《The Crazy Neighbor》


 Prologue

    "This is the only vacant room left, dear. What will you take?" The landlady of the building asked.


    I looked around the room, it wasn''t small, just right for me since I''ll be living alone, I don''t have a choice anyway. It''s close to the University I transferred to.


    "I''ll take it," I replied conservatively, which pleased the landlady as she smiled at me.


    "Good, it''s been vacant for quite some time. So, when will you move in, dear?" The landlady asked me.


    "Tomorrow," I promptly replied, and she nodded.


    "Here''s the payment. I''ve included the advance for one month." I handed her two thousand. She took one thousand for the first month.


    "Alright, dear. Just let me know if you need anything else." She smiled and left.


    I looked back at the apartment I rented. It was clean and organized inside. I just needed to bring my belongings and clothes.


    I walked to the corridor of the apartment. I glanced at the room beside mine, Room 201. I noticed that there seemed to be only two of us renting on the third floor.


    I was startled by a loud bang from inside. I stepped back, my hand on my chest. The bang repeated three times. I don''t know why, but I suddenly felt the urge to run.


    I quickly turned back to talk to the building''s landlady.


    I saw her talking to a man, but as soon as she saw me, he quickly left.


    "Oh, dear. Do you need anything else?"


    "T-there was a loud bang next to my apartment--"


    "Oh, were you scared? I''m sorry... there''s a cleaning going on in that apartment." She quickly explained and kindly smiled at me. I looked up and swallowed.


    "Ah, I see." That''s all I could say before quickly leaving the building. I held my chest as my heart raced.


    I probably need to cut down on coffee. I composed myself and took a deep breath. But before I left, I glanced back at the building I exited. It looked a bit old but the apartment was nice inside.


    I was about to walk when I felt someone behind me, so I looked around but no one was there. I looked up and immediately froze.


    I saw a man standing next to my apartment. He was wearing a black hoodie, and his face wasn''t clearly visible from a distance.


    I felt chills as if he was looking at my direction.


    I looked away, but when I glanced back, there was no one standing there anymore.


    I don''t know if I was just hallucinating or maybe I was.


    I''m on campus now when I unintentionally overheard something.


    "Did you hear the news? Another woman was found dead near Urales Street." I paused eating to hear the whispers.


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    It''s been a week since I moved here. I noticed that there are many murder cases in this area. I calmed myself and acted like I didn''t care about what I heard.


    I stood up and headed to the restroom. I washed my hands and dried them with tissue paper. A woman entered while talking on the phone.


    "Alright, let''s meet at Pandora Club later," she said before ending the call. She glanced at me in the mirror''s reflection and smiled. I forced a smile back and left the place.


    I checked the time. It was 4:20 pm, so I needed to leave because this place is dangerous. I walked to the bus station not far from the University. I stood on the side of the station.


    My gaze landed on the other side of the street where the glass reflected anyone standing in front. A tall man arrived and stood beside me.


    He was wearing a black hoodie with a skull emblem and holding a cigarette. I suddenly smelled his strong cologne. I looked away when his gaze met the glass I was looking at.


    Soon, the bus arrived, so I quickly got on.


    I sat by the window. I noticed that the man didn''t follow me to my seat, so I looked back at my previous spot. The man was still standing there. I couldn''t see his face in the darkness, but I knew he was looking at my spot.


    He exhaled smoke into the air before flicking it away. I avoided his gaze because he was creepy. The bus started moving, but my body seemed to have a mind of its own as I looked back at the man standing at the bus station.


    I swallowed hard when I saw that he was still looking at my spot. My hair stood on end, and I tried to forget about it.


    30 minutes passed...


    I finally arrived at my apartment building. I quickly went inside and locked all the doors. I felt drained from the day.


    I turned on the TV to watch the news.


    "A woman was found dead near Pandora Club, according to witnesses. She had multiple stab wounds all over her body, while a man was caught on CCTV as a suspect in the incident." I froze and swallowed.


