Chapter 4: Apartment Sharing

“That is rough. I don’t know what to say except this man sounds like a fool” the young man said, after listening to her story.

He was a fool. Zoe had given up her entire world for Kyle, and all he did was find a way to ruin hers, over and over. But she couldn’t focus on that. She had to dig herself out of this grave and rebuild. To do that, she would have to live with this stranger whom she didn’t know. In time, she would convince him to hand over the apartment to her.

“I know you don’t know me, and I don’t know you, but seeing as how this was my apartment a few days ago, and now it is newly yours, could we not agree to both stay here? I take my old bedroom and you take the spare, and we split the rent?” Zoe pleaded.

Zoe knew how outrageous such a proposition was, and yet, she didn’t feel as if she had another choice. She was not going to secure another apartment, because this was not just an apartment to her, it was her home. She was not going to give it up so easily. She had looked high and low for apartments when she first moved out from her parent's place, and this was the only place she liked. She couldn’t imagine what it would be like to try and find another place like this.

Although it was only a rental building, there was no other apartment quite like this one. The view was spectacular, and it had so much character – something she loved. She had never cared for new-builds and always desired the old-school character of older buildings. This particular building was no exception. Beautiful wood floors, mahogany accents, large windows, expansive balcony, and marble kitchen. This apartment was made for her.

The man looked at her, as he lifted one of his eyebrows.

“Alright,” he said, sighing softly.

“Alright?” Zoe asked surprised.

“Does this mean you agree? You will split the apartment with me?” Zoe questioned.

“That is what it means,” the man replied.

“My name is Dylan by the way... and this is only a short-term agreement. I’m talking like six months at most until you find something else. I must say, you are brave bearing your soul like that to someone you just met. I admire that. Sorry about your fiancé.”

Zoe smiled and felt relief. This agreement would give her an opportunity to prove to Dylan that this apartment belonged to her.

“Thank you, Dylan,” Zoe said as she turned and walked away.

“Hey, wait a minute,” Dylan called after her.

Zoe, exhausted, turned back to face him.

“If we are going to be living together, maybe we should spend some time together. We could get to know one another, hang out?” Dylan asked.

Zoe couldn’t tell if he was being cordial and kind, or if he was interested in her. She had so little trust in men after what she had just experienced, and she wanted to shut down any possibility of anything happening between her and her temporary roommate.

“Sure. I guess. We should be friends,” Zoe said, nodding towards him.

Dylan nodded back.

Zoe made her way back to her old bedroom and plopped down onto the bed. She had no idea whether Dylan had a house full of furniture being delivered, or what they would do for furnishing, but Zoe knew that making permanent furnishing choices was not at the top of her to-do list at this time.

What was next on her list, was to go and wallow at her boss's office hoping they didn’t find a replacement.

She knew this was likely a lost cause because her job in sales was highly sought after.

She couldn’t afford to take a cab everywhere she went, and she no longer had her car. So... she was going to ask Dylan. As if things weren’t awkward enough between them, she figured it couldn’t get any worse. She needed to speak to her boss, and she knew a phone call would not suffice.

Zoe got up from the bed and tip-toed out to the main room where she heard Dylan on the phone.

“Yeah… her name is Zoe. We are going to be apartment sharing for the next few months until she gets on her feet. I have to tell you man… she is beautiful. I mean… the kind of girl you always dream of but never see in real life. That kind of beautiful. Her fiancé…”

Zoe stepped back a few feet. She knew that listening to her roommate's conversation was the worst possible thing she could be doing at this very minute, but then again, the conversation was about her. They had just met, and here he was telling someone about her.

Zoe rolled her eyes, knowing that the only way to put an end to this was to stop it at the very beginning. So, she decided to present herself in the room so he would see her and be forced to cut his conversation short.

“Ahem,” Zoe cleared her throat loudly so Dylan would not only see her but hear her.

“Uh... I have to go. I will catch you later” Dylan said to whomever he was speaking to.

“Hey, Zoe. What's up?” Dylan said.

“I hate to ask a favor especially because we have just met. I don’t plan on making a habit out of this, but I need a ride to my old job” Zoe pleaded.

Zoe could tell that Dylan was finding this amusing. He smiled and walked towards her as if he was contemplating her question.

“I guess this is how we become friends,” Dylan said, smirking.

That is all they would ever be because Zoe was not looking for another man to break her heart. The only interest she had was in putting her life back together and starting fresh, and that did not include a love interest.

When she agreed to be friends, that meant being friends. No late nights together, no flirting, no dates, nothing. She didn’t care how attractive Dylan thought she was. This was a short-term agreement, she would convince him to move out, she would get back on the lease, and things would go back to how they were. No Dylan. No Kyle. Nothing.

She had no time for men and she would make sure that Dylan was well aware of that fact.