Chapter 1 THE NEW NEIGHBOR

"Hmmm!" I stretched lazily.

"It's another lonely Friday again."

TGIF...

I rolled my eyes.

My phone rang, and I glanced at the screen.

Bia.

My face brightened slightly.

"Hi, Bia."

"Good morning, grumpy Barbara!"

"Hmmm... morning."

"It's F-R-I-D-A-Y! Friday! Today! Can't you be different for just one day? A little lighter?"

"Babe, for real, I'm not in the mood."

"Look, I know you've buried yourself in work for as long as I can remember. You need to come out of your shell. I mean, enjoy life like the baddie that you are!"

"Hmmm... Bia, I'm not ready to go over this topic again. For real."

"You need a man! No! I mean, a good, thick chocolate guy in your life to lighten you up."

"Very funny, Bia."

I was about to continue when something caught my attention.

My neighbor's door had just opened.

I quickly moved toward the window and peeked outside.

My eyes landed on a shiny, bald, clean-shaven, caramel-skinned man.

I froze.

"Hello? Barbara!"

"Huh? Yeah. Hi."

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah! Sure. I am."

"No, you're not. Tell me, babe. What's going on?"

"Hmmm... I have this neighbor who moved in recently."

"Ouuuh! Spill the tea, babe!"

"I mean... I've never found bald men attractive, but he seems to tickle my fancy a bit."

"Mmmm! I see something happening soon!"

"Nah! No, babe! Don't be so sure about it. I don't think it would work because we're kind of different."

"How do you mean different?"

"Like, he's more of the corporate-looking, calmly tamed kind of man. He looks like someone who would never entertain any craziness or distraction."

"You always conclude on things! Why don't you give him a trial?"

"I really don't want to be ignored or, worse, embarrassed."

"Trust me, Barb! You won't. I mean, risking it for a good D won't hurt."

"Hahaha!"

We both burst into laughter.

"I don't know. I'll just think about it."

"Okay! So, care to join me for ladies' night today?"

"Okay, then. Just because you're rooting for this bald choco."

"Hahaha! That's my girl! So, 6 p.m.?"

"Okay, cool."

"Alright then! Catch you later!"

"Yeah, babe!"

The call ended.

"Ouuuuuu!"

I took another long stretch.

"Hmmm... Thank goodness it's my day off today."

I spent the next few hours doing my laundry, washing the dishes, and putting my apartment in order before taking a bath and preparing breakfast.

"Hmmm... yeah. I need to rest."

After breakfast, I settled down to do some online work. Before I knew it, it was already 2 p.m.

I decided to take a short nap.

Four hours later, I woke up to the loud, annoying honking of a car.

"Hmmm?"

I dragged myself out of bed, staggering as I tried to get my sleepy eyes to adjust.

I opened my door and stepped into the front space of my apartment. Peering through the open spaces of the burglary bars, I tried to see what was happening.

But I couldn't see anyone.

Only the irritating honking continued.

I rolled my eyes in distress.

Then I caught sight of him.

Those eyes.

The same eyes I had noticed earlier that morning.

It was him.

The bald, caramel-skinned man.

I couldn't help staring at him.

For what felt like two whole minutes, I simply stood there, staring at him as though someone had paused the entire scene.

"My apologies. Did I wake you up?"

I was so lost in his presence that I barely heard him. I could only watch his lips move.

"Hello?"

"Oh! I... hi!"

"Did I wake you up?"

"N-no! I mean... I just... you know..."

He smiled slightly.

"I'm sorry. I pressed the wrong keys."

"Yeah! It's fine. I'm okay."

"Okay."

He gave me a little wink before heading back into his apartment.

I rushed into my room.

"Barbara! What's wrong with you?"

I slapped both hands against my cheeks.

"Oh, Lord! Help me! I've never fallen for a guy so easily. Not him! No!"

My phone suddenly rang.

"Oh my! What's the time? Bia!"

I rushed to pick it up.

"Hey, babe!"

"Hi."

"Hope you're getting ready?"

"Uh... yeah! What's the time?"

"Really, Barb? It's 5:20. We agreed on 6 p.m., remember?"

"Ugh! Yes! Yeah! I didn't forget. I'll catch you soon."

I ended the call.

"Shit!"

I jumped off the bed.

"Almost late!"

---

By 5:20 p.m., I was already getting ready for the evening.

Soon, I left my apartment to meet Bia and the others.

The night was filled with laughter, gist, and endless conversations. We enjoyed each other's company, making the most of our ladies' night.

Later that night, I finally headed home.

---

I should have known coming home this late would be a mistake.

By the time I pushed through the compound gate, the place was almost completely dark. Only one or two lights remained on, casting faint pools of light across the walkway.

Everyone else was probably asleep, and judging by the silence around me, I was the only one foolish enough to be coming home at this hour.

I slipped off my heels and held them in my left hand, keeping my handbag in the other as I carefully made my way across the compound.

The drinks from earlier had left me slightly tipsy, and walking quietly in the dark while trying not to stumble was proving to be more difficult than I had anticipated.

When I reached my apartment, I began searching through my bag for my keys.

"Where are you?" I whispered, digging through its contents.

My fingers finally closed around them, but before I could pull them out, the bag slipped from my hand and landed on the ground with a soft thud.

I froze, then quickly crouched to gather everything before the sound could wake anyone.

That was when I noticed I wasn't alone.

I slowly looked up.

Daniel stood on the balcony upstairs, a book in one hand and a glass of wine in the other.

It was obviously part of his usual routine, except tonight, his attention wasn't on the book.

He was looking directly at me.

For a moment, I didn't know what to do. Then I became painfully aware of how ridiculous I must have looked, barefoot and holding my heels, slightly tipsy, with half the contents of my handbag scattered around me.

Daniel gave me a small nod.

"Good evening."

His voice was calm, as though he hadn't just caught me sneaking into the compound like a thief.

"Good evening," I replied.

I managed a faint smile, hoping it would make the situation less embarrassing.

His eyes briefly dropped to the heels in my hand before returning to my face.

"Late night?"

I let out a quiet, embarrassed laugh.

"Apparently."

The corner of his mouth lifted.

"Good night, then."

"Good night."