9 Unknown Occurrences: Both Unaware
As Alex returned from brunch, Zunnie Bai was preparing to drive to her family's house for dinner. Having parked close to the stairs, she descended to the parking lot. Just as she reached her car, the elevator to the third floor of her building opened. A handsome man in black sweatpants and a mustard long-sleeved top strolled out, heading towards an apartment door down the hall. Alex had never pondered who his neighbor might be, but for some reason, the hallway now carried a faint scent reminiscent of the girl he had glimpsed at Hunter's club.
There was something intriguing about this girl, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He found himself wanting to see her again, as if another encounter might unravel the mystery. It couldn't be love at first sight; after all, Alex wasn't one to fall in love easily. He was taken aback by his newfound curiosity about someone he had seen only once—someone's daughter.
Alex entered his apartment, changed his shoes, and walked to the glass window overlooking the small lake outside. The sun was setting, casting a beautiful glow. He opened the sliding door and stepped onto the balcony to admire the scenic view.
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At the same time, Zunnie, driving toward the Bai manor, rolled down her window to relish the sunset. She breathed in the late afternoon breeze and pressed on the gas pedal. The road stretched empty before her, and a mischievous impulse took over. She accelerated, going slightly over the speed limit. Within fifteen minutes, she arrived at the Bai manor.
"Pumpkin!" Her dad welcomed her with his usual bear hug.
"Papa, it's good to see you. It's like you haven't aged one bit." She eyed him up and down.
"My, my, can't say the same for you. How old are you again?" Wan Bai playfully chuckled and led his daughter to the sitting area.
"What a way to tease your only daughter. Mr. Bai, be careful what you say, or you'll die without any grandkids."
"Oh, don't worry, Eyan is still around. His girlfriend is an attractive and educated young lady. She's a pediatrician, and your brother is very fond of her." He replied, turning to wink shamelessly, stunning his daughter.
"If that's how you feel, then stop trying to marry me off. I'm going to stay single till I die." Playing along adeptly, Zunnie maintained a serious face to convey her determination to her dad.
"Okay, okay, okay, I'll stop interfering. But at least try to find a boyfriend, pumpkin. You need a good companion to bring you happiness."
"Fine, I get it," she agreed to halt his nagging.
Her older brother, Eyan Bai, had invited his girlfriend to dinner so she could be introduced to the family. Selina Gunno was highly intelligent. Zunnie had to admit, her dad had been right; she was attractive. Zunnie liked Selina and appreciated what she did. Before leaving, Selina extended an invitation for Zunnie to stop by her office to chat with some of her patients whenever she had time.
After dinner, she drove back home. Zunnie was happy for her older brother. She could tell he really loved Selina. The thought of having a little niece or nephew made her smile. She loved children and even planned to have two of her own if she ever found the one. But, would she ever find someone to look at her the way her brother looked at his girlfriend? During dinner, she really felt a little envious of how affectionate they were. She even caught her dad staring at her once.
'This old man.' She thought then stuck her tongue out at him. Her family was the most important people in her life and even if her mom was not alive, they continued to take care of each other.
Zunnie arrived home at eight in the evening but didn't go upstairs. It was a starry night so she walked towards one of the benches in the park to enjoy the night view. Mesmerized by it all, she sat down, took her phone and captured the magnificent dark sky above. Tired from the drive, she stretched out on the bench for thirty minutes before the breeze got chillier. Feeling a little cold, she picked up her things and headed up the stairs.
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Alex walked out of the bathroom in a robe and made his way to the bedroom balcony. As he arrived, a familiar silhouette caught his eye, walking away from one of the benches in the small park.
'It's her... it's really her!'
Although he couldn't see her face, he was convinced it was the same girl from the night before. Hastily throwing on some clothes, he rushed to the elevator, pushing the down button and impatiently waiting. Growing frustrated, he sprinted past Zunnie's condo, took the staircase through the parking lot, and headed toward the bench where he had seen her.
But it was too late; she was already gone.
"Was I hallucinating?" An out-of-breath Alex mumbled, turning around to scan for any sign of the mysterious figure.
To his dismay, she was nowhere to be seen.
A disappointed Alex took the elevator to the third floor and returned to the balcony. He sat there for an hour, trying to read, hoping to catch a glimpse of the girl passing by. But she never did.
Unbeknownst to both, Alex had no idea that the person he was so curious about was living on the same floor as him.
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Little did he know, as he rushed downstairs, the very silhouette he saw from his bedroom balcony emerged from the elevator. She walked down the same hallway and headed toward the same door he had just run past.
Meanwhile, Zunnie entered her apartment and made her way toward her home office to review treatment plans for her patients the next day. Unaware that a handsome hunk had just raced down three flights of stairs, ready to bump into her.
