Chapter 8
Chapter 8
My new apartment was in a district called Sky Valley. It was a place filled with successful artists, well-
paid freelancers, and contractual management specialists. There were a lot of young, talented
individuals. Each of the people who lived there was unique, but they all had one thing in common: they
were all devoted to their work, and they all minded their own businesses... Well, the majority of them at Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
least.
The day I moved in, someone knocked on my door. I was busy unpacking and initially ignored the
knocking sound, hoping that whoever it was would give up and go away. Unfortunately, a minute later I
heard the doorbell. I figured that it was the same person, and if he or she was still there, then perhaps
there was a good reason for it.
I opened the door and saw a brightly smiling, short woman with curly brown hair.
"Hi! I'm Carla. Can I use your balcony?" she asked, nervously grinning.
"Can you use my… what?" I glanced at her, feeling confused.
"I'm sorry, it will take a minute then I'm gone." She swiftly passed me by and barged into my apartment,
heading to the balcony.
Since it was hard to think she could have been dangerous, I didn't stop her and followed her instead.
She marched between my unpacked boxes and went outside. I was right behind her. I leaned against
the balcony door and stared at her curiously. She stepped closer to the side glass railing and pulled her
leg up. I sincerely didn't know if I should stop her or keep observing her weird actions… She must have
realized how peculiar it looked. She paused and gazed at me with an awkward smile.
"I… I'm not trying to jump or anything," she said with her voice full of nervous laughter, "and I'm not
breaking into someone's apartment either!"
"So… What is it that you are doing exactly?" I snorted.
She put her leg down, turned around, and looked straight into my eyes.
"I live next door and my key-card broke!" she called out desperately, "I have to get to my apartment to
get documents before I start the meeting at 1 PM, and the building security told me they would get a
new card for me in two to three hours…"
Her big, grey, pleading eyes were filled with tears.
"So basically, you are trying to break into your own apartment using my balcony?" I sighed.
"Well… yeah," she admitted with an uncomfortable grimace on her face.
I looked her up and down, then I glanced at the space between her balcony and mine.
"Are you aware that we are on the tenth floor and then you would probably need to jump while standing
on my railing to get to your balcony?" I smirked.
Carla stepped closer to the balustrade, briefly looked down, then instantly pulled her head up, shutting
her eyes.
"And you are even afraid of heights?" I burst out laughing, "Wouldn't it be easier to wait for that new
key card?"
"You don't understand! I'm meeting a very important client! If he chooses me as his catering provider, I
can make a fortune… And now… the whole menu proposal is inside my apartment!" Carla burst into
tears.
I took a deep breath. I had never batted an eye on anyone's tears. I had always found them annoying,
but there was something about this agitated and frustrated woman that made me want to help her.
"All right… step aside. I will get inside your apartment and then open the door for you," I stated while
exhaling my irritation and wishing that she could stop whining.
She moved to the back, gazing at me, both surprised and confused. A second later, her eyes sparkled.
"Thank you!" she shouted happily, yet then she gasped. "But didn't you just try to explain to me how
dangerous it is?"
I smirked, then pulled myself up on my arms, stood at the railing, and took a jump over her balcony.
She hurriedly stepped towards the balustrade with her mouth open wide.
"Wow…" she muttered.
"I meant that it is dangerous for you. I've done worse things in my life," I chuckled. "Come to your door.
I will let you in in a minute."
She nodded and dashed out of the balcony. I walked through her apartment and opened the door for
her. As soon as I did and walked out to the corridor, she threw her arms around me.
"Thank you! Thank you so much! From now on, you are my favorite neighbor!" she cried while
squeezing me.
Her excitement and gratitude almost choked me. I slightly pushed her away.
"It's really no big deal…" I smiled awkwardly.
"It's a big deal!" she exclaimed confidently, "it's on the verge of saving my life!"
"Please, don't exaggerate…"
"I am not!" she argued, looking into my eyes.
Then she grabbed my hands and grinned.
“What is your name, lovely neighbor?" she asked enthusiastically.
"Lilith," I said instinctively.
"Then, Lilith, from now on we are friends!" she called out, giggling, and added, "Whether you like it or
not!"
She startled me, but I had to admit that her positive attitude was contagious. I chuckled.
"Fine, Carla… Let's be friends," I stated, smiling.
"Great!" Carla shouted, then stormed into the desk inside her apartment, leaving the door open. "Oh,
by the way… After the meeting, I am coming over with a big chocolate cake. It's my own recipe, you
will love it!" she called while looking for the documents.
"Ok… but I don't really like chocolate…" I said hesitantly.
Carla finished selecting paper folders with documents and walked out to the corridor.
"This cake you'll like, and if you don't… I'm coming over with wine as well," she smirked.
There's no way I could reject her offer, especially since I didn't have a brainless drinking night in ages.
"So… I will look forward to our meeting, and I will keep my fingers crossed that you will get selected," I
snickered.
"Thank you, Lilith!" she called and hugged me again.
Then she ran towards the elevator while holding all the paper folders tightly in her hands. She certainly
was the most expressive, bright, and positive person I had ever met. She was also the first real friend I
had ever made. The friend I made on my first day in New Argent City.