4 New companion (friend)

"Thanks for walking along with me," Mia expressed her gratitude.

Curious, Alex asked, "Any problem?"

"Nothing! Some creep tried to stalk me," Mia revealed, the weight of the encounter etched on her face.

"Well, that's a serious situation," Alex commented, a sense of concern for her safety surfacing.

"Yeah! Luckily, I found you. Now he will never try to approach me," Mia reassured, a trace of relief in her voice.

"I thought you hated me," Alex admitted, reflecting on Mia's past reservations.

"Well, I was scared to see your dead expressions," Mia confessed, her honesty surprising Alex.

"Well, I can't do anything about it," Alex stated, a hint of resignation in his tone.

"Try to smile a bit," Mia suggested, her attempt to bring a spark to his demeanor.

As they reached their apartment, Mia and Alex were about to part ways to their respective homes.

"So, what's your name?" Mia asked, a genuine curiosity replacing her initial hesitation.

"You asked me to help without even knowing my name?" Alex questioned, a sense of amusement in his voice. "Well, it's Alex."

"I thought you would be reliable. I'm Mia. Remember it," she said, leaving Alex to ponder the unexpected companionship.

After the usual routine, Alex returned home and prepared to have his dinner.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, and when he opened it, he was surprised to find Emma standing there, holding a food container.

"Good evening!" Emma greeted him with a smile, presenting the container.

"Good evening!" Alex replied, a hint of confusion in his voice.

"I made this dish for you!" Emma handed him the container, her gesture unexpected.

"But why?" Alex was puzzled by the sudden kindness.

Emma's playful smirk accompanied her response. "You mentioned my food is tasty, right? Consider this a thank you for the compliment."

As Emma left, Alex stood there, left with a mixture of confusion and curiosity.

As the night embraced him, Alex drifted into a peaceful sleep, seeking solace in the quiet moments of the night.

Yet, within the realm of dreams, shadows of the past loomed. In the silhouette of haunting memories, he found himself trapped in a nightmarish scene. Unseen assailants closed in, their menacing figures inflicting pain upon him, the blows leaving an indelible mark on his subconscious.

Abruptly, the nightmare shifted, transforming into a comforting scene that stood in stark contrast. Amidst the darkness, a warm light emerged, revealing the silhouette of his grandmother. She stood in a familiar kitchen, the aroma of delicious food filling the air.

His grandmother's gentle hands moved with expertise, preparing a meal that held the promise of comfort. As he waited patiently, the nightmare's echoes faded, replaced by the tender moments spent with the one who had provided solace in the face of life's storms.

In the soft morning glow, Alex awoke with tears tracing the contours of his face. Wiping away the remnants of a haunting dream, he realized it was his day off from work.

"Now I can be relaxed," he thought, allowing himself a moment of respite as he reclined on his bed, scrolling through his mobile. However, the tranquility was abruptly interrupted by the doorbell.

"Who's now?" Alex mused as he rose to open the door. To his surprise, Emma and Lily stood on the other side.

"Hello, Uncle! Good morning!" Lily's cheerful greeting echoed.

"Hello," Alex responded, his confusion evident.

"Alex, I need your help," Emma urgently stated, a hint of desperation in her voice.

"What?" Alex inquired.

"I had a crucial task at the office today, but it's Sunday, and I can't leave Lily alone at home. My friends, who promised to help, are not responding," Emma explained.

"Why me, though?" Alex asked, confusion etched on his face.

"I believe you can take care of her, especially after that night you helped me!" Emma expressed, her face brightening with a smile.

Reluctantly, Alex agreed, "Okay."

"Remember, Lily, don't cause any problems for Alex, okay?" Emma instructed.

"Okay, Mom!" Lily replied with a mischievous grin.

"Thanks, Alex!" Emma hurriedly left for her important work.

"Let's get inside, Lily," Alex said as Lily waved goodbye to her mom.

Alex and Lily entered his apartment, and as Lily excitedly took a step, she tripped over some clutter and fell onto the scattered items in his room.

Alex swiftly picked up Lily, apologizing for the untidiness. "I'm sorry about my dirty room."

"Why is your room so dirty, Uncle?" she inquired.

"I'm just too lazy to clean up," he admitted.

Lily's adorable discontent echoed in Alex's ears, her cute dissatisfaction tugging at a desire to create a more enjoyable space for her. With determination gleaming in his eyes, Alex made a spontaneous decision – to transform his room into a place where Lily could play without restraint.

"Okay! How about we play a game?" Alex suggested with a mischievous smile.

"What game?" Lily inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"We're going to clean my room and turn it into your playground," Alex declared.

Lily's eyes lit up with excitement as she agreed to the impromptu plan. The duo embarked on a mission to declutter the room, turning the tedious task into a delightful game. As they sorted through the accumulated junk, laughter and joy filled the once-muted air.

With a joint effort, they neatly packed the discarded items into disposable bags, tying them securely. "Now, let's go and throw this away," Alex suggested, ready to bid farewell to the remnants of neglect.

Alex, leading the way with the garbage bags, and Lily, following playfully, found themselves greeted by a woman's voice.

"You guys seem to be working hard," Mia, their neighbor, called out.

Alex turned, acknowledging Mia's presence, as Lily beamed with pride. "Yes, he's working hard for me!" Lily declared with a smile.

"What are you doing here?" Alex asked, curious about Mia's sudden appearance.

"Can't you see this thing in my hand," Mia replied, casually tossing her trash into the bin.

"So, is he your daughter?" Mia directed her question to Alex.

"No!" Alex quickly clarified. "I'm just babysitting her," he added, pointing at Lily.

Mia then shifted her attention to Lily with a friendly smile. "Hi, cutie, what's your name?" she asked.

"Lily!" came the cheerful reply, accompanied by a bright smile.

"Oh, it's as cute as you are!" Mia complimented.

"Thank you!" Lily responded, the exchange of smiles.