Freddy arrives home from her lectures to find her landlord standing at the pavement in front of the apartment. Is it time for inspection already? Surely, not. She had only moved in a week ago.
As if sensing her presence, he turns toward her and gives blinding smile, making him look ten years younger. "Good evening, Miss Rothart. Did you have a pleasant day?"
Something wonderful must have happened, she thought. "Good evening, Mr Ross. The day's been going well. How are you?"
"I'm doing great." He grins, displaying a set of pearly white teeth.
"That's good to hear," she says with a polite smile, not that she believes him one bit. With messy chestnut hair and dark circle under his bloodshot eyes, it is clear that he is extremely stressed and did not get much sleep. "Is there anything I can help you?"
He shakes his head, "No, no! I'm just waiting for the new tenant to arrive. He said he'll be here around the evening for a tour."
Oh, a new resident. That is unexpected.
Mr Ross fidgets with his hands before glancing at her, "Umm... Miss Rothart, how is your stay? Is everything... comfortable?"
She stares at him in the eyes. Both of them know what he implies from the question. "It's great. All is well. No problem... so far."
"That's good to hear," he nods, rocking his feet back at forth. "I hope you can get along with him. He said he plans to stay for a long time."
"Which apartment is he renting?"
"Apartment 202, next to yours."
She freezes. Of all the room, why choose the one closest to her?
"He's an eccentric sort." He chuckles awkwardly, placing both hands in his pocket. "He said he wants no other room but that one."
Her brows crease. The term weirdo appears in her head.
"Ah, there he is." He waves at the person behind her.
She turns her head to get a good look at her new neighbour and does a double-take. The sun has dipped under the horizon, but she can clearly see the figure.
That tall, slim stature! That wavy blond hair!
Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no.
She grips her landlord's arm quickly and whispers, "Mr Ross, do you know who he is?"
He gives her a confident smile, "Of course, I know. I see you realise it too."
He knew, and yet, he has no qualm putting the vampire next to her apartment. She never pegs her Mr Ross as a heartless man.
"He's Aubert Ashwell. The famous playwright for many theatres in Port Vyren." Mr Ross continues proudly.
He has no idea at all!
"That's not it," she hisses, "He's actually --"
"Good evening, Mr Ross. It's great seeing you again, Miss Federica."
Turning around, she finds him standing right behind her. The look he gives tells her not to say another word, or she will regret it.
"Oh, I didn't know you two knew each other." Mr Ross coughs, studying the two of them.
Aubert chuckles, "She's the reason I decided to move here. I want it to be a surprise, but it seems she found out." He places a hand on her shoulder and gives it a light squeeze. Her whole body tenses up.
"I see. That would explain why you insist on choosing the room next to hers." Mr Ross nods. "If that is the case, why don't both of you go and take a look at the apartment?"
She stares at him with wide eyes, "Are you not coming?"
"Oh, there's no need for me to go in there. After all, you're more familiar with the apartment than me," he chuckles nervously.
Coward!
"If that's the case, we'll go ahead," Aubert said, pushing her back gently.
"Alright. I'll just wait out here." Mr Ross waves, showing a carefree expression.
The walk to Apartment 202 is quiet save for the consistent sounds of their footsteps. From her peripheral, Federica sees him glancing at her, occasionally opening his mouth before hesitating and shutting them. They reach their destination within a few minutes, but to her, it feels like an eternity.
Aubert opens the door in one smooth movement and gestures for her to enter.
"No, thanks. I'll stay here. You go ahead," she said. The thought of being in a room with him again makes her shudders.
A light push on her back causes her to stumble into the apartment. Before she has a chance to turn around, the door is closed, blanketing her in darkness. At the sight of a pair of familiar red, glowing eyes, she pauses. The hands beside her clench into fists in preparation for a fight or flight situation.
The silence is broken by a soft chuckle before the lights are turned on. She jumps at the proximity of him to her.
"I'm so happy to finally move in next to you," he grabs her hands in his and swings them up and down excitedly. The smile he gives her is accompanied by a slight flush on his cheeks.
Flabbergasted by the sudden shift in personality, she stands there quietly with a raised eyebrow while he cheers in delight.
"I really want this to be a surprise, you know. But I guess it can't be helped." He sighs, placing a hand on his cheek.
What's going on? Why is he acting so... informal? Is he the same person she met a week ago?
"Hmm, why are you showing me that face?" he asks.
"What face?"
"Like you don't want me here," he said. "As if you're weirded out by something."
Bingo! You hit the nail on the head.
She gives him a polite smile, "Nonsense. I just have something on my mind, that's all."
"Oh, pray tell, what are you thinking, then?" He stares at her with narrowed eyes and pouty lips.
She creases her brow and lowers her voice, "I mean, it's not something that I should divulge but I thought you should know since you are considering to stay for a long time. The thing is..."
"Yes?" he looks at her, eyes shining with curiosity.
She lowers her head, hiding the smirk that makes its way to her lips. Sorry, Mr Ross. This is one tenant I cannot accept.
"Well, this apartment is haunted." She pauses for dramatic effect. "The previous residents all moved out because a lot of strange things happened. Some even suffered from hysteria."
Aubert takes a step back. His eyes wide and a hand covers his mouth. "My God."
"I think it's best for you to --"
"This is great!" He laughs. "Oh, I'm going to love it here. To think there's such an amazing experience right under my nose."
What?
"This can be the inspiration for my next script!" He grabs her by the shoulder and gives her a light shake, "I knew you are a good egg when we met. We're going to get along well."
No, this is not what she wants.
"I'm going to tell Mr Ross I'm taking this place," he said and disappears out the door.
Federica grabs the sides of her head and groans. What has she done?