In This World, : What Becomes of Us

by the Lovely Trishelle

  Blind to what he had done to cause her rage, Ren hides behind his bedroom door. In the hope of a save or advice, Ren texts their mutual friend, Ahish Lewis, otherwise known as Ace. Ace being Mia’s ex-boyfriend and good friend, but further Ren’s best friend and business partner, he knew both well. Ren met Ace while he was in high school, but Ace dropped out a year before they first met.

  Nowadays, they ran a business together. Ace and Ren shared everything from cars, girls, food, to houses, and even the unintentional sometimes, an example being Mia. Ren described Ace to be a kind and reliable friend, and Mia’s description was not much different which led people to believe, with the illegal stuff aside; Ace was a stand-up guy.

  To explain his name, Ace is of African American and Middle Eastern descent. Ace’s father born in Brooklyn and his mother immigrated over from Essaouira, Morocco. Essaouira was where they fell in love and married. The marriage led to his mother’s migration to the states, and not too long afterward she discovered they were pregnant with Ahish.

  Anyone that has met his mother agrees she is one of the sweetest women you will ever meet, and Mr. Lewis was lucky to have her. Ace’s parents welcomed Ren with open arms, so much so, that they treated him as a second son after his parents died.

  12:01 AM, Monday, September 12th, 2016

  Back to one year ago, later that evening. Earlier in the day, he mentioned a rave, but before Ren arrived, he stopped home and changed. As he tried to enjoy the rest of his birthday, and the female drama behind him, Ren looked forward to the rave. Dressed in red UFOs, a tight black muscle shirt with a trippy mandala design, and black and white shoes to match his shirt, both glowed in the dark.

  Upon arrival, Ren knew he was in the right place. A Chinese food joint, where he spotted Ace right away, along with the massive number of chain-smoking ravers. Once parked, Ren rushed across the street to catch Ace.

  Caught up, he crept behind Ace and said, “Hey, friend,” in an odd tone.

  Ren was lucky that Ace recognized his voice while he slid his hand away from his waistline.

  “Where’s DJ Sleepyhead?” asked Ace.

  “He’s running late, but he’ll be here before his set,” said Ren.

  “Before I forget, my friend agreed to entertain you tonight,” said Ace.

  “Ace, it’s a sexy lady, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah, but behave, Ren.”

  “Yes, Dad,” said Ren.

  “Here, you know where to find me,” said Ace, as he handed him a few pills.

  Comparable to a bloodhound, Ren searched the floor to sniff out which of the women were his lucky host for the night. Though space was shoulder to shoulder, Ren spotted a girl; everyone else faded to black. Left to the music and the girl, Ren stood frozen and speechless.

  12:47 PM, Saturday, September 9th, 2017

  For a while now, Ace has ignored Ren’s texts and calls. As he slides the wall, closing the door with his knees, Mia’s footsteps drew closer.

  “He was so angry with me that day,” says Ren.

  “Found you!” says Mia.

  The relationship they held with Ace grew distant after Ren and Mia dated, but the mystery was how long their relationship could last.

  The Apartment

  Kiki Kovski

  1:00 PM, Saturday, September 9th, 2017

  Perched on contrary parts of the sofa from each other, sit Ishigo and Ren. Ren turns the television on to shatter the silence as Ishigo reads a newspaper. Mia left to work leaving the guys home only to confront one and other.

  “Hey Ren, how do you offer any of this?”

  “I’m wealthy, what’s there to tell,” says Ren.

  “Yeah, I know that, but what do you do for employment?” asks Ishigo.

  An uncomfortable silence settles over Ren, taking a moment before answering Ishigo.

  “And you?” asks Ren.

  Ishigo pauses for a moment as he tries to figure out if Ren is serious.

  “You know what I do; I curate historical artifacts for the Natural History Museum,” says Ishigo, with a smile of sarcasm.

  Leaving them to figure out who perceived what on who, the tale returns to one year ago, the first time the three of them met on their birthdays.

