Chapter 5

I remained glaring in irritation for a minute in his direction even though he was already inside his place. I was still in disbelief. Then, I scoffed after I realized that I looked like a damn crazy person standing in an empty hallway while staring, like any minute I would explode, in that door. I angrily went inside my place and slammed the door behind me.

“I am not short! He… He is just tall! Damn!” I hate that guy. I marched into my room and just decided to take a shower so my nerves about that guy could chill. Why is he like that? First in the supermarket and then now, in this condominium building? He should be thankful that I softened when I saw his pitiful face that obviously lacked of sleep when he stole my ramen! How could he call me shorty!? After I surrendered my ramen to him, he called me that! Was that the only thing he remembered about me?! He’s such a jerk! 

After I finished taking a shower, I went out in the bathroom only wearing a towel that wrapped around my body. I don’t mind walking around like this because I was the only person there. I am free to do what I want to do and no one will scold me. I got a pair of underwear, wore it, and put my bathrobe on. Then, I wrapped my hair in a towel as I walked into the kitchen to look for some food because I was so hungry after I drained all my energy into making my place pretty and nice! When Kieffer arrives later, I am sure that he will praise me! 

Since Kieffer hasn’t arrived yet, I decided to go outside to buy a dustpan and broom. I only white denim shorts, a yellow oversized t-shirt and a pair of doll shoes. I couldn't help but sigh and shook my head when my eyes went to the room at the end of the hallway. 

When I arrived at the first floor, the number of people who were staying there became less than earlier. Maybe some of them go to their work since I saw some of them wearing formal attire. The guard smiled at me so I also smiled back at him. 

I walked around the area to see what the stores nearby were since this is my first time going out like this and I am alone, there was no Nikki around. There was a boutique, fast food chain, shoe store, grocery store and there was also pharmacy. When I entered the grocery store, I was quite shocked to see many people that were passing by around me. I guess I need to get used to Nikki’s absence and also, learn to get along with other people. Luckily, I quickly found the things that I was looking for. I also got some apples and oranges when I passed by the fruit section. 

I started preparing the ingredients and also the pasta when I arrived at my place. I planned to cook spaghetti for dinner. “I should also make a toast,” I muttered after I put the pasta in the boiling water. I cooked the sauce first before I got the bread and spread some butter on the top and put it in the oven. 

Someone rang my doorbell when I was transferring the pasta onto a plate. I jogged towards the door to open it. I forgot to give Kieffer my passcode. “Hi!” I greeted him with a wide smile on my face. He looked at me from head to toe then his eyes went to my cute apron then he shook his head before he entered. 

“You’re cooking?” he asked while looking at me weirdly. “You didn’t burn your kitchen, right?” I rolled my eyes at him. “I bought ice cream.” He said after he wore a pair of slippers and put his shoes on the shoe cabinet. I get the plastic on his hand and look at the flavor of ice cream he bought. 

“It’s strawberry,” he said lazily as he walked towards the kitchen. 

“I know how to cook some dishes, Kieffer, duh!” I said after I saw him checking the pasta and the sauce on the counter table while I got another plate and put there the bread that I toasted. 

“Do you need help?” He asked as he rolled the sleeves of her white polo shirt to his elbows. 

“Put the food on the table,” I said as I gave him the toasts. He silently transferred the food to the table while I got the utensils and glasses for the both of us. I also got a soft drink and water. 

“How’s your stay here? The environment? The people?” he asked in the middle of our dinner. I wiped my mouth before I answered him. 

“It’s fine so far. I didn't need to go far when I wanted to buy something because there were a lot of stores outside.” I said before I drank water. He nodded at me. “And the people, well, I only encountered the lady in the office, Lily, and the guard. They were helping me and they were nice.” I got a piece of bread. “Except for the guy living at the end of the hallway,” I whispered as I ate the bread.

“What?” He looked at me while chewing. I only shook my head and signaled him to just continue eating. After that, he volunteered to wash the dishes while I went to the living room, carrying my ice cream and two spoons so I could share them with Kieffer. 

“You decorated your place well.” Kieffer complimented me after he sat down beside me. I shrugged my shoulders boastfully at him before I put a spoonful of ice cream in my mouth. He chuckled at my reaction and shook his head as he reached for his spoon and scoop ice cream.

Kieffer stayed for another hour before he decided to leave since he still had some work to finish. But of course, before he went, he told me a lot of things like I  must not forget to double check if I lock the door well, lock the windows, and so on since I am living alone and I am a girl. Though, this building was safe because there were security cameras and Lily also told me that the guard was rounding the building every night. 

After sending him off, I went straight to my room to get some rest.