Chapter 4: Move In

RIA POV

I got out of the online taxi that drove me right in front of the house.

Reaching into my pocket, I took out the new fence key and immediately unlocked it.

Yesterday when I told Trisha I was going to rent this house she immediately replaced the locks with the new one.

I went inside, the taxi driver who helped carry my stuff also followed me behind.

"Oohh... Now the one who lives here, this beautiful Miss, yes?" He said it casually and look around the house.

"Yes, sir.” I answered him politely

He put my two suitcases on the terrace floor and his face suddenly became a bit uncomfortable.

"Oohh, is that so... Miss, this is all the luggage, right?"

I nodded, "Yes sir. Thank you." I answered.

"You're welcome. I- eh.. I just want to kindly remind you to be careful. I mean... this neighborhood is so quiet, so there can be lots of thieves or some bad guys, if you know what I mean..." He smiled awkwardly while scratching the back of his neck.

“You should try to move in together with one or two more of your friends..”

I smiled at the suggestion.

It's worth considering, calculating if I can bring my friends later to rent here, the cost will be even lower...

After that, he left in a hurry. Like almost running.

I shrugged, maybe he need to go to the toilet? I thought...

Unlocking the door, I turned the knob after taking a deep breath.

Here we go...

I stepped inside while imagining how much I had to clean and rearrange things inside.

It's true that yesterday looked cleaner than I imagined if this house was empty for two years.

But still, I have to dust off all the corners, and open all the furniture covers.

Maybe, I'll clean the room that I use a lot first.

Besides, this house is too big for me alone, if I open all the furniture covers...

What?

I finally stopped on the fifth step while carrying my two suitcases.

Looking around, I pause for a moment of silent, tried to remember the situation from yesterday.

The white cloth covering the furniture has been removed.

Everything is neat and clean, even the floor looks like it's been mopped.

I took my steps slowly while looking around...

Wow.... I thought I would be busy covered in sweat dan dust today.

Ah yes, I just remembered.

Trisha had told me that she would call a cleaning service, so this place would be ready before I came. Looks like they came this morning and have finished their work.

I quickly reached into my cell phone in my pocket and checked the time.

It's two in the afternoon...

No wonder.

"Great!" I smiled widely and jogged happily towards the stairs to the second floor.

The staircase is circular with steps covered in anti-slip maroon carpet.

With great difficulty I tried to lift my two suitcases.

Undoubtedly stupid, I was too excited.

"Sorry, you should stay here for a while..." I tapped the suitcase in my left hand and went up with one suitcase on my right and a backpack on my back.

Get use to it, I often talk alone. I always do this to get rid of my loneliness. At least I'm trying to fool my own brain that I'm speaking to someone.

I walked casually to the master bedroom and opened the door.

Somehow, I felt like someone was watching me from the left side of my eye.

I turned quickly...

Of course, no one...

Stupid mind.

However, the door to the next room was ajar...

I frowned.

Tsk, it must those who were cleaning earlier left it that way. I’ll check it later.

Ok, let's go inside this one. I stepped my foot inside while thinking…

….I'll take a nap and then later, I'll go grocery shopping at the supermarket nearby.

I dragged this rather heavy suitcase and closed the door.

I almost jumped because I was startled by the loud banging of the door.

God grief!

I didn't slam the door, did I? Why is it so loud?

I patted my chest to calm myself down.

What the hell?

I turned to open the door again and closed it slowly.

See? It wasn't as loud as before.

Not even a sound at all. Just a click sound from the lock

Tsk. Maybe the old house effect, never mind...

Okay... I turned around and put away my suitcase in the middle of the room.

Woah…I didn't realize that mirror yesterday. Maybe because it's covered in the white cloth too.

A rectangular mirror stands in the corner of the room right next to the window. The mirror was quite tall, even taller than me.

I nodded satisfied looking at the mirror.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror, casually combing my slightly messy looking hair, that's when I noticed, the door behind me was slightly ajar.

I stopped combing and my heart beat fast.

I quickly looked back to make sure.

