Maybe

Chapter 39 Locked

I sighed deeply, the kind of sigh that carried the weight of a truly awful day.

Here I was, stranded in the dimly lit hallway, glaring at my stubborn, uncooperative door. If my glare could unlock it, it would've swung open hours ago. 

The faint buzz of a flickering light above only added to the atmosphere, and the muffled sound of someone shouting down the hall reminded me of just how "charming" this place could be.

My thoughts spiraled into a list of regrets: choosing this building, not double-checking the lock earlier, and relying on a car that was as reliable as a paper umbrella in a rainstorm. 

Calling my mom crossed my mind, but I dismissed it as quickly as it came. She was busy halfway across the country. Even if I could reach her, what could she do? 

I glanced toward the stairs. Maybe I could go find a motel or... sleep in the lobby?

The idea made me cringe. As much as I hated the thought of being that person—homeless for a night because of a busted lock—I didn't see any other options. 

And then I heard it. 

The sound of elevator opening.

Please don't let it be who I think it is. 

But of course, Ethan appeared. his tall figure shadowed in the dim hallway.  

"Trouble with the door?" he asked, his voice calm as if not interested.

I didn't answer right away. I was too busy debating whether to ignore him entirely or beg him for help—both options were equally humiliating. 

"Nothing I can't handle," I muttered finally, though my clenched jaw and crossed arms probably said otherwise. 

He walked closer, hands in his coat pockets, and tilted his head to inspect the door. "Doesn't look like you're handling it very well," he commented.

I glared at him. "Thanks for the observation, Captain Obvious. Do you have anything useful to offer, or are you just here to gloat?" 

"Gloat?" he repeated, his lips twitching in what might've been the start of a smile. "You think I enjoy watching you suffer?" 

"Yes," I said without hesitation. 

"Well," he said with mock seriousness, "you're not entirely wrong. But You seriously locked yourself out?" he asked, his tone almost too playful.

I glared at him, silently cursing the universe for making him witness my misfortune.

I stood there, frozen, staring at my stubborn door as if my glare could magically make the lock cooperate. But no such luck.

Yesterday it barely locked, and now it was completely stuck. After trying every possible way to get it open, I finally went down to the landlord. Of course, she just shrugged and said it's been like that for a while. She promised to send someone to fix it tomorrow, but tonight, I was stuck.

The hallway felt unnaturally dark, adding to the frustration. Some drunk neighbor had apparently managed to break the light, leaving me in the shadowy corridor.

I could call my mom, but of course, she was on some business trip. Not that she'd be able to do anything anyway.

The last resort?

My car—though that was just as useless since it was still sitting in the garage, broken down. I was clearly the epitome of pathetic.

And then, just to make my night even more delightful, I heard footsteps. I didn't need to look up to know who it was.