1 FIRST ENCOUNTER

The woman held her glasses on her nose and observed the building in front of her thoroughly. She finally arrived at an old 2-story apartment that stood firmly in front of her. She looked at the small note in her hand and make sure that she had arrived at the right address. Then, she walked forward for a few steps. Shake the copper old bell that was hung next to the entrance.

After a while, an old man with a sour face opened the door.

He narrowed his eyes and asked softly. Just for a confirmation. Make sure that she was the right person.

“Miss Arissa?”

The woman nodded her head firmly. The man opened the door widely and invited her to come inside. Soon, her figure disappeared into the building.

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Meanwhile, at the same time, in front of an automatic teller machine, a young man was cursing loudly when he checked his account balance. There was sum of money in there but him, it’s just like pennies. Meaningless.  Then, there was a beep from his cellphone. A notification.

An ad of a rental property. Just exactly what he needs now. 

There is an old apartment and it is still available for a rent. Within a few minutes, his eyes browsed all the information and all necessary details that he need to know. Immediately, in the next second, his eyes spotted the address that stated in the bottom line. Altogether with the rental price as well.

Quickly, he called a cab and showed the address to the driver and told him to go there as soon as possible.

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Arissa was walking around the room while Mr. Evan, the owner, was explaining each detail of its room very carefully to her.

The old apartment only has 2 floors but the design is classy and elegant. The first floor is occupied by an old couple of husband and wife. In fact, the wife is half-deaf and the husband busying himself of gardening potted flowers.

And the second floor will be rented out to outsiders.

The building is quite old, the structure is very sturdy and well maintained as well. The ceilings are high so the air circulation may flow in and out nicely. Each room in this apartment also quite spacious with 2 bedrooms, a living room and a bathroom. And, what was made her fall in love with this apartment is the view of the village of Mina, which could be seen clearly from here. She even can watch a beautiful offshore scenery from the distance. The beauty of the reddish-brown roofs of small houses and their white walls in contrary with the bright blue sky and greenery scene of farming area. She also can hear the birds’ chirping and the vibe of local chatters who live around the apartment. These are something new for her but also a perfect sign to start her new life.

Officially…

A smile crossed her lips satisfactorily when her heart has a set up a decision. Making a choice by herself.

When she has just about to open her mouth and close the deal…. Suddenly…

BRAKKKK !!!!

The door opened and slammed inside harshly and a young man bursting into the room with his panting breath.

"Is it still available?"

He quickly asked with his shortened breath. After a while, he took a deep breath and exhaled for a couple of times. Adjusting himself.

Mr Evan and Arissa were stunned and blinked their eyes several times. Startled, they still glued on the same spot while they keep staring at the young man.

"Hey, old man! Didn’t you hear me before…”

“Is it still available, isn't it? ” He repeated his questions in a steady tone. His breath was stabilized now.

A cunning smile slowly curved on his lips while a sly thought crossed his mind. Two prospective tenants showed up at the same time and place, doesn't it mean more money goes into his pocket?

“Well… It is, sir. Unfortunately, the price has just gone up… ”

Suddenly, a deep furrow appeared on Arissa’s face

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"Don’t we have a deal before, Sir ???" She raised her tone. Fuming by anger. The young man’s reaction was much worse. He stepped forward and grabbed Mr. Evan's collar while he yelled angrily, "What did you say, old man ??? The price wasn’t that high before? "Seeing the anger on their eyes, Mr. Evan remained calm as he chuckled mockingly."Tsk tsk tsk…what a youngster. Such a bad temper, huh? "

Jerked off, he managed to release himself from the young man’s grip instandly and tidying his crumpled shirt arrogantly, Mr. Evan gazed at the two of them. Stiff and calm like a rock mountain.

 “My offer stands. Take it or leave it. Your choice…”

Arissa took a deep breath. Shit! All these changes were beyond her expectation before. But this apartment has taken her liking so far. So, maybe ……

Her brain thinks hard for a solution when a minute later, an imaginary light bulb popped out inside her head. Meanwhile, the young man who still furious put both of his hands inside his pocket pants and walked back and forth in the room in a huff. From his restless behavior, Arissa got a hunch that he also getting into this apartment. As much as she does. Another minute passed and Mr. Evan finally breaks the silence between the three of them."So? How?""Are you kidding me?!! You raised the price twice higher than the old one! A bastard bloody moneysucker!!"The young man glared furiously at Mr. Evan and snapped harshly at him. Mr Evan just looked back at the young man while he smiled slyly as he shook his head slowly and folded his arms on his chest. Unwavering. “Shit !! Shit !! You..!!“Fucking asshole!!!"As the young man walked fast towards Mr Evans and prepared to throw some punches in his face, a voice stopped him instantly."Wait!""I agree with the price .."A big smile beamed on Mr. Evan's face. But the facial expression of the stranger has turned ugly and sour like a lost soldier. But, when he glanced at her face, she just remained calm and relax. Has she lose her mind or what?"But I have some conditions..."Without leaving a smile on his face, Mr Evans replied her shortly. "Okay ..." “There are few things I need to discuss with him. Would you please wait a moment outside, Mr Evans? "Without saying much, Mr. Evan nodded his head and stepped outside before then he closed the door slowly. Arissa quickly grabbed the stranger’s hand in front of her and pulled him inside an empty room. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………

"Let's live in together ..."

She said those words solemnly in her flat facial expression like reading a formal report.

“WHATTT???”

The young man blinked his eyes in disbelief several times at the woman in front of him as if she has gone insane. But the firm look on her eyes showed him that she was serious with what she just said before.

“I like this apartment. You also like it, right?”

“Let’s live in together so we can share the rental fee. After 1 year, we can decide whether we want to extend here or not?”

The woman glanced at him once again. Requesting for an answer from his mouth.

"How?"

The young man turned his head away. He seems to irk with this weird request but in the other hands, he should admit that everything that she said made sense too. Especially for sharing the rental fee.

It’s a win - win solution! He’s totally broke! And he is in an urge for finding a new place to stay now!

"OK. Deal… ”

The two of them shook hands as an agreement.

"But I also have a request."

The young man said those words while his hand still holding her hand warmly. He stared at her and forming a smile on his face seductively. Arissa frowned and raised her eyebrows confusedly.

 "What is it?"

"You can't fall in love with me ..."

She sneered out and a mocking smile curved on her face shortly.

"No worries. I'm an asexual after all…. ”