"Hey, Ricky," I greeted my brother in our usual manner as he sat on the sofa, engrossed in watching the news. "Hey, my sunshine, what's your plan for today?" he asked, his voice filled with the warmth and familiarity that I had grown to love. "I think I'll stay at home and work," I replied, feeling a sense of contentment wash over me. I didn't want anything to disrupt this happiness. "In that case, I'll go grocery shopping. Let's have dinner together and invite Ren over," Ricky suggested, a wide smile stretching across his face. There was a part of me that sensed something wasn't right, urging me to stop him. But I couldn't say a single word to express my concerns, and my body felt frozen in place. Ricky looked at me, his eyes filled with love, and said, "I'll be back." As the door closed behind him, I heard the screeching sound of a car followed by a deafening crash and someone's scream. In that moment, I cried out, "Don't die, Ricky. Please don't leave me alone," my voice echoing t
I'm Richard Carter, a writer for a newspaper, magazine, and web novel. I write romance novels that you may come across everywhere – stories where a guy meets a girl in a really unexpected way and they fall in love in the end. However, what I'm about to share with you is not a novel. At least, if it were a novel, it wouldn't be about me; it's about my annoying roommate. It all started four months ago when I was having a meeting with my editor at the publishing company. It was supposed to be just like any other regular meeting I had with him, discussing what to write next. While waiting for him, I found myself in the office lounge where employees were taking their coffee breaks. They offered me something to drink, but I politely declined. I decided to utilize the time to continue writing my ongoing web novel. It had garnered quite a good number of readers, and they were eagerly anticipating the next update later today. Just as I finished writing a chapter, my editor returned and invited
People call me Haze. It's not my real name, but I've never bothered to correct them. This story isn't about me anyway—it's about my annoying roommate. It all started three months ago when I was waiting in the lobby of a five-star hotel for my friend, who takes forever to get ready. The hotel was one of the finest in the city, and my friend, Ren insisted on staying there because they offered a spa room in their presidential suite. As I was waiting, I grabbed one of the newspapers from the counter. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted from a nearby café, and the cool marble floors felt refreshing beneath my feet. I rarely read newspapers, but I had nothing better to do while I waited for my friend to go shopping with me. Sinking into a plush armchair, I unfolded the paper and relished the soft rustle of the pages as I flipped through the sections. Suddenly a group of tourists began to gather in the lobby, waiting for their tour guide. I'm not fond of crowded places, which is why
As Haze confirmed that she was indeed Miss Haze, I felt a wave of relief washing over me. I couldn't contain my excitement and began babbling, "Oh, that's great! I can't believe you actually let me live here. It will really help with my writing. I'm writing about celebrities and wealthy people's lives..." But before I could finish my sentence, Haze interrupted me, her voice filled with surprise. "Wait, what did you just say?" A sense of panic started to creep in, and I repeated my question, desperately seeking clarification. "You are Miss Haze, right? The one who contacted me about my newspaper ad?" As soon as I mentioned the newspaper ad, it seemed to click in Haze's mind. She stood there, lost in thought for a moment, causing my worry to escalate. To get her attention, I cleared my throat, making my presence known. She swiftly invited me into her apartment, stating that we needed to have a long talk. At that moment, a mix of relief, anxiety, and uncertainty washed over me. Steppi
I wanted to have a conversation with Richard before things became more complicated, so I invited him to sit down with me in the living room. It seemed like he had something to say as well. Taking the lead, I began by stating, "Regarding our living arrangement, I think it's important for us to establish a few ground rules. First and foremost, let's respect each other's privacy. Our rooms, bathrooms, and offices should be separate, and we should only enter the other person's space if given permission." Richard looked at me with a convincing expression and nodded in agreement. Continuing the discussion, I added, "It's fine if you want to have guests over, but please give me advance notice. I'll do the same for you." Richard remained quiet but nodded again, signifying his acceptance of my suggestion. Then, I brought up a personal matter, saying, "Lastly, I tend to make noise during the night. It's just a part of who I am, and I hope you won't mind." I noticed Richard's surprise at this pa
