Page 17 of Zimyra

My brows snap together. This guy must got me messed up. I say, “I don’t know what youthinkyou’re doing, but if you and your lil’ homeboy don’t leave the premises right now, I’m calling the police.”

“Go ahead,” he says. “Call them, but do you really want the cops rolling up here, tarnishing the reputation of your luxury apartment brand? I don’t think so. So, why don’t you take a minute to think, and just give me the job. Look, I already hired someone to work under me.”

“Hola,” the guy next to him says – a short Hispanic man looking like he could be Dora the Explorer’s daddy.

My head…it’s going to explode. I’m almost sure of it. I already feel a bit dizzy. I ain’t never had no mess like this happen here before. Never. When I didn’t hear from Axel all week, I thought for sure he was gone and out of my hair. Now he’s right in my face.

I ask, “How did you gain access to this apartment?”

“Mr. Alton let me in before he left for work this morning.”

I make a mental note to send my residents an email reminding them not to let people posing as maintenance workers into their apartments. Then I acquiesce, much to my great displeasure. I cross my arms tight over my chest and say, “I’m going to stand here until you’re done. We’re heading to my office immediately after.”

“Whatever you say, Boss Lady.”

“And don’t call me that!”

“Okay. Boss Lady.”

I narrow my eyes. This man knows how to get under my skin. I suppose he’s had enough practice pissing people off and getting away with it since he’s so handsome and all. Women probably think this little act of his is cute. I think it sucks. There’s nothing funny about somebody coming up on a property thatI’mmanaging and pretending to be something they’re not.

I probably should call the cops, and just when I get the mind to, the lil’ Hispanic dude pops out from under the sink and says, “Completa. Completa, señor.”

Axel turns on the sink and water flows freely with no blockages.

“See how simple that was?” he asked me.

“Yeah, whatever. Gather your stuff and get out of here.”

“Yes, boss—I mean, ma’am.”

The guy he’s with looks highly confused. I guess he didn’t read him in concerning his jacked-up plan of commandeering his way into a maintenance job. Or maybe the guy doesn’t speak English. I haven’t heard him say one English word yet.

I am beside myself. Who wants a maintenance job so bad that they would go to such lengths? I suppose I should be impressed by his initiative, but I’m not. I’m highly P-O’d.

I follow thesuspectsto the leasing office and unlock the door. Snatching the door open wide, I allow them to enter ahead of me and after I step inside, I say, “Start talking.”

“Oh. I don’t get coffee this time?” Axel says.

I almost snap, then decide I’m not going to let this dude get to me.

I say, “No, you don’t. What do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m working. I told you I wanted the job.”

“I heard what you said, and I know you’re a man who probably has never heard the wordno, but there are procedures to this, sir. Not only have you broken them, but then you had the audacity to take it upon yourself to hire someone to work with you. I am appalled! Does he even speak a lick of English?”

“Un pequito, mami,” the guy says.

“I’m not yourmami—or whatever you just said.”

He throws up both hands like he doesn’t want the smoke. It’s really his partner in crime I should be directing my anger toward, anyway.

I look at Axel to which he says, “Just give me—us—a chance. I gave you the application. Review it, and if you don’t think I’m a good fit, I’ll gladly take my apprentice and be on my way.”

“Does your apprentice have a name?”

“Yes. This is Mauricio Saldana. Mauricio, this is Zimyra St. Claire.”

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