I MARRIED MY NEMESIS

TheNextDoorNeighbor

LAS VEGAS

6:03AM

Tessa’s eyes shot open as the loud banging next door pulled her from sleep.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she muttered in frustration as her eyes darted to the clock. After an all-nighter at work, all she wanted was more rest.

Ten minutes passed, and she’d had enough of the drilling and pounding noises she couldn’t stop hearing. Whoever was making such sounds deserved an earful.

Throwing her legs over the side of the bed, she stood with a huff. Her long black hair fell around her face as she pulled on her pink robe over a short nightgown and marched to the neighbor’s.

Pounding her small fist on the door, she shouted, “Keep it down in there!” But the noise only grew louder. “Do you mind explaining to me—?”

The next words died in her throat as the door swung open, and she came face-to-face with none other than Asher.

Asher was her brother’s best friend. The same guy who always pulled her cheeks, ruffled her hair, and called her his “little sister,” which provoked her.

She had liked Asher for years, though he always teased her like a sibling. Over time, her feelings changed to annoyance at his behavior.

He stood there shirtless, with just a pair of black joggers low on his hips and his well-defined abs on full display. He had a white towel wrapped around his neck, and his dark hair was still damp from his morning shower.

It took Asher a moment to register who was standing before him in surprise. His lips curled into a crooked smile that made her heart skip.

“Pookie?” he questioned with a raised brow, surprised. His eyes traced her figure in the thin robe and nightwear. “It’s been so long. To what do I owe this displeasure?”

A scowl settled on Tessa’s lips at the nickname she always despised.

“What’s going on in there? A stampede? Your noise disturbed my sleep. Some of us actually value our rest.”

With a simple shrug, Asher said, “Home renovations happen on a schedule. I’m sure you’ll survive without your ten hours of beauty sleep, princess.”

His ability to push her buttons so easily made Tessa see red. Her hands balled into fists at her sides, and she wished she could land a blow on that smirk of his.

“Why are you even here?” She spat out, feeling vulnerable under his observant gaze.

“How are you even here?” Asher asked back, leaning casually against the door frame, his muscles flexing with the movement. Tessa’s eyes traced over his toned physique before she could stop herself.

She noticed he had filled out, looking more handsome, taller, and even broader than she remembered. His beard was very short, close to his jawline, and had a clean cut all around the edges.

It had been years since she had last seen him up close, and it was quite distracting.

Suddenly becoming aware she was outright ogling him, Tessa tore her attention back up to meet his intense blue eyes.

“See something you like, Pookie?” Asher broke the silence with a cocky smirk.

Her cheeks reddened at being caught. “Don’t flatter yourself.” A short pause, and then, “You’ve changed, though,” she stammered.

His low chuckle did strange things to her insides. “So have you.” His gaze slowly raked over her shorter frame, pausing on her cleavage for a second.

Tessa flushed under Asher’s piercing stare, folding her arms protectively. “What do you mean?”

Asher gave a nonchalant shrug. “Last I recall, you were a scrawny kid following me around constantly. Now look at you.” His eyes lingered on her full lips, curvy hips, and slender legs. “All grown into a gorgeous young woman.”

Was he really complimenting her after all these years of indifference?

She cleared her throat loudly, her pulse racing. “I’m still the same, Tessa.”

A smug grin crept onto Asher’s face, as if he knew the effect he had on her. “Sure you are. Now tell me, how come you’re barging into my home so early in the morning?”

“I live here,” Tessa replied firmly, hoping he wouldn’t notice the hitch in her breath. “I just moved into my brother’s old apartment since he’s overseas right now.”

“You’re the intruder here, then, because I own this whole building.”

She frowned. “Since when do you own this place? Last time I checked, you were halfway across the world on some useless venture.”

“I am back now. It’s been in the family for years, so I reclaimed it.”

So this infuriating man not only lived next door now, but was her new homeowner too?

Her scowl returned full force. “Well, the noise is unacceptable! That’s all I came here to tell you. I'll be on my way now.”

In her haste to make a retreat, she suddenly slipped. She threw out her hands to catch herself, but it was too late, and she landed squarely on her backside, right at Asher’s feet.

“Ouch!” she grunted in pained surprise. Instantly, a deep rumble of laughter sounded behind her. Warm and masculine, it made the hairs on her nape stand up.

“Why, Pookie, if you want to fall for me, you just need to ask.”

Heat rose in her cheeks, and her palms stung as she pulled herself to her feet, brushing off her legs in embarrassment.

But just then, the front door creaked open, and some chick emerged, her blonde hair tousled on her head.

“Is everything okay out here?” She called, walking over in nothing but an oversize band t-shirt, clearly Asher’s. The lady wrapped her arm possessively around his waist, shooting Tessa a curious glance.

Forcing a tight smile, Tessa said, “Nothing to worry about; I was just leaving.”

And with that, she hurried back home faster than Usain Bolt and slammed her door shut, her heart pounding in her ears.

She made a mental note to call her brother to ask about Asher being her new homeowner later.

It was her anniversary with her fiancé, Jason, today, and she wasn’t going to let annoying Asher ruin her day.

Tessa quickly got ready for work, hoping a busy day would help her forget about her infuriating new neighbor. She dressed in a fitted navy pantsuit, swept her hair neatly back, and headed into the city.

Their company faced recent setbacks, and she was determined to help turn things around.

The day dragged on slowly. By evening, Tessa was exhausted but driving home, ready for a quiet night with Jason. She checked her phone, but there was still no word from him. Frowning at the unanswered texts, she spun her engagement ring, wondering why he didn’t even show up at work that day.

Their two-year anniversary dinner reservations were for 7:30 at their favorite Italian place. He couldn’t have forgotten, could he?

Shrugging off worries, she dressed in the little black dress she knew he loved, got all glammed up, and then headed for their reservation.

Thirty minutes passed at the restaurant, and she tried calling him again, only for it to go straight to voicemail. “Jason, where are you? I’m waiting at the restaurant like we planned. Please call me back soon; I’m getting worried.”

Frustrated, Tessa tossed her phone back into her purse. Where in hell could he possibly be on their anniversary of all nights?

As she tapped her heel on the marble floor impatiently, some movement outside the window caught her attention.

Even in the low light, she knew that frame—it was Jason. But who was the woman clutching his arm? Tessa leaned closer, pressing her palms against the cool glass for a better view.

As they paused at the corner, the woman threw her head back, laughing, placing a hand on his chest in a way that was all too familiar. She watched as the woman suddenly held Jason’s face, locking her lips with his passionately.

“No...” Tessa gasped in disbelief, her breath fogging the glass. This shouldn’t be happening, not tonight of all nights.

She slammed her fists against the window, drawing startled looks from the nearby tables, but she didn’t care.

All she felt was betrayal that cut deeper than any knife.

Every muscle in her body had gone slack with shock, and her hands slipped slowly down the cold window until her arms hung limply at her sides.

Had her stomach been punched? Because it sure felt like it. She rose to her feet shakily, feeling like her heart was going to burst out of her chest soon. Before she had time to think, she hurried out and burst through the restaurant’s front doors.

“JASON!” She yelled, breathing hard while fighting to stay calm.

Jason and the woman jumped apart at the sound of her voice. But Tessa could only see red, storming towards them on shaking legs.