𝓢𝓸𝓵𝓲𝓽𝓪𝓻𝔂 𝓢𝓮𝓻𝓮𝓷𝓪𝓭𝓮

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟐

The evening descended, casting a veil of darkness over the world outside. The cool autumn breeze gently caressed Skye's bedroom window, its whispered presence reminding her of the passing time. Despite the encroaching night, her parents showed no signs of returning home anytime soon. Skye was well acquainted with their unpredictable ways. Having just concluded a rejuvenating shower, she stood in front of the mirror, delicately applying lotion to her skin. Suddenly, the chime of the doorbell echoed through the house, announcing that she had an unexpected visitor at her doorstep.

She hurried downstairs and cautiously peeked through the peephole before opening it. To her surprise, it was none other than Mrs. Kadin's troublesome son, towering over her while holding the glass plate.

"Hey," the man began, his voice filled with regret.

"I am sorry about earlier; I was completely out of line. I just had a disagreement with my mom when you come" He let out a sigh after finishing his words.

"I've come to apologize and give back your plate," he continued when Skye did not respond. "It's sushi, I hope you like it." The man smiled, although there was a hint of guilt on his face.

Skye couldn't help but feel a sense of confusion at the sudden shift in the man's behaviour. His explanation for his previous attitude towards her seemed strange, but she decided to let it go, allowing the thought to dissipate within her mind. Perhaps, she considered, this was his true nature revealed, and that the previous one just a sudden rush of emotion for that moment.

"I love sushi," Skye responds after a brief pause, her smile conveying her acceptance of the man's apology. She reached out to accept the plate from him, ready to bring it inside. However, before she could proceed, the man halted her with his words.

"Wait! By the way, my name is Alejandro. Most people call me Alec," he said, his sudden introduction causing a fresh wave of confusion to wash over her for the second time.

"You must already figure out by now, I am Mrs. Kadin son. I am the youngest of the family," he began, his voice carrying a hint of vulnerability.

"Starting today, I will be living with my mom, and thus, I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself to my new neighbour."

His words carried an air of explanation as if he felt compelled to clarify the circumstance that had brought about this change. Skye listened attentively; her curiosity piqued by the unveiling of this new chapter in their neighbourly dynamic.

"I'm Skye, it's a pleasure to meet you, Alec. I hope we'll get along well," Skye replied warmly to Alec's elaborate introduction. As the words left her lips, Alec's face lit up with a radiant smile, his whole demeanour transforming in an instant.

Skye couldn't help but be captivated by the sudden brightness that enveloped Alec. It felt as if time slowed down, creating an ethereal atmosphere. In that surreal moment, a shimmering glow seemed to emanate from behind Alec, accentuating his beaming, toothy smile and causing his eyes to narrow slightly. It was then that Skye finally had the chance to take a closer look at his face.

His features were striking, with a sharp nose and plump lips that exudes a sense of allure. His pupils were large and shone in the darkness of the night. The faint lines around his eyes hinted at the passage of time, adding depth and character to his gaze. Despite his masculine features, there was a certain vulnerability in his eyes, as if he were a lost child yearning for the comfort of his mother.

After the brief but seemingly endless conversation with Alec came to a close, Skye hurried upstairs. She devoured the delicious sushi he had brought and then settle onto her bed, staring up at the ceiling. Something strange happened- her heart started beating fast, making her feel anxious. She couldn't understand why it was happening and it made her a bit uneasy. Skye wondered if there was a deeper meaning behind it or if it was just her imagination playing tricks on her after those brief talks with Alec.

Meanwhile, Alec sat at his computer desk, frustration evident on his face.

"Stupid loner," he muttered under his breath, scolding himself for causing Skye's confusion with his abrupt introduction, especially in the dimly lit evening. Shaking his head, he let out a long sigh, aware of the weight of his age and the need to be more cautious in his actions. He didn't want to be seen as an irresponsible adult, carrying the burden of that label.