Chapter 5
1711 Words
_ The Neighbor _
I knock on the damn door!
No response.
I knock the second time.
Still, no response.
I knock harder the third time.
Still, nobody opens the door.
The speaker is still booming inside and I don't think whoever is inside is capable of hearing the loud banging.
That damned speaker is the only reason I'm standing here.
I tried to ignore the noise but it was too much. I couldn't stand it anymore. Now here I am, standing on a stranger's door when I should be on my couch with my coffee enjoying my comfort show.
I already hate this neighbour. Bet they'll hate me too.
I'm about to bang the door one last time when the door flies open. The strong stench of m*******a and cheap cigarettes knocks my nostrils.
A guy with blue eyes and long dark hair tied in a ponytail.
He leans on the door, observing me.
A cocky grin spreads across his face. The speaker might be annoying but this guy's face is definitely not annoying. He's hot! Attractive! I bet he's used to people throwing compliments his way.
He digs his hands in the pockets of his faded ripped jeans and leans on the door, a cigarette clamped between his fingers.
He keeps smiling and giggling. He's obviously high on weed.
"Heeeeeey Lil mama!!!"
Lil mama? We just met but he already has a ridiculous nickname for me?
"Hey. I'm your new neighbour." I get straight to the point. "I was-"
"My neighbour? Perfect! So I'll be seeing this sweet face every morning from now on?"
I'm not as happy as he is that we'll be bumping into each other often.
I clear my throat and ask sharply.
"I'm sorry to bother you but is there any chance you could lower the volume? I'm trying to watch something but-"
He's staring at my lips.
"Please stop talking, Angel Face. I just can't stop staring at your lips when they are moving like that. It's torture to my soul!"
That was cringy and so inappropriate to be honest. I'm so done with this. This guy is obviously intoxicated and he doesn't give a f**k about anything I have to say.
I turn back and leave but still hear him calling me repeatedly.
"Lil mama!"
Stupid nickname!
"Angel face! Don't walk out on me like that! You're doing me bad!"
You're doing me bad??? The guy should f*****g chill. We just met a few seconds ago.
Matter of fact, he's the one doing me bad. With that high volume, how the f**k am I supposed to watch anything? How the f**k am I supposed to sleep?
I just wanted to relax and have a peaceful night before the big day but I'm a lot more anxious and restless.
I storm into my house and bang the door. I walk straight to the bedroom and bury myself in bed.
Suddenly, the loud music stops.
Mh...
He listened to me?
I'm a little surprised and impressed but still, I stopped watching the series because of him and his loud music.
On the brighter side though, I have quite a busy day tomorrow and I could use some sleep right now. So thanks to him for tucking me in bed forcefully.
I switch off the light.
****
I woke up late!
This is my first day at work and I've woken up very late! f**k!
I slide in the shower and stay no more than two seconds. There's no way I'm wasting time in the bathroom.
I put on a pink ironed shirt, a tight black skirt and a pair of expensive classy heels that Mom bought for me. A quick glance at the mirror makes me realize that I had almost forgotten to do my hair.
I toss it in a tight bun and do some mascara and eyepencil to stop looking like some zombie.
Before leaving, I grab my handbag and carkeys.
A masculine figure approaches me as I lock the door.
My neighbor.
He looks exactly like he did yesterday. Same clothes but a little crumpled up now. Same ponytail but a little messier.
He has this weird smile on his face. I feel like wiping it off right away when I remember the amount of peace his speaker deprived me of.
"Hey," he says softly.
His voice is more gentle and low-toned today.
"Hey," I mumble.
I really don't have time for this. I'm awfully late for work. I have more important things to do rather than chitchatting with my hot stoner neighbor.
I'm walking away when he suddenly grabs my arm. I look up at him. He looks even more attractive in the light of day. He's a little sober and his eyes are more 'awake' now.
"Sorry about yesterday. For how I acted." He says with a smile.
I force a smile and say.
"It's fine. Only thing that's not fine is you grabbing my arm."
