Page 22 of My Ruthless Neighbor

“Ignore these jerks, there’s a cool open-air restaurant with waterfalls here. Let’s go grab a bite.”

At her suggestion, I slowly look at her. I don’t know why Hannah is being nice to me. But I feel utterly grateful. My lips lift in a smile before I nod.

Looping her arm with mine, she begins walking in the opposite direction of the atrium. A few steps after she stops. “Get Summer’s luggage to her room, will you?” She throws the words presumably at Raleigh before walking out of the atrium with me.

At that exact moment, I wished Hannah would marry my idiot friend for real. Because she is a keeper.

Chapter Six

Two days later…

“Iam almost at my apartment building, Raleigh. If you don’t call me back in 10 minutes I’m coming over.” I hang up and slip the phone into the back pocket of my green high-waisted shorts.

It’s almost eight in the morning. Raleigh and I landed in Los Angeles about an hour ago.

I didn’t want to leave his side but he insisted to be left alone. The last thing I wanted was to crowd him. And I guess my presence would’ve done just that. So I get where he is coming from. But I told him to give me a call once he’s home. He didn’t. And I am worried sick.

He was supposed to get married yesterday. They both had made a deal to get married purely for business but Raleigh fell in love. He was going to confess his feelings after the wedding ceremony but Hannah didn’t give him a chance. She said she couldn’t deceive the people she cared about any longer and left.

To say Archer was shocked would be an understatement of the century. When Hannah and Raleigh were having a confrontation, Archer and I were close enough to hear everything.

From his stunned expression, I gathered that unlike me, he was in the dark this whole time. They didn’t tell him about the fake engagement.

My heart ached for Archer. He was played by his two friends. After I learned from Raleigh about how much he despises liars, I knew this would happen one day. I definitely never imagined something like this.

That day, I witnessed Archer’s hurt. He was close to Hannah. So much so, that he was her bridesman. He looked devastatingly handsome in a pale pink tuxedo.

I heard his trust shattering the moment he heard about the fake engagement. When he left the venue, I almost ran after him. I wanted to console him. But I didn’t. He calls me a little liar. I doubt he would’ve appreciated my company of all people.

Archer packed his bags and left before everyone. Hannah left shortly after. We left in the night with the rest of the staff.

For the first time in my life, I had a glimpse of hope in my best friend’s eyes. Hope for a new beginning. Hope for dreaming about a happy ending. He chose to be brave. To love someone.

After what we’ve been through, I never thought Raleigh had any feelings left inside of him. Turns out, he had. Or maybe Hannah’s love changed him.

Yes, Hannah loves him. I am sure of it. I saw jealousy in her eyes a couple of times when Raleigh and I were together. The emotions brimming in her eyes were because she loves him.

One way or another, I am going to meddle until they get back together. My best friend and Hannah deserve a happy ending.

With that positive thought, I jump inside the elevator and punch the button to my floor.

When the door opens to my floor, I get a sick feeling in my stomach. I wheel my trolly out of the elevator.

The elevator door shuts with an ominous boom, further adding to my uneasiness.

The queasy feeling spirals out of control as I walk down the hallway. Fishing out the keys from my handbag, I look up. My heart slams in my chest.

The door to my apartment is wide open. A chill runs down my spine. The handbag that was slung over my shoulder slips down my stiff shoulder and falls on the floor.

Someone broke into my apartment. I have no valuables but my laptop is in there. I’m still paying its EMI. If they stole it, I might have a stroke.

I catch a glimpse of a figure and back away. They’re still in there. My pulse jumps.

They didn’t leave. It means there’s a chance I can still fight and save my laptop. I am not sure whether the person is a man or a woman. But I think I am going to find out soon. I can’t let this jerk waltz in and steal the things I spent my hard-earned money on.

I’d rather die trying to beat the burglar’s ass than run away like a coward.

I crouch down and fumble with my purse for the pepper spray but find a half-eaten apple. Damn. How old is this shit? Whatever. I can just hurl this at their head to catch them off-guard. That’ll give me enough time to spray their eyes and push them out of my apartment.

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