I tested his patience

One afternoon, a few days after our spa, my phone buzzed with an incoming call. Agnes's name flashed on the screen, and I answered with a curious grin.

"Hey there, dressed and ready?" Agnes's voice was filled with excitement.

I chuckled. "Where are we going to this time?"

"You know my apartment, right?" Agnes began, her words laced with intrigue. "Well, I thought it's about time you came over. I've got something interesting to show you."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her mysterious tone. "Alright, I'll be there in a bit."

I made a rushed gesture to retrieve my shoes from where I've disorganizedly placed them, and also grabbing my purse in the process. After that, I dashed towards the door, boarding a cab to her place.

As I entered Agnes's apartment, I took in the cozy yet lived-in atmosphere. She greeted me with a warm smile and gestured toward the small dining area. "Hungry?"

I chuckled. "Always, but what's this interesting thing you wanted to show me?"

Agnes grinned, walking over to the refrigerator. "Well, I've got an assortment of takeout options, but I also have ice cream. Take your pick."

I headed straight for the freezer, opting for a tub of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. Agnes joined me with a container of her own, and we settled on the couch, indulging in our sweet treats.

"So spill it," I urged, scooping a spoonful of ice cream. "What's the big secret?"

Agnes grinned, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Okay, so remember the mysterious guy neighbor I mentioned?"

I nodded, intrigued.

Agnes leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "Well, yesterday I happened to spot him in all black, looking like a character straight out of a movie, walking to that luxury apartment building across the street."

I nearly choked on my ice cream, trying to process this information. "Wait, he wasn't even your exact neighbor?"

Agnes shook her head, looking both disappointed and excited. "Nope. But here's the thing, Amelia. There's something about him that's just... intriguing. He's like this mysterious figure, always hiding behind dark sunglasses, and I'm telling you, he's got an air about him that's just so... perplexing."

I couldn't help but grin at Agnes's fascination. "So, what's the plan then?"

Agnes cracked her knuckles with a determined glint in her eyes. "Investigation time, my dear friend. We need to find out who he is, what he does, and why he's so elusive."

I laughed, amazed by Agnes's enthusiasm. "You're really turning this into a full-blown mission, aren't you?"

She nodded, her excitement infectious. "Absolutely! I mean, come on, how often do we get a chance to do a real-life mystery?"

As we continued brainstorming, we talked about different ways we could gather information without being too obvious. From casual conversations with other neighbors to discreet observations, our investigative plan grew more elaborate by the minute.

Days turned into weeks, and our little "mystery investigation" became a daily ritual. We spent evenings on Agnes's balcony, sipping tea and watching for any sign of the mysterious man.

We invented elaborate cover stories to casually strike up conversations with other residents, all in the name of gathering intel.

One evening, as we were engrossed in our mission, I spotted a figure dressed all in black walking toward the luxury apartment building. I nudged Agnes, excitement bubbling up within me.

"Is that him?" I whispered, my heart racing.

Agnes squinted, her eyes widening. "Oh my gosh, it is!"

We watched as the man's sleek, black-clad figure moved gracefully, his dark sunglasses adding an air of intrigue. He exuded an aura that was both captivating and mysterious, just as Agnes had described.

"He's definitely not your average neighbor," I admitted with a smirk.

Agnes nodded, her eyes shining with excitement. "See what I mean? There's something about him."

I cracked my knuckles with determination. "Alright, Agnes, let's do this. Let's find out who this guy really is."

In an absurd twist of fate, Agnes and I found ourselves tiptoeing through the luxurious living room of the man in black. The air was thick with a mix of awe and fear as we took in the grandeur of the surroundings. The decor was so luxurious that I had to remind myself this wasn't a premiere of a blockbuster movie, but an unexpected intrusion into someone's home.

My heart raced, my curiosity piqued to new heights as I scanned the room. But it was the table covered in files that drew me like a moth to a flame. I approached it cautiously, my fingers itching to flip through the documents and uncover the secrets that might lie within.

As I skimmed through the papers, my mind raced with possibilities.

What could these documents possibly contain?

My thoughts were interrupted by the creaking of the front door swinging open. Panic drenched inside of me as I realized someone was entering the house, and we were trapped like deer in headlights.

Possibly, the owner of the house, but didn't we just see him walk down to some cafe, could hebe back so soon?

My eyes darted to Agnes, who seemed to possess the speed of a cheetah as she dashed to the window, managing to squeeze herself out with impressive agility. I stood there, really dumbfounded, as Agnes disappeared into the night.

The voice that followed was deep and commanding, sending a shiver down my spine. "Turn around."

My heart pounded in my chest, and I could feel my palms growing sweaty. Panic and adrenaline coursed through my veins as I quickly calculated my escape options. Then, a lightbulb flicked on in my head, an idea that might just buy me some time. Without hesitation, I lunged toward the nearest electrical socket and yanked the plug out, casting the room into darkness.

As I sprinted towards the door, my senses heightened, and I could feel the stranger's pursuit close behind. I kicked with all my might, aiming for any vulnerable spot I could find and kicking the person, 'whoever that was', really recklessly. Each successful strike bought me precious seconds as I bolted for the front door.

But suddenly, a strident crash reverberated through the room, drowning out the sound of my racing heart. My body collided with the wall, the impact jarring me. In an instant, I found myself pinned against the wall, a firm grip restraining me.

"Who are you? What are you doing here?" The voice was no longer just a mystery; it was real, right in front of me.

My eyes strained in the dim light as a figure entered the room. And just as I was beginning to think that I was gone for it, a second set of hands flicked on the lights, illuminating the room and revealing a face I could hardly believe I was seeing.

Locking eyes with me was none other than Xander. Yes, the same Xander I had daydreamed about, the one who had totally occupied a good portion of my thoughts.

His grey eyes bore into mine with a mixture of surprise, confusion, and maybe even a hint of amusement. "Amelia?"

I blinked, my heart racing not just from the chase but from the surreal situation I now found myself in. "Xander?"

The mysterious man who had chased me moments ago released his grip, stepping back to reveal himself fully. My gaze shifted from Xander to the stranger, whose features were now illuminated by the soft glow of the lights.

He wasn't just a stranger.

He was an angry stranger. "Is she with you?"

He asked, eying my figure but speaking to xander.

"Well.. We didn't come together but she's definitely my person"

Xander caught me off the hook as an intruder and the stranger was still looking at me like I was a crazy person and it was all thanks to Agnes.

"You know, most people just knock on the front door if they're curious."

I winced. "It wasn't me. Honestly"

I breathed, hating for him to think that I'd do something like this for romantic purposes. I stole a glimpse at xander, his jaw was a bit tightened.

Perhaps, from jealousy.

rubbing the spot on my arm where I had collided with the wall. "Sorry about the intrusion."

I muttered in a low tone, feeling a bit of shame for my actions. And as it turned out, the stranger was none other than a lawyer—Xander's personal lawyer, to be exact and that could totally account for the confusing files that filled his house.

Ryan, the lawyer, eyed me with an expression that I couldn't decipher. "So, she's the one?"

He muttered after a few moment and Xander was nodded slowly, his gaze shifting to me, a glimmer of something indefinable in his eyes. I swallowed hard, both in confusion and also from the intensity of his gaze sending a shiver down my spine. I made a mental note to scold myself later for choosing the most bizarre way to finally meet Xander.

Again

I was about to make a hasty exit, my cheeks burning with embarrassment, when Xander's commanding voice halted me in my tracks.

"Sit," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument and Ryan was looking in between us expressionessly.

Reluctantly, I obeyed, sinking into a plush chair and feeling like a fish out of water. I watched, as Xander and Ryan delved into discussions about business procedures and legal matters. They exchanged words with an easy familiarity, their friendship evident even in the midst of a professional conversation.

Finally, Xander turned his attention back to me, walking up to me and trapping me between the intensity of his gaze and the wall. "Long time, Amelia," he muttered, his voice low and tinged with a hint of something I couldn't quite decipher.

Before I could respond, Ryan cleared his throat, breaking through the tension in the atmosphere. "Uh, you both should carry that outside," he quipped, his gaze leveled at me with an evident air of disapproval.

Xander retreated from me, and I shot Ryan an apologetic look, fully aware of how ridiculous the situation had become. Of course, he didn't like me. I had broken into his house, after all.

Taking a deep breath, I decided to explain my motives better. "You really shouldn't wear black clothes everywhere. It tends to make people…curious," I commented.

I looked away from his pinned glare, resting my eyes at his well-structure celine. "You can't blame it on others… if you're dressed like some movie star"

I added shifting slightly, and moving closer to Xander's side for protection from ryan's pinned and angry glare.

Xander's lips curled into a knowing smirk, his eyes dancing with an unreadable emotion. "Ryan. Stop staring at her like that" he simply muttered, his gaze lingering on me in a way that sent my heart into a flutter.

Ryan rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed by any of this. "Whatever," he muttered, his tone laced with exasperation. He turned to us and gestured toward the door. "You both should consider exchanging those glances elsewhere."

"It's kind of annoying"

He added and my face was tainted red tomatoes. Xander chuckled at Ryan before, leading the way, and I followed, feeling somewhat awkward. Ryan's voice trailed behind us as he muttered to Xander.

"Don't forget to call me tomorrow. I'm too busy to call you," Ryan said, his words carrying a subtle undercurrent of familiarity.

Xander simply nodded, his attention focused on guiding me toward the door. As we stepped outside, the door closed behind us, leaving us in the cool night air.

I stole a glance at Xander, my heart poinding very hard against against my chest. "You and Ryan seem close."

Xander's lips quirked into a half-smile. "Yeah, we go way back. He's been my lawyer for years."

He turned to me all of a sudden, giving me a gaze that burned with hunger, fire, desire and….. Jealousy.

"And it's Mr.Anderson for you"

He said into the atmosphere between us, and my brows slowly rose up from his words, testing his patience a little. "Ryan"

He gritted. "Mr.Anderson"