  6:17 PM, Sunday, September 11th, 2016

  One year ago, the story left off as each person met with Kiki, at Terrigona Hills. Kiki apologized to everybody for the inconvenience, and Mia freaked out, which caused a delay in the tour. Once everyone calmed, Kiki led the way to the elevator, but not before she gave them a rundown of the lobby and its peculiar attendants. The staff’s unhuman appearances looked as if they prepared for a cosplay.

  “Dun, dun, dunun!” said Ren.

  Not amused they continued without him, Ren rushed behind to catch up with them.

  As the elevator door sealed, Ren yelled, “Wait!”

  Without a second to spare, he wedged his hand in, relieved the door opened and did not take his hand with it. Besides for the elevator music, the ride was awkward and silent. As Mia peered at the elevator screen, she noticed it was moving downward, and they were in there far too long for two floors. As she expressed fear on her face, she overlooked it hoping her eyes were playing tricks on her, but Ren saw it too.

  Ishigo, being no foreigner to these odd circumstances, did not dispute the unusual events, but why did Kiki not? She was human unless Kiki knew more than she let show. Both, Mia, and Ren looked at each other with their growing uncertainties, cut short by the ding of the opening elevator doors. As they followed Kiki through the hallway, Mia felt as the walls were altering, but with no one else reacting she had once more silenced her notions.

  With the jingle of keys, Kiki opened the door, and Mia snapped back to reality. As the door opened, the sole thing everyone caught was the strange cat that greeted them. Ishigo at once recognized it was Gigi, but how? Not knowing who Gigi was, Kiki went to shoo her, but Ishigo jumped in front of her and explained, she was his.

  Without EVEN THE SLIGHTEST REACTION, Kiki continued the tour which left Mia and Ren once more with concerned expressions. Ishigo looked busy scolding his cat in the corner of the room, at one point he peered up at them with a remorseful expression. Her guard lowered, Mia relaxed as she looked around the room to realize the study was something she could have only imagined. Decorated in her style, as if she had done it herself.

  Soaring ceilings with a crystal chandelier, the fireplace reflected the crystals onto the walls, leaving Mia mesmerized by the glimmer. From ceiling to floor, covered with shelves and stocked with books. In front of the fireplace sat two chairs, Mia imagined herself sinking into the chair with a satisfying book and tea.

  “This would be great for my book collection,” said Mia.

  “Why d’you think I wanted you to see THIS apartment?” asked Kiki.

  As the guys began to wonder, Kiki navigated everyone into the next room. As Kiki led them, she saw their eyes widen at the space the living room held. Ishigo and Mia redirected their attention to the balcony.

  “Wow, do you see this?” asked Mia.

  Fixated on her, Ishigo answered, “Yes.”

  The door fogged from their breaths, Kiki encouraged them to go outside onto the balcony. Without a moment’s hesitation, the glass doors slid open. The landscape from the terrace showed the entire city, but with the silence of the countryside. The view brought Mia back to her suspicions that something was not correct.

  Convinced she was not looking at New York City, Mia was unsure of where they were. The city view was something out of a science fiction film, with its towering buildings that pointed to the slums. The nature of the country covered the slums from sight, but she could sense they were there. Ishigo noticed her discomfort and enticed her to go back.

  Inside, Ren waited as he lounged on the couch. The living room finished with a giant sectional, and a sixty-inch flat screen on the wall in one part of the room. Behind the sofa stood a narrow hallway leading to four doors. The other angle of the room had a lo
ng, but short cabinet with an exquisite antique mirror fixed above it. Mia did not notice right away that the room was full of furniture, moving her to inquire if the entire residence was. With a simple yes from Kiki, they went ahead.

  Before Kiki showed the kitchen, she backtracked to the narrow hallway. The hallway led to four bedrooms, and they started with the closest door on the left. Upon opening the door, Mia felt she was in a princess’ room from the size of pink displayed. The room, covered from floor to ceiling in different shades of pink. There laid a king-sized bed, nightstands on each side and to the right stood a handmade desk. Mia loved the provided office space because it gave her room for her school books.