Right. The door was ajar.

Didn't I close it earlier? I believe I had closed it tightly until I heard the click.

I walked back to the door and closed it again.

Maybe I remember it wrong. Usually we often feel we have done something but the reality is we haven't.

Is not it?

I shook my head slowly trying to get rid of the negative thoughts that were starting to come to me.

I have to admit this house is comfortable, the air in this environment is cool, even though the location is in the city center. Maybe because a lot of trees are planted in the yard and around this neighborhood.

I like this house because of the big glass windows, so it is cheerful and bright inside.

I noticed it today, because all the window blinds were drawn. Made the atmosphere more lively.

I smiled as I looked out the window at the courtyard below. How lucky I am, everything seems to be going smoothly...

Now I should rest and sleep.

Without bother to change my clothes, I immediately climbed into the soft bed and lay down staring at the ceiling.

Before actually falling asleep, I had time to think once again.

After I took a look from the design and color of the room decorations, it seemed that the one who lived in this house before me must be a man…

***

I woke up hearing the sound of running water.

Not too close, but not far either.

I opened my eyes and stretched lazily.

I squinted because of the incoming light.

The room light is on. I looked at the window and it was already dark outside.

How long was my ‘quick’ nap, actually?

I quickly got out of bed and pulled the curtain to close it.

Hm, It’s not raining… Then why did I hear the sound of running water?

I paused for a moment and tried to listen again.

Sure enough, I could hear the sound of the water, which turned out to be coming from behind the door over there.

Bathroom. That's the bathroom.

If water was heard from the bathroom, someone was must be using the bathroom, at least they are taking a bath in it.

Who the hell sneaked in and took a shower?

Shit.

I walked slowly towards the bathroom with my heart beating fast.

Trisha says this is an old house. There are many things that need to be fixed, that's why the rent cost is cheap...

Leaking roof, peeling walls, or maybe....

I reached the bathroom door and held the knob while holding my breath.

….I have to replace the water faucet that was broken….

With a quick movement I opened the door and prepared with what I saw inside.

My heart almost exploded. But I saw no one. The light was on, so I can see clearly that the water tap was off, but the water flow from it.

I let out the breath I'd been holding and lowered my alert level.

Pinching my nose between my foreheads, I looked down and shook my head.

"I'll have to change that later..."

Because it's still awkward. I decided to take a shower after coming home from shopping.

It was getting dark but still not too late to go out. So, I decided to go to a bigger shopping center 10 minutes away from home.

Shop to stock up on food for the week ahead. I pushed my cart towards the meat section and thought of buying some meat, buying the cheapest one won't make the bill go up, right?

At least I eat meat even a little.

wait a minute..

Tsk, I forgot to check on the refrigerator.

Has it been cleaned?

No. More precisely, is there a refrigerator in the house?.

There should be. Trisha had already sent someone to clean the house, she wouldn't forget that one.

Just as I remembered Trisha, my phone rang.

It's her. Good, I'll asked her about the refrigerator.

"Hello?"

"Ria darling, have you moved in yet?" she asked from across the phone.

"Yeah, this afternoon. Thanks for sending people to clean up Trisha. I felt comfortable and went straight for a nap..." I admitted with a smile and still look here and there for the cheapest meat I was looking for.

"What...?" she asked again

"Thank you for sending people to clean up." I repeated.

"Oh yeah, it seems you're right. I have to change the water faucet. The faucet turns on and off by itself. Also, is there a fridge in the house? I forget and haven't checked the kitchen yet..." I spoke quickly, wanting to get to the point. .

"What... Darling, what are you talking about?"

"Refrigerator?" I'm not sure. She didn't catch that?

"N-no..."

"Ohh..water faucet?" I asked her again.

Aha, I got the cheapest meat.

"No.. Ria, you see... I haven't sent anyone to clean up yet. Well, I already called them, but their schedule is full today and they can only come tomorrow. I forgot to tell you, this morning..."

This time, my heart started beating fast.

I almost dropped a pack of meat that was in my hand.