My Crazy Neighbor

4

Beauty POV

I bit my lip hard and forced myself to look back at the paper I was holding, crumpled from my tight grip.

Damn that man!

I almost wanted to pull my hair out because his face kept popping into my mind. I hissed.

He's the weirdest man I've ever met in my whole life!

"Aren't you going home yet, dear? It's getting dark outside," I looked at the librarian who spoke.

The librarian. An old man wearing glasses. I glanced outside, and indeed, it was a bit dark. Sh!t, I didn't realize how late it had gotten.

"I'm going home now," I quickly said and ran out of the building.

I cursed several times as I rushed to the bus station but immediately felt weak upon remembering that my wallet was empty.

What bad luck!

So, I had no choice but to walk. Thankfully, it wasn't too far to walk.

I walked with a frown until I reached an alley. I tightly held onto my umbrella.

The surroundings were dark, and the lights were out. At times, I glanced around in fear. Maybe someone was following me, which made me quite nervous.

I tightly held the strap of my bag when a dog suddenly barked.

Sh!t, really! I quickened my pace. I rolled my eyes around to see if someone was following me but breathed a sigh of relief when I didn't see anyone.

"Hmmp..." I froze at the sound.

I swallowed and briefly stopped. I looked over my back. I could only see darkness. Did I just mishear something? I turned back and---

"Have mercy on---" I heard a pleading voice. A woman's voice.

I gasped and momentarily froze in place. I looked up from where the voice came and saw a man's shadow with a woman kneeling in front of him. The woman had a fearful expression as the man held a knife.

I stepped back, feeling my hands grow cold and unable to move from what I witnessed.

As I stepped back unintentionally, I accidentally stepped on a beer can, creating a sound. But before I could look back at my spot, someone suddenly grabbed me from the dark corner, covering my mouth.

"Shhh," a deep voice whispered.

I felt his warm breath near my ear, his warm hand touching my lips. Even the heat from his body I felt so close as if he was hugging me from behind.

The man with the knife was alerted by the noise and quickly left. The woman was momentarily stunned but eventually returned to her senses and ran away in fear.

"What are you doing here in the middle of the night?" he said firmly.

I looked up at him. He was wearing a black tank top and pants. His face was stern and dark. There was also annoyance in his demeanor.

"I-I'm on my way home and---"

"Danger is everywhere. Remember that," he said coldly before turning away.

I furrowed my brows at his behavior and watched him walk away with a plastic bag. What's he doing here anyway?!

He disappeared from my sight as he entered the dark area of the street. I bit my lip. I still felt the warmth of his hand on my lips and the heat I felt in my neck.

Damn you, Aiden!

-------

I quickly turned around and immediately saw the building of my apartment. I felt relieved as every corner of it was well-lit and filled with your presence.

I embraced myself as the cool breeze touched my skin. The surroundings were calm and quiet. Just like when I first set foot here, but despite this, there was hidden danger. I sighed.

"Meow!"

I paused my steps upon hearing the faint sound of a cat.

I looked around and tried to locate where the sound was coming from. My eyebrows furrowed when I saw a black kitten by the side of the street. Its body appeared dirty, but what caught my attention most were its eyes. They were different colors, green and blue. Maybe the size of my hand, but chubby. The round eyes stared at me.

I chuckled and bent down to it.

How dare they abandon this little cute creature?!

I gently petted its head and felt its soft fur. I giggled as I picked up the cat. Its fur was so soft and fluffy, making it irresistible to cuddle. I couldn't contain my excitement.

I looked around to see if there was another cat with it, maybe its sibling or mother, but I didn't see anyone. I wrapped it in a cloth and carried it. The cat made a soft purring sound as it rested its head on my stomach, which made me smile.

"It seems no one is looking for you, so you're with me for now," I murmured. The cat purred a bit, agreeing with what I said.

Once inside my apartment, I decided to give it a bath. And I found out it was a male cat. I dried him before placing him on my mini table. He wasn't hard to take care of.

I smiled as he looked at me with his round eyes. This cute cat looked so innocent and fluffy.

When my phone suddenly rang, I answered it even though I was feeling lazy.

"Hello," I lazily answered.

"Besh! Finally!" My spirits lifted as I sat up in bed.

"Serena?"

"Yes! Your beautiful friend Serena WinWin," she said cheerfully on the other line. I chuckled. Her personality hadn't changed. Still the same Serena I met four years ago.

"Why did you call?" I asked.

"Hey! You've been silent for weeks. Are you hiding from your dad or something? What's up? I just wanted to check on you," she said non-stop, making me massage my temples.

"I don't want to talk about it right now, okay?" I said weakly. She sighed on the other end.

"Hays! Fine, but I want to meet you this afternoon. Just send me the place, bye mwah!" She quickly said, almost hanging up before I could respond, so I looked at my phone before dropping it on the bed.

"Meow."

I turned to the foot of the bed to see the cat staring at me.

Its face was tilted, as if puzzled. I smiled and picked it up, hugging it. They say black cats are bad luck, but for me, this one was my little comfort zone.

He purred in my arms. Ow!

"Siopao, are you hungry?" I lowered my voice and gently squeezed him.

It was Saturday today, so I woke up almost noon. I stretched my arms and placed food for Siopao. I went out to the balcony of my apartment.

The wind tousled my hair. I smiled and closed my eyes. This morning felt refreshing. My gaze shifted to the other balcony. It had a black curtain fluttering in the wind.

I glanced at the mini table with a cup of coffee on it. My mind was still preoccupied. I furrowed my brows as a part of the glass window moved and closed. I blinked.

My lips parted.

Did my neighbor see me?