“You’re quiet”

I looked up from the file I hadn’t realized I’d stopped reading.

“I’m listening” I replied, setting the file down

My father leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on me as if studying me, before sliding a bunch of keys across his desk.

“So soon?”I asked

He shrugged his shoulders “The penthouse has been under your name for years now, there’s no reason for it to keep sitting empty”

I let out a sigh. Unsure of whether to be grateful or suspicious, it was usually both with my father.

“I’ve had your things moved in already” he added

“You what?”

“Just the essential things. The rest would be moved in later”

A sigh escaped my mouth before I could stop it

“Dad..” I muttered, rubbing my temples

“What?”

“You could have at least told me you were moving my entire life”

“I just did”

“Not the same thing” I said

Silence settled between us.

Dad leaned forward, folding his hands neatly on his desk.

“ Vivienne, you’re twenty-four, I think it’s time you started living on your own”

A laugh nearly left my mouth “Whose idea was it?” I asked quietly

His eyebrows furrowed

“What do you mean?”

“The penthouse, me moving into it. Was it actually my choice or is this just one of those decisions you make for me?”

His face softened

“ I’m only doing what’s best for you”

Of course. That was his excuse for everything he did, every decision he made for me. Just an answer that never answered anything.

I looked down at the keys before slipping them into my bag. I wanted to believe they were the start of something new.

“Fine. I’ll head there now”A faint smile appeared on dad’s face.

“I knew you’d understand”

I smiled back because it was easier than arguing.

“See you later dad” I picked the file and headed towards the door

“Drive safely”

“I always do”

I pulled the office door shut behind me and made my way to the elevators.

The ride down was painfully quiet.

“Goodbye, Miss Rhodes.” Claire called with a smile from behind the reception desk

“Bye Claire”

As I made my way to the car, thoughts of why my father had suddenly given me the keys to the penthouse filled my head.

It had been under my name for years.

And somehow, today was the day my father decided that I absolutely had to move in.

Maybe I was reading it too much.

Actually, I definitely was.

But after twenty-four years of being Vincent Rhodes’ daughter, I’d learned that he rarely did anything without a reason.

My phone buzzed before I could come up with more reasons.

Sloane.

I answered almost immediately

“Hey”

Instead of a greeting, all I heard was the loud crinkle of what sounded like a bag of chips.

I smiled against my phone. “Please tell me you’re not eating again”

“I’m offended” Sloane replied dramatically

“This is my lunch” she added followed by the loud sound of her crunching on a chip

“It’s five in the evening”

“And?”

“And chips aren't even lunch” I said

“They can be” I laughed as I unlocked my car.

“Why’d you call?” “What did your dad want?”

“He gave me the keys to the penthouse” I replied

“Huh?”

“Yup and he wants me to move in today”

“The penthouse?” She asked immediately as if not hearing me earlier. “Wait, today?”

I could practically picture the look on her face.

“Yes” I pulled the door shut.

“The ridiculously expensive one you’ve been calling your dad’s museum for the past three years?”

I laughed “That’s the one”

“Vivienne..” she almost sounded offended “Why don’t you sound excited? Most people would be screaming”

“Because it’s my father”

Another crunch

“Fair”

“I mean, the place has been sitting there forever. Now, all of a sudden he tells me it’s been under my name and wants me to move in immediately “

There was a brief pause.

“But maybe he’s just trying to give you your space”

I snorted “You don’t believe that.”

“I don’t, but I’m trying to be optimistic for your sake” she said

“I’ve known you for ten years, optimism isn’t your thing” she laughed

“Fine. Just one more thing” she said

“What?”

“When you get there, check every room”

I frowned

“Why?”

“In case your father installed cameras”

I blinked

“Sloane” I called In disbelief

“What?” She sounded like she was stifling a laugh

“You’re insane” I pushed the key in

“I’m cautious”

“Text me when you get there.” She said

“I will.”

“Good.”

I smiled as I started the engine. “Why do you sound like you’re sending me off to war?”

“Because with your father, you never know.”

I rolled my eyes. “Bye, Sloane.”

“Bye.”

The call ended, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Maybe she was right. Maybe my father was up to something. Or maybe I was doing what I always did and turning a perfectly normal situation into a conspiracy theory. Honestly, both were equally possible.

The drive didn’t take long. By the time I pulled into the underground parking garage, I had managed to convince myself that this was just another one of my father’s random decisions and nothing more. Grabbing my bag, I headed inside and took the elevator up.

The closer I got to the penthouse, the more excited I found myself becoming. It was embarrassing, really. Five minutes ago I was suspicious. Now I was practically planning where I’d put furniture. And plants too.

The elevator doors slid open and I stepped into the hallway. A few seconds later, I was standing in front of the penthouse door.

This was it.

I unlocked the door and stepped inside.

For a moment, I forgot every complaint I’d had

The place was beautiful.

Sunlight filled the apartment through the tall windows. The living room was obviously way bigger than dad’s, and the balcony had a view of almost the entire city.

Maybe Dad had gotten this one right.

I dropped my bag onto the kitchen island and wandered through the penthouse, taking everything in. The balcony quickly became my favorite part. I could already picture myself sitting out there with coffee in the mornings or pretending to read while secretly watching people below.

A small smile tugged at my lips.

Maybe moving here wouldn’t be so bad after all.

I headed back inside, still looking around when something on the kitchen counter caught my attention.

A mug. It was half full.

My smile faded slightly.

Weird.

Maybe one of the movers had left it behind.

Not thinking much of it, I continued exploring. The guest room was empty. The second bedroom was too. The study, however, wasn’t.

There was a laptop on the desk, I stopped, staring at it for a second. Why was it just sitting there? Movers didn’t just leave laptops behind.

Trying not to overthink it, I walked back to the kitchen and opened the fridge. Then froze immediately, it had food in it. Actual food. Not bottled water or leftovers from workers. It contained enough groceries for someone to live here.

I closed the fridge back slowly. Maybe dad had hired someone to set the place up. Maybe there was an assistant somewhere. Before I could convince myself that it was nothing, a sound came from deeper inside the penthouse.

I froze.

Another sound followed,a door opening.

I tightened the grip around my phone and called out before I could stop myself “Dad?”

Nothing.

Then footsteps followed. Slow, but getting closer at each step. Just as I was about to pick up anything and use a weapon, the footsteps stopped.

And then someone walked into the living room. It was a tall unfamiliar man, fresh out of the shower. Water was still dripping from his dark hair and a towel hung low around his waist like he had every right to be standing in the middle of my apartment.

For a second, neither of us moved nor spoke.

He looked calm while I was sure I looked seconds away from a cardiac arrest. I swear I thought I’d have a heart attack.

My eyes moved from him, to the hallway behind him, and back again.

What. The. Hell.

When I finally found my words, I asked the only obvious question.

“Who are you?”