[Chapter 04] - Along Came Our Love

 Chapter 04 - 

Tuesday evening, the following week.
Mina sprinted toward the reception inside La Sara Condominium. Jinna, the receptionist, greeted her with a warm smile.

“I didn’t see you last week. Were you away?” she asked, handing Mina the key card to Thara’s unit.

Mina slouched over, catching her breath.

“Are you alright?” Jinna asked again, a small chuckle escaping her.

Mina straightened up, exhaled, and took the key card. “I’m fine. Whew! Thank you.” She wiped the sweat from her forehead.

“I thought you’d already quit,” Jinna said, leaning in to whisper near her ear. They exchanged a smile—an unspoken understanding between them.

“Well, it sucks being me, I know. I’d better hurry though—I’m already late.” Mina waved the key card with a faint grin before rushing through the glass door. “I’ll tell you later!”

At the elevator, her eyes locked on the red numbers above. “Come on,” she muttered, pressing the button again.

When the doors slid open, she darted inside—and almost crashed into someone.

She froze, her body inches from the other person’s.
“I’m sorry,” she breathed, then looked up—straight into Thara’s gaze. Her hand flew to cover her mouth.

He was in a black suit, back pressed to the glass wall, eyes wide in—what, shock?

“Could you… step back now?” he said, hands raised like a barrier.

Mina rolled her eyes and stepped aside, lips pressed.

“Good evening,” he said, his gaze fixed on the door.

“Good evening,” she replied with a small bow, catching his reflection in the wall. She bared her teeth at it when he wasn’t looking.

They rode up in silence after that. When the elevator stopped on the tenth floor, Mina stepped forward—just as Thara did the same. Their arms brushed.

“I’m sorry, you go first,” she said, pressing the hold button and gesturing for him to leave. Then she trailed behind.

The warm lights overhead stretched their shadows across the marble floor. His footsteps were soft, almost silent. Mina glared at his back, wishing her eyes could shoot laser beams through it.

Thara paused mid-way, and Mina slowed down. He turned, eyes narrowing.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, frowning at his blank face.

“It’s probably just my imagination,” he murmured, “but I felt something hot on my back… like it was poking me.” He glanced over his shoulder at her.

Mina swallowed hard as he resumed walking.
“Jeez… his timing couldn’t be more perfect. Is he some kind of psychic?” she thought.

Inside his apartment, Thara opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water. He took a few gulps before turning toward her.
“Do you want some?”

“Yes, please.” Her throat burned from sprinting off the bus. She reached for the bottle—only for him to lift it out of her reach.

“What are you doing?” he asked, brow furrowed. “This one’s mine. Get your own from the fridge.”
He stepped aside and walked toward his room. She could’ve sworn she caught a faint sneer before he disappeared from view.

Mina pressed her lips together until he was gone, then let out a sharp breath. Her fingers curled into fists. Her mouth opened, but nothing came out—only a silent scream behind clenched teeth. She could do nothing but glare at the spot where he’d vanished.

After grabbing another bottle of water, she slipped on her apron and started cleaning.

Thara reappeared a few minutes later, coat and tie gone, lounging on the couch with his legs crossed and a book in hand.

“By the way,” he said, eyes still on the page, “start with the bathroom first. I’ll need it at eight-thirty.”

Mina blinked. “How do you even know you’ll need it at exactly that time?”

“I shower at that time every night,” he said, tone flat. “You can’t possibly clean it while I’m in there, right?”

Her cheeks warmed. “Of course not.”

“Then you’d better finish before that.” He flipped another page, unbothered.

Unbelievable. This man was beyond unbelievable.
Just days ago, his tone had been soft—almost gentle. That’s why I need you, he’d said.

Was that all an act? The fainting, the hug… the warmth of his hands around her waist.

The thought made her skin prickle.
“Mina, wake up,” she muttered, slapping her cheeks.

She went into the bathroom and got to work. As she scrubbed the shower floor, she muttered,
“That man has no shame. He just says whatever’s on his mind. Isn’t he one big pervert?”

She scrubbed harder, paused to breathe, then warned herself, “I need to put my guard up. I won’t let him take advantage of me again. If he even dares lay a finger on me, I’ll knock him flat.”

A knock at the door cut through her, sharp.
“Aren’t you done yet?” Thara called from the other side.

Mina opened the door a crack. “I’m only halfway through. Come back in twenty minutes.” She tried to close it, but he leaned against it from the other side.

“We already talked. I need to shower now.”

“Yeah? I didn’t say I agreed, did I? I work at my own pace. If you’re not happy, fire me.” She stuck out her tongue and shut the door. “What’s wrong with showering a few minutes later?” she muttered. “He’s got problems.”

She crouched to pick up the shower head. As she sprayed water on the glass, the door swung open. Startled, Mina spun and aimed the stream at him.

“Stay away,” she shouted, eyes shut as the water hit him.

Footsteps rattled outside. “What’s wrong? Are you okay in there?” Thara’s voice.

Mina opened her eyes to an empty wall and smacked her forehead. Had she daydreamed the whole thing?

“Hey — I’m coming in.” He stepped into the room, scanning around. “What happened? I heard you screaming.”

Her face pinched. What excuse wouldn’t make her sound crazy?

“There was a bug,” she blurted and rushed out of the shower.

He caught her by the arm and stopped her. “Don’t run in the bathroom,” he scolded, but his grip was gentle. He pulled her behind him and reached to shut off the shower.

“What kind of cleaner is afraid of bugs? Don’t you deal with them all the time?” he asked, narrowing his dark eyes.

Mina drew a breath. “Who says I was scared? I— I was startled. It was a big black bug.” Her voice faltered.

He studied her for a moment, suspicion flickering across his face. “Alright. Done in here? Then get out.”

“I’m not done yet. I need another twenty minutes.”

“And I need to shower now.” He pointed at his watch.

“Can’t you shower later? Let me finish.”

“No. Come back when I’m finished. Or—if you want—you can clean while I shower.” He leaned closer; their eyes met. “Or are you deliberately slowing down just so you can see my body?” He pulled back and planted himself like a barrier at the doorway.

Mina’s cheeks flamed. “In your dreams. Who’d want to see an old man’s body?”

“Old man?” Color rose to his face.

She bolted before he could press further. “A pervert. A big pervert,” she hissed under her breath, pressing her back to the door.

Why did her plans always backfire around him? She vowed she’d make him pay one day.

So far:
Mina – 0
Thara – 2