On My Own Two Feet - The Complete Series

By Elodie Short

Melanie is ready to start her life.
This means moving out of her parents' house, and renting her own place.
The first apartment she views spikes her interest immediately, but it isn't so much the apartment itself that seals the deal for her, it's more what's across the street.

Shortly after moving in to her new apartment, Melanie meets Mike and they end up spending the night together.

Content warning;
Adult content. 18+

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elodie Short
• Release date: Jun 7, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533742452

Book preview

Chapter 1

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After being shown around the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom, I stand in the living room and stop to take a look out of the window. The first thing I notice is the big floor to ceiling window in the apartment right opposite this building. And in that window, straight across from this one, I see the most spectacular view I have ever witnessed. Right across from me, stands the most handsome looking guy I have ever seen.

Just that view alone, is worth every penny the landlord is asking for in rent for this place.

I'll take it! I exclaim, as I turn to my dad.

Are you sure? It's the first place you've looked at, he asks with a raised eyebrow.

Yes, Dad. I nod. This one is perfect. I can see myself living here already, I smile, dreamily looking out of the window.

Living here, watching him. I could definitely get used to this.

Great, you can come by my office this afternoon to fill in the paper work, the landlord nods at me politely. Make sure to bring a guardian, you need someone to co-sign. In case you can’t make the rent for whatever reason, we’ll have to have a second name on file. he finishes as he shows us out of the door.

***

It’s Friday morning and it has been nearly three weeks since I signed all the papers, but it is finally time for me to collect my keys. I can't wait to get to my apartment. Ever since the day I went to see this building, I can't stop thinking of the man across the street and time hasn’t gone fast enough for me to see him again.

My fantasies can only go so far, and he is very slowly fading away from my memory.

Thanks for helping me move, Dad, I say while he parks his car in one of the empty spaces behind my new apartment building. My own apartment, my own place, it still feels unreal.

I get out and look up to the third floor.

Suddenly my dad drops a box in my arms.

You ready for this, day dreamer? he asks with a big grin.

Yes, just a bit... I don't know... a bit nervous, I suppose.

Together we start walking a box each inside.

Do you remember what it was like when you got your own place? I ask him.

Sure I do. You will never forget this feeling. It's scary being on your own for the first time, but I remember it being incredibly exciting too.

I nod, I think that's how I feel.

It is only the first night that will be a bit weird. I found the noises a bit unsettling, but the next night I didn’t even notice them. You’ll get used to them before you know it.

Thanks, Dad. How very comforting, I say, feigning concern.

If it does get too much, you know you can always call me, or come over if you want.

I smile at him as we get to my front door, I’ll be fine... I think.

I place the box on the floor before unlocking the door and leaving my box where it is, I run straight to the window. He isn't there. A little disappointed I walk back to the door to get my stuff.

What was all that about? my dad asks laughing, looking at me curiously.

Ehm... I just wanted to make sure everything was still as we’d viewed it the weeks ago.

Still laughing he shakes his head.

As we walk the last few steps down the stairwell to get the second lot of boxes, the moving truck arrives. In the last few weeks I've bought a couch, double bed, wardrobe and a dining table and chairs from my savings. It's all been stored in the garage of my parents' home.

My mum stayed behind to guide the removal people to all my stuff. And I'm a bit surprised when I see her in the passenger seat of the truck. I was half expecting her to come over on another day, probably after I'd settled in. She's been tearing up every time the subject of me moving out has surfaced.

I walk over to her, as my dad starts chatting to the men that climbed out of the truck, and animatedly starts waving his arms around. I’m assuming he’s already telling them what to do.

Hi Mom, I didn't expect to see you here today.

She shrugs lightly, I couldn't help myself. I needed to know you are in a safe place.

Thanks for coming, Mom, I say and give her a hug. Let me show you to my little palace.

We start walking towards the building when I hear a whistle behind us, where do you think you're going? my dad is yelling after us. I point up to the third floor.

Not without a box, you're not.

I sigh and turn back around. We both walk over to my dad’s car, where he drops a box in each of our arms.

Now you can go up, we'll be right up with your couch, he says, turning back to the men who are struggling with my furniture in the back of their lorry.

After we've finished bringing everything up, the first thing I do is dig through the boxes marked ‘kitchen’, trying to find my coffee machine. Just as we finish our coffee, there’s a knock on the door. I open it to see Sally standing on the other side.

Hi Sall, I greet my best friend with a broad smile. You’ve missed us carrying everything upstairs, but you’re just in time to start helping me unpack, I smile, pointing towards all the boxes.

Great. She huffs at me rolling her eyes, I came to check the place out, not be your workhorse.

We will leave you two to it, my dad says, getting up.

I hug my parents once again and see them out of the door. Closing it behind me, I turn to Sally. Let's get this over with. She scrunches her nose up at me, but I know her too well to take any of it seriously.

So when are you getting your own place? I ask Sally from the kitchen.

We've given up on unpacking for the day, and just had a take away delivered because neither of us is in the mood to cook. I'm pouring us two glasses of wine to put our feet up and relax. All my belongings are unpacked to the extent that all my essentials are no longer boxed up.

I don't know, she shrugs. I like the freedom you will have here, but I'm also very much enjoying the home cooked meals and the washing that is done for me.

She laughs, I'll probably move out when my parents kick me out.

Whoa! Sally suddenly yells from the living room, and I almost drop the glasses and the bottle of wine that I was carrying to the living room.

What's wrong? I ask her, a little unsettled.

Have you looked out of your window lately?! she asks with a shriek as she stands there, staring at something outside.

He is back! He is finally back. I start smiling uncontrollably, quickly placing the bottle and glasses on the coffee table and rush over to the window, the source of my fantasies for the last few weeks is finally back.

He was the first thing I noticed three weeks ago as I looked out of the window when I came to view the building with my dad. He is part of the reason I got this place. It's the best view I've ever had, I blush