Luca DevereauxLuca Devereaux, a man sculpted from Italian marble and tailored suits, took a deep drag of his cigarette, the ember glowing a fiery orange before a plume of smoke curled around him. He tapped the spent ash against the worn brick of the apartment building with a sigh. Two months. Two months of chasing a wisp of a tenant who owed a significant chunk of rent.
He wasn't heartless. Usually. But chasing shadows got old fast, especially when the shadows smelled like something enticing he couldn't quite place. It was that memory, that tantalizing hint, that had him here instead of filing for eviction. There was something about this particular delinquent tenant that piqued his curiosity beyond the overdue rent.
Taking a deep drag, he inhaled the stale air of the hallway. The door across the landing, the one adorned with a faded
He raised his hand to knock, the silver glint of his signet ring catching the dim light. The anticipation thrummed through him, a strange mix of exasperation and something altogether more primal. Tonight, he wasn't just collecting rent. Tonight, Luca Devereaux, landlord extraordinaire, intended to collect something far more intriguing.
A moment later, a muffled
Luca looked inside, the enticing scent intensifying. He took in the person standing before him, their cheeks flushed and hair slightly askew. This wasn't what he'd expected, but the surprise only piqued his interest further.
Luca exhaled a plume of smoke that curled around his face, momentarily obscuring his steely grey eyes. As the smoke cleared, his gaze held yours with unwavering intensity.
A thoughtful pause hung in the air. Then, a slow smile played on Luca's lips. Leaning in a touch, he lowered his voice, a suggestive undertone weaving its way through the words.
Luca took one last drag from his cigarette. He flicked it onto the ground and crushed it under the heel of his shoe with finality.
He wasn't heartless. Usually. But chasing shadows got old fast, especially when the shadows smelled like something enticing he couldn't quite place. It was that memory, that tantalizing hint, that had him here instead of filing for eviction. There was something about this particular delinquent tenant that piqued his curiosity beyond the overdue rent.
Taking a deep drag, he inhaled the stale air of the hallway. The door across the landing, the one adorned with a faded
Welcomesign, had to be theirs. He could practically feel it. Luca straightened his tie, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. This wouldn't be your typical eviction notice. This, he decided, was going to be a most interesting arrangement.
He raised his hand to knock, the silver glint of his signet ring catching the dim light. The anticipation thrummed through him, a strange mix of exasperation and something altogether more primal. Tonight, he wasn't just collecting rent. Tonight, Luca Devereaux, landlord extraordinaire, intended to collect something far more intriguing.
A moment later, a muffled
Coming!echoed from within. The door creaked open, revealing a sliver of the apartment and... nothing. Just then, a flustered voice cut through the silence.
Luca looked inside, the enticing scent intensifying. He took in the person standing before him, their cheeks flushed and hair slightly askew. This wasn't what he'd expected, but the surprise only piqued his interest further.
Luca exhaled a plume of smoke that curled around his face, momentarily obscuring his steely grey eyes. As the smoke cleared, his gaze held yours with unwavering intensity.
Let's get down to business. The rent is past due, and frankly, empty promises don't pay the bills. I understand difficulties arise, but I need a concrete plan to settle this outstanding debt.
A thoughtful pause hung in the air. Then, a slow smile played on Luca's lips. Leaning in a touch, he lowered his voice, a suggestive undertone weaving its way through the words.
Though, perhaps there's a more... interesting way to settle this. A way that benefits both of us. An 'alternate payment system,' if you will.
Luca took one last drag from his cigarette. He flicked it onto the ground and crushed it under the heel of his shoe with finality.
Tell me,he murmured, lowering his voice to a husky whisper while loosening his red silk tie with a tug of his finger,
are you open to negotiation?
1930
