Chapter 142
Sometimes, a swift cut was the best way to untangle a mess.
I hoped Brandon would be the blade that would help me sever my ties with Chris.
After hanging up on Gordon, I continued organizing my trinkets and tidying up the house. Brandon had neatly folded the pink blanket he used last night and placed it on the bed.
An image of Brandon using that small pink blanket made me laugh.
Life was full of hardships, but it also had its occasional, unexpected joys.
Although Gordon’s news should have made me anxious, I didn’t let it bother me. I was surprisingly calm and composed, waiting for the termination call from my new employer.
However, I managed to clean my little apartment, tidy up all the comers, and even tended to the flowers on the balcony, but my phone remained silent.
Finally, I brewed a pot of tea and sat on the rocking chair on the balcony to read. Then I heard voices from below.
I leaned over to see a few people delivering furniture and two movers.
They were smoking and chatting and a few minutes later, I saw the landlady arrive on her electric tricycle.
I understood then. It was furniture for the new tenant
Thinking about the new male neighbor, especially after last night’s incident with my date, I suddenly felt it might not be bad to have a man living next door. If I ever found myself in danger again, I could knock on his door for help.
With that thought, I smiled and returned to my book and tea, until I heard a knock on my door.
I opened it to find the landlady who smiled apologetically as she said, “Maddie, I’m really sorry.
She was expressing her regret for not being able to help me negotiate the rent.
I smiled back. “It’s alright.”
Looking at the open door across the hall and the newly placed furniture, I asked, “When will the new neighbor move in?”
“Today,” the landlady replied while shaking her head. “He said he wasn’t in a hurry, but early this morning he called and insisted on moving in today. He asked me to have everything ready.”
I nodded and responded casually, “In such a hurry, huh?”
The landlady sighed, “Young people’s minds are hard to understand. But he seems like a good guy. You! don’t need to worry. I’ve told him to be a good neighbor.”
I laughed. “I’ll try my best to get along with the new neighbor.”
“By the w
way, Maddie, do you have a mop? I was in such a rush that I forgot to bring one. I want to mop the floor before handing over the keys,” the landlady said in an embarrassed tone.
“Sure, I’ll get it for you.” I went to the bathroom to fetch the mop. When I returned, the landlady was on the phone inside her apartment.
I took the mop to the new neighbor’s place. The room had been simply painted white. There was a new bed and a desk with a bookshelf,
2/2
The landlady finished her call and came over to thank me and explained, “This young man didn’t mind the old furniture except for the bed and bookshelf. Look at that bed. Doesn’t it look fine? Well, he insisted on replacing it.”
She added while shaking her head, “He wouldn’t take no for an answer, so he paid for it himself.”
I didn’t comment. I just glanced around briefly, then excused myself and returned to my apartment.
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