Love Thy Neighbor (Even if He's a Jerk)

Chapter 1: Finding Home

Rawena sat at her desk in the bustling bank, her fingers dancing over the keyboard as she processed yet another transaction. Her light brown hair was neatly tied back, revealing a face sprinkled with freckles and framed by striking green eyes. She was tall and slim, with a presence that commanded attention without demanding it. Her quick wit and keen sense for people made her a favorite among colleagues and clients alike.

Despite the mundane nature of her work as a bank accountant, Rawena was thrilled about life. Today, in particular, she was looking forward to an exciting change—she was going to look at apartments. The prospect of finding a new place filled her with anticipation, a welcome contrast to the numbers and spreadsheets that dominated her days.

The morning began like any other. Rawena arrived at the bank early, her usual smile brightening the faces of her colleagues. She exchanged pleasantries with her coworkers as she made her way to her desk, her thoughts already drifting to the apartments she would see later.

"Morning, Rawena!" Mark, her colleague, greeted her with a smile. "Busy day ahead?"

Rawena loket him up and down, never sure if his atraction was annoying or pleasant. Maybe both. Maybe neither.

He carried himself really high, she didn't blame him. He was really something. Broad shoulders, every muscle on his body crafted like marble with great care.

"Always," she replied with a grin, settling into her chair and turning on her computer. "But I'm excited about this afternoon. I'm going to look at some apartments. The old one is too far away and I'm so tired of taking three lines just to get to the center."

"That's great! Good luck with that," Mark said, handing her a folder. "Can you review this account for me?"

"Sure thing," Rawena replied, taking the folder and glancing through it with her usual efficiency. In no time, she had identified the issue and handed it back to Mark with a few quick suggestions. He thanked her, marveling as always at her sharpness.

As she worked, Rawena found it hard to keep her mind on her tasks. She had been living in her current apartment for five years, and though it was comfortable, it was time for a change. The idea of a new space, one that she could make her own, was incredibly appealing. She had spent weeks browsing listings, carefully selecting the ones that seemed to have the most potential.

When lunchtime finally arrived, Rawena could hardly contain her excitement. She wrapped up her morning tasks and headed out, her steps light and purposeful. She had three viewings scheduled, each with the potential to become her new home.

The first apartment was in an old, creaky building that looked charming from the outside. As she approached the building, she couldn't help but admire its vintage appeal. It had a sort of old-world charm, with ivy creeping up the brick facade and a quaint little courtyard. However, as soon as she stepped inside, the charm faded. The lobby was dimly lit and smelled faintly of mold. The elevator creaked and groaned as it carried her to the third floor.

„Come look," the real estate agent said as they reached the apartment. He opened the door with a flourish, but Rawena's enthusiasm quickly waned. The wallpaper was peeling, the floors creaked ominously, and a faint smell of mildew permeated the air. The living room was small and dark, with tiny windows that let in very little natural light. The kitchen was cramped and outdated, with avocado-green appliances that looked like they hadn't been updated since the 1970s.

"Well, this is... quaint. It looked different in the photos," Rawena said, trying to be polite. She forced a smile, but her disappointment was hard to hide. The agent gave her an apologetic look.

"I know it's not perfect," he said, "but it's in a great location, and with a little work, it could be really charming."

"Maybe," Rawena replied, though she was already thinking about the next apartment on the list. "Let's see the next one."