Chapter 4
995 Words
The soft chime of the doorbell echoes through the apartment, pulling Sarah out of the engrossing article she’s been reading on her tablet. Sunday is her sacred day, reserved strictly for rest and rejuvenation. It’s the one day she allows herself to completely disconnect from the world outside her. She treasures these moments—wrapped in a blanket, surrounded by the comforting stillness of her space, with only the sounds of the city filtering in through her windows.
If not for the tricky dynamic of her grandmother's ever-busy yet mysteriously flexible schedule—and Sarah's undeniable love for her—she would have never picked Sunday for her visit the door.
Reluctantly, she rises, smoothing down the loose pajama pants she’s been wearing since morning. The thought of seeing her grandmother fills her with a mix of warmth and resignation. It's always a delight to spend time with her, but she knows that visits like these often come with a dose of unsolicited advice and plans for her life.
The door swings open, revealing her grandmother in all her radiant glory. Clad in a stunning Ankara outfit that pops with vibrant colors, her neat braids accentuating her regal bearing, the older woman beams at Sarah with an infectious grin, arms spread wide.
“My baby!” Her grandmother’s voice is full of life as she steps forward, enveloping Sarah in a tight embrace. The scent of familiar spices and a hint of lavender washes over Sarah, grounding her in the comfort of the moment. They giggle like girls, the sound echoing lightly through the hallway.
“My untrained child that didn’t come home to see me since she got back,” her grandmother teases, pulling back to look at her.
Sarah laughs softly, the words warming her heart despite their playful reprimand. But as she disengages from the hug, her eyes catch sight of something—or rather, someone—she hadn’t expected. Standing a few steps behind her grandmother, staring at her with an expression that’s somewhere between bemusement and irritation, is John.
“What are you doing here?” Sarah’s tone shifts immediately, the lightness of the moment evaporating as her smile fades into a thin line of displeasure.
Her grandmother, ever the social butterfly, spins around with a million-dollar smile that could charm even the grumpiest soul. “Oh, this fine young man? He offered to carry my things upstairs for me,” she explains, clearly delighted by the unexpected help.
Sarah narrows her eyes at John, her gaze as sharp as a blade. “How out of character,” she mutters, not bothering to hide her suspicion.
John rolls his eyes in response, his exasperation evident. He thrusts the handbag and cooler he’s holding into Sarah’s arms with just enough force to make her stagger slightly. She lets out a small, surprised "umph" at the pressure and glares at him, but he only offers her grandmother a handsome smile. “I’ll be on my way now,” he says smoothly, already making his exit toward his own door.
“And our lunch date?” Her grandmother’s question cuts through the air like a hot knife through butter.
Sarah’s confusion deepens, her gaze flicking back and forth between the two of them. John pauses, looking back at them with, looking like he had just remembered a piece of their conversation.
“There was a brag about a tasty sauce on the way up,” her grandmother continues with a playful tone. “We’ll be right there with some side dishes. Set the table.” With this, she hooks an arm through Sarah’s and pulls her inside the apartment. Behind them, Mr. Okon, her grandmother’s ever-silent assistant, closes the door with a quiet click.
Sarah feels like she’s stepped into an alternate reality. “You had to fraternize with the enemy on your first visit, didn’t you?” she remarks, her tone half-joking but mostly serious.
Her grandmother rolls her eyes, unfazed by the accusation. She begins unpacking the cooler on the kitchen counter, expertly plating the peppered meat inside. “That’s dramatic. How was I supposed to know your arch-enemy is such a pleasant young man? Our accounts differ on him.”
Sarah crosses her arms, leaning against the doorway to the kitchen as she watches her grandmother. “I mentioned that there is an extremely attractive egocentric walking the halls of this apartment. Or was that not clear enough?”
Her grandmother laughs, a rich, animated sound that fills the small space. “You certainly left that part out. And from what I’ve seen, ‘egocentric’ might be an overstatement.”
Frustrated, Sarah turns back to the living area, picking up her tablet from where she left it. “You can go to your play date alone,” she mutters, giving up on the conversation.
The laughter dies down, and her grandmother glances over with a softened expression. “Oh, come on now. I know his family. Their law firm handled our affairs for a while. He took over and is a well-known ruthless business lawyer. How could I overlook an eligible bachelor living next door?”
Sarah looks up, eyebrow raised in suspicion. “For yourself?”
Her grandmother laughs again, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “It’s the classic enemies-to-lovers scenario, my dear.”
Sarah shakes her head, unable to believe what she’s hearing. “Unbelievable. That’s why you set up the lunch?”
Her grandmother nods with a sly grin. “Just come with me this once. I promise I won’t even come back to this small room of yours.”
“Let me guess, because you’re dying soon?”
“Exactly.”
Sarah sighs, rising from the sofa. “The sooner we get this over with, the sooner I can get that death talk out of your mouth.”
Her grandmother’s laughter follows her as she heads toward the kitchen to help with the remaining dishes.
- Writer
