Rising From the Ashes

I felt an existential crisis as I stared at the familiar golden doors of Nox Suites.

My online boyfriend of two years… was living at this premium residence too?

Nope. Let's try again.

So I dragged my heavy suitcase along in my attempt to get the GPS navigation to recalibrate under the scorching sun.

But after trying twice, I still returned to Nox Suites.

My phone then vibrated again.

It was a text message from Breaker, my online boyfriend.

[Have you arrived, babe? Your location shows that you're walking circles around the place.]

My heart skipped a beat.

I couldn't just say I had been kicked out by my ex-showmance partner and was no better than homeless.

Gritting my teeth, I replied: [It's such a big place. Can't find the doors.]

Breaker replied right then: [Haha. Just ask the guard for a temp card. I'll come pick you up.]

I took a deep breath and decided I should go in for now.

Who knew? Maybe the GPS navigation was just wrong, and he was living in another apartment nearby.

As I swiped the card and entered the lobby, I shuddered as the air-conditioning hit me head-on.

Then, as I reached the elevators, I saw a towering figure standing in front of the metallic doors.

It was Stan, wearing shades and his latest Gucci shirt, his very presence forbidding.

He was staring at his phone screen, a rare soft smile on his face that I had never seen despite being his showmance partner for six months.

I slowed down before I knew it, not wanting trouble.

However, as the elevator doors opened and he looked up, he saw me right then and his smile faded completely.

Suddenly, he was frowning with undisguised disgust as he demanded, "You're still here? Where's security? Are they really letting strays barge inside now?"

I fought back the grief inside, my fingers clenching on my suitcase handle. "I'm looking for a friend, not you."

He chuckled coolly like I was joking. "Yeah, keep lying—a nobody like you with no connections, being friends with an owner here? You followed me all the way to the elevator. What, are you going to tell me you've decided to climb into my bed next?"

Shaking with rage, I whipped out my phone and snapped, "I really have a friend staying here! Just look at this if you don't believe me!"

But just as I lit up the screen to prove my innocence, it flickered and went completely black from the heat and sweat.

As it turned completely unresponsive, Stan narrowed his eyes further at it, his displeasure growing.

"Yeah, keep pretending! You're really putting on quite a show. How disgusting that you'd stoop to such cheap tricks!"

Whipping out his phone, he called the manager. "It's me. Yes, a stalker followed me into the apartment. I'm being disturbed outside the elevator as we speak. Get her out of here right now!"

Even as my heart sank, two burly security guards advanced on me menacingly in just two minutes.

Refusing to listen to me, they grabbed my arms and dragged me outside.

"Let me go! I'm really going to meet someone!"

Naturally, my struggle was futile against their brute strength as I was violently shoved outside the front door.

My suitcases tumbled down the steps, its zipper bursting open and sending my clothes strewn all over once more.

The security guards dusted their hands while warning me coldly, "Mess with Mr. Herbert again, and you will end up in lock-up!"

As I lay sprawled miserably on the ground, my tears finally welled up in my eyes.