CHAPTER 3: MY HOT NEIGHBOR

August’s parents decided to spend the weekend at her apartment before her admission date. Her

parents did all the efforts of finding an apartment online, one that is near the university for her not to

commute everyday. Her parents immediately paid for the deposit and advance after talking to the

building owner and made arrangements to check the apartment the very next day.

She wasn't able to check the place with them because she had to finish tutoring some students that

weekend after learning that she got accepted at Pearsons University!

The apartment is only walking distance from the University so it was a really good find. It's a six-storey

building and she got the first unit at the top floor near the fire exit, the elevators and stairs. It is a one

bedroom apartment with balcony and elevators.

Her parents did all the furniture shopping for her apartment while she was spending the last days of her

vacation, tutoring students in their neighborhood. They bought her a new bed and couch. The rest were

already available at the apartment like basic appliances. She's so overwhelmed with what they bought

while she was talking to them on video call, a cart full of toiletries and kitchenwares. She told not to

spend too much she's living alone anyway but her father assured her that it's alright.

“It's like your mom and I just got married and did the furniture shopping all over again! Only this time,

we had the money to spend!" Her father joked, clearly enjoying what they're doing for her.

And so when she finally went to the apartment with them for the first time the weekend before her

admission to the University, she couldn't contain her excitement seeing how nice her apartment is.

The walls and built in cabinets are painted white. Everything else is based on her favorite blush pink

palette, from the curtains, sheets and pillow cases. It looked like her parents decorated it the same way

her room looked back in their house.

She smiled and thought. It felt like I didn’t move away from home to study at Pearsons University. This

still makes me feel like I’m home. This belongs to .

Her mother even put their framed family photos on a shelf. Photos from when they were traveling since

she was a kid.

"I like this!" She points at the framed photo where they went skiing in Japan.

"You're such a clumsy kid." Her mother remembered.

"But I'm smart. Just clumsy." She hugged them as they all looked at the framed photos, remembering

memories. In each of them.

“This one was when you left your favorite blanket in the airport!” Her father pointed their framed photo

in the airport where she her eyes were swollen because of crying.

“I was only nine that time!” She snorted and they all laughed together.

••••••

August's parents had to leave the next day since her mother needs to take the night shift for her

colleague who had to skip work. She slept early last night so she'd be able to wake up early and go to

the University Brew & Coffee shop to meet with Henry Gibbs, the manager she's talked to about

working part-time before she goes to the admission office at eleven.

She woke up with a smile on her face. She prepared herself a cup of coffee and went straight to the

balcony to feel the sun's rays on her skin, the best way to start her day!

She closed her eyes as she sips on her coffee. She smiled widely after taking a deep breath. "What a

good morning!" She exclaimed, feeling so positive and excited about the next days to come! She

watched people, mostly students walking on the streets, heading to the university while a few shops

are opening up.

Then she heard the door opening from the balcony next door and a person stepped out. Her eyes

widened, she could feel her face turning red as she realized what she's looking at.

The guy is only wearing his black silk pajamas without his top, exposing his chiseled abs while holding

a cup of coffee and a book in his other hand.

Wait! That book is…familiar.

He cleared his throat rather loudly and it made her look at his face. He doesn’t seem happy seeing her

and on how she stared at his half-naked body because he’s glaring at her again, the same way he did

on the day of her interview!

"Good morning?" She smiled nervously as the silence gets awkward. She then realized that she's only

wearing her loose blush pink, silk camisole set with lace trim. On impulse, she used her arms to cover

her body, not remembering that she’s holding a cup of hot coffee. “Ouch! Ouch!” She rushed back

inside her apartment and went straight to the get some ice for her. Her eyes were teary as she rubs the

ice on her arm.

Damn! We're neighbors?!