𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐲 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐞 // Enhypen Heeseung [18+]

8: Clothes

I hesitated for a moment before knocking on the neighbor's door, feeling a twinge of awkwardness about asking for such a favor from someone I had just met. The door swung open to reveal a man around my age, his expression curious yet friendly.

"Hello, sorry to bother you. I'm Chloe, staying in the apartment next door for two weeks," I introduced myself with a polite smile. "The clothes of a... friend of mine got completely soaked. It's a bit embarrassing, but do you happen to have a sweater and pants he could borrow? I'll wash them and bring them back tomorrow!"

The man in the doorway paused for a moment, processing my request. His expression softened into a warm smile. "Of course, come on in," he replied graciously, gesturing for me to enter his apartment.

Feeling a bit relieved yet still unsure, I insisted politely, "Oh, it's alright, I can wait outside. I'll leave as soon as I have the clothes."

He nodded understandingly, disappearing briefly into his apartment. I fidgeted nervously in the hallway, contemplating the surreal chain of events that had led to Jake standing drenched in my bathroom.

After a few minutes, the neighbor returned with a bundle of clothes neatly folded. "Here you go," he said, handing them to me. "Tell your friend to take his time drying off. It's no trouble at all."

"Thank you so much," I replied gratefully, taking the clothes and heading back to my apartment with a sense of relief.

Back in my own apartment, the sound of the shower from the bathroom eventually ceased. Taking that as my cue, I knocked gently on his door.

"Jake? I'm leaving the clothes outside the door for you," I called out through the closed door, trying to keep my voice steady.

Before I could finish speaking, the door cracked open slightly, and Jake's arm emerged to retrieve the clothes. I glanced at the mirror on the wall opposite and caught a brief glimpse of him with a towel wrapped around his waist. A faint blush colored my cheeks, but thankfully, he seemed focused on grabbing the clothes and didn't notice my reaction.

"Thank you very much," Jake's voice came through the crack in the door, and he quickly closed it again.

As I returned to my living room after giving the clothes to Jake, a sense of anticipation hung in the air. The soft hum of the rain outside seemed to envelop the apartment, creating a soothing backdrop to my thoughts. I paced nervously, the seconds ticking by slowly as I waited for Jake to emerge.

Each passing moment felt like an eternity, my mind racing with questions and curiosity about this unexpected twist in my day.

The flickering light from a nearby lamp cast gentle shadows across the room, adding to the ambiance of quiet expectancy. I smoothed out the wrinkles on the couch cushions, trying to occupy myself as I waited. Despite my attempts to stay composed, my heart fluttered with a mixture of nerves and excitement.

Finally, the sound of footsteps approached the door. I turned, my pulse quickening, and watched as Jake entered the room. He looked relaxed and comfortable in the oversized clothes, his demeanor calm and collected. His presence filled the room with a newfound warmth, dispelling some of the lingering awkwardness from earlier.

I greeted him with a soft smile, feeling a rush of relief and curiosity. This evening had taken an unexpected turn, yet there was a sense of ease in sharing this space with him. As he settled onto the couch beside me, the atmosphere shifted, settling into a comfortable rhythm.

But then my expression shifted as I noticed something unexpected.

-

Let me know if you like the story and vote! <3