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“Giselle, there was a break-in at the office complex across the street just last week,” Casimir argued.
“Which is why they’ve beefed up security.” I pleaded my case because I didn’t know where he was going with all of this, but I knew that I didn’t need or want him involved in my situation.
“Although I’m reluctant to admit it, Dr. Champagne, I agree with Cas. But the two of you can argue this later,” Jude broke in as he looked at his watch. “In the meantime, let’s go check out one last property. I know that you said you’re tired, but I have one I’m sure you’ll love. Please.”
“Sure.” I agreed reluctantly.
I felt Casimir’s penetrating gaze on me the entire time. Every facial expression and every attitude felt as if it were under a microscope.
The three of us rode in Jude’s Lexus SUV, and the entire drive was filled with Jude’s chatter as he attempted to break the strain and tension between Casimir and me. There shouldn’t have been any. After all, he had been my patient, and I had been his doctor. There was no way that he should have been involved with this process at all, but unfortunately, he was.
We toured the next property, and though it was beautiful, it was above my price point.
“I have an idea,” Casimir stated as we left the final property.
I was beyond frustrated, and though I did not act it out, I was certain that they could tell by the look on my face. I wasn’t disappointed about the search but about my situation.
“What’s that?” Jude asked, looking into the rearview mirror at Casimir, who was seated in the back seat.
“Head over to The Vista.”
“Cas, if sh—”
“Nigga, do what I said,” Casimir demanded.
Throughout the day, I saw another side of Casimir that I’d never experienced before. Although Jude attempted to keep up professional appearances for my sake, there was only so much acting he could do when the two men interacted.
They both spoke slang a lot when speaking with each other, and then they reverted to a more professional and cultured way of speaking when they spoke to me. But this was the first time that I heard either of them say the word nigga so casually. And it was even more surprising how Jude fell in with the flow of it, not questioning it or correcting Casimir. In fact, he went right along with whatever Casimir suggested that he wanted him to do.
Fifteen minutes later, we pulled up to a gorgeous glass and chrome building with valet parking and professionally landscaped grounds, complete with a doorman and a front desk reception.
“Why are we going here?” I asked as we stepped inside of the building, and both Jude and Casimir waved casually at the front desk staff.
“I don’t know. I guess Mr. Perez’s going to tell us that soon,” Jude replied sarcastically with an eye roll at his friend.
Jude pushed the button for the elevator, and the car arrived immediately. I watched as he pushed the button for the twentieth floor.
“Are there offices here?” I asked.
There was no way they were taking me to see any residences in this place. This building wasn’t something that I could afford on my best day. I had seen the construction of this place, and there was so much hype in the community when they’d first started, and there was a huge party when it was completed.
I could only dream of living someplace like this, and I wondered who lived here.
“There are some offices here,” Jude said slowly but cooly. I wondered what he wasn’t saying.
He stood with his head down, his hands shoved in his pockets, and then shook his head. Alternatively, Casimir stood closest to the back wall with his head tilted back and a firm set to his jaw. It was as if he was determined to go through with whatever was in his mind, no matter who said what.
When the elevator came to a stop, the doors opened, and both men stepped off and held their arms out to keep the door open. They waited as I stepped off the elevator, and then Casimir confidently strode off to the right, and Jude brought up the rear.
I waited while Casimir unlocked a door at the end of the hallway and held the door open for me to step inside. I walked into a beautiful marble foyer with a crystal chandelier overhead. The space was bright and airy.
“Go ahead. Walk through,” Casimir stated.
“I don’t understand.”
“Check out the space. Feel free to walk through every room,” Casimir encouraged me.
I looked between both men, and Jude simply nodded, encouraging me to do what Casimir requested. I walked further into the residence, noting the beautiful lines of architecture within the home and how the polished marble surfaces, glass, chrome, and wood materials all blended seamlessly to create an upscale modern space.