When Daphne returned home, Mark and Max were back from their tutorials classes, crouching by the gate.
Max, her eight years old brother jumped to his feet the moment he saw her and ran into her arms.
"You're back!" He said, hugging her tightly.
The twelve years old Mark, rose to his feet slowly, dusting his bag which he had sat on. His brows were furrowed like he was seconds away from throwing a punch at her.
" Where have you been?" He asked.
" I went on walk." She replied, unlocking the gate.
" You look annoyed," Max said softly as they entered the compound. "Did something happen?"
"It's nothing serious." Daphne dismissed, patting his head.
" I'm hungry." Max announced with his childish drama as they hit the living room. Throwing his bag and pulling out of his dress.
Daphne watched her brothers as they disorganized the room she had tidied earlier, pinching her ears.
" Aren't you boys hungry?" She asked with a smile.
" I just said so." Max whined, cradling his stomach.
" Now pick up your bags and shoes, and arrange them in your room." She said firmly. "Then you can come and eat. You too Mark!" She shouted.
Mark jumped to his feet.
♦
A knock sounded on her bedroom door later that night, followed by Max's small voice
"Daphne? Are you sleeping?"
"What do you want?" she asked.
"Can I come in?"
"And do what?"
"I've got gist."
Daphne opened the door slightly. "It had better worth my time."
Max slipped inside and she closed the door behind him.
"Okay I'm listening." Daphne joined him on her bed.
"Can I have that first?" Max pointed to the bowl of popcorn on the drawer. Daphne rolled her eyes and passed it to him.
" I think mum and dad are traveling." He said between bites.
"They travel all the time." She said dismissively.I " I expected more."
"They are going for vacation," Max added, " Just the two of them"
Daphne released a long breath, hoping that was true. "Is that it?"
"And," Max continued, mouth nearly full, "people moved into the new house."
"The one beside ours?" she asked, pointing toward the window.
"Yes! Maybe we can make new friends."
Daphne didn't respond. She wasn't sure how she felt about that yet.
♦
When Daphne woke up the next morning, she found herself by the window of her room, peeping into their neighbor compound. She could get a good view since there was a small fence separating their houses.
It was weekend and her brothers left the house minutes ago for their tutorial classes. Her parents are usually gone before the light of the day, and it was just her in the house.
One of the window from the next house suddenly opened to review a topless guy leaning out. Daphne froze.
His tall physique and annoyingly good looks reminded her of the jerk she encountered the previous day. Daphne didn't realize she was still staring until her eyes collided with his. He waved at her as soon as their eyes met, flashing his perfect set of white teeth.
Daphne eyes widened and she quickly closed the curtains.
"What was that?" She asked herself.
Daphne was the type of girl who was always in the quiet corner. She rarely get asked out, and definitely hot guys didn't look her way. If a guy approached her, they were just trying to get to her friends through her. So, interacting with handsome guys two days in a row was something close to impossible.
She checked the time, it was 12pm. On her to-do list, she have to go and pick her pack of biscuit order from the convenience store by 1pm. She didn't want to be involved in another childish scuffle, so she had discussed getting a carton with the part timer at the store.
Daphne stepped out of the house, preparing her legs for the long distance walk with a warm up. While doing so, a guy walked out from the next house, he went towards a black car, bending to retrieve something.
When he closed the door of the car and started approaching the entrance of the house, she got a view of his face. To her surprise, It wasn't the guy waving at the window earlier, instead, it was the guy from the store
"Seriously?" Daphne scoffed.
He suddenly looked her way, then he pointed his finger, recognizing her too. She wanted to bite it off. He shook his head and walked away calmly.
Was the universe mocking her? Why is he living right beside her of all places in the world?
Daphne had a moment of laughter, watching the space he stood moments ago. She flipped her hair behind her, deciding to forget about him, and proceeded to the store. She had better things to do.
A car suddenly drove close to her, and Daphne slowed in her haste, waiting for the car to roll past. But it didn't, the car drove closer, and the window rolled down to reveal 'Mr Biscuit'.
She stared at him like he was a sick kidnapper. " What the hell do you want now?" She asked when he wouldn't drive off, she resumed walking, then he drove to match her pace.
" Get in, I'll take you there."
"Take me where exactly?" She snapped, eyes not friendly at all
"Wherever you're going." He shrugged behind the wheel.
"And since when did we become this close?" She shot back. " And why do you think I'll ever sit in your car? Just go your way, and we'll both have peace of mind."
"look, I'm just trying to make up for the other day."
She smirked." Really?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm. " if you were in my shoes would you believe yourself?"
"I think I would" he said calmly. " I can tell if someone is being sincere. And right now, I want to make up for my little rude attitude."
" little rude attitude?" She repeated, shaking her head in disbelief. "You're just hopeless aren't you?"
Once she left him and resumed walking, he started horning after her. Once, twice..
Daphne bit hard on her lower lip, "Fucking psycho." She muttered, spinning around in one swift move toward the car, yank the passenger door and slid in, slamming it shut.
"You're crazy." Daphne snapped, glaring at him.
He glanced at her amused, "My name is Kendrick. Nice to meet you too Daphne."