A Knock Away

Chapter 8 : Late Encounter

Today was a long day. After taking the test, I was completely stressed and exhausted. It was incredibly difficult, and I was probably one of the last to finish. I could feel the weight of it pressing down on me as I left the classroom, my mind replaying every question and second-guessing every answer.

Gemma decided to treat me, so we went to a new café that had just opened. "You need a break," she said, pulling me along. We ordered lots of desserts-macarons, tarts, cakes-and they were so good that it felt like a brief escape from my worries. As we sat down, she looked at me with concern.

"How are you holding up, really?" Gemma asked, taking a bite of a chocolate éclair.

I sighed. "Honestly, I don't know. That test was brutal. And on top of that, my neighbor situation has been... interesting, to say the least."

"Interesting how?" she prodded, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.

I recounted the incident with Enzo and the loud noises. She burst out laughing. "Oh my god, that's hilarious! I can't believe you had to deal with that."

"I know, right? It was mortifying," I admitted, though I couldn't help but laugh a little too.

After we finished our desserts, we went back to her place. Gemma suggested we go out and get some drinks to unwind further. "Come on, it'll be fun," she insisted.

"Okay, fine," I agreed, though I felt a bit self-conscious about my casual attire.

We drove to a nearby bar, and her boyfriend joined us shortly after. I felt a bit embarrassed because I wasn't dressed for a night out, just in comfy clothes. Gemma nudged me. "Relax, it's just us."

"Yeah, you're right," I said, trying to ease up.

She encouraged me to drink a little. "Just have a couple, it'll help you relax," she said, handing me a glass. I had two drinks, knowing I could handle more but wanting to stay cautious. I watched Gemma and her boyfriend dance, feeling like a third wheel as I sat alone at the bar.

My eyes scanned the room and landed on someone familiar: Jacob, an old childhood friend. He was always funny and very flirty. He saw me and came over, his face lighting up.

"Noralee! It's been ages!" he exclaimed, pulling me into a hug.

"Jacob! I can't believe it's you," I said, smiling. "What are you doing here?"

"Just out with some friends," he said, gesturing to a group in the corner. "What about you? How's life been?"

"Crazy, to be honest," I admitted. "I'm in my last year of college, and it's been a rollercoaster."

We talked for a while, and I braced myself for his inevitable flirtations. I knew him well enough to expect them from a mile away and not take them seriously since he was like this with everyone. He leaned in closer, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

"You look amazing, by the way," he said, giving me a once-over.

"Thanks, Jacob," I replied, rolling my eyes playfully. "Still the same charmer, I see."

Gemma came over, greeted him, and told me we should get going. "It's getting late," she said, glancing at her watch.

We left the bar, and it was dark outside. Once I entered my building and headed towards the elevator, I heard a woman's voice as the doors opened. "Bye, see you soon. It was fun," she said with a wink as she entered the elevator. I turned to see who she was talking to, and there stood Enzo.

My breath caught as I took in the sight of him standing there, shirtless again, his muscular figure on full display. Tattoos wrapped around his arm and some on his chest, and his joggers hung low, revealing a V-line that made my body feel hot and tense. I could feel my face flush with embarrassment.

But the girl with him was different from the night before, still with a slim, model-like body, a stain of red around her lips, and a short sparkling dress that barely covered her. A mix of emotions flooded me. Was he cheating on his girlfriend, or was he just a playboy? Is this the type of girl he's into?

My heart pounded as I took in the sight of him standing there, shirtless again, his bare chest sending a familiar heat through my body. His joggers hung low on his waist, making me blush furiously. I quickly entered my apartment, my mind spinning.

"I wonder if he even remembers my name," I muttered to myself, trying to shake off the strange feelings.

Getting ready for bed,Despite my efforts to focus on studying and preparing for the upcoming test, my thoughts kept drifting back to Enzo and the unexpected, intense feelings his presence stirred within me. To distract myself, I took a long, hot shower, hoping to wash away the confusing emotions.

As I stood under the water, I couldn't help but replay the scene in my mind. The way his eyes had briefly softened when he saw me, only to harden again. The way his presence seemed to fill the room, making it hard to breathe.

I ended the night reading a book, trying to focus on the words and not the image of Enzo that kept intruding on my thoughts. It was frustrating how much space he occupied in my mind, especially considering the circumstances. But there was something about him, something I couldn't quite put my finger on, that kept drawing me in.