Find Love in London

Chapter3

Sensing the change in my mood, Mr. Chen laughs. “It’s a beautiful city, isn’t it?”

I nod vigorously. “So amazing. I love the buildings.”

“Places such as Oxford and Cambridge are even more beautiful. You can go visit them with your friends on holidays. If you need a driver, just text me. I’ll give you a discount.” Mr. Chen adds, “I can also drive you to Bicester Village, if you want to buy some luxury brands. The things there are cheaper.”

“Thank you. I’ll remember that.” I answer politely, my attention still on the views outside.

“See the brown building? It’s our destination.”

I strain my neck, eager to catch a glimpse of Springfield hall. Brown bricks and white arched windows, the place looks elegant. “The building is great!”

For safety concerns, I chose to live at King’s student accommodation and placed the studio at the top of my priority list when I submitted the application form. But one month ago, I was notified that I was assigned to an en-suite single room and needed to share the kitchen with another student from King’s. Since then, I’ve been wondering what kind of person my flatmate is. I hope my flatmate is a kind and quiet girl who is easy to get along with. Of course, it’ll be better if she’s willing to explore London with me.

“Here we are!” Mr. Chen announces as the car pulls over. “I’ll help you unload the suitcases.”

“Thank you so much.” I grab my tote and jump off the car excitedly. “I just transferred the rest of the money to you, Mr. Chen. Thanks again.”

Mr. Chen puts my suitcases down and slams the trunk shut. “No problem! If your friends need a driver, please recommend me.”

“Of course.” Mr. Chen is indeed a reliable driver, and I’ll be happy to recommend him to my friends.

After Mr. Chen drives away, I walk toward the reception eagerly, lugging my suitcases behind me.

The check-in is simple. The receptionist, a friendly woman called Sarah, gives me the keys to my flat after checking my passport. Then I’m allowed to enter the building.

Following the signs on the floor, I find the entrance of the building and open the door with my access card. After I press the up button, the elevator on the right slides open and I pull my suitcases inside. While riding the elevator, I remember my papa is still waiting for my message, so I take a photo of the keys and send a message to him.

Cassie: At Springfield hall! Just get my keys! Papa, you can sleep now.

His reply comes back immediately.

Papa: Good. Have a good rest.

Twenty seconds later, the elevator dutifully brings me to the fourth floor. Walking along the corridor, I find my flat immediately.

Fiddling with the keys, I suddenly feel a bit of edgy.

What if my flatmate is a party lover? I might be forced to stay awake all night long when loud music blasting out from his/her room or find drunken strangers lying shapelessly on the kitchen floor in the morning. Horrible! Oh, what if my flatmate is a serial killer in disguise? I can’t die so young! There are so many things I haven’t done yet. I haven’t seen snow-capped Alps yet. I haven’t told my parents how much I love them yet. And I haven’t experienced mind-blowing s*x yet!!!

But before I can fire off a message to Emma, telling her to investigate my flatmate if any accidents happen to me, the door opens.

I’m screwed.

The actual situation is much much much worse than I thought.

Because the boy holding the door is absolutely hot—so hot that it makes me wonder whether I accidentally stumble upon the backstage of a fashion show. Here he stands, with his white T-shirt, black shorts and messy blonde hair, exuding youth. And his eyes—they’re blue! His blue eyes remind me of everything beautiful—sparkling sapphire, clear blue sky and glittering Mediterranean Sea, but he owns the most stunning shade of blue. God, my flatmate whose name I haven’t had the pleasure to know yet is absolutely gorgeous.

When I’m still dazzled by his beauty, he breaks into a disarming smile and wraps me in a warm hug.

“I’m Nikolai Henriksson from Sweden. Nice to meet you.” He says in a tone that makes me feel he’s been waiting all his life to meet me.

All of a sudden, the butterflies that have been in a deep slumber for a long time magically awaken and start to flutter around in my stomach.