Chapter 248 Moving Out
Natalie kept packing, shaking her head.
Bella wouldn't let up. "Come on, spill! Who do you like?"
Natalie shot back, "Bella, are you here to help me pack or just to gossip?"
"Both! Help and gossip! Just tell me who you like," Bella insisted, but Natalie ignored her and kept packing. Bella eventually gave up.
Bella then said, "Hey, I have a friend with a place in Blue Mountain Community. It's about 900 square feet, nicely done up, and the price is good. He's abroad, and the place is just sitting there. Want to check it out?"
Natalie had browsed the listings for Blue Mountain Community online. The prices were steep, and with a deposit and three months' rent required upfront, it was certainly not cheap. However, the location was superb, and the amenities were impressive.
By 5 p.m., after having dinner with Bella, Natalie took a cab to Blue Mountain Community. Bella unlocked the door with a key and led her inside. The apartment was tastefully decorated, and the surroundings were exceptional. Noticing Natalie's hesitation, Bella reassured her, "This place is really fantastic. My friend, who owns it, isn't short on cash. The apartment's just gathering dust while he's abroad, and he even has a regular cleaning service. He's totally okay with renting it out to you."
The apartment was indeed wonderful, but the rent was astonishingly low—far below the typical rates for Blue Mountain Community, at least five times cheaper.
Natalie was undeniably intrigued.
Natalie was tempted. "Okay. Thank your friend for me."
Bella grinned, "Tomorrow, I'll help you move in."
The next day, Bella had her driver bring a van to load all of Natalie's stuff, and they were busy until the afternoon.
Natalie stepped out of the home she'd lived in for years, her gaze lingering on the cherry blossom tree in the yard. The tree had long passed its blooming season, leaving only its bare branches against the sky. She remembered when she first came here, this tree was already standing tall.
Now, nearly nine years had passed. The tree had grown even sturdier.
Inside the small house, the old table and little bed remained just as she'd left them. This space held so many memories for her. She and Ryan had played in this small yard, and Rosalie had picked vegetables from the garden behind the Cullen family's house. Opening the small gate, she and Ryan would rush over to help Rosalie with chores.
Stanley would often come back, lifting her up and resting her on his shoulder.
Natalie's eyes filled with tears. She bit her lip, closed the door, and locked it.
She walked to the cherry blossom tree, hugged it, and said, "I'm leaving. Take care. I hope to see your flowers next year."
A gentle breeze blew, carrying a faint scent of cherry blossoms.
She smiled, bent down, and collected some soil in a glass jar to bring to Stanley and Ryan next time she saw them.
She turned, eyes moist, and left.
Bella's friend's apartment was very clean, with a decor style that suited girls. It seemed like someone had lived there before. The place was fully furnished and ready for move-in.
Natalie unpacked her clothes and personal items when there was a knock on the door.
She opened it to find Bella standing outside.
"To celebrate your new home, I've decided to cook for you!" Bella said, holding a bag of groceries.
Natalie said, "Thank you, Bella."
"Natalie, don't feel any burden living here. My friend used to pay a cleaning fee every month. You living here is perfect; not only can he make some money, but he can also save on that fee," Bella repeated what Daniel had taught her to say.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