  Next to the desk was a door that led into a walk-in closet fit for a princess. Built with a woman in mind all of Mia’s needs, covered in one place. In the center of the closet stood a vanity with a hundred and eighty-degree mirrors view, comfortable seat, and plenty of room for her make up needs. As she exited the closet, Mia noticed a full-length mirror on the back of the door which caused her to let out a squeal.

  They exited the room and crossed the hallway. The second bedroom was a spacious contemporary style, ideal for anyone who needed the sense of relaxation. Completed by a handmade wine cabinet that had been perfect for any wine lover’s taste, which lit Ishigo’s face. Kiki mentioned the downside was no walk-in closet, but Ishigo could not care less. There was plenty of room to place a large dresser or two.

  Next to the window sat a king-sized bed with matching nightstands on each side, similar to the first room. The walls were forest green with brand new dark cherry hardwood floors. Ishigo positioned himself in front of the window; it shared the same view as the living room balcony. Kiki paid close attention and nodded her head, hung on every and any word that left his mouth. Mia nudged her, which snapped Kiki back into reality.

  Exiting the room, they continued to the third bedroom, just diagonal of the second room. The bedroom came with a capital outlay of space giving off a royal ambiance. This bedroom had been ideal for someone who enjoyed the more luxurious of lifestyles. There was no walk-in closet either, but similar to the second room, it held plenty of space for a dresser or two. The closet was more significant in size than the second room’s closet. Looks wise it all tied together with a romantic style trim and stained walnut floors.

  The room’s influence appeared to inflate Ren’s ego, more than it already was. On one side of the room stood a hand carved king bed and a “red carpet” that led from the bed across the entire room. Before Kiki realized what happened, Ren walked around her flexing his biceps as he tried to flirt, but only stupidity spewed from his mouth. As Kiki ignored Ren’s nonsense, she rushed Ishigo and Mia out of the room to the door across the hall.

  The fourth bedroom had driftwood oak panels from floor to ceiling. Done to give the place more of a cabin atmosphere, and it included a fireplace. Kiki pointed out that the fire would be lovely for frigid nights when cuddles would be in need, which made them burst into laughter. As she tried to sell everyone on living together, Kiki said it would have made an excellent guest room.

  With a smirk, Kiki led the way, they left the bedroom and proceeded to the kitchen. Again, Mia noticed the balcony first and raced outside past the entire kitchen. The princess fairytale continued as she neared the railing, to expose a countryside view. Lost in the scenery, Mia realized there had been no way it was upstate New York; it made little sense. Creatures she had never laid sight on before peeked her interest, but Ishigo coaxed her inside once more. He knew it was neither the time nor place to explain the plight.

  “Great view, isn’t it?” asked Ishigo.

  “I wish I could afford it,” said Mia.

  Ishigo trailed behind Mia as she walks into the kitchen.

  Mia continued, “I love how big the kitchen is.”

  “That’s what she said!” said Ren.

  He found himself ignored once more.

  “It has new appliances, too,” said Ishigo.

  “There are so many places to screw here,” said Ren, as he winked at Kiki.

  In disbelief that Ren could not take a hint, Kiki was into Ishigo. The last room, the bathroom, sat between the study and living room. It was a four-bedroom apartment, and the designers of the condominium must have thought it would be funny if they designed it with one bathroom. Even though designed to be accessible to multiple people, it was too small. The bathroom included a tub and stand-up shower, and a door separated the toilet. On the bright side, there were his and her matching sinks and an added smaller sink in the private toilet room.

