So why is my hot neighbour asking for sugar at twelve midnight?.
The first thing Ashley noticed about Springfield was the quiet after years of living in city apartments, with paper thinwalls, toddlers that sounded like elephant upstairs, and at least five angry couple per building - yet it felt peaceful, just like the kind of still that seeped into your very marrow, a voice whispered to her ears' you can start over here'. She just needed that.
After her breakup, it had been so messy, not usually the dramatic one of crying and begging, but, just the quiet unraveling of two people who forgot how to speak to each other without tiptoeing. On both sides, the chemistry was fading, it wasn't as toxic as a fresh relationship was... Damien discovered he needed to find someone who shared the same interest as he does....and Ashley knew she didn't fit into his life properly... just felt out of place. Owing to the fact that she was dating a popular athlete most people felt she wasn't up to standard and some gossiped about her leaching off from Damien's wealth .
At first, she didn't cry, but when she was packed her belongings, she realized that she didn't have much things belonging to her, just her free lance job as a tech Designer, wasn't enough to be compared to Damien's success.
So... when an ad popped up for a rent controlled unit in Springfield, a one room apartment, with bay windows and clawed foot tubs, she emailed an application before finishing her coffee.
Now here she was, in her apartment, 11d, a little scuffed, and a little dusty, but hers. The first week passed in a blur of unpacking, eating takeouts, wrapping up some designs for some clients...fueled by insomnia,yet she felt safe... from the world and the likes of Damien .
It was the eighth night, when an unexpected knock came at exactly twelve midnight sharp . Ashley blinked at the door, like it had personally offended her, rubbing her eyes, she shuffed from her small sized bed and peeked through the peephole, a man stood there, tall, dressed in black, his hair was coral black too, straight and slightly tuzzled like he just stepped out of a runway. But what really got Ashley was his blue eyes, it was intense....she opened the door after taking some cautious steps.
" Ummm hi..." She could manage to say.
The man gave her a soft smile. " Good evening...I hope I'm not intruding?" . He asked politely. Just then, something in Ashley just snapped , as soon as she heard the word" intruding?". Oh right.
" You are knocking at my door at twelve midnight, so I feel like intruding is kinda baked in fair". Ashley said utterly unfazed, nor scared,strangely his presence was a bit comforting, wearing a wonder woman pajamas, she sure looked stupid but, she cared less.
" My name is Lucian Kaiser, I live in apartment 11c, I was wondering if you had any sugar for tea". Ashley blinked several times, Lucian titled his head.
" It's an urgent craving...". He added and Ashley stared at him from some seconds. The man said look dangerous, but some one who.woulf cry during nature documentaries.
With a sigh, Ashley stepped aside" Fine. Come in but just so we are clear, if you are a murderer, I'm going to haunt you so hard." Her tone laced with seriousness, and a playful nature of hers. A part of her was screaming not to let him in...but just staring at his eyes, and that sincere smile of his..her heart got the better of her.
" Understood".
The kitchen was still half unpacked and Ashley prayed that Lucian wouldn't notice, the sink full of dishes, or the box labelled potato pancakes. She ruminated through her cabinet and found a jar of sugar.
" I don't even have tea". Ashley muttered.
" Coffee is acceptable ". Lucian replied watching her with a quiet amusement. Ashley handed over the sugar, her fingers brushing Lucian's skin, which was ice cold, making Ashley to flinch.
" Woah, are you sick"?.. Lucian smile didn't waver.." Always". Ashley rolled her eyes, weird answer but somehow, not creepy.
" Well enjoy your sugar, and next time, try normal hours". Will there ever be a next time??... Her tone came out in a bit of warning.
" Of course". Lucian said smoothly. " Good night Miss Ashley Garnett".
Ashley blinked, utterly surprised." How do you...". But Lucian was already out of the door.