"Hello? Ethan, it's me." Janet didn't know what else to say. The moment she uttered the words, she felt stupid. It was not the first time they had talked on the phone. Ethan must have saved her number. She didn't have to introduce herself.

It looked like Ethan was in a quiet place. Janet could hear the whooshing of the winds and the honks of cars.

Moments later, Janet heard him sigh. "I have to replenish the stock tonight. I will be late tonight!" he said coldly.

"Well, I'll wait for you." Janet's heart sank. She pursed her lips and stared at her toes that were peeking out of her slippers, not knowing what to say next.

Ethan was silent again.

Janet could hear his rhythmic breathing. She heard the muffled voice of a man calling Ethan from a distance but couldn't clearly hear what they were saying.


"It's fine. You don't have to wait for me. Go to bed early," he said calmly and hung up the phone.

Unease settled in the pit of her stomach as she stared at the screen of her phone. Janet could feel the coldness in his voice.

She wandered aimlessly in the living room, hoping to see Ethan soon. It felt like walking on pins and needles. Janet looked out the window, staring at the dark night.

When the clock struck ten, there was a soft knock on the door.

Thinking Ethan had finally returned home, Janet sprang up from the sofa and opened the door right away.

"Why didn't you take the key?" She opened the door, grinning happily. But the smile on her face froze when she saw a stranger outside the door.

"What can I do for you, sir?"

The man was tall with broad shoulders. He was perhaps in his early forties and somehow looked strong even though he was only in his pajamas. He looked at Janet up and down, his eyes gleaming with wonder and amazement.

The man's face lit up, and his smile broadened. After a moment's hesitation, he touched his nose and said, "Hello, I live downstairs. Have you noticed there's a leakage in your apartment? The water has been dripping into my room, ruining my sleep."

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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