64. Clue or Clueless ❓

After that early morning interview, Maximo took us back to the Rivers' mansion. Since my meeting with Anaya wasn't until 4 p.m., I could get some sleep. Oh wait! Monica's here. Scratch out sleeping.

While she used my bedroom as her backdrop to record content for her YouTube channel, I escaped to the backyard to work on Music Bravos' inventory list of repricing and relisting. Again, I felt a great escape, mentally, as I completed the work. I surprised myself, because it only took me an hour and a half to do.

I closed the laptop with the inventory papers tucked inside and placed it on the table in front of me. I yawned as I picked up my phone. I had 2 missed calls and 3 text messages. The missed calls were from an unknown number. The texts were from Colby, Zeke, and a woman named Farrah Henderson.

Farrah: Hi, Jamie! I'm Farrah Henderson. Jace told me you were looking for a place to rent. I've found four locations that I believe you'll be interested in. Please see the links attached, and if you have time today, we can take a look at them in-person. Hope to hear from you soon!

How did A.B. still find the time to do this?

Colby: Good morning, Jae! Anaya has pushed back your meeting with her to 6:30 p.m. Also, your flight for New York has been booked. It departs at 11:35 a.m. tomorrow.

Now I gotta figure out how to get Monique English aka Monica on the flight with me.

Zeke: I booked your cousin a separate flight to New York. Her flight leaves at 9:10 a.m. My driver will pick her up and get her to the hotel. I'll meet her in the lobby.

Me: Thanks, sir. I'll let Monica know.

I forwarded his message to Monica, I thanked Colby, and I replied to the realtor.

Me: Hi, Farrah! So glad you contacted me. I have time to look at maybe two locations today. Give me a few minutes to take a look at what you sent me.

Why were all the places beautiful and hard to choose from? Maybe I could go to all four today. I called Monica to see if she was done with her YouTube thing? When she didn't answer, I glanced at the time on my phone. I really don't want to go alone, but if I'm going to see these potential habitats, I have to leave sooner than later.

I picked up the laptop and stretched as I stood up. I looked at the green backyard and inhaled the outside air. Even though it was a beautiful space, I think my time here is up. I went back inside the house and headed to my bedroom.

On the way there, I ran into Zack. I waved at him as I always did when I saw him. This time he spoke. "Congratulations by the way."

I arched my brow. "For...?" I tried to act as clueless as possible.

"Jae A.B." He whispered my artist name.

How did he know?

As if he heard my thoughts, he said, "Jaylei told me, but I knew before then. You were the one talking about it."

I narrowed my eyes at him. I definitely would've remembered telling him.

Zack grinned, "This house isn't big for no reason." He stepped closer to me. "Some rooms... speak for themselves. My dad loves your songs, too. Don't worry. He doesn't know it's you."

And what am I supposed to say to that? "Did Jaylei tell you she was going in and out your brother's room?"

Zack chuckled before answering my question. "Jamie, you definitely chose the right brother to work with, because nothing from me is free." He continued along his path.

Is this the real Zack "Rival" Rivers? Now I really believe he didn't care much for Jaylei.

Before he could make it to the end of the hall, I repeated what I once overheard him say. "I'm not a puppet."

Zack stopped in his tracks.

I hesitated as I kept my eyes on him.

He walked away.

I let out a small sigh of relief.

"What were y'all talking about?"

I nearly jumped at the sound of my cousin's voice. I rolled my eyes when I turned around to face her. "Did you get my text messages?"

Monica snapped her fingers. "Yes, I did! Can you believe we're going to New York City? I swear I didn't pack the right outfits. We gotta go shopping, again."

I shook my head, "We don't have time for all that. A.B. sent a realtor my phone number. She would like to show me four places where I could live."

"When?"

"Today! Let's get ready to leave in ten minutes."

When we arrived, Farrah was standing in the front yard. She greeted us as we all walked towards a double door entrance of a mega mansion. "Hi, Jamie?"

"Yes," I replied as I shook her hand.

"I'm Farrah, your realtor. It's nice to meet you."

"You, too. Umm... I thought this was an apartment." I remember looking at four apartments. It's why I couldn't choose which ones to view.

Farrah smiled, "No. I sent you two homes, one condo, and one apartment."

I shook my head. "This place looks amazing, but it's not what I'm looking for. Can we go to the apartment?" I asked her.

"Of course. I'll text you the address, and we'll meet there."

Monica smacked her lips. "We still could've looked inside."

I shook my head. "Do you still want to go shopping?"

Monica took off running to the car. "Girl, hurry up!"

When we got to the apartment building, I kept picturing it as my home. Oddly enough, I kept picturing my old apartments in East Grove. Moving out of the River's Residence was going to be a big move.

Farrah gave us the details about the apartment building. I heard none of it until we got on the elevator and off on the 7th floor.

