Chapter 8 Part 7

Twenty minutes later, Ignazio again set foot in front of the thirty-story building.

Five years have passed. Ignazio was curious if the apartment was not rented to someone else. Before marriage, he asked his youngest brother, Meizar, to manage all his property.

If the apartment is occupied, inevitably, Ignazio will have to look for another place to live temporarily before he is truly ready to face his parents.

The smile of the apartment security guard looked friendly.

"Mr. Ignazio?" he greeted in disbelief. Of course, the man would be surprised to see Ignazio's current appearance. Because Ignazio, six years ago, when he was still single, looked very neat and took care of himself. Meanwhile, the current Ignazio?

Ignazio now has a bigger physique. His hair, which used to be dark brown, tending to black, has now turned lighter due to frequent exposure to the sun, as has his skin. His hair was long, and he deliberately tied it carelessly. And his face, Ignazio didn't even take the time to shave it.

Ignazio's appearance doesn't look like a young rich man but rather like a backpacker who got lost in a building reserved for rich people.

"Afternoon, Jon." Greet Ignazio politely. Be as friendly as possible and shake the man's hand.

In the past five years, he has used his voice sparingly to communicate with many people. He chose to live by hiding his identity and working odd jobs on people's plantations to make them believe that he was still human. The rest of the time, he hides in the forest, living like Tarzan in this modern and sophisticated era. Ignazio feels that his ability to socialize will decrease.

"Welcome back." The security guard said politely. Ignazio just nodded politely.

"I haven't met Meizar yet," Ignazio said, indirectly saying that he did not have access to enter the apartment.

The mid-forty-year-old man smiled. "I will help you." He said as he walked towards the reception desk.

A young girl wearing a black uniform with a nameplate that said Sofia on her chest stood nervously, looking at Ignazio and Jon alternately.

Ignazio didn't know what the girl's furtive glance at him meant, meaning she was afraid, embarrassed, or deliberately seeking attention.

"Sofia, introduce yourself, Sir Ignazio," Jon explained. "He is Sir Meizar's older brother." He continued again, which made the receptionist look surprised, as if he couldn't believe it. "Sir Ignazio has just returned from an expedition in the interior of Italy."

'Expedition?' Ignazio asked himself. Is that the excuse his family makes when people question his disappearance?

That reason was classier than saying Ignazio was trying to escape reality.

"Please provide the spare key to Sir Ignazio's unit," Jon ordered, a command the girl quickly nodded to. "At Sir Meizar's request, we changed the locks of your residence with the latest ones, Sir," Jon explained without Ignazio asking for clarification. "He asked us to keep a spare because we never know when you'll be back."

"Now, the door to your unit uses a pin and fingerprint sensor system. If you need assistance resetting it, I'll be happy to help," Jon added, to which Ignazio simply nodded.

"I'll contact you after I rest," Ignazio promised, a nod that Jon reciprocated.

Ignazio walked towards the glass door, which connected the reception area to the elevator that would take him to his floor. The door opened immediately after Ignazio scanned his card in front of the sensor machine. With slow steps, he entered the elevator that would take him to the top floor of the building.

On the top floor, there were two penthouses with doors facing each other. Ignazio walked to the right where his penthouse door was located. He scanned his metal keycard on the sensor and unlocked it.

The lobby lights flickered to life as he stepped inside. Nothing had changed in his residence. Not a single thing had been altered since the last time he left. Or had there been changes that he couldn't recall?

Ignazio shook his head. Whoever cleaned his unit, he had to thank them for not disturbing anything inside.

He continued walking in. Slowly making his way to his bedroom without bothering to take off his shoes. He didn't want to check the other rooms. If Rayyan or Meizar were in any other room, he chose not to care.

Right now, all Ignazio wanted was to lie down and shake off his jet lag. He had traveled a long way, and his body felt more exhausted than usual. Ignazio knew what he felt was not just physical fatigue. It was mental exhaustion too.

Ignazio tossed his bag carelessly. He kicked off his shoes and let them lie on the floor not far from his bed. As he walked towards the bathroom, he undressed and threw his clothes haphazardly into the laundry basket.

He turned on the shower without closing the door. He let the warm water soak his entire body, hoping his muscles would relax, and he could wash away all his fatigue, enabling him to sleep soundly afterward.