    A familiar picture of a smiling woman appeared on the TV. She was wearing the same uniform as mine. I covered my mouth.


    Memories of a woman with a phone call flashed back.


    "Alright, let''s meet at Pandora Club later."


    Next was a video showing a tall man with his back to the CCTV. He was wearing a black hoodie with a skull emblem.


    I dropped the remote out of fear. Th-the killer... was the man next to me at the bus station.


    Knock! Knock!


    I looked at the door.


    I felt like my breath stopped. My breathing slowed, and my hands turned cold as I kept staring at the door, repeatedly knocking. I clenched my fist before stepping towards the door and, with my eyes closed, opened it.


    "Hi." A woman stood there in pajamas, holding a small red ribbon cake.


    I suddenly felt hungry because it''s my favorite.


    "H-hi?" I was suddenly confused as I saw her for the first time. She had a gentle face and was slightly shorter than me.


    "You''re Beauty, I guess?" Despite my confusion, I nodded. Her smile widened as she quickly placed the red ribbon cake in my hand.


    "Welcome, Neighbor--I mean just welcome." She scratched her head.


    "Bye!" She said loudly and quickly ran down the stairs, leaving me stunned.


    Like Huh?


    I looked at the red ribbon cake, I actually didn''t want to accept anything from a stranger, but she seemed like a harmless kid. I closed the door and sat at my desk, rubbing my temples.


    Why am I being paranoid? Is it because of the dead woman and the killer?


    I couldn''t relax... if the killer still remembers my face and kil---nevermind.


    I was doing my activity when a loud noise came next to my apartment.


    Here we go again.


    I closed my eyes as the noises continued, and it suddenly stopped, leaving me anxious. I don''t know why the landlady of this apartment seems to have no concern.


    Doesn''t she care about the tenants? I really don''t understand the people living here.


    It''s too mysterious and makes me curious.


    What''s inside the next apartment?


    What are the noises created every night?


    And why only at night?


    They say mystery excites us, but for me, mystery is not fun to play with.


    My eyes caught the red ribbon cake, so I reached for it and opened it.


    A small chocolate cake with a strawberry on top. I furrowed my brows when I saw a note tucked behind the box.


    It says ''Welcome my Neighbor.''


    I almost dropped the cake. I didn''t know if the giver made a mistake because as far as I know, there are only two rooms on this third floor.Just me and the neighbor next to my apartment.

 2

    Beauty POV


    I wore a fitted red mini dress and two-inch heels, with my straight hair cascading down. I didn''t put on makeup because I hate the feeling of heat on my face, and I''m not comfortable wearing it.


    I sighed. This is my second time going to a bar. The last time was with my cousin for her birthday, but I don''t drink.


    I hate parties and bars because they''re noisy, and I''m not used to it. The first time I went, my expression wasn''t good right away because I saw people making out everywhere.


    After getting ready, I quickly went out and took a taxi to hurry since it was already 6:57 pm, and they were looking for me. I got in, paid, thanked the driver, and got off.


    The ''Frenzy Bar'' greeted me. Many people were inside, some didn''t seem to care as they were kissing, hugging, and making out even on the sides.


    I avoided looking around and walked towards the bar entrance. Two men were at the side and let me in. I suddenly felt nervous about this idea of mine. I immediately smelled the strong alcohol upon entering, so I winced. Everyone here was having fun. I ignored it and quickly looked for the VIP area they reserved. I went up the stairs and saw them with a man.


    Lana was laughing with the man she was hugging, along with Luna and Mark. But like before, Luna was the only one who seemed serious.


    Why was there a man? I was about to leave. Lana caught my eye and waved happily.


    "Beauty! Come here!" They all looked at me, including their companions.


    I felt uncomfortable, but I managed to smile and walk towards them.


