Hearts Across the Hall

Hearts Across the Hall ep 1

"Hearts Across the Hall" - Episode 1: Hello, Stranger

Main Characters:
Alex Park (Female, 27): A practical and hardworking florist who keeps to herself. She's focused on her small flower shop and isn’t looking for love, though she hides a creative and passionate side.

Liam Carter (Male, 29): An extroverted freelance photographer who recently moved in. Charming and playful, Liam's used to getting what he wants but is secretly dealing with the struggles of his career.

Mia Lee (Female, 24): Alex's bubbly younger sister, who is studying design and frequently visits Alex to seek advice and offer encouragement.

Ethan Cho (Male, 30): Liam's best friend and a chef with a sharp tongue. He supports Liam’s career, though he doesn’t shy away from calling out his friend’s flaws.

STORY STARTS♥️♥️

The hallway was quiet and smelled faintly of fresh paint when Alex Park opened her door that morning. She’d only taken two steps out, heading to her flower shop with her usual determination, when her eye caught sight of something out of place. Right by her doorstep was a large cardboard box. She squinted at the unfamiliar handwriting on the label, her brow furrowing as she recognized the address but not the name.

“Liam Carter,” she read aloud, her voice tinged with irritation. New neighbor, she thought, and not a very organized one, apparently. She sighed, already annoyed that her perfectly structured morning was thrown off by this stranger’s misplaced package.

In her world, there was little room for the unexpected. Her days followed a comforting rhythm—open the shop, water the plants, serve customers, arrange flowers in quiet, creative focus, and return to her apartment, ready to do it all again the next day. But apparently, this "Liam Carter" was about to disrupt her carefully curated order.

With a reluctant sigh, she hoisted the box into her arms and walked the short distance to the door across the hall, knocking sharply. She waited, hearing faint rustling from the other side before the door swung open to reveal a man with a mop of slightly messy hair, a paintbrush in one hand, and a wide, amused grin on his face.

"Hi?” he said, looking slightly bewildered but undeniably friendly.

Alex kept her expression neutral, holding out the box. “This was delivered to my door. I believe it’s yours.”

He chuckled, accepting the box with one hand while he used the other to swipe a streak of blue paint off his cheek. “Ah, yeah, I was wondering where that went. Thanks, neighbor.”

Neighbor. The word made her cringe. She wasn’t interested in becoming “neighborly.” She gave a curt nod, ready to turn back to her door when he spoke up again.

“I’m Liam, by the way,” he said, extending his hand with that same easygoing smile. “Just moved in.”

“Alex,” she replied shortly, giving his hand a quick shake before withdrawing. The last thing she needed was to get drawn into some casual chit-chat, but Liam seemed oblivious to her lack of interest.

“So, Alex,” he continued, leaning casually against his doorframe. “Anything cool around here? Maybe a good spot for coffee?”

She stared at him, surprised by his sudden friendliness. “There’s a café down the street,” she said, her tone clipped. “It’s open early.” She hoped he’d get the hint and leave it at that.

But he didn’t. Instead, he grinned. “Thanks! Maybe we could check it out sometime? You know, just as neighbors.”

She blinked, caught off guard by his forwardness. “No, thank you,” she replied, forcing a polite smile. “I’m… busy.”

“Got it,” he replied, unfazed. “But if you ever change your mind, you know where to find me. I make a pretty mean cup of coffee, by the way.”

With that, she quickly excused herself, feeling her cheeks flush as she closed the door behind her. Who does he think he is? she thought, feeling irritated yet strangely intrigued by her new neighbor. He was far too… relaxed, too friendly, too… much. She had no room for “too much” in her life.

Back in his apartment, Liam laughed to himself as he unpacked his things. He could tell he’d gotten under her skin a little, but there was something about her serious demeanor that made him curious. Unlike most people he knew, she hadn’t warmed to him instantly, and that was a challenge he found refreshing.

The next morning, Alex’s routine was disrupted once more. She’d gone down to the mailroom to collect a shipment for her flower shop, only to find Liam, once again struggling to balance a stack of boxes. Against her better judgment, she offered, “Need help with that?”

He looked up, surprised but grateful, flashing that easygoing grin again. “Really? You’re a lifesaver.”

They carried the boxes together to the elevator, and she learned that he was a freelance photographer who’d moved here for a fresh start. Though she kept her answers short, something about his openness softened her irritation, and she found herself smiling—just a little.

When they reached his floor, he thanked her, adding, “Maybe we got off on the wrong foot. I can be a little… enthusiastic.”

She couldn’t help but chuckle. “I guess I can be a little… distant,” she admitted, though she quickly cleared her throat, feeling awkward.

They parted ways, each retreating to their respective apartments. Alex resumed her daily tasks, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Liam. He was annoyingly charming, she admitted to herself, though she’d never say it aloud. He wasn’t like the people she was used to—always careful, always measured. He seemed like the type who lived life on a whim, and for reasons she couldn’t understand, that intrigued her.

That evening, as she returned home, she noticed something by her door. A small potted cactus, with a note attached. “For your flower shop, or wherever you want it. Thought it might bring a little extra green to your day. —Liam.”

She stared at the cactus, her expression softening despite herself. It was a quirky, thoughtful gesture, and it made her laugh. Perhaps, she thought, her new neighbor wasn’t so bad after all.

In his apartment, Liam was watching through his peephole, grinning as he saw her reaction. He didn’t expect her to thank him or even mention it, but he felt satisfied knowing he’d chipped away a bit of her icy exterior.

The next morning, as she left for her shop, Alex found herself glancing at his door, half-expecting him to appear. She shook her head, amused by her own curiosity. She’d decided on one thing, though: life in this building was going to be more interesting than she’d expected.

And somewhere across the hall, Liam was already thinking of ways to surprise her again.