All Chapters of One Favor Too Far: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

A grandmother and her grandson lived across the hall from me.The old woman was notorious for taking anything she could get for free.On the very first day after I moved in, several expensive delivery boxes I'd left outside my door disappeared.I later spotted her at the recycling center downstairs.She was happily counting the few dollars she'd earned by selling my boxes.Whenever I ordered takeout and accidentally left an extra side dish hanging from the doorknob, it would end up in her stomach if I waited even one minute.She even stole two air-freshener sachets from the cabinet by my front door.I usually ignored it.After all, she was raising her five-year-old grandson, Toby, alone.Toby was painfully thin, and his clothes were always faded from too many washes.Whenever he saw me, he timidly called me Ryan.I couldn't help feeling sorry for him.Sometimes, when I bought cherries or premium grapes at the grocery store, I'd bring a box to their apartment.When I went d

That evening, I was in the kitchen cooking myself a steak.Suddenly, someone began pounding violently on my front door.I turned off the stove and walked toward the entryway with a frown.I looked through the peephole.Candace Doyle stood outside with greasy, tangled hair.A cheap cigarette hung from her mouth.I spoke coldly through the closed door."Who is it, and why are you hammering on my door?"Candace heard my voice and kicked the door."Open up! It's Candace Doyle!"You're the man who's secretly in love with me, right?"Open the door and let me in!"I gave a cold laugh and opened the door only a few inches.The security chain remained firmly attached to the frame.As soon as the door moved, Candace pushed her heavy face toward the gap.The sour smell of sweat mixed with stale cigarette smoke rolled into my apartment.I stepped back in disgust.She looked me up and down with a leering, invasive stare.Her gaze felt as disgusting as something wet and sticky slid

Police response still required time.Outside, Candace gradually lost patience when I continued refusing to appear.She assumed I was frightened and hiding like a coward.Her arrogance grew even worse."Fine! You refused the easy way, so you can have the hard way!"Candace kicked my door viciously."You think I can't do anything because you're hiding inside?"She pulled out her phone and dialed a number.Then she switched on the speaker and raised the volume so I could hear every word."Hey, Mr. Collins! It's Candace!"A slick-sounding man's voice came through the phone."Candace, what a pleasant surprise. What can I do for you?"Candace glanced proudly at my door and raised her voice."Mr. Collins, how are you managing this building?"The male tenant across from my mother has been abusing her, and now he's hiding inside!"Send someone to shut off the power and water to Unit 701!"Let's see how long he lasts in there!"Mr. Collins agreed immediately."Easy enough. Anyo

The hallway remained deathly quiet.Everyone was stunned by Mr. Collins's sudden bow.Candace held her cheap cigarette in a hand that shook uncontrollably.She stammered, and even her voice seemed unsteady."M-Mr. Collins, what kind of joke is this?"Did you drink too much last night and mistake him for someone else?"He's only a poor tenant who came here looking for work!"He doesn't even own decent designer clothing!"The words nearly frightened Mr. Collins out of his mind.He was terrified that Candace's stupidity would destroy his career too.Mr. Collins spun around.He raised one hand and slapped Candace across the face with all his strength.The crack echoed through the hallway.The blow was so hard that Candace turned halfway around.One side of her face swelled immediately, and blood appeared at the corner of her mouth."Are you blind?"Mr. Collins cursed at Candace as though she were already dead."Who are you to shout orders in this building?"Don't call me

Humiliation finally destroyed what remained of Candace's judgment.Her eyes reddened, and she surged from the floor like an enraged animal."You spoiled rich brat! You think money makes you untouchable?"I'll kill you today, even if it destroys both of us!"Her face twisted as she charged at me with both hands raised.She tried to seize my throat.I remained where I was without blinking.The officers had already anticipated violence and reacted immediately.One stepped forward and moved aside from Candace's charge.He caught her arm and forced it behind her in a controlled restraint.Her body struck the floor with a heavy thud.Candace was pinned against the cold tile.Her face hit first, and she screamed."Stop resisting!"The officer issued the command and secured her wrists in handcuffs.Even while restrained, Candace twisted, struggled, and shouted obscenities.I stopped looking at her and turned toward the trembling building manager.Mr. Collins shuddered when our