Chapter 6: The Stranger Next Door

“Lorna again?”

At the mere utterance of the name, Vespera’s expression turned distant, dimming as if processing a tedious solicitude. There was no indication of guilt on her face; instead, she looked worn out, like someone dealing with a relentless, unwanted salesperson.

She turned her head just a fraction, meeting the steady gaze of the man watching her intently.

“Seriously, Mr. Sterling?”

Logan glanced between the two of them, surprise flitting across his face. The silence in the hallway was almost suffocating. “Do you... know each other?”

Ezekiel didn’t respond. He couldn’t. His throat felt like it was lined with dry glass. Vespera didn’t wait for him to speak; she bent down and grabbed one of the shopping bags sitting outside her door.

As she stood back up, her eyes locked onto Ezekiel’s with a look of mild, clinical disdain.

“Common courtesy would suggest you apologize for your behavior yesterday,” she said, her voice smooth and lacking hidden meanings. “I get that you might’ve been a bit drunk and mistook me for someone else. But now? In broad daylight?”

Logan stepped back, a flicker of realization dawning on him. In his three years working for Ezekiel, he had heard that name just once…the fiancée who had tragically passed away.

His mind raced. Could this neighbor really look that much like her? Was his boss’s heart beginning to stir, or was it finally breaking apart?

Vespera sighed, readjusting the bag in her hand. “I’m honestly surprised I ended up being your neighbor. I guess I should say I hope we get along... which I really don't.”

She turned her attention to Logan, her expression shifting to a polite, professional front. “Nice to meet you again, Mister...?”

Logan quickly cleared his throat, eager to break the awkward tension radiating from Ezekiel. “Just Logan is fine.”

“Logan,” she echoed, giving him a brief nod.

Without waiting for a goodbye, she slipped back into her apartment and shut the door.

Even though the building had top-notch soundproofing, the loud music inside seemed to seep through as she sang along at the top of her lungs, her voice fading as the heavy lock clicked into place.

Ezekiel stood there, frozen. His mind was a foggy haze of confusion and longing. This couldn’t just be coincidence. How was it possible that the woman who resembled his deceased fiancée moved into the next apartment to his out of all the buildings in this city?

What sort of coincidence was this?

He turned abruptly, his shoes clicking sharply against the floor as he headed toward the elevator.

“Find out everything,” he ordered in a cold, low voice. “Everything... about Vespera Nightingale.”

Logan nodded, hurrying to keep pace. He pressed the elevator button as they reached the lobby. “I’ll get on it right away, sir.”

But as the doors slid open and they stepped inside, Logan hesitated, the name feeling oddly familiar on his tongue. “Vespera Nightingale... Vespera...”

His eyes widened as the elevator began to descend. “Hold on... isn’t she the newly announced female lead for Jerry Gray’s series? The Darkness Behind Me? Wait... is that her? That’s Vespera?”

Ezekiel didn’t reply. He stared at the brushed metal of the elevator doors, watching his own pale reflection. Either Vespera Nightingale was playing a cruel game, pretending she didn’t recognize him... or she really wasn’t Lorna.

And he couldn’t tell which reality terrified him more.

...

Vespera Nightingale. The name had a rhythmic, haunting quality that had already set the internet ablaze.

Online, opinions were divided, half the world was taken in by the allure of the “Nightingale,” while the other half were sad about Unique Smith, the city’s beloved star who had been abruptly replaced by a complete newcomer.

A newbie who had seemingly emerged from nowhere to snag the lead role in The Darkness Behind Me.

In the rehearsal hall, the atmosphere was thick with impatience. The cast and crew hovered around the room, the veterans exuding an air of authority while the supporting actors huddled in quiet groups.

Everyone was waiting for the girl who had the audacity to keep them all waiting.

“I’m really sorry about this,” Jerry Gray said, his voice tense and laced with stress. “Vespera had some unexpected issues this morning. She’ll be here any minute.”

Most of the actors offered stiff, polite nods, but one woman wasn’t interested in being “cool” about it. Katy Sterling sat at the head of the table, her designer pen tapping an anxious, irritated sound against her script.

