Chapter 20

Amaris POV:

The penthouse suite was breathtakingly beautiful, with sleek lines, marble accents, and floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a stunning view of the city skyline. I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and gratitude, knowing that this incredible space was ours to enjoy. "Wow, this is...wow," I stammered, my eyes still fixed on the suite's grandeur. "I think we're going to love it here," I added, my voice barely above a whisper.

Mia's eyes were wide with wonder as she gazed around the suite. She turned to Kate, her expression a mix of excitement and trepidation, as if she couldn't bear the thought of leaving this luxurious haven but was also dreading the potential price tag. "How much does it cost?" she asked hesitantly, her eyes darting to me and then back to Kate, seeking reassurance.

Kate's smile grew even wider as she announced, "This stunning penthouse suite can be yours for the low price of $7,000 a month!" Her tone was cheerful and enthusiastic, as if she was thrilled to be offering us such an incredible deal. The figure was staggering, but the way Kate presented it made it sound like a steal. "And trust me, it's worth every penny," she added, her eyes sparkling with conviction.

"And with the discount you mentioned earlier?" I asked, my smile still firmly in place, my eyes locked on Kate's with a hint of playful anticipation. "How much will we be paying then?" I pressed, my curiosity piqued, eager to hear the final price that would seal the deal on this luxurious haven.

Kate's expression turned apologetic as she clarified, "I apologize for the confusion - the $7,000 is already the discounted price." Her words were met with a synchronized drop in our smiles, Mia's and mine, as our faces fell in unison. The excitement and anticipation that had built up moments before were suddenly replaced with a dash of disappointment and a hint of sticker shock.

Mia's voice was laced with disappointment as she said, "Oh...I don't know if we can swing that." Her words trailed off, punctuated by a faint sigh that conveyed her reluctance to let go of the penthouse dream. The air was thick with awkward silence, as Kate's usual effervescence was replaced by an uncomfortable stillness, her eyes darting between us as if searching for a way to revive the earlier excitement. The suite that had once seemed like a luxurious haven now felt like an unattainable luxury.

I broke the silence, suggesting, "Why don't we explore other options? I'm sure there are other suites that might fit our budget better." My tone was gentle, trying to soften the disappointment, and avoid putting Kate in an awkward position. I shot her a reassuring smile, implying that it was okay, and we could still find something that worked for us. Mia nodded in agreement, her eyes still a bit downcast, but slightly hopeful again.

Kate's face lit up with determination as she exclaimed, "No way, I'm not giving up on this suite yet! Let me see what I can do to help." She swiftly pulled out her phone and began typing away, her fingers flying across the screen with a sense of purpose. "I'll find out if there are any additional discounts that might make it more feasible for you," she explained, her eyes fixed on the screen as she worked her magic. Mia and I exchanged a hopeful glance, our earlier disappointment momentarily forgotten in the face of Kate's unwavering enthusiasm.

Kate's voice transformed into a sweet, melancholic tone as she spoke into the phone, "Hello, sir...Yes, sir, I understand. Unfortunately, the ladies you put in my care are facing a bit of a budget constraint...Their maximum allocation for the suite is $3,500, sir...I understand, sir. Thank you so much for your understanding and support, sir." Her words were laced with a hint of persuasion, her tone soft and gentle, yet firm. After a brief pause, she concluded the call, her eyes locked on ours, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Well, it looks like we might have some good news," she hinted, her expression optimistic.

Kate's eyes sparkled with hope as she turned to us, asking, "So, would you two be able to manage a monthly payment of $3,500?" Her voice was laced with anticipation, her smile hinting that she had possibly pulled off a minor miracle. Mia and I exchanged a weighted glance, our minds racing with the implications. The reduced price was still steep, but the prospect of securing this stunning penthouse suite at a significantly lower rate was undeniably tantalizing.

I let out a surprised yelp, "Y-yes!" My voice squealed with excitement, my eyes wide with disbelief. "We'll take it!" I blurted out, my enthusiasm getting the better of me. Mia's eyes lit up in tandem, her face mirroring my own shock and delight. We exchanged a triumphant high-five, our earlier reservations forgotten in the face of this unexpected windfall.

Kate's pen hovered over the contract, her smile triumphant as she indicated the signature lines. "Just a few formalities, and this stunning suite is all yours!" She beamed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. But Mia's expression was a picture of disbelief, her eyes wide with a mix of excitement and trepidation. She looked like she was pinching herself, wondering if this was all too good to be true. Her hand trembled slightly as she reached for the pen, her gaze darting to me as if seeking reassurance that we were really getting away with this incredible deal.

Mia's curiosity got the better of her, and she hesitated, pen in hand, as she asked, "Wait, what was the original price of this suite again?" Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if she was bracing herself for a shocking revelation.

Kate's words dropped like a bombshell: "The original price is actually $15,000 per month." Our jaws dropped in unison, Mia's and mine, as we stared at each other in disbelief. The figures danced in our minds, the staggering discount transforming from a pleasant surprise to a jaw-dropping, eye-popping, can't-believe-our-luck windfall! The room seemed to hold its breath as we processed the enormity of the deal, our minds racing with the implications of scoring this luxurious penthouse for a whopping 75% off!

Mia's voice was filled with genuine gratitude as she expressed her thanks, "Thank you so much for going out of your way to make this happen for us, Kate. We really appreciate your efforts and kindness." Her sincerity was palpable, her smile warm and heartfelt.

With a warm smile, Kate nodded and said, "You're all set then! Enjoy your new home, and make some amazing memories here." Her eyes sparkled with genuine happiness for us, and she turned to leave, her heels clicking softly on the floor as she walked away, leaving us to bask in the excitement of our new penthouse paradise.

Mia and I burst into joyful squeals, our excitement reaching new heights as we gazed around our stunning new penthouse. We jumped up and down, our feet barely touching the ground, our laughter echoing off the sleek surfaces. "We did it! We're actually moving in!" I exclaimed, my voice trembling with happiness. With our dream home finally within reach, all that was left was to bring in our belongings and make this luxurious space our own personal sanctuary. The thrill of this new