CHAPTER 5

"Do you live here?", I asked.He stuffed his phone into his pockets."Yes. I live here. It is a surprise you know. You are my neighbor now. I can't believe they fixed you up here", he said.I saw the way his eyes raked my body slowly. I became aware of the fact that I was wearing a skimpy night dress with a robe draped over my shoulders. I quickly covered my body with the robe. Fuck... this is embarrassing.He cleared his throat."Nice to have a new neighbor around. It gets lonely here, being the only person occupying 31b floor. We have other neighbors but they are behind us, occupying 31a and 31c",he said.I smiled. Not like I wanted to, he practically just saw my body. I should have worn the robe before stepping out."That's good to know. I am not the type who likes mixing up. I prefer my own space better and stay out of trouble as much as I can."He chuckled,"I know right. People can be mean", he said, flashing me a pair of dazzling white teeth.I blushed instantly,"I should be going, I need to dump this into the trash bin", I said, excusing myself."I don't mean to sound rude ,but you act more like a... daddy's girl", he said.I halted on my steps, clutching the trash bag tightly. The tone of his voice when he said 'daddy's girl'. I quickly turned around, staring at him with a look of shock on my face."How did you...?",I pressed my lips together. It's not possible, he doesn't look like Uncle Ryan neither does he know who I am,"... I mean, I am not a daddy's girl. I am just an ordinary girl who..."He smiled,"Apartments here are quite expensive. You said you were looking for a job,I was expecting that you would be getting in a cheaper one. The rent is a whopping $6000.

How are you gonna keep up with it?",he asked.I moved lose strands of my thick curly hair off my face and behind my ear. "I will manage,I am looking for a job and I think very soon,I will be getting one",I said."Really?...",he approached me,"... what if I offer you a job?. Would that be fine?",he asked.I raised a brow, staring at him skeptically."What kind of job are you willing to offer?",i asked.He stood in front of me. I am a tall lady, but Jake was way taller and it was terrifying in a way to have him standing this close to me. I gulped."Tomorrow Evening,I will take you to my workshop. I will fix you up in a department. From there, we will know what you are able to do with your hands", he said, giving me a smile.I was a bit wary of his offer.

Something is off about this guy. Why does he want to offer me a job all of a sudden?."Sorry... What sort of work are you into asides being a travel essayist?",i asked.He tucked a free hand into his pocket."I am into program and project management. We help people achieve their project goals and I am also into financial management", he replied.I was pleased and interested immediately.

His blue eyes gleaming as he spoke."That's really good! You are into a lot of things", I said."Yeah and I wouldn't mind offering you are job. I am sure, you are capable of doing it better", he said.I smiled, what a smooth guy."Thank you for wanting to help me, I appreciate. So tomorrow evening, right?", I asked."Sure...",he took out a card from his breast pocket. He handed it to me,"... if you've thought about it, call me around 8pm tomorrow", he said.

I collected it, staring at the red colored piece."Definitely, I will", I said.He walked pass me, strutting towards the elevator. I turned around to look at him. Though this man is a stranger to me, why do I feel a deep connection to him?.Something about him seems strangely familiar. He entered the elevator, turning around to look at me.

He gave me a friendly smile and then the doors closed.I sighed, he is very handsome and alluring at the same time. I walked to where the trash bin stood at the far end, dumping my plastic bag into it. I turned around, walking back to my room. Funny how this world looks big in the eyes but it's so small, Mr Jake is now my next door neighbor and although it wasn't what I expected,I was pleased.

••••♠️RYAN♠️

Down in the basement, I dialed Billy's number. Like always, he does a great job and he is a reliable person. He picked shortly."Wassup my homie g", he greeted.

"Favorable. I can see what you did here, the dame." I said.

He chuckled.

"I told ya to leave it to me. Nothing I can't handle",he said.I walked to my car,a Zenvo TS1 GT. Clicking the unlock button on the keys and watching the door open sideways."The nitty is quite the attractive type, though very young but she's worth it", I said, entering the car."Yeah yeah. So Ryan,watchu gonna do with da boss's daughter?. Remember, to touch Racheal,is to mess with the entire administration*",he saidI smiled,"I know but we ain't doing that sorta thing yet. Blake's daughter knows what we don't know and if we wanna get things done properly. We have to bait her",i said."What's gonna happen now,Ryan?",he asked.

I turned on the engine,"I will bid my time. It is worth it", I replied."Oh goody", he said.I cut the call, driving out of the parking lot.....