012 House Hunting (1)

With her father, Frederick retired, Ben the chauffeur was free that morning to take Eden out. The blonde didn't care if her sister had an event to go to.

If Lily wanted to go out she could could order a ride and have her father pay for it.

Ben held the door open for her and allowed Eden to climb into the back seat of one of her father's most modest cars, it wouldn't do to draw attention to herself during such a delicate moment in her life.

She climbed into a sleek, black four-seater nice enough to pass as a consumer car but a brand that only the wealthy would know about.

Although modest, the car was plush with the softest leather seats Eden had ever felt, it had been a long time since she allowed herself to leave the house.

All she could remember were the cruel jeers and taunts other people would give her the moment she appeared in public. The side eyes and snickers she would receive from other women and the outright laughter from men.

She almost went back inside the house. Her chest beat loudly with anxiety but she calmed herself, breathing deeply.

"Where to Miss Eden?" Ben asked as he got behind the wheel.

"To the nearest real estate office, I need to see what kind of apartment I can rent in downtown Meadowlark,"

"You're moving out Miss Eden?" Ben asked in shock.

The garage doors pulled open allowing the vehicle to slip through and begin it's journey into town.

"Yes, Ben, I'm afraid I've outgrown this place."

"I... understand, and I'm truly sorry about yesterday evening, all our hopes were collectively dashed it seems,"

"I just worry about the staff, it's going to take forever for you to be paid now," Eden said.

"Oh Miss Eden, you just worry about yourself right now. A beautiful girl with a bright future," Ben said.

"Thank you, Ben,"

Once they were past the estate gates, Eden looked out the window at the many buildings that had seemingly sprung up out of nowhere, had it really been so long since she had stepped outside?

They passed the company, with a small factory beside it for creating the toys. The building looked so poorly maintained as if all the profits were funneled into something else other than improving the state of things. In a few months, they should have made enough money to give the building a paint job.

Eden looked away from the building, finding it too hard to bear to look at what she lost.

'I can do better, I know I can,'

----------

The Green Acres Realty office was a small white building with an arched roof that seemed welcoming enough. Eden read the sign and decided it would be wise to find someone to take her case here.

She stepped in to the office in overalls and a large coat that covered her frame.

At the front desk was a lady typing away at her computer. Eden walked up to the front desk nervously. The entire process of renting a house was so new to her since the Marshall's had usually had a generational home.

But that just wouldn't be possible anymore.

"Good Morning, I would like to view some rental property is there anyone that can show me around?" Eden asked as politely as she could.

The receptionist gave her a tight smile, the same Eden was used to getting after people looked at her too long and noticed her weight.

"One moment, why don't you have a seat Miss," the woman said, already apprising Eden's features. The receptionist pulled herself out of her chair and began walking into the back office presumably to fetch a Realtor.

Eden waited about ten minutes before a woman in a smartly dressed suit walked out with a file in her hands.

"I assume you're the one in search of an apartment,"

Eden sat up, paying attention to what the Realtor had to say.

"That would be me I'm Eden, may I have your name?" The blonde said introducing herself first. The Realtor didn't even offer a hand to her, only a polite smile while she looked down at the file in her hands.

"Anna, Anna Prince, now Aiden-"

"Eden,"

"Do you have any idea what you're looking for and the location," the woman asked, Eden couldn't help but notice the edge to her tone. As if she would rather be doing something else.

"Downtown Meadowlark, I'm looking for either s studio apartment or a one bedroom, size isn't really an issue for me and I'd like it to go for 1800 KRV to 2500 KRV a month, open to leasing for 6 month at a discount if possible," Eden said outlining what she needed.

The Realtor looked in surprise not expecting to have such a straight forward remark.

She coughed.

"Well I have some property here scheduled for viewings,"

"Great, I have a car so we can go and see them immediately," Eden said already standing and walking towards the exit.

She could feel Anna had fixed her with a glare but Eden wouldn't turn around. She would act like Lily this time and simply walk towards the car with an expectation of the woman to follow.

Anna trailed behind Eden glaring the whole way.

"Ben this is Anna, she'll be showing us some property today," Eden said.

Anna froze at the sight of the luxury car and chauffeur waiting for Eden. All of a sudden her demeanor changed from hostile to polite in a moment.

"Oh yes, that's right Anna Prince. Lovely to meet you Ben," the woman said in a sweet tone. Eden shook her head.

The more the went out the more she found people who were just like Lily, if it wasn't for appearances she wondered how the average person would even be able to find a home.

The Realtor who had acted like Eden had wasted her time was now eager to please at the first sign of some wealth. At least now that the woman was civil. They could get on with house hunting.

Or so Eden thought.