A manwhore next-door

~Zara POV~

Two years later

“It’s two bedrooms. The kitchen's small but works. There’s a study… kind of. And the garden’s quiet,” Kaden said, spinning with a grin. 

I was already walking the space. Dust everywhere. Broken chair in the corner. Peeling paint. Didn’t matter. I could fix this. I’d fixed worse.

“Thank you, Kaddy,” I whispered. My voice shook. Two years of running. Two years of hiding. And finally… a place.

“Don’t get soft on me,” Kaden laughed, wiping her eyes before I could. “College days, remember? You’d have left me behind if I cried.”

I hugged her hard. She was the girl I barely talked to back then. Quiet. Fierce. Loyal. Who knew she’d be the one to move mountains for me?

“You’re an angel,” I said into her shoulder.

“Old angel,” she pried away, laughing through tears. “House is solid. Neighborhood’s quiet. Exactly what you wanted.” She picked up a dead bird off the windowsill and tossed it outside like it was nothing. The place hadn’t been lived in for years.

“It needs work,” she said, kicking a broken chair. “I can call Andy. He’s good with…”

“I’ve got it,” I cut in. My field. My hands. Fixing things was the only thing I was good at anyway.

“You sure?” Kaden frowned. “It’s kinda...”

“I’m sure.” I smiled. “You’ve done enough. Let me do this part.”

“Stubborn bird,” she muttered. “Fine. My restaurant’s downtown. Left side. Come by tomorrow.”

I hugged her again. She stiffened halfway. “Actually… Ivy can stay with me until you settle. Until…”

“No,” I said quickly. Too quickly. “You have the restaurant. I’ve taken enough.”

“Oh, right.” She snapped her fingers. “Shoot, I’m late. See you tomorrow. Call me if you need anything.”

And just like that, she was gone. Silence dropped over the house. Dark. Heavy. The trip had drained me. I started hauling broken wood out. Tossing dead birds. Breathing in dust and old air.

“Mommy Look!” Ivy thundered down the stairs, clutching a dusty stuffed penguin.

“Put that down,” I said, snatching it. She pouted. I softened. “Come on. Let’s see your room.”

Upstairs. First door on the right. Small. Cozy. Not as filthy as downstairs.

“Do you like it, sweetie?” I moved to the window, and pushed the curtain aside. New town. New neighbors. New start.

Then I froze.

Next door. Upstairs window. Curtains wide open. Light on.

A man. Tall. Broad shoulders. Naked. Two women with him. Also naked. One bent over a desk while he slammed into her from behind, hand cracking her ass. The other woman had her hands all over him, his mouth on her chest. Moans. Curses. No shame.

He turned. Our eyes locked for half a second.

I dropped the curtain like it burned me.

“How shameless,” I hissed. My pulse spiked. “Who has sex in an open window?”

“Disgusting,” I muttered.

“Mommy? What’s wrong?” Ivy tugged my sleeve, trying to peek.

I scooped her up fast. “Nothing, baby. Let’s see your room.” No way she was seeing that.

-------

Next morning, the first thing I did was rush to Kaden’s restaurant. A few blocks away. Quiet streets. I avoided looking at the neighbor’s house. That manwhore could rot.

Kaden was already there, mopping the floor before opening.

“Look at you,” she squealed. “Skin glowing. Tell me your secrets.”

I touched my short blonde hair. Cut it after Wilson. Dyed it to feel like someone new. “There’s no secret. Just… survival.”

“You don’t have to clean,” Kaden said, but I was already wiping tables.

“It’s the least I can do before….” I hesitated. “Before I set up the agency. You said you knew a space?”

Kaden stopped mopping. “I do. But Zara… about the house. I know it’s not great, but…”

“I can’t stay there,” I blurted. “Not with Ivy. Not with… that pervert next door.” My face burned saying it.

“Ah. Chance,” Kaden chuckled. “Yeah. Single guy. Lives alone. Total manwhore.”

“He’s vile,” I spat. “Sinful. Disgusting. I don’t have words…”

“Chill, baby girl. Breathe” Kaden laughed. “Chance is… different. But he’s a good man. I promise.”

“He’s shameless,” I snapped.

“Say that louder,” a deep voice said from the door.

My heart dropped.

He walked in. Wearing joggers attire. Bare chest under an unzipped hoodie. Phone in one hand, earbuds dangling from the other. Same man from the window. Sandalwood hit me first. Then his eyes.

He grinned at Kaden, and pulled her into a hug. “Morning, beautiful.”

“Hey playboy,” Kaden said with giggles as she hugged him back. He only grinned more, then he looked at me. Slow. Dark. Amused.

“Hello there, beautiful lady.”