*Sighed*
I sit on an empty chair beside my lodge thinking about all that has been happening to me lately.
I have parents, I have lovers, and I have friends but it seems everyone has forgotten about me and moved on with their lives.
My stomach growl then I realize I have starved myself again. It has been a day and yet I haven't tasted anything, not even cheap bread.
I stand from the chair on which I sat and a beacon to open my door when I heard the oldish land lady's voice, I frown slightly to myself and turn to her holding a bright smile.
"Good evening Ma" I greeted and she nods her head that was already covered with white hair.
Mrs. Margret is a widow who lost her husband five years before I moved in, she looks very old but still vibrant. Lucky for her, she had her grandchildren and one son out of the many beside her. The lodge where I stayed also has a mansion that Mrs. Margret occupies with her family.
"Eliora, how are you?" she asked with her gentle voice.
"I'm fine Ma, thank you," I thought it was her random greeting which she does to other tenants so I opened my door immediately but she stopped me again.
"Excuse me" I turned to her anxiously as she walks cautiously approaching my lodge.
"When do you intend to complete your rent?" Mrs. Margret asked with her eyes rolling left and right as if she was searching for something, I scratched my hair rather stylishly.
Actually, I had no excuse, I wasn't expecting money from anyone, I am so drained financially, I just have no hope but it's better than relying on some scum back in Italy.
I don't want to talk about my Ex, I exhale maintaining the warm smile on my face.
"Ma, can you please give me some week of grace?" I begged pitifully.
If my past was watching me, it will laugh at me because I was never like this. I had money, I had enough but then... everything faded so fast.
"Eliora, you say that almost every month" Mrs. Margret stepped away from the house.
"The next time I inform you, I'll give you your quit notice" with this Mrs. Margret proceeded deeper into the lodge passage, I shook my head in disbelief and went into my room.
I'll tell you a little about myself. I'm freaking nineteen years old and will be graduating the next year. I was in a loving relationship with a handsome successful guy in Italy but everything went south when I noticed he was seeing another lady and they will be getting married soon!
Yes, it was that mean and painful, I have had my hopes up to marry him, I learned how to cook and all of it so... so He could see me... our two years were fun but... I still have no idea why he did that to me.
So, I returned to New York to face my fucking life alone. My parents didn't even care about me since I had refused to listen to them during my relationship with the Italy guy "Romans", my so-called best friend moved on with a new neighbour who seem rich... I was left all alone to face my half-done academic life.
I changed into my short jean, and black singlet and took my red purse with that I locked my room door and left the estate.
The children who were having some evening gist greeted me and I waved at them and move on heading nowhere, so you know the purse which I held had no money in it except for my new android phone which I got with my last card.
For goodness sake I'm so hungry, who's going to save me? I have no friends in the university not to talk of the neighborhood I have lived in for a long.
After staring at the bustling evening streets full of life, music, and lights, I exhale slyly and raise my head to the sky. At the sight of the round full moon, I smiled.
I really need a job.
How can I foot my bills when I'm not even working?
If not for the little money I got from Romans, how would I have paid my tuition fee and half rent?
At the thought of these, I decided to head back home since it was already late.
"No no no" I exclaim in pain when I opened my food locker and find it empty.
What will I eat tonight? I'll contact an ulcer.
Ladies my age already have a better life, meeting a handsome billionaire, falling in love, and all of it. Why does nature decide to give me rock?!
I didn't have enough guts to start arguing with my third spirit if that's what's called, I just fell on my bed and slept off.
"Delicious".
"Yummy".
"I'll place another order".
"I won't miss out on french fries and a hot burger".
I rolled left and right on my bed licking my lips like a monkey eating banana when the sharp pierce from a mosquito touched my skin, I slapped the spot and woke up immediately.
Then I realized it was only a dream.
Sluggishly I walked into my bathroom to paste.
"Why do I even brush when I end up eating no food" at the thought of this, I brush my teeth roughly, wash my face and head back into the bedroom.
Yes, I live in a flat.
As I was about to go back to sleep since I can't think of anywhere to get money for food then I heard a sharp horn within the estate.
"What's going on?" the last time I checked, the estate doesn't need any kind of renovation because there was no space to build another lodge, the blue paints were still bright and no roofs were leaking... enough of guessing, I unlock my door and leave my room walking out of the section of the lodge.
There's this neon grey-colored van parked in the estate and the gate was wide open, I heard people talking in distance with the land lady's son and some privies offloading belongings.
"Was someone moving in?" I ask myself as my eyes wander back and forth searching for a glimpse of the answer.
"Wait".
"Hope that old lady isn't planning on kicking me out" at this thought, I frown angrily and the son approached me.
"Good morning Mr. Desmond" I greeted overly courteously.
Mr. Desmond was a mature man in his middle thirties, he is divorced and currently resides with his old mother. He is so nice and one of my cool friends but he's hardly at home or should I say he prefers staying indoors.
"Pretty morning Eliora" yes, he's good at teasing.
"What's new?" I asked with my eyes going back and forth from the van to him.
"Oh! You will be having a new neighbor soon" Mr. Desmond said happily.
"New neighbor? How about Kate?" I asked anxiously because Kate has been my neighbor though we have never communicated.
"Kate got married last year, she has moved out for a long so... mum wishes to rent out her space" He explained to me and I nodded.
"How would you not have known, I mean she's your neighbor," He asked and based on his facial expression he looked surprised.
"I and Kate. I busy, she not around" I replied like one who was learning how to speak.
"Ohh" He nods slowly as I stare into his eyes he looked confused but wouldn't want to push further.
"I'll go get busy," He said and proceed walking while I stared at the van with my arms crossed.
Another thought slide into my head immediately.
"Excuse me" I called Mr. Desmond shyly because I felt it was too early to disturb him.
"Anything.... pretty Eliora?" He asked politely and so you know, he's so obedient especially to women maybe that's why his ex-wife divorced him.
Pushing the silly thoughts away, I smiled.
"So who's moving in?"
"Another She or He" I sarcastically emphasized the gender part and he smirked.
"It's a She and she's damn hot," He said in a whispering tone raising his brow flirtatiously and I blushed, Mr. Desmond can be so silly at times.
As he left, I shot another gaze at the van and then decided to go back to my room.
Life sucks.
I wished to call my parents to support me financially but... since my latter disobedience, it seems the whole family blocked my line... they pushed me out of their lives.
I walked back to my lodge section but at the sound of the coo voice of Old Mrs. Margret, I stopped and lean on the wall trying to hide and at the same time hear what she was saying... bad habit huh? That's your business but I don't want to be kicked out so fast when my life is still in a deep mess.
"Everything is ready, you can start living in," Mrs. Margret said.
"Thank you, Ma," the young stranger who was facing me with his back said.
"How about the next room? I'd love to rent it for my little bro" the stranger said eagerly.
"Actually it's free, if you want it I can ask the occupant to leave," Mrs. Margret said and as I heard this, I couldn't believe my ears. Does she hate me? Embarrassing me in front of a stranger, I didn't move... I desired to hear more.
"You mean...".
"I mean the occupant is a debtor, I can ask her to leave," Mrs. Margret said bluntly and I couldn't hold myself any longer thus I walked out from my hiding.
"Ma" I called in provocation but I remained courteous.
"Yes?" She replied with that her usual sweet smile that will definitely melt a killer's heart, as she turns the stranger followed suit and my jaw drops.
"Yes?" She calls again anxiously but I could only hear her faint voice as it was as if the beauty of the young man in front of me has swallowed me.
He was indeed cute but who is he?