radiant | jung hoseok | ✓

chapter seventeen | french press

"I'll only be a moment," I promise as I exit the car and turn towards my apartment building. The sun has finally risen above the horizon and casts rays of golden light against the bricks and dusty windows. There is a cool breeze but I find it refreshing as I breathe it in. I shut the car door behind me and head up the steps.

I enter the apartment building, quick on my feet, and eager to return to Hoseok and continue our lazy day together. I race up the steps with a burst of energy and reach my floor in no time. I open the creaky door and enter the long winding hallway.

I find my room number and hesitate.

I don't have my keys.

I feel a sudden weight of disappointment fall over me. I grimace and press my head against the door, fisting my hand against the wood. Dammit. I don't even have my phone to call my landlord.

What am I going to do now?

A door opens and I look over only to feel a wave of dread pass over me. It's Tyler. I quickly avert my eyes, praying he doesn't notice me. 

But he does.

"Finley!" he greets cheerfully as he locks his door behind him. The middle-aged man walks towards me with an oddly tense smile. "You didn't come back last night, I was wondering where you were."

A sour taste floods my mouth as the walls around me slowly close in. I remain pressed against the door, unwilling to move away. "Oh," I comment, "I was out."

Tyler adjusts his thin-rimmed glasses as he studies me from across the hall. "Where did you go? You've been gone for a while now. Visiting parents? Were--, oh, are you locked out?"

I smile wryly and gesture weakly to the door. "Yeah. I forgot my keys. But I was about to head back down to see if Shelly was in."

"Hmm..." He looks over the door and takes off his glasses. He observes them before walking towards me.

I frown in suspicion and slowly move away, half-expecting him to follow me, but he doesn't. He stands in front of my door and looks over the lock. "I have a knack for opening doors," he explains distractedly. He sticks his glasses tip into the lock and moves it around for a moment.

Click.

Tyler breaks into a proud smile and pulls away. He opens the door wide and puffs out his chest. "There you go!"

I am not sure if I should feel relieved or sincerely worried for my safety.

I wring my hands together and politely bow to him, "Thanks for that." I start to enter my apartment but he steps through the doorway too. I stop short, in turn, forcing him to stop as well. "Thank you, but I can take it from here," I say firmly.

Tyler raises an eyebrow at me, making no move to leave my apartment. "Oh, I was wondering what your apartment looked like. For decorating, you know. I mentioned it earlier. It'll only take a moment."

I don't feel comfortable with this. I want him out. I don't want him in my home, and I am extremely unsettled that he can open my door without a key.

"Actually, I was just running in. I am going back out, I don't have time... I'm going to be late."

Tyler frowns with doubt. "I thought you weren't working today."

My stomach bottoms out.

My gaze flickers with fear but I quickly mask it with a severe look. "I've got other plans today. My boyfriend is waiting for me downstairs."

Damn that feels great to say.

For the first time in my life, I am able to pull the boyfriend card. I didn't realize I'd have to use it so soon.