards.

“Fuck’s sake.” Sebastian hissed under his breath.

“What are you looking for?” I questioned. Not like I care what his answer is, just starting a conversation. Sebastian glanced at me. I wouldn’t be surprised if he forgot that I was still here.

“My cigarettes,” He muttered as he threw on the familiar coat. I saw it last night. “Come on, let’s go.” I jumped to my feet and quickly followed him.

We left the building in silence and entered the private parking lot. My mouth fell to the ground. There were cars everywhere — Bentleys, BMWs, Rolls Royce, and many more vehicles that you will never see in Granton. I held my breath admiring the collection. How much did every car cost? I wonder if I could successfully ‘take’ one, “There’s no way you’d be able to steal these. You’d be shot dead, so don’t even think about it.” Sebastian warned me. He can read me like a book.

“I know that,” I mumbled, walking away from a white Ferrari that my heart was set on. Sebastian stopped at one of his cars. It was a black Lamborghini, with a cream interior. I was speechless at how filthy rich this guy was.

“Are you getting in or what?” Sebastian called from the open window, starting the engine. I quickly got in the car, and soon enough, we sped out of his apartment complex. Sebastian lived in downtown, a place I did not visit often. My eyes were glued to all the luxury shops and restaurants that we passed. It was making my head spin. “You’re acting like a tourist. I thought you live here?” Sebastian teased, chuckling.

“I don’t visit downtown often. Not everyone is loaded like you.” I muttered under my breath. Sebastian ignored my comment with a smirk and pulled in beside a convenience store, on the outskirts of the boulevard.

“Can you get some cigarettes for me?” Sebastian asked, handing me a twenty dollar note. Did he forget to say please? He didn’t forget, he chose not to. I snatched the note and dragged myself out of the car.

Great. My life as his lapdog has begun. Was he going to make me do his grocery shopping? Do his laundry? What could he possibly want me to do for him? He’s such an asshole too. He never told me what kind of cigarettes he wanted. I played it safe and bought the most expensive brand in the shop, which resulted in a suspecting cashier who raised an eyebrow at my purchase.

Once I returned to the car, I chucked the packet on his lap.

“I don’t like this brand.” Sebastian sighed. I narrowed my eyes.

“You’re kidding me, right? What’s the difference?”

“I prefer cheaper tobacco. Whatever. You can keep the change.” He didn’t say thank you. I clenched my teeth. Why does the brand even matter? I glanced at him lighting one up.

“You shouldn’t drive while smoking.” I pointed out. Not like I cared. However, if we’re going to get pulled over by the police or crash, I don’t want to be involved in his irresponsible behaviour. Sebastian chuckled, exhaling before pulling out into the road.

“I’m assuming you don’t smoke then.”

“No, my little sister doesn’t like it. Besides, it stinks. Worse than weed.”

“Don’t lie to me. Everyone in Granton probably smokes it as a rite of passage.” I don’t know what ‘rite of passage’ means, but I can assume he’s being a snob and mocking me. I sealed my lips and didn’t utter a word. The silence was slightly suffocating like the smell of the cigarettes; however, I didn’t feel awkward about it. I noticed that Sebastian’s car speaker was playing a song by a well-known rapper.

“Isn’t this Never Sleeping Alone?” I asked out of curiosity.

“Yeah, it’s his new album.” Sebastian eventually replied, inhaling more smoke from his cigarette.

“…I like that album. I can’t imagine someone like you listening to Jurake and rap.” Sebastian shrugged his shoulders.

“Ever heard of don’t judge a book by its cover?”

“Of course, I’m not stupid. I was just starting a conversation.” I mumbled.

“I see. Well, I like Jurake. End of story.” Wow. I only wanted to get to know him better since I’m now ‘working’ for him. He’s cold, distant, and patronising. I guess he isn’t used to regular interaction or small talk. I noticed that we were now driving through the leafy suburbs of the city, far away from Granton. I look around for any signs of familiarity, but there are none. We were surrounded by endless country roads and hills.

“This is Rose Valley. Not a place you frequent, right?”

“Not really…where are we going?”

“Home.”