    "Come here quickly," Xiana happily pulled my arm to sit on the soft couch and handed me a glass of tequila.


    "Go ahead, drink," Lana said.


    I looked at the glass they were drinking from while I just stared at it. Last time I knew, I didn''t like the taste even though others said it was good.


    "No, it''s fine. I''ll just have juice--"


    "Juice? Denise, we''re in a bar to drink. Besides, our finals are coming up. Have some fun for once, right?" she chuckled to her friend beside her and rolled her eyes.


    "Drink up, girl. Your life is so boring," Mark interjected.


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement."Don''t mind them. They''re already drunk. Just drink if you want," Luna said seriously and downed the tequila before placing it on the table.


    I looked at my glass and slowly drank it. I closed my eyes at the taste that hit my throat, quickly swallowed it without hesitation, and then squeezed the lemon on the side. This is the last time I''m drinking tequila ever again.


    "See, it''s good," Lana grinned and laughed.


    I forced a smile, stood up immediately, and bid them goodbye. I felt hot, and I didn''t expect the tequila to hit me so quickly.


    "Do you want me to accompany you?" Lana''s companion offered. I didn''t like the way he looked at me since I arrived.


    I immediately rejected him.


    "I can handle myself."


    "No, let him escort yo--" Lana interrupted, heating up not just my body but also my head.


    "I said it''s fine," I said firmly.


    They fell silent at my words. I didn''t want to be rude, but I didn''t want to engage with them again, especially with the man. I knew my voice didn''t sound good because even I didn''t like their teasing now.


    It''s different from when I first met them.


    I think there''s something wrong with the drink.


    I gave them a cold stare. Not one of them spoke.


    "I''m out," I said finally and turned away from them. I needed to leave this place immediately.


    The heat I felt worsened.


    I struggled to hold onto the wall, my body weakening, feeling dizzy, and the heat overwhelming me. I felt like crying because I didn''t know what to do.


    Tears welled up in my eyes, and I couldn''t help but sob. I didn''t want to call my friend because she''d be really mad at me, and my dad might find out where I am.


    I sat on the side. I shouldn''t have trusted them from the start. I think they put something in my drink; that''s the conclusion in my mind. They didn''t tell me there was a man with them, and I really didn''t like the way Lana''s companion looked at me earlier, which made me uncomfortable. Why did she insist on accompanying me with the man?


    Tears streamed down my face as I felt the burning sensation, and I was embarrassed. I really didn''t know what to do. I looked up and saw two black pairs of shoes in front of me. My eyes blurred as I looked up at them.


    I know it''s a man.


    I swallowed, unable to make out his face until he bent down to meet my gaze. My lips parted when I saw his serious face and slightly messy hair. He was wearing a white t-shirt and black pants, and his strong cologne filled my nose. His thick eyebrows furrowed slightly as he looked at me.


    He''s a striking man with a captivating dark charm. His style effortlessly blends sophistication and edge, making heads turn wherever he goes. I couldn''t speak, just kept staring at him. This man is unreal. I swallowed when I looked at his lips.


    I suddenly felt tempted by his red lips.


    I looked away. This is really bad, Beauty!


    Tears formed again. I shouldn''t be feeling this...


    "Such a crying kid, tsk!" he muttered coldly.


    What is happening to myself?


    I wanted to kiss him.


    I want to ease the heat on my body.


    I hate myself now.


    I pinched myself.


    "C-can you help me?" I struggled to ask, tightly holding onto my dress and crying from the heat I felt. He raised an eyebrow, his face serious.


    "A favor?" His lips quirked up.


    "I don''t make it for free."


    I didn''t know why my lips uttered the word ''yes'' on their own, or maybe that''s what I wanted. All I want now is to alleviate even a bit of what I''m feeling.


    "K-kiss me."


    I don''t know why, but I feel like I''m taking a risk and sealing a deal with a devil. A dark smirk formed on his red lips.


    "Sure."