I Am A Landlord

"Don't touch! This is rare Hermès leather! Can you afford to pay if you damage it?"

The sales assistant looked me up and down with arrogance, rolling her eyes at me before turning away, muttering "hick."

But I was here to collect rent.

1

I broke up with my boyfriend.

A few days ago, Caleb Willis, my boyfriend, hinted he wanted a new phone for Valentine's Day. I pretended not to catch his drift and changed the topic.

It was not that I didn't want to give him one. I was just an ordinary college student. Over the years, all the money I earned from part-time jobs had been used to buy things for Caleb. He constantly needed clothes and shoes or claimed he overspent and asked me to cover his bills.

I knew this wasn't right, but I loved him so much I couldn't help myself.

I felt like a candle, burning myself to light his way.

But as time went on, something felt off. He seemed increasingly distracted during our dates, and our conversations became superficial. By eight in the evening, he'd tell me he was going to sleep and not to bother him.

This time, I didn't get him the mobile phone on time, and he hadn't replied to my messages for a week.

I was devastated.

My dad noticed my gloomy demeanor and came into my room, saying he had a secret to share.

I looked at him weakly, "Dad, stop joking."

"Nadia, you're actually a rich kid." My dad pulled out three suitcases from under my bed, each filled with property deeds. "I didn't tell you because I was afraid you'd go astray."

My jaw dropped in shock.

"Dad, if we're so wealthy, why do we live here?"

"It's convenient for collecting rent, and do you know how much these houses here cost per square meter?" My dad gave me a look that said, "I knew you'd get carried away if you found out we're rich."

I was indeed excited, not because that my family was rich, but because Caleb's phone was finally within reach, giving me a reason to meet him again.

Ah, my love was back.

2

As a landlord, I faced an unprecedented challenge.

The first time I collected rent, I encountered difficulties and none of the employees in this store were willing to deal with me.

"Hello, I'm looking for your boss."

"Oh, looking for the boss? How quaint. For a brand like ours, the person in charge is called a director." The flamboyantly dressed sales assistant eyed me disdainfully.

I took a deep breath, remembering my mother's teachings about manners.

I composed myself and repeated, "I'm looking for your director."

This time, the sales assistant didn't even glance at me, engrossed in her phone. "Which backwater did you, a country bumpkin, come from? You think you can just meet the director as you want?"

My forehead throbbed with anger. My dad taught me never to bully others with power.

But forget that-I was ready to show them who was the boss. Just as I was about to speak, the sales assistant ran off.

She walked away!

Fine, no point in getting angry, collecting rent is more important. I needed to finish this so I could watch a movie with Caleb tonight.

I targeted another one, but she didn't even give me a chance to speak, just glanced at me and said, "No cardboard box, no water bottle."

What?

Was I a junk collector now?

I might as well ask my dad for the tenant's phone number, otherwise, given the attitude of these sales assistants, I wouldn't get the rental within the day.

Just as I was about to dial, a familiar voice came from behind.

"Lydia, your phone is a bit old. Tonight, the patsy will get me a new one, and I'll bring it to you tomorrow."

It was Caleb's voice.

I quickly hid behind the counter, stealing a glance to confirm it was him, hoping it wasn't.

But reality proved me wrong.

"Humph, you go on dates and watch movies with her all the time. Have you really fallen for her" The sales assistant, Lydia Morris, who had just given me a hard time was now cuddled up in Caleb's arms obediently.

Hearing Lydia's words, Caleb held her tighter, his gaze full of affection.

"How could I? My love for you can be proved by the God. Being with her is all for us. Didn't we agree? I would pretend with her so she could work and earn money for us. You wanted to travel, right? When you're on break, we'll go and be a pair of inseparable lovebirds."

Inseparable lovebirds? More like a pair of cheats.

I ground my teeth in anger.

This pair of bitch couple!

"But you can't sleep with her." Lydia's knitted brows became smooth.

"I swear I won't. If it weren't for the rich money of that fool, I would have dumped her long ago. She has no good figure, no good taste, how can she compare with you? My seductive little vixen." As they spoke, the two of them kissed each other as if they were alone.

It was so disgusting.

Shame on them.

I didn't know how long I crouched by the counter, but when I stood up, I nearly fell over. A salty taste spread in my mouth, I'd bitten my lip, and my eyes were wet.

I angrily wiped away my tears.

Such a despicable man wasn't worth my tears.

If he thought he could treat me like a fool, he better be ready for my revenge.

3

After much deliberation, I still went to the cinema.

Caleb wanted money, didn't he? Well, starting today, he wouldn't get a penny from me.

"Hey, babe, you're here."

Seeing Caleb's bright smile made me sick, my mind replaying the image of him calling that sales assistant his "seductive little vixen."

How could I have been so blind to fall for someone like him?

To catch a fish, I needed the right bait.

I brought along a "professional."

"Let me introduce you, this is my friend Mia. Mia just returned from Rivoria and doesn't have many friends. Can we bring her along?"

Caleb was visibly stunned when he saw Mia, practically drooling.

Humph, such a sleazy man.

"Nadia, what does Mia like to drink? I'll go buy it."

I was such a fool before, ignoring his blatant favoritism.

I didn't respond to him, instead mimicking the sales assistant's coquettish tone from earlier, playfully punching the air. "Caleb, I want a new phone. Will you buy it for me?"

"Nadia, are your eyes uncomfortable? Why do you keep rolling them?"

Jerk, if I didn't roll my eyes, I'd have to look at your disgusting face.

"Humph, you always change the subject. Just tell me if you'll buy it or not."

Caleb hesitated, but with Mia there, he couldn't act out.

I planned to give him another push, signaling Mia with my eyes.

"Caleb, Nadia said you're an expert on electronics. I haven't changed my phone since returning from Rivoria. Let's go together?" As she spoke, she squeezed her hands together.

No wonder she was the top-rated rental girlfriend, just one sentence and Caleb's eyes were practically sparkling.

Caleb swallowed hard, "Okay, let's go after the movie."

"Let's go now. What's so great about the movie? Let's shop."

I dragged Caleb to buy a phone then a tablet, hats and shoes, almost everything.

Whenever he hesitated, I'd signal Mia, whose sweet talk combined with my subtle complaints worked every time.

"I think you've fallen for another girl, unwilling to buy me anything. Everything you're wearing, using, and carrying was bought by me. I ask you to buy me something once, and you start making excuses. You don't love me anymore."

Whenever he hesitated, I'd complain, and Caleb, wanting to shut me up and impress Mia, paid up without hesitation.

I used to rack my brains to save Caleb money, carefully crafting various "discounts" to maintain his male dignity.

Things like amusement park tickets won in a lottery, Michelin restaurant vouchers from purchases, high-end buffet coupons from friends, and branded sneakers bought at a bargain.

I used to secretly pride myself on my "cleverness, " but in reality, he knew everything. I was the only fool.

After buying a pile of things, I deliberately led Caleb to the Hermès counter. Didn't the saleswoman call me a "hick"?

I couldn't wait to see the "seductive little vixen's" face when Caleb paid for me and catered to my every whim.

But I still underestimated Caleb's shamelessness.