He lets go of my arm and I walk away.
But annoyingly, he grabs my arm again.
"Angel Face! Wait!"
I glare at him furiously and snap.
"Let go of me! I'm f*****g late for work damn it! Can you please f**k off and stop being a creep!"
He's baffled when I lash out at him. He really managed to get on my nerves and I lost my patience.
"Sorry ma'am," he says remorsefully, raising his arms in surrender.
I rush towards the parking lot when I hear him yell.
"I'll make it up to you lil missie."
Last night it was lil mama and Angel face, now it's lil missie. A new day calls for a new name. This neighbour is nuts.
I ignore him and climb inside my car.
I start the engine, when I realize that it's not working.
No! This is not happening! Oh God! Not today of all days!
The f*****g engine chose this particular day to stop working. Yeah, today of all the days. When Ren is going to the grocery store - Perfectly working. When Dalia is going to the mall - Perfectly working. When someone needs a ride - Perfectly working.
But today! My first day of work - NOT WORKING!
I storm out of my car and decide to walk to work! It's a walking distance. I just thought I could use my car since it would have been faster now that I'm late.
Thank God that neighbor of mine has vanished and I don't have to deal with him anymore.
Fuck! I wish I could wear flats to work but I must wear these damn heels. Going back to the house to grab flats will make me later than I am. I'm exhausted already and I have only been walking for three minutes.
I walk past masses of people rushing and running in the dense street. I feel like a clown in the midst, my heels making weird clack sounds on the cobbled street.
As I scamper on the sidewalk, a red car comes across a ditch filled with water. The muddy water splashes on my feet. Fortunately, it doesn't mess or stain my clothes.
In a rush of rage, I take off one heel and hurl it at the car. I find myself wishing that the window would have shattered to pieces.
The red car stops.
My heart stops.
A dashing man in a sleek suit steps out.
He takes the heel that I just threw at his car and strides towards me.
He has this serious, stern look on his face. His hand is shoved in the pockets of his pants. The other one is holding my black heel.
I look up at him.
He has dark eyes. Deep and dangerous eyes.
My heart is pounding hard as his eyes bore into mine.
Fear.
Terror.
What if he slaps me because of what I just did to his car? But hey! His car started it first!
I'm surprised when he hands the heel back to me.
He scans me from head to toe and smirks.
"Next time you won't be so lucky. I will drag you to court for vandalism."
And just like that, he turns around and slides back in his car.
I feel like throwing the shoe at that f*****g car again.
Vandalism?? Is he f*****g serious? It's not like I damaged his car.
I clench my fist and take a deep breathe.
My foot is still wet after I put the heel back on. But that shouldn't stop me from rushing to work. I'll probably clean my feet in the washroom once I get there.
I have to get to work first!
Everything else on pause!
****
I finally get to work.
I'm cooking up an excuse as I walk through the huge gates of 'The Jean Company'.
For a moment, I stand still and stare at the blue skyscraper, drooling over the architect's work. This is where I'll be working as an intern for the next three months.
I feel so fortunate to be an intern in such a big and booming billion-dollar company.
I enter the building and walk straight to the reception.
A cute and chubby receptionist is on a call at the reception area.
I stand there, waiting for her to put an end to the long call but she doesn't. She keeps giggling and whispering and batting her lashes after every second.
She doesn't even notice that I'm here. She ignores me the whole time.
I'm late and angry and my feet are dirty and wet. As if that's not enough, I have to deal with an annoying receptionist who blatantly ignores me.
Can the ground please open up and swallow me once and for all!
Someone clears his throat behind me.
The receptionist freezes on seeing the man standing behind me. She quickly puts an end to the phone call. She pretends to be perusing through some files.
I turn around only to see the guy that threatened to sue me earlier for vandalism!
What the f**k is he doing here?
He glares at the receptionist and clears his throat.
"Seems like you're having a very wonderful morning, Zoe."
She fakes a smile.
"Good morning, Boss."
"You just ruined it."
Boss?
****
- Writer
