Legacy Firing

Charlus woke up immediately. He looked out the window. He had reached Los Angeles. He got up from his seat. He stretched and looked around. He saw the plane was pretty empty. He grabbed his bag and got off the plane. He immediately made his way to the baggage counter. He walked slowly.

It took him some time to get out of the airport. His necklace attracted a lot of attention, as did his earrings, but he did not think too much. An elephant does not see ants. Charlus took his two suitcases and left the airport and took a cab to the 'small apartment his dad had in Los Angeles'.

Charlus sighed when he saw the apartment. Charlus' mother was not lying when she said that his father owned an apartment. But she forgot to specify that he owned the entire apartment building. Charlus entered the huge apartment building. It was full except for one unit. This unit was reserved for Charlus. It was also the biggest unit - a 4 bedroom unit.

Charlus went to the unit. It was unlocked so he was able to enter easily, which made Charlus confused. He was planning to call his parents to ask where his keys were, but the unit was unlocked.

Charlus saw that the entire unit was well furnished, but also clean and well lit. He stepped forward when he heard a voice.

"Stop! I'm going to call the police!"

Charlus looked up. He saw a girl who looked around his age.

"You? Call the police? Why? What are you even doing here?"

"You are trespassing! Immediately exit this unit or I will call the police!"

Charlus was confused. He opened his phone and checked the address his mother sent him.

"11619 Bingham St. That's this building."

He peered out to look at the number on the door.

"Unit 9. I don't think I'm at the wrong address. You, on the other hand, are. I'm afraid you are the one trespassing."

The girl became angered.

"I am going to call the police now!"

Charlus saw the girl call someone.

"Mom! This man came into the house and he's not leaving. I'm going to call the cops. He's trespassing."

Charlus sighed.

"Miss. I was told by my parents that they fucking own this place. Maybe if you could show some proof of ownership?"

"You show proof of ownership! Who are you to make demands after coming to our home?"

Charlus sighed.

"Fine."

He left the unit and closed the door after him. He immediately called his mother.

"Mom. What was the address of the unit you said?"

"Did you already reach Los Angeles?"

"Mom. Please."

"11619 Bingham St. Unit 9."

"Where are the keys?"

"It should be unlocked. Your father left it unlocked."

"Do you have any proof of ownership?"

"It's under your name. Why?"

"Can you give me a photo of the legal documents?"

"It will take some time. Okay?"

"Fine."

Charlus sat to the side of the corridor in front of the door. A few minutes later the door opened slightly. The girl peered out and saw Charlus was still there. She immediately shut the door.

"He's still there!"

"..."

"That's it. I'm calling the police!"

"..."

Charlus opened the door just then. He found that it was locked. He knocked.

The girl unlocked it.

"That's it. I called the police. They will be here in a few minutes. Scared now?!"

Charlus just entered the house and showed his phone to the girl.

"What?" She looked at the photo. She then immediately dialled her mother.

"Mom! He's showing some documents. Please don't tell me-"

The girl's expression soured. Charlus smiled.

"You can start by taking your luggage from the master bedroom. I would like to move there immediately. I don't like spending too much time moving." Charlus was about to walk past the girl but she stopped him.

"I am very sorry about this misunderstanding. My mother said she found it like this and that no one was coming, so she decided that I would be safe here. No one ever checked on this unit either." The girl started rambling.

"I don't see you getting to a point here."

The girl continued, "But the thing is I don't have a place to stay. Could you please, for a day or two."

Charlus looked at her. "We are in Los Angeles, so it's really hard finding an affordable house. But, it's harder letting someone so rude near me."

"I am sorry, I thought that my mom was actually renting the place. I don't even have any relatives-"

"Yes. I figured, seeing that you are living here alone. Fine, maybe for a day or two."

Charlus took his luggage to the master bedroom. He went in and immediately got out.

"I'm getting the master bedroom. Find another room for now. Quickly. Move your stuff out."

Charlus went to another room. He found that it was empty. He put all his stuff there and went to the living area. He got onto the couch and switched on the television.

"Excuse me?"

Charlus heard a timid voice. He turned towards it.

"I was wrong earlier, and I am sorry. But I can't afford living in Los Angeles. So could you please..."

"Like I said, I will let you stay here for a day or two. And I won't register a case."

"Thank you. And I have to make up for living without paying rent. It was my mothers fault but I will take full responsibility."

"Rent is $2000 a month in this area. Forget $2000, can you fork out a 1000 bucks? And god knows how many years you lived here."

"I can work for you."

"Are you insinuating that you will..."

"Only house chores."

Charlus shook his head.

"That's not enough."

"What else do you want."

Charlus looked at the girl. He sized her up with eyes that seemed to pierce through her clothes. She immediately felt a need to hide herself.

"Household chores plus....."