THE GIRL FROM ROOM TEN

Chapter 2 — The New Tenant

Lucas had been in the building for only two days, yet he had already learned one important rule.

If he needed to use the bathroom, he had better check whether it was occupied.

The previous morning had been embarrassing enough.

He had assumed the bathroom was empty, opened the door, and nearly startled the young woman inside.

Today, he wasn't making the same mistake.

He stood outside Room Six with a cup of coffee in his hand, listening to the sounds of the building waking up.

Someone was arguing downstairs.

A child was running through the hallway.

A woman was calling her husband.

Lucas smiled faintly.

It was very different from the life he was used to.

He had grown up surrounded by quiet halls, expensive furniture, private rooms, and people whose job was to make sure everything was taken care of.

Here, everyone seemed to know everyone.

Privacy barely existed.

Yet somehow, Lucas preferred it.

At least for now.

He looked toward Room Ten.

The door was closed.

He wondered if Ellie was inside.

He immediately shook the thought away.

He barely knew her.

There was no reason to be curious.

Still, when the door finally opened, Lucas looked up.

Ellie stepped out carrying a small plastic bag.

She noticed him.

"Morning."

"Morning."

She walked past him.

Lucas looked at the bag.

"Going somewhere?"

"Looking for work."

Again.

He had heard the same answer yesterday.

"Did you find anything?"

Ellie shook her head.

"Not yet."

"You'll find something."

She smiled.

"I hope so."

She started walking toward the stairs.

Lucas watched her disappear.

There was something unusual about her.

She didn't complain.

Even when she looked exhausted, she smiled.

---

Ellie spent another morning searching for work.

Her first stop was a small café.

The manager looked through her résumé.

"You've finished high school?"

"Yes."

"Any experience?"

"No."

He hesitated.

"We need someone who can work evenings."

"I can."

"Until midnight?"

Ellie paused.

Her parents would worry.

But she needed the job.

"I can."

The manager nodded.

"Leave your number."

Hope rose inside her chest.

"Thank you."

It wasn't a job yet.

But it was the first positive response she had received.

She walked out of the café feeling lighter.

Maybe today would be different.

Maybe she would finally find something.

---

That afternoon, Lucas went downstairs to meet the landlord.

The landlord handed him a letter.

"Your father called."

Lucas's expression changed.

"My father?"

"Yes. He said it's urgent."

Lucas opened the letter.

His father's assistant had written it.

**Your father wants you home. Call immediately.**

Lucas stared at the words.

He had known this moment would come.

His father had never understood why Lucas wanted to live away from home.

To him, leaving the family estate was an act of rebellion.

Lucas simply wanted to experience a normal life.

For once, he wanted to be nobody.

He is not the son of a wealthy businessman.

Not the future heir.

Just Lucas.

He folded the letter.

He wasn't ready to go back.

Not yet.

---

That evening, Ellie returned to Room Ten with good news.

"Mama."

Margaret looked up.

"What happened?"

"I might have found a job."

Her mother smiled.

"Really?"

"A café. They asked me to leave my number."

"That's wonderful."

Edward smiled from his mattress.

"I knew you would."

Ellie sat beside him.

"It's not confirmed yet."

"But it's something."

"Yes."

For the first time in several days, Ellie felt hopeful.

After dinner, she went to the bathroom.

She knocked.

No answer.

She opened the door.

Empty.

She entered.

A few minutes later, someone knocked.

Ellie smiled.

"Occupied."

"It's me."

She froze.

She recognized the voice.

Lucas.

"One minute."

She heard him laugh softly.

"Take your time."

Ellie finished quickly.

When she opened the door, Lucas was standing several feet away.

"Sorry," he said.

"You don't have to apologize."

"I've apparently developed a habit of bothering you around bathrooms."

Ellie laughed.

"Apparently."

He smiled.

"Did you find a job?"

Ellie looked surprised.

"You remembered?"

"Of course."

"I might have."

"That's good."

She nodded.

"A café."

"Congratulations."

"It's not confirmed."

"But you're hopeful."

"Very."

Lucas looked at her for a moment.

"You deserve something good."

Ellie's smile faded slightly.

"Thank you."

She started walking toward Room Ten.

Lucas watched her go.

Then he realized he had been staring.

He turned away.

---

The next morning, Ellie received the call.

She had gotten the job.

It wasn't much.

The pay was modest.

The hours were long.

But it was work.

She accepted immediately.

Her mother hugged her.

Her father smiled proudly.

That evening, Ellie bought her first small grocery contribution with her own salary advance.

It wasn't much.

A few kilos of rice.

Vegetables.

Medicine for her father.

When she returned, Edward stared at the medicine.

"You bought this?"

"Yes."

"You shouldn't have spent your money."

"I need you healthy."

Edward smiled.

"You've become stubborn."

"I learned from you."

Margaret laughed.

For the first time in weeks, Room Ten felt lighter.

---

Across the hallway, Lucas stood inside Room Six.

His phone rang.

He answered.

"Hello?"

His father's assistant spoke.

"Lucas, you need to come home."

"Why?"

"Your father's condition has worsened."

Lucas became silent.

"How bad?"

"Bad enough that the family is asking for you."

Lucas closed his eyes.

His father.

The man he had spent years trying to escape.

The man who had expected Lucas to inherit everything.

He wasn't ready.

But family didn't always give people the choice to be ready.

"I'll think about it."

"You don't have much time."

The call ended.

Lucas sat on the edge of his bed.

For the first time since arriving at the building, he wondered whether he had made a mistake by leaving home.

Then he heard laughter from the hallway.

Ellie's voice.

He stepped outside.

She was talking to an elderly woman.

Her face was bright.

She looked happy.

Lucas watched for a moment.

Ellie noticed him.

"Lucas."

He smiled.

"Hey."

She held up a small grocery bag.

"I got my job."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"You look happy."

"I am."

Lucas nodded.

"I'm glad."

Ellie studied his face.

"You look worried."

"I'm fine."

She frowned.

"You don't look fine."

Lucas smiled.

"You barely know me."

"True."

She shrugged.

"But I'm observant."

He laughed.

"Maybe."

Ellie started toward Room Ten.

Then she stopped.

"If something's wrong, you don't always have to pretend you're fine."

Lucas looked at her.

She gave him a small smile.

"Good night."

She entered her room.

Lucas remained in the hallway.

For the first time in years, someone had said something like that to him without wanting anything in return.

He looked at Room Ten.

Then, down at the phone still in his hand.

His father's condition was getting worse.

He knew he might have to leave.

But strangely, the thought of leaving suddenly felt heavier than it should have.

He barely knew Ellie.

Yet somehow, the girl from Room Ten had already begun to make this unfamiliar place feel like home.