MORE THAN A STRANGER
Living with my aunt and her family was meant to be a temporary, quiet arrangement just helping out and keeping to myself. On the first day of the new year, while everyone else was out celebrating, I stayed home, enjoying the rare silence and catching up on sleep. But when we ran out of water, I reluctantly stepped outside to fetch some, and that’s when I saw him.
He stood by the gate of the house next door, effortlessly commanding attention with just a glance. A smirk played on his lips, and a flicker of amusement danced in his eyes behind his blue-ray glasses. At that moment, he was impossible to ignore. Meanwhile, I felt disheveled and barely awake, my hair was a mess and still shaking off sleep. But he didn’t seem to mind.
There was something about him an air of mystery that made me wonder who he was and why he was there. Before I could look away, he spoke, “Hi.”
Caught off guard, I managed a quick, “Hi,” while trying to pull myself together.
“Can I know your name?” he asked.
I hesitated but replied, “I’m Clara,” and kept walking.
“Can I have your number?” he called after me. “Just as friends.”
I almost refused but reluctantly agreed, entering my number into his phone.
“There,” I said, handing it back.
“I’ll call you,” he promised with a smile, as I turned to leave.
What began as a chance encounter soon became an inexplicable connection. He had secrets, but there was something about him that saw through me, understanding things no one else did. The man I met next door wasn’t just a fleeting stranger,he became the reason I started questioning everything I thought I wanted.
Read
Chapter: Chapter 10: Unraveling EmotionsThe days after my conversation with Evan were some of the most challenging I had faced. I had never been one to wear my heart on my sleeve, but this time, it felt impossible to hide how deeply his words had affected me. I didn't regret telling him how I felt, but the emotional weight of the decision lingered, and I found myself wrestling with feelings I couldn't quite understand.I had always been careful with my emotions, keeping them tucked away behind a well-practiced smile. But Evan had a way of unraveling that carefully constructed facade.Being around him made me feel exposed, like he could see straight through the walls I had spent years building. And yet, there was a part of me that wanted him to see, wanted him to know me fully, even if I wasn't sure I could handle what came next.Days turned into a week, and the silence between us stretched longer. I kept checking my phone, hoping for a message or a call from him, but there was nothing. Each day that passed without hearing f
Last Updated: 2025-02-22
Chapter: Chapter 9: The Truth UnfoldsDays turned into a week, and the space I had created between Evan and me felt both liberating and suffocating. I missed him, but l also felt a growing sense of clarity. The more I focused on myself, the more I realized how much I had been compromising to fit into his world, a world I still didn't fully understand.It was a quiet Sunday afternoon when everything changed. I was at home, flipping through a magazine, when my phone buzzed with a text from Evan.~Evan: I need to see you. It's important. My office, 6 PM.~My stomach flipped. This wasn't like him, his messages were usually casual, not so formal or urgent. I debated whether to go but ultimately decided I owed it to myself to hear what he had to say.When I arrived at his office, the building was eerily quiet. The receptionist desk was empty, and the usual hum of activity was absent. The lights were dimmed, and I felt a chill run through me as I made my way to his floor.Evan was waiting in the conference room, his posture tens
Last Updated: 2025-02-22
Chapter: Chapter 8: A Step BackThat evening, Ava's words echoed in my mind as I sat in my room. Her advice had been practical, even compassionate, but it still felt like a challenge, a push to reevaluate everything I thought I knew about Evan. For weeks, I had been so focused on unraveling his mysteries that I hadn't stopped to consider what I needed or how his secrets might be affecting me.I glanced at my phone, tempted to text Evan.But what would I even say? "Why don't you trust me?" or "What are you hiding?" Both questions felt like accusations, and I wasn't sure l was ready to face his answers, or lack of them.Instead, I turned my attention to the book I had been meaning to finish, hoping it would distract me. But my thoughts kept drifting back to Evan's face in his office, the way his expression had darkened when I mentioned Jason.What was I doing?The next morning, I decided to clear my head with a walk. I ended up at the local library, a place I hadn't visited in years. It was quiet, place I hadn't visit
Last Updated: 2025-02-22
Chapter: Chapter 7: Searching for AnswersThe tension between Evan and his past had become impossible to ignore. Though he tried to assure me he wasn't hiding anything, his guardedness only deepened my suspicions.The more I replayed our conversations in my head, the more I felt like there were pieces of the puzzle missing, pieces he wasn't willing to share.One evening, I sat at my desk, scrolling through articles about Evan's company. His success was undeniable, but there was an undercurrent of controversy woven into his story. The lawsuit with his former business partner, Jason Marks, was mentioned repeatedly. Each article framed it slightly differently, some portraying Evan as the visionary entrepreneur, others hinting at a more ruthless side.When I stumbled across Jason's social media account, I hesitated. Was I crossing a line? But curiosity got the better of me. His posts were cryptic, filled with resentment and veiled accusations. One in particular stood out:"The truth has a funny way of surfacing. Some people wear
Last Updated: 2025-02-15
Chapter: Chapter 6: Unspoken TruthsThe days after visiting Evan’s office felt like stepping into a new dimension of his life. I couldn’t stop thinking about how passionate he was about his work and the way his eyes lit up when he explained his company’s vision. It was inspiring, but it also added layers to the puzzle he still seemed to be.Evan’s confidence and charm masked something deeper, something he wasn’t ready to share. I didn’t press him, but the curiosity was eating at me. He wasn’t just a man who happened to live next door; he was someone with a story I couldn’t quite piece together.One evening, as we sat on my aunt’s front porch, watching the sunset, I decided to approach the subject again, carefully this time.“You know, you’re really good at keeping things to yourself,” I said with a teasing smile, though my words were anything but casual.Evan leaned back in his chair, his hands resting on the armrests, looking entirely at ease. “What makes you say that?”“You’ve built this amazing company, have people w
Last Updated: 2025-02-02
Chapter: Chapter 5: The Turning PointThe days following my conversation with Evan were marked by a growing curiosity I couldn’t shake. My feelings for him had deepened beyond what I thought was possible in such a short time. I found myself drawn to his warmth, his wit, and the quiet confidence he exuded. Yet, beneath it all, the question of who he truly was lingered like a shadow.One morning, just as I was beginning another endless scroll through job boards, a text from Evan interrupted my thoughts.~Evan: Hey, any chance you’re free today? I’d love for you to see where I work.~It was the first time he’d offered a glimpse into his professional life. My heart raced as I typed out my response.~Me: I’m free. What time?~~Evan: Come by around noon. I’ll send you the address.~By noon, I found myself standing in front of a sleek office building in the heart of the city. The glass façade reflected the sunlight, and the logo etched into the glass doors read "E-Tech Solutions." I stepped inside, greeted by a modern, minimalis
Last Updated: 2025-02-02
LOGIN
