The Neighborhood Keeper

With the paperwork out of the way, Emmy took me around the neighborhood. She gave me a tour on foot. “The homes here are standalone villas, and the residents are exclusively women…”My attention was diverted from Emmy’s introduction as an approaching woman caught my eye. She wore plain, casual attire, her thick curls cascading down her chest. The woman was a vision of beauty. It was the first time I had seen a woman more beautiful than a celebrity in real life. She took my breath away. I only managed to break free from the spell when the stunning woman spoke. “Is he the new guy, Emmy?” Her sweet voice was like music to my ears. Though she was talking to Emmy, her eyes fixated on me. Her gaze was inquisitive, albeit more subtle than Emmy’s. It seemed Emmy and the pretty lady were acquainted. “Yes, he is. His name is Brook D’Amico. He’s highly educated and intellectually gifted.” Emmy paused and blinked before drawling. “He’s a total package.” Miss Curls spared me another

I dreamed of this moment since I first met Hannah. It never occurred to me that my fantasy would come true so soon. One night was all it took to bring me and Hannah close together. In the days to come, we often hung out at her villa. We couldn’t keep our hands off each other, only exploring our chemistry within the privacy of the villa. Whenever I tried to express my feelings to her, she would change the subject. “We’re happy, aren’t we? Isn’t that good enough, Brook? “Why bother with labels?”She appeared hesitant to commit to a relationship with me. I was frustrated, but deep down, I was aware of the gap between us. Hannah lived in a villa and enjoyed the finest things in life. I was just a fresh graduate, trying to find my feet. That was when we came to an unspoken agreement. I asked nothing about her life; she didn’t dig into mine. We simply savored the present and enjoyed each other’s company. As always, I was making my way to Villa No. 3 one day after m

After that day, I cut off all contact with Hannah. Even when she invited me to Villa No. 3, I declined. One reason was to protect my sad ego. I had also gone back and reviewed the job contract. There were indeed some absurd job requirements buried in the contract. I was expected to relieve the needs of the residents when required. It blew my mind. When I contacted Emmy about the contract, she gave me a look of disdain. “What? Do you actually think you lost out?“You’ve met these ladies. You’re clearly out of their league. “The idea of this whole thing started because they couldn’t leave the place.“If you can’t cut it, quit now.” The residents couldn’t leave the place. It sank in right there and then how things didn’t add up in the neighborhood. I had never come across male residents around the area, nor were the residents ever seen leaving the neighborhood. I suspected they were trapped in the community.Emmy read my mind. She patted my shoulder with a sco