As the days turned into weeks, an undeniable tension started to brew between Haze and me. Our initial interactions, filled with curiosity and amicability, had slowly given way to annoyance and frustration. One day I try to experiment with my newfound idea of meatballs, when I asked Haze about her favorite food. She always eats little and looks a little bit anemic, so I decided to secretly mix tomatoes thinking it would help her health. When I was preparing a meatball, I put a small piece of tomato inside and cover the tomato smell with some delicious meat sauce. It looked perfect on the outside that no one will suspect a thing. I was so proud and called Haze to let her know dinner is ready. I confidently presented pasta with meatballs before her when she sat. I anxiously watched her eat the first bite, at first, everything was okay, but suddenly Haze threw out the food she was eating and then found the tomato piece inside it. I was ready to be scolded, but instead, Haze went to the
As I made my way back to my apartment from the gym, my phone began to ring. It was Cain, my dear friend. I answered, "Hey Cain, what's up?" He responded, "Hey man, you never call me first, you know that?" I apologized and asked what he wanted. "Do you realize you never invited me to your new home, when most of it was thanks to me?" he jokingly remarked. It was true that I ended up living in this apartment thanks to an ad that Cain had posted on my behalf. Besides, there was no reason why I couldn't invite my friends over, so I said, "Yeah, you can come today if you're free." He agreed, telling me to send him the address, and that he would be there for lunch. Typical Cain, always moving at his own pace. Upon entering the apartment, I saw Haze pouring herself a glass of water, so I mentioned my friend's upcoming visit. "Good morning," I greeted her. She replied with a simple "Morning." "I invited my friend over today; he'll be here for lunch," I informed her. Judging by her reaction, s
After finally dragging myself out of bed, a wave of thirst hit me, prompting me to make my way to the kitchen. As I poured myself a glass of water, Richard, who had just returned from the gym, approached me and mentioned his friend's sudden visit. "Good morning," he greeted me. I mustered a simple "Morning" in response, not particularly invested in the conversation. He went on to inform me about his friend joining us for lunch, but I couldn't find it in me to care, offering a nonchalant "Okay" as my reply. Just as I was beginning to retreat into my own thoughts, my phone chimed with a message from Ren, "I will be there today, Love Ren." ending with a kissing emoji. Before Richard could head off to his room for a shower, I felt the need to inform him, "It seems like my friend will also be coming today. The housekeeper won't be here, so it looks like you'll have to cook for one more guest." With that, I made my way back to the comfort of my own room. After a refreshing shower, I settle
"Hey, Ricky," I greeted my brother in our usual manner as he sat on the sofa, engrossed in watching the news. "Hey, my sunshine, what's your plan for today?" he asked, his voice filled with the warmth and familiarity that I had grown to love. "I think I'll stay at home and work," I replied, feeling a sense of contentment wash over me. I didn't want anything to disrupt this happiness. "In that case, I'll go grocery shopping. Let's have dinner together and invite Ren over," Ricky suggested, a wide smile stretching across his face. There was a part of me that sensed something wasn't right, urging me to stop him. But I couldn't say a single word to express my concerns, and my body felt frozen in place. Ricky looked at me, his eyes filled with love, and said, "I'll be back." As the door closed behind him, I heard the screeching sound of a car followed by a deafening crash and someone's scream. In that moment, I cried out, "Don't die, Ricky. Please don't leave me alone," my voice echoing t
As I stepped into our apartment after the delightful date with Katy, a sense of calmness enveloped me. The evening had gone well, and I couldn't help but feel a growing connection with her. But a chilling scream pierced through the air, sending shivers down my spine. The sound was unmistakably Haze's voice, filled with terror and anguish. Without a second thought, I dropped everything and rushed toward her room, my heart pounding with concern. Reaching their room, my worries intensified as I found the door slightly ajar. I pushed it open gently, my worry growing with each passing second. It was unusual for Haze to leave their room unlocked, especially considering the importance they placed on personal space. There, in the dimly lit room, I saw Haze on her bed, her body trembling and tears streaming down her face. It was evident that she was having a terrible nightmare. She was crying out in her dreams, her voice filled with desperation, 'Don't die, Ricky. Please don't leave me alone.
