CHAPTER 3
1337 Words
I woke the next morning sore in ways that didn’t feel entirely physical. My mouth was dry, my limbs heavy. I dragged myself out of bed and gulped down a full glass of water as if I’d been wandering the desert.
Sleeping on the couch had twisted my spine into new geometric shapes. I stretched, winced, stretched again, then bribed my body with coffee.
The TV murmured in the background while I cooked a lazy Saturday breakfast — scrambled eggs soft and creamy, bacon crisping in the air fryer, and an avocado I inspected suspiciously before deciding it was safe to eat. I spread it on toast like butter and devoured everything in front of the TV.
I’d barely set my plate aside when Elena called.
“So? How did last night go?”
I lied.
“Nothing came. It worked. I slept like a baby.”
“Good! Granny will be relieved. She said to keep doing what she told you until we figure out a long-term fix.”
“Absolutely. And… tell her thank you.”
“I will. And Kira? Don’t joke around with this. My grandma was serious. These things exist. They’re smarter than us.”
“I know,” I whispered, guilt scraping at my chest.
After I hung up, I picked up the pungent herbal pouch that I’d forgotten to put under my pillow. I held it for a long moment, weighing it, weighing everything.
What if granny Bia never finds a solution?
What if I poke the bear and it kills me?
What if I let him tell me how to break the contract?
A knock at the door shattered my spiral.
I checked the peephole — and nearly choked.
“Oh my God.”
It was the gorgeous neighbor.
I smoothed my hair, pinched my cheeks for color, and opened the door as casually as a woman about to die of internal screaming could.
“Hi,” he said, voice gentle, polite. “Sorry to bother you. I just moved into the building — the studio below you — and I’ve got a problem in my bathroom. My ceiling is drenched in water. It seems to be coming from above.”
“Oh God. From my place?”
“I’m not sure. I just thought I’d ask you to take a look. I already notified the landlord and the super.”
“Yes, of course. One second.”
I rushed to check the bathroom — nothing.
No leak, no puddle, no apocalypse.
I returned to the door.
“I’m sorry. Everything’s dry here. Could be inside the wall. Should I shut off my water until help comes?”
“It couldn’t hurt,” he said with a little shrug. “I’m Michael, by the way.”
“Kira. Nice to meet you.”
“Kira…” He lingered on it, smiling. “That’s an interesting name. Sounds… mysterious. I like it.”
My face combusted on the spot.
“I’ll go back downstairs to wait for the super,” he said. “I’ll let you know if we need access.”
“Here—let me give you my number, in case I’m out.”
“That’s a good idea.”
He smelled so good when he leaned forward that my knees nearly buckled. I bit my lip without realizing.
He noticed.
I slammed the door before he could see my soul leave my body.
“Kira… girl… get a grip.”
I peeked through the peephole.
He smiled as he walked away.
Michael. Yummy.
Thank you, ancient plumbing.
An hour later the plumber arrived, poked at pipes, grumbled at walls. While he worked, Michael returned — with bagels and coffee.
We sat together on my little kitchen counter, digging in, talking about nothing and everything.
“You must be unlucky,” I said, “having plumbing turn on you right after moving in.”
“Or very lucky.”
He winked.
My brain flatlined.
“Are you flirting with me, Michael?”
“I am. Is it allowed?”
“It’s encouraged.”
“Mmm,” he murmured. “My kind of girl.”
The confidence I tried to project barely held. Something about him made me feel like I had to keep myself from melting on the spot.
“I’d like to take you out,” he said. “I’m old-fashioned. I don’t sleep with girls on the first date.”
I blinked.
“Oh my God. A unicorn.”
“Call it what you want. But everything is about s*x these days. I’m looking for connection. The real kind.”
My cheeks warmed instantly.
The “real kind.”
I wanted to jump him. Instead, I nodded like a sane, composed adult.
“That sounds reasonable,” I said. “It’s been a while since I went on a date without expectations.”
“Oh, I have expectations.”
His eyes glittered.
“Just not the kind you’re imagining.”
“Oh? And what kind would those be?”
“I’m taking you somewhere nice. Elegant. I want you to dress up. After dinner, I’m bringing you home.”
“Anything else?” I teased.
“That’s all for now. Does tonight work, or do you prefer tomorrow?”
“You’ve got me so excited I’m clearing my schedule. Tonight works.”
“Beautiful,” he said softly.
After the plumber and Michael left, I exploded like a teenager — jumping around, squealing, raiding my closet. Then I FaceTimed Mona.
“I have a date. Tonight. With the gorgeous neighbor.”
“No way! Yesterday you said you acted like a complete i***t around him.”
“Well, the pipes helped.”
“Oh honey, you’re in big trouble.”
“I know. Help me choose a dress!”
After picking the perfect outfit, I used the rest of the day to burn off nervous energy — cleaning, laundry, a shopping run. While rearranging some shelves, my hand brushed the herbal pouch again.
Hesitation.
Curiosity.
Fear.
I didn’t throw it out.
But I hid it.
Tonight I would ask Dragomar how to break the contract.
If he refused… I’d go back to Granny Bia’s magic.
Evening came faster than expected. At 6 PM sharp—knock.
I opened the door and forgot how to breathe.
We both said “Wow” at the same time.
He looked incredible — hair neatly styled, eyes even greener under strong brows, wearing a casual-elegant suit and a black tweed jacket. He brought flowers.
He brought flowers.
I nearly melted.
“You look beautiful, Kira.”
“Thank you. You look… fantastic too.”
He took me to a restaurant so fancy a butler pulled out my chair. The food was… transcendent. Artistic. Almost too pretty to eat. Four courses of heaven later, I was officially spoiled.
Michael walked me home, just like he promised.
On the doorstep we lingered — too close, too warm.
He tilted my chin gently, brushed his nose along mine.
I snapped.
I kissed him, hard, hungry.
He tasted amazing — warm, sweet, masculine.
My knees nearly gave out.
“Good night, Kira,” he whispered against my lips. “I had a lovely time. I hope we can do it again.”
“The dinner or the kissing?” I asked.
“Mostly the dinner,” he smirked. “And definitely the kissing.”
He kissed me again.
After he left, I leaned against my door, breathless, lips tingling.
“Kira, Kira, Kira… what am I going to do with you?”
I jerked upright.
That voice.
Dragomar.
But I wasn’t dreaming.
“What—what is happening? How can you talk to me? I’m awake!”
“Oh, my beautiful Kira…”
His voice slithered around me like smoke.
“I can speak to you when you’re awake now.”
My stomach dropped.
“That’s great,” I said in panic. “Then you can tell me how to break the contract!”
- Writer
