Limitless Pitch-Chapter 115 The Apartment Viewing

The elevator groaned as it climbed, the mechanical hum vibrating faintly through the soles of Thiago’s sneakers. He stood still beside Marina, arms crossed, his eyes flicking once to the floor counter as it ticked past "2." She glanced over at him briefly, then back to the silver doors.

"You don’t look nervous," she said, half-teasing.

"Should I be?"

"You’re seventeen, about to decide where you want to live for the next year. Alone. In a foreign country. I’d say nerves are allowed."

He shrugged. The truth was, he was nervous. Not about the apartment. About liking it too much. About getting attached. About the idea of planting roots in a place that still didn’t feel like home.

The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. Third floor.

Marina stepped out first, pulling a set of keys from her coat pocket. "Third door on the left."

The hallway was narrow but clean, with beige walls and dull yellow lighting. A framed picture of some abstract landscape hung near the fire extinguisher. As they walked, Thiago noticed the faint scent of detergent and something citrusy in the air—someone must have just cleaned.

Marina reached the apartment door, inserted the key, and turned it. A gentle click. Then she pushed it open and stepped aside.

"Go on," she said, motioning him in.

Thiago stepped through the threshold and stopped.

It was quiet. Not the eerie silence of a hotel lobby at night, but the kind of quiet that felt like potential. Like something untouched.

The apartment was modest. A small foyer opened into a rectangular living room, where sunlight poured in through a set of sheer curtains that framed a sliding glass door. Beyond the door, a balcony peeked over the tops of cars and trees. A few pigeons strutted on the railing outside, heads bobbing as if inspecting the new tenant.

"Living room faces west," Marina said, walking in behind him. Her heels clacked softly on the wooden floor. "You’ll get light in the afternoon."

Thiago drifted further in, not answering. He stepped onto the balcony and leaned against the railing. The street below wasn’t busy—just a few people walking their dogs, a postman stuffing letters into a mailbox. A woman watered her plants on the opposite balcony.

No sirens. No horns. No shouting. Just life.

"It’s quiet," he said.

Marina nodded. "That was one of the criteria you gave me. Quiet, safe, close to training grounds."

He turned back inside, eyes scanning the layout. The living room connected to an open kitchen space in the corner. Compact but modern. Marble countertop, electric stove, a small fridge already installed. There was a cupboard door slightly ajar, revealing a stack of new plates and mugs.

"Fully furnished. The owner used to rent it short-term to traveling engineers, I think. Most of the appliances are barely used."

Thiago opened the fridge. Cold. Working. He ran his hand across the countertop. Smooth. Clean.

"How much?" he asked.

Marina smirked. "Within budget. Unless you decide to throw parties every weekend and rack up damage fees. Still even then you have more than enough to cover this apartment now."

He let out a faint laugh. "I won’t be hosting any parties so it doesn’t matter."

She motioned to a door on the right. "Bedroom’s that way."

He followed, stepping into a square room with a queen-sized bed against one wall, a standing wardrobe, and a simple desk near the window. There were no decorations. No rugs. Just space. And sunlight.

He opened the closet. Empty hangers. A folded blanket on the top shelf. Clean floor.

"You could hang posters or put up some shelves if you wanted," Marina offered from the doorway.

He turned. "Do I need to ask the landlord for that?"

"Not unless you’re putting in a punching bag."

Another smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

She walked past him to another door. "Bathroom’s through here." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

The bathroom was tight but functional. A small sink, mirror cabinet, shower with a sliding glass panel, and even a small washing machine tucked into the corner. Thiago checked the taps. Water pressure felt good. The light switch worked. No weird smells.

It was... normal. Which was exactly what he needed.

Back in the hallway, Marina opened one last door. "Second bedroom."

It was smaller. Just a single bed, a tiny window, and a wardrobe. Probably meant for storage, or the occasional guest.

"It’s small but it does its job besides it could come in handy if your mom or Clara come visit" Marina said simply.

The reminder hit him like a slow-moving punch. He stepped into the room without saying anything.

It wasn’t big. But he could imagine it. Clara visiting, staying here during the holidays. Her stuffed toys on the bed, her drawings taped to the walls. Her chatter filling the air while she asked him about Germany, about the matches, about the players he got to train with.

He pressed his lips together, then exhaled slowly.

"She’d like it here," he said.

Marina didn’t answer. She didn’t need to.

They returned to the living room. Thiago stood near the window again, this time just staring out into the quiet street.

"It feels... nice, quiet." he said finally. "Not like the hotel. Not temporary."

Marina sat down on the edge of the couch. "Because it isn’t. It’s yours if you want it."

Thiago rubbed the back of his neck, uncertain why he felt so emotional. Maybe it was the space. The light. The silence. Maybe it was the fact that this is his first time ever getting an apartment for himself still being 17.

"I want it," he said.

Marina smiled. "I thought you might."

They sat there a while longer. No rush. No pressure.

Eventually, she rose. "Alright. I’ll contact the owner. We can probably get the lease signed by the end of the week."

He nodded.

"I can’t wait to get out of that hotel" thiago said.

"Oh I thought someone said they were beginning to enjoy the bland pasta specialty of the hotel" Marina said while smirking.

Thiago just rolled his eyes and said

"Ha ha very funny."