After the Gala, I couldn't help but notice that Haze seemed busier than ever before. As if she was trying to get buried under her work to hide from something. There was a sense of urgency in her actions. She looks pale and tired, and concerned for her well-being, I often insisted that she should eat tomatoes. The fresh tomatoes from my family's farm were delivered from my home. Meanwhile, an unexpected event occurred between me and Katy. We began to grow closer, forging a friendship that surpassed my initial expectations. We found ourselves chatting regularly, engaging in lively conversations, and even talking on the phone almost every day. Katy's energy and enthusiasm were infectious, and I found comfort in her presence. Her articles, filled with captivating stories and accompanied by impressive photography, never failed to catch my interest. In fact, she even shared a few pictures from the Gala, including one where I was sitting near the bar, as well as stunning captures of Ren's ex
After the gala, I found myself buried in work, trying to catch up on all the tasks that had piled up during the event. With Ren taking a break from attending events, it meant a break for me as well. The success of Celestial Symphony had brought a wave of attention, with Katy's article capturing the essence of the gala and the presence of renowned fashion icons. Amidst the whirlwind, I stumbled upon a picture of myself from that night. It was as if I were looking at a completely different person, adorned with elegance and confidence. It reminded me of the transformative power of fashion and how it can bring out various aspects of one's personality. Interestingly, one noticeable change since the gala was Richard's attitude. He seemed to have become less persistent about me eating vegetables, perhaps understanding that everyone has their own preferences of likes and dislikes. However, his enthusiasm for tomatoes remained unchanged, still insist on them being the best fruit or vegetable,
As the night grew late and the exhaustion from dancing started to set in, Katy and I sought solace on the couch. It was a surprising connection we had formed as if we had been friends for ages. Laughter filled the air, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort in Katy's presence. As I glanced around the room, my eyes searching for any sign of Haze, Katy's voice broke through the moment. "If you're looking for Haze, I think she's already made her way home. You know how she is, always slipping out of parties without anyone noticing," she said, with a hint of admiration in her voice. I nodded, realizing that Katy seemed to understand Haze in a way I hadn't expected. "Seems like you know Haze quite well," I remarked, feeling a touch of envy creeping in. Katy giggled, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "Oh, is that a hint of jealousy I detect?" she playfully teased, clearly enjoying the effect she was having on me. Flustered, I tried to brush off the notion. "Jealous? Why would I b
Haze's dress for the gala was a breathtaking creation in a mesmerizing sky-blue hue. The gown gracefully cascaded down to the floor, exuding an air of elegance and sophistication. Its flowing silhouette accentuated Haze's slender figure, hugging her curves in all the right places. Adorned with delicate diamond embellishments, the dress shimmered and sparkled as if reflecting the starry night sky. The diamonds formed intricate patterns along the bodice, adding a touch of glamour and capturing the light with every movement. One of the most captivating features of the dress was its unique cape-like design. The ethereal fabric cascaded down from the shoulders, creating a sense of grace and mystery. The sheer material gently billowed behind Haze as she moved, adding a touch of enchantment to her every step. The dress was carefully crafted to accentuate Haze's slim waistline, drawing attention to her toned belly. It showcased her figure with grace and confidence, highlighting her natural
The music filled the air as the Gala shifted into full swing. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement and the energy of the guests. After the successful photo shoot with Ren, I found myself drawn towards the crowd, eager to experience the vibrant ambiance. Katy was approaching me with a mischievous grin. "Haze, I need to interview you and Ren about his latest collection, the 'Celestial Symphony.' It's absolutely breathtaking, and everyone is dying to know more about the inspiration behind it." Ren and I knew Katy for a while, we bumps at each other almost every event Ren brought me. So it was hard to not know her and her character is usually comfortable to be with so you can say that we are friends. I chuckled, appreciating Katy's enthusiasm. "Of course, I'd be happy to talk about Ren's incredible work. Lead the way." We made our way to a quieter corner of the venue, where Ren was surrounded by a small group of admirers. Katy cleared her throat, signaling for attention. "Ladies and ge
As we entered Ren's atelier, the room fell silent. The atmosphere was charged with awe and anticipation. All eyes were drawn to the center of the room, where the masterpiece of Ren's latest collection stood on display. The dress, with its sky-blue hue and intricate lacework, seemed to emanate an otherworldly aura. There was a collective gasp as we took in the sight. Even Richard and Cain, who were not typically prone to speechlessness, were momentarily at a loss for words. The beauty of Ren's creation had captured everyone's attention, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. Ren, with a gleam of pride in his eyes, motioned towards the changing room. He handed suits to Richard and Cain, directing them to prepare for the gala. Then, with an excited glimmer, he beckoned me closer to his working station. I approached, feeling a sense of anticipation building within me. Ren was meticulous in his craft, and I knew that his attention to detail would make the experience of wearing his
Lost in the whirlwind of my thoughts, we finally arrived at Ren's atelier—an enchanting space that seemed to blend fantasy and reality. The air was filled with the scent of creativity and anticipation. As we stepped inside, my eyes were immediately drawn to the captivating sight before me—dresses have strewn across the room like colorful brushstrokes on a canvas. Each delicate garment seemed to hold a story of its own, whispering secrets of elegance and glamour. In the center of the room stood a majestic sky-blue dress, perched upon a regal mannequin. Its fabric shimmered under the gentle glow of the room's lights, revealing a breathtaking symphony of hues that danced gracefully with every movement. It was a creation that seemed to transcend the boundaries of mere clothing, exuding an aura of otherworldly beauty. Ren, with his characteristic swiftness, handed me and Cain suits befitting the occasion. His gestures were fluid and graceful, guiding us towards a secluded corner adorned w