“I’ve never seen a situation where a junior makes her seniors wait like this,” Katy complained, her voice cutting through the room. “This is precisely the kind of behavior that leads to scandals, Jerry. The person replacing Unique Smith should be just like her. Professional! Not... this.”

“Katy, that’s not—”

Before Jerry could finish, the heavy double doors swung open. A woman rushed in, breathless, her chest rising and falling as she stumbled into the light.

“I’m so sorry, everyone! I really apologize!”

The room fell silent. Shock rippled through the group, but for Katy, it felt like a punch to the gut. Vespera was dressed casually, an outfit that should’ve made her blend in.

Her skin had a slight sheen from her hurried entrance, and she wore no makeup but she was stunning. Saying she was gorgeous barely scratched the surface.

She radiated a pure, natural brilliance that made the seasoned actresses around her seem washed out in comparison.

Katy stared in disbelief. So Lynn was right after all, she thought, her disdain morphing into something deadlt. This Vespera looked like a polished, upgraded version of the deceased Lorna.

But as the woman straightened and tucked a wayward hair behind her ear, the resemblance faded. This woman had an electric aura that felt confident, and commanding. Everything Lorna Astor had never been, and likely never could be.

“I’m Vespera Nightingale, and I’ll be playing Sammie,” she said, bowing her head slightly. “There’s no excuse for my tardiness. Please, accept my apology and enjoy these.”

Just then, a delivery crew burst in behind her, bringing trays of upscale snacks, gourmet coffee, and dainty finger foods. It was a clever move.

The tension lifted immediately as the cast murmured in appreciation. Who could stay mad at someone who was not only stunning but also thoughtful enough to bring food?

Vespera moved gracefully through the room, effortlessly thanking everyone for their patience. But Katy wasn’t letting that distract her.

She watched from her seat, her jaw tight as she saw Vespera laughing with Jerry. That woman definitely wasn’t Lorna. Lorna couldn’t carry on a conversation without tripping over her words, but she had certainly captured Katy’s attention.

Katy stood and smoothed her skirt, walking over to where Vespera and Jerry were chatting. As Vespera noticed her, her face lit up with pure, unfiltered excitement, like a schoolgirl seeing her idol. She bowed her head again, eyes wide.

“Nice to meet you, Katy! I’m such a huge fan. I’ve seen everything you’ve done, your performance in The Last Sunset made me want to act! I’m really, really sorry for being late. Can I... would it be okay if I got a picture with you later?”

Katy froze. She’d expected a rival or someone who was a nervous wreck, but she hadn’t counted on this level of adoration. She examined Vespera’s eager expression, searching for any hint of insincerity, but saw only the warmth of a devoted fan.

It was disarming, yet it only made Katy raise her defenses even higher.

Katy didn’t smile back. She didn’t even acknowledge the compliment. She regarded Vespera with the cool detachment of someone who had seen countless “talented” young women come and go.

“A picture?” Katy asked, her voice calm but weighty, heavy with her seniority. She reached out and adjusted the collar of Vespera’s casual jacket, a gesture that seemed helpful but was really a display of dominance.

“You’re very pretty, Vespera. I can see why Jerry took a chance on you. But in this business, a pretty face and some snacks won’t get you far.”

Katy stepped closer, her tone dropping to a professional, icy warning. “Don’t get too caught up in being a fan. This isn’t a playground; it’s a battlefield. If you can’t keep up with the veterans during the reading, no amount of photos or smiles will save your career from being a one-hit wonder. Make sure you’re on time for the next session. My time is much more valuable than yours.”

Without waiting for a reply, Katy turned and strode back to her seat, leaving Vespera standing there with her head bowed slightly, looking like a chastened junior who had just received a stern lesson from her idol.

Vespera stood still for a moment, her fingers gripping her script a little tighter. To anyone watching, she seemed deep in thought, reflecting on Katy's words with genuine respect.

“I’ll do my best to learn from you, Senior Katy,” Vespera murmured softly, her voice filled with determination and humility.