"This is a modern, two bedroom apartment with a beautiful view of the city skyline," she continued, "Rent is $5,635 per month, and--"

"How much?" Monica and I asked in unison.

Farrah repeated, "$5,635 per month."

Monica walked out the apartment.

I wish I could laugh, but I had to be serious. "Farrah, did A.B. I mean, did Jace give you a budget?"

Farrah lightly laughed, "Of course. Jace told me the max was $7,000. This place is under budget for sure."

How much money did this man have? At this moment, I was no longer interested in looking at any place to live. "Farrah, I'm sorry, but this is just not the right place for me. I'm gonna call Jace, and we'll be in touch."

"No problem," Farrah sounded disappointed.

I nodded my head before leaving the apartment. Monica was probably already in the car with Maximo by now, but I had to talk to A.B. right now. I decided to walk to the end of the hall except it wasn't the end, was a corner connected to another hall. Perfect! I hid there with the phone to my ear.

On the third ring, A.B. answered his phone.

"Hey, umm... Did you know the realtor thinks you're going to spend about $7,000 for a two bedroom apartment."

He said, "She wasn't supposed to tell you the budget until after you chose a place you were interested in."

"A.B., I don't need the fanciest apartment to live in. You've seen my old apartment."

"Jamie, the price can be negotiated. I told her it had to be in a safe area, close to RiSe Tower, and have nearby grocery store, restaurants,  and entertainment for when your family visits. How does that sound?" He asked me.

I really had no response to that as I smiled.

"Don't get quiet on me," he told me.

I said, "Sir, I got one question."

"Can I ask mine first?"

I arched a brow. "Go ahead."

"Were you able to start on the inventory list?" A.B. inquired.

I smirked, "I finished it about an hour ago."

A.B. said, "I'm definitely not surprised. You work fast."

I shrugged. "If you say so. Now, answer my question. Are you a millionaire?"

"No."

"Then, how are you able to pay all this money?"

"Who said I was paying all this money?" He imitated me.

Oh, today he got time to play?

"I'm sorry," A.B. apologized. "We just hired two sisters and they have this weird communication almost like twins. It's hilarious."

"Wait. You hired two employers?"

"They saw the hiring sign in the window, came in, and applied. With their retail experience, we hired them on the spot."

He had every reason to be excited.

"That's so good, A.B."

"It is!" He added, "I'm praying for two more employees. Then, I can take a break."

"I'll pray for the same. You know you can still take a break? Don't overwork yourself or I'll have to come down there."

A.B. chuckled, "Funny you say that, because I heard someone is nominated for not one, not two, but three IMI Awards."

How did he know that? "I thought they weren't announcing that until the week before the awards show?"

"Not in the age of the internet," A.B. told me.

I admitted, "Well, Ricky's assistant Colby told me when I was in East Grove. Icon Music Industry Awards is getting very popular overseas. So many British artists are cleaning up the awards. I was surprised I was even nominated."

"You do know you have two songs in the top five spots, and that's been the case for weeks?"

I shrugged, "I know,  I just don't want to let it go to my head."

A.B. chuckled, "I admire your humbleness."

I giggled, "Thank you, Mr. Bravos."

"Just don't forget to celebrate your achievements even if it's just you alone."

I nodded my head. "I will. I fly out to New York tomorrow, and my Good Morning America performance is on Friday. Make sure you watch."

"My uncle and I are going to watch together."

I cheerfully smiled, "Tell Mr. Dave I said hi."

"I will."

There was silence.

I took a deep breath, realizing I was sitting on the floor. I got a little too comfortable in this hallway. "Well... I have to go to a meeting--"

"Jamie," A.B. said my name.

"Yeah?" I stood up on my feet.

"I'm not just doing the things that I do for you, because I like it. I really do care about you. No matter how busy I get or how busy you get, call me if you need anything. You have a friend for life," he admitted.

I cannot be crying right now. I have a meeting to go to, and this is just not the time. Fight the tears, Jamie.

"Jamie?"

I still hadn't responded in fear of him hearing my shaky voice. This was too touching. "I'm here," I quickly spoke.

"I'm serious."

"I know. I'm just gonna... run late... gotta run-get to my meeting." I cleared my throat.

"Okay. I'll talk to you later."

"Okay. Bye." I hung up as I wiped my eyes.

My heart doesn't feel like it normally does. What is happening to me? I blew air from my mouth as I gathered myself before leaving the apartment building. When I got to the car, Monica and Maximo were laughing like siblings.

"Girl, you stayed in there like you were signing a lease," Monica informed me.

"No lease. Did you bring your wig and sunglasses?" I asked her.

"On speed dial," she pointed at her bag.

"Cool. We're going straight to the RiSe Tower from here."

Monica and Maximo continued to talk as I looked out the window. Hearing A.B.'s words repeat in my head.