Chapter 4: Bold Moves
The rain was coming down hard, the kind that made the whole city feel like it was wrapped in a heavy blanket.
I had just finished my shower, towel slung low around my waist, when I saw her apartment across the hallway. The curtains were barely drawn, and through the small gap, I could see her silhouette.
I paused.
She was standing by the dresser, her back to the window, wearing nothing but a black sports bra and those soft grey cotton shorts she always had on. Her hair was wrapped up in a towel, and I couldn't help but stare.
The way the light hit her body — effortless and natural. God, she was stunning.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I pulled away from the window. I shouldn’t be watching, but I couldn’t shake the image of her.
The next morning, we crossed paths again. I’d just stepped out of my apartment, and there she was, standing by the lift, looking like she always did: fresh, simple, and way too easy to notice.
She gave me a small smile, but this time, it wasn’t the usual polite one. It lingered for just a moment longer.
“Morning,” I said, leaning casually against the wall, my voice low, almost like a challenge.
“Morning,” she replied, her eyes flicking up to mine before quickly dropping away.
I smirked. “I feel like we keep running into each other. Almost like we’re meant to.”
She shrugged, not entirely giving me a clear response. “I guess so.”
I took a step closer, testing the waters. “I don’t know. Maybe you’re just trying to avoid me.”
Her eyes darted up for a split second, unsure how to take my words. She bit her lip. “I’m not trying to avoid anyone.”
There it was. That flicker of interest.
I leaned in a little. “So, if you’re not avoiding me... maybe you’d like to hang out sometime?”
Her breath hitched slightly, but she quickly recovered, offering a soft, nervous smile. “I—uh, I’m not sure...”
I wasn’t going to let her back down so easily. I could feel her hesitating, and I liked it. It meant she was thinking about it.
I stepped a little closer, now inches from her. “How about we do something simple? You, me, coffee. Nothing fancy.”
She blinked, her face flushed with uncertainty. “Coffee?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Yeah. I promise I’m good company.”
She hesitated again, but this time, it was different. There was something in her eyes. Curiosity? Maybe even a little bit of fear. But she wasn’t saying no.
The lift doors opened, and we both stepped in. She pressed the button for her floor, but the silence between us felt heavy. I could feel the weight of the moment, the tension, the desire to make a move.
“So, what do you usually do around here when you’re not avoiding me?” I asked, keeping my voice playful but also just a little more intense.
She shifted her weight, clearly uncomfortable. “I just... stay in, I guess.”
I smirked. “So, what’s stopping you from taking a chance on me?”
The question hung in the air, and she froze. There was no answer. Just a slight glance up at me, and then away again.
The lift stopped on her floor. She quickly pressed the button to open the door, but before she could slip out, I caught her gaze.
“Maybe I’ll see you tonight?” I said, giving her that smile, the kind that dared her to make a decision.
She swallowed hard, then nodded, almost shyly. “Maybe.”
I let her walk out, my heart pounding. I wasn’t sure if she was just playing coy or if I was actually getting through to her. Either way, I wasn’t letting this go.
As she disappeared into her apartment, I stayed there for a second, leaning against the doorframe. This wasn’t over.