Author's Preface
[Present Day]
[Annie]
Sleep.
All I need is some peaceful uninterrupted sleep.
I am still exhausted from the overtime I did last night, courtesy of the New Manager.
But all I can hear instead of silence are some voices, footsteps, something heavy being dragged across the floor.
The noise seeps through the walls, constant and grating.
I groan and reach for my phone. 9:45am. A Sunday. of course.
I slip into my slippers and drag myself to the front door half asleep and slowly crack it open just enough to peek outside.
I notice packers and movers.
Boxes, Furniture. Voices echo through the corridor as they move things into the last vacant flat.
"Is someone moving in?", I ask one of the workers, my voice still thick with sleep.
" yes mam, we are sorry for the noise", he replies glancing at me, clearly judging my barely awake state.
I nod and slightly lean against the doorframe.
And then I hear a voice, too familiar by now and I freeze.
I watch as Kai steps out of the apartment, speaking to one of the workers, all calm and composed as if he belongs here.
I catch my breath and for a second I forget how to move and by the time I decide to retreat, his eyes already land on me.
"Annie?" There's surprise in his voice.
"You live here too?" He asks, stepping a little closer with a small smile playing on his lips.
"why are you moving here?" The question slips out of my mouth before I can stop myself.
He does not seem to mind nor react to my tone.
Instead, he just looks amused. "A colleague suggested this place, " he says casually. "said it's decent enough."
I blink at him, now completely awake.
His eyes slightly strays over me, which is enough to make me self aware.
I know I look a mess in my creased clothes and messy hair.
" Looks like I disturbed your sleep. Sorry about that. We're almost done", he says as the last worker walks out of the corridor, acknowledging him.
Right. I feel irritated.
"thanks for the overtime Mr. Sterling." I say and head back inside to get some more sleep before he can respond.
[ *** ]
When I wake up later, I almost convince myself that I saw kai in my dreams.
I freshen up and head to the kitchen, deciding to prepare my meal when I hear the doorbell ring.
I walk over, checking the doorbell monitor and I halt.
I see Kai standing right outside my door. So it wasn't a dream?
He's holding something and for a moment, I consider ignoring him.
But I get reminded that he's literally my boss now.
That thought alone is enough to make me open the door, though just halfway.
He is standing there in his grey sweats, hair a bit damp, glasses resting low on his nose-effortless and casual.
He holds out a small basket.
"Here," he says. "...for troubling you this morning."
I glance down and notice a wine bottle as well as a few other neatly packed items.
"It really wasn't such a big issue," I say, unease obvious on my face. "You don't have to do this..."
"Felt like I should," he cuts in gently, locking eyes with me. ".. didn't want to start off badly "
I suddenly become hyper aware of myself- in pyjama shorts, and...well him.
It's not like he's a total stranger right? Or is he?
I just decide to take the basket while thanking him.
He gives me a small smile and turns to leave.
"Would you like to come inside for some tea or coffee?" The words are already leaving my mouth before I can register anything.
His steps halts and for a second, I think he might actually say yes.
But then he just replies with a polite smile," another day" and walks off.
I stand at my door for a minute longer than necessary before closing it shut.
And then, embarrassment starts settling in, especially for taking the gift from him.
I try to shake it off and carry the basket to the kitchen counter.
The wine catches my attention first- Red, my favourite.
I pause for a second and then I start unpacking the rest.
Jars of premium imported Spearmint tea, Chamomile tea, Matcha and a tin of butter cookies.
My grip tightens slightly as I realize that everything in the basket is exactly what I like.
There's a quiet discomfort settling in my chest.
I don't remember telling him my favourites though.
I try to recall if I ever told him about all these? Maybe years ago?
But even if I did, how does he still remember it?
[ *** ]
I decide to return the gesture since I keep feeling bothered by his generosity.
Nothing extravagant, just a little something.
So I head to the city mall in the evening and purchase a set of premium coffee beans.
Not as expensive as his gifts but thoughtful enough I guess.
I am mentally rehearsing what I'll say to him as the elevator dings open on my apartment's floor.
I am making plans to keep the interaction casual, polite and just normal, when I notice someone already standing outside Kai's door.
Knocking. Ringing the bell-again and again.
I slow down instinctively, my footsteps quieter now.
There's something familiar about her.
The posture. The voice.
As she whips her head around, I stop short.
Lucy.
The door suddenly swings open and I see Kai standing there, frowning, clearly irritated.
His eyes flick towards Lucy, then over to me.
He is still in his sweats and glasses, looking like he was busy working and wasn't expecting this scenario.
I sense him tense up for a split second- even looking stressed.
An uncomfortable pause settles between the three of us.
I don't wait any longer, quickly unlocking my door and stepping inside before anyone can say a word.
I feel my heart race as if I had done something wrong.
I lean against the door, trying to steady my breath when I hear muffled voices for a moment through the wall and then the sound of a door closing.
I peek at the video monitor, checking and there's no sign of Lucy leaving.
Which means that she's inside his flat, with him.
I know it should not matter to me , afterall Kai is none of my concern.
And for the most part, it doesn't.