  That bathroom had been the final piece of the apartment, with it concluded the tour. Kiki led everyone through the hallway towards the elevator. Once more, the elevator took a few minutes to reach the lobby. The doors opened, Kiki exits as she pulled out a brochure. It covered the amenities the complex offered with many facilities including a fruit and vegetable market, a café with a bakery and free wi-fi. An equipped gym with a locker room, showers, and a full-service spa. A private library with rent, trade, and buy options on books and a classic Japanese garden with a tea house. Besides that, there was an adult wreck room, horse stables, and two pools.

  “Well, what d’you guys think?” asked Kiki.

  “I’m in love, but one problem. I don’t know if it’s in my price range,” said Mia.

  “Me too, and I’d love nothing more than to live here, but I do-,” said Ishigo.

  Ren interrupted, “Well, I’ll take it!”

  Shocked by his response, everyone knew he was rich, but not “buy whatever I want” rich.

  “Well?” asked Ren.

  “It’s three thousand a month to rent, and that doesn’t include utilities,” said Kiki.

  “Wow, that’s cheap, and how much to buy?” asked Ren.

  Ishigo and Mia, shocked at how high the rates were, but not, because the apartment did have four bedrooms, and two balconies.

  “The seller wants a hundred thousand; up front, cash, no deposits, and no returns. The condo will have no mortgage, and the paper is clean,” said Kiki.

  “That’s still cheap, I’ll take it,” said Ren.

  “Okay, let me make a call,” said Kiki.

  She walked away to make the call in private, a few minutes passed by before Kiki returned. It took a few minutes to reach the owners, but they were thrilled once they heard the news. Set for two o’clock, the owners agreed to meet with Kiki and Ren. She never understood why they wanted to sell for so cheap. Kiki relayed the message to Ren, which the others overheard with disappointment.

  “The owners agreed to meet us here tomorrow. I’ll bring the paperwork, you bring the cash, and they’ll bring the keys and their lawyer,” said Kiki.

  Kiki and Ren continued speaking as they returned upstairs, which left Ishigo and Mia alone in the lobby.

  Disappointed, Mia spoke her thoughts aloud, “Well, that sucked.”

  “Hey, don’t get your hopes up, everything happens for a reason,” said Ishigo.

  4:52 PM, Saturday, September 9th, 2017

  Four hours have passed, the guys jump up as Mia arrives home accompanied by Kiki. Ren calls for takeout as everyone takes a seat on the couch, even Gigi perches herself on Ishigo’s lap as the five relax for one of the last times. The peaceful moments they will forever miss. After they eat, Mia stands up and exits onto the balcony. She leans on the railing as both her hands wrap her glass of wine.

  Mia ponders what John is up to these days; he was Mia’s mother’s sideman before things happened. John Barrowitz, the captain of the police department, is a handsome, charming man. He has shoulder length fawn-colored hair, never greasy looking, always clean and blown out, no split ends, no grays. He has an excellent build, which he wears fitted suits to show off his physic. John made rememberable impressions on women with his blue eyes and pearly white smile, but putting his looks aside, the man never loved someone as much as he loved Mia’s mother.

  John never married, divorced, or had childre
n. He hoped Savanah would have been his one and only, you could say she was the love of his life. Mia describes him as a stand-up guy and very genuine on his feelings for her mother. Unlike Jin, John spoiled and cared for Savanah, taking her places, and showing her off to people. A step up from Jin, John was the ideal man for Savanah.

  Mia looked for negatives, but she comes up empty handed every time. John had no drug or alcohol problems, no abuse issues, and the “everything right” list could go on forever. He joined the police academy right out of high school, comes from a small town, friendly country parents and has a good relationship with them. Squeaky clean as his history was, it made it slightly dull.

  Right before it happened, she called John and begged him to hurry over. The sound of her voice alerted him to trouble, but he was too late. Savanah died in his arms with her last words being, “Take care of my baby.” Ever since that day, he contacts Mia, checking up on her to see if she needs anything. It was commendable of him to keep his promise since Mia was not his daughter. That goes to show that honorable guys still exist, somewhere.

  Opportunities

  Death to Jin Toumi

  6:05 PM, Saturday, September 9th, 2017