"Can I see your balcony?"
"Sure!"
Although Richard was puzzled by Sarahs sudden request, he still took her to the balcony.
He never expected that this careless girl would take advantage of his distraction and put one leg over the edge of the balcony.
"Miss, this is the 11th floor," he warned. A fall wouldnt just turn her into minced meat; it would cost her life.
"I know!"
"Then why are you jumping?"
"I forgot my keys, and I just wanted to climb back to my house from your balcony," Sarah said, rolling her eyes at the absurdity of being accused of suicide.
"Come down first, its too dangerous," Richard urged, his voice firm and authoritative.
"Okay," Sarah complied, pulling her leg back from the ledge.
"Stay here tonight, and call a locksmith tomorrow," Richard proposed, his face stern.
"But theres only one bed in your house," Sarah pointed out meekly.
"Ill take the couch," he clenched his fists, swallowing the urge to throw out the scatterbrained woman in front of him.
The idea of climbing back home from the balcony was the kind of bad plan only her addled brain could come up with.
"Still not okay. A man and a woman alone together overnight could damage my reputation," Sarah shook her head, hugging herself protectively.
Reputation? That went out the window the moment you saw me naked last night, Richard thought sourly. But he said, "Dont worry, I have no interest in your underdeveloped figure."
"You... I want to go home."
"Go home if you want, but not through the balcony. I dont intend to collect your body."
"But I have nowhere else to go, and I havent finished some work that needs to be handed in to the company tomorrow," Sarah complained softly.
Richard, with exceptional hearing, strode to his study and returned with a laptop.
He powered it up and placed it on the coffee table, "Finish your work on this computer. Any more problems?"
"No, there arent," Sarah replied, dumbfounded by her neighbors thoughtfulness.
"You work on that, and Ill continue to build a nest for Max," Richard said, trying to suppress a smile. His new neighbor was definitely a solid long-term meal ticket.
As Sarah busied herself with her work, Richard deliberately slowed his hammering to minimize the noise, although it didnt seem to affect Sarahs concentration.
Sarah logged into the cloud, downloading the document she had been working on earlier. While she waited for the download to complete, she logged onto WhatsApp to seek solace from her friend, The Squire Who Hates Eating Green Peppers.
The Monkey Under the Mountain of Blind Dates: I had bad luck today.
The Squire Who Hates Eating Green Peppers: What happened, little monkey? Share and let me rejoice.
The Monkey Under the Mountain of Blind Dates: Today, at the presidents inauguration, I got wine splashed on me. The annoying part is the stain wont wash out, and the rental shop wont refund me, so I had to buy it. That tiny cheongsam cost two months of my salary. Im afraid Ill be eating dirt for the next two months. Do you think thats pitiful?
The Squire Who Hates Eating Green Peppers: You are the most pitiful in the world. My heart aches for you, my little monkey.
Richard typed this message, tapped send on his phone screen, and wondered to himself: why did the misfortune that happened to Little Monkey today mirror that of Little Girl? Could Little Monkey be Little Girl?
This thought spread in Richards mind like wildfire, and once ignited, he couldnt suppress his urge to uncover the truth.
He placed the hammer on the pristine tiles and stealthily moved behind Sarah. There, on the laptop screen, was the chat log between him and Little Monkey.
Little Monkey was indeed Little Girl.
At that moment, his phone buzzed with a new message from Little Monkey: Last night, I saw something indescribable!
Richards curiosity was piqued, and he quickly typed: Whats something indescribable?
Little Monkey: The male private parts...
Richards handsome face flushed red at an alarming rate. This audacious little monkey.
Little Monkey: He has a well-built body that made me drool, but its a pity that hes a bearded middle-aged man.
The Squire: Can we change the subject? This topic is inappropriate for children, and didnt you say youre underage?
Richard, now not keen on revealing his identity to Little Monkey, decided to play along. He typed: I thought you were underage, and you let me believe it.
Little Monkey: I was just fooling you before. Im not really underage.
The Squire: Youve hurt my tender feelings. I feel like theres no love in the world.
Little Monkey: I was wrong. Im kowtowing to you for forgiveness, bang, bang, bang, bang.
The Squire: Rise, your attitude is sincere, and I forgive you.
Little Monkey: Thank you, Your Majesty, for your magnanimity.
The Squire: How old are you this year?
Little Monkey: 25.
The Squire: So it turns out to be an aunt.
Little Monkey: If you call me aunt one more time, Ill block you!!!
The Squire: Aunt.
Richard, in a playful mood, sent another aunt and was immediately met with a notification: You have been blocked by The Monkey Under the Mountain of Blind Dates. Messages cannot be delivered.
Daring little monkey, she really blocked me. Richard, who had never been blocked in his 28 years, was fuming with frustration, looking for someone to vent on, so he stormed towards Max, petting him roughly on the sofa, causing Max to shake with fear and struggle out of his owners embrace.
"Woof, woof." The owner is angry, its scary, what should I do, online help, urgent.
Sarah, feeling down because she was called an aunt by her friend The Squire, was delighted by Maxs pitiful gaze. She clapped her hands to attract Maxs attention, and he trotted over, wagging his tail.
Richard, observing Sarahs smile, unconsciously loosened his grip on Max, who then licked her palm ingratiatingly.
Richards eyes flashed with annoyance; you ungrateful Max, did I neglect your food or drink? In a moment, you found a new master.
The room fell silent, interrupted only by the sound of a door closing.