Chapter 1
Twenty-six-year-old Lila returned home from work exhausted. As she approached her apartment door, she reached into her handbag for her keys and unlocked it as usual. However, the moment she stepped inside, her heart nearly stopped.
The house was a complete mess.
Clothes were scattered across the floor. The living room looked as though a storm had passed through it. The kitchen was no different. Pots and plates were piled on the table, while spoons and other utensils lay carelessly on the floor. Everything was disorganized.
Fear gripped her instantly.
"I locked the door before leaving," she whispered to herself, staring at the destruction around her. "Who could have done this?"
Panic rose in her chest. She rushed outside and screamed for help.
Within seconds, several neighbors came running toward her.
"What happened?" one of them asked.
"I don't know," Lila replied anxiously. "When I got home, I found everything like this. I remember locking my door before leaving for work. Did I get robbed?"
She looked around desperately before turning to one of her neighbors.
"Did any of my siblings come looking for me today?"
The neighbor shook her head.
"No."
Auntie Shila stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on Lila's shoulder.
"Check your belongings first," she suggested. "Let's see if anything is missing. It could be one of your siblings. Let's start from there."
Lila hurried inside and searched through every room. She checked her wardrobe, drawers, documents, jewelry, and electronics.
Nothing was missing.
Confused, she returned to the living room.
"Call your family," another neighbor suggested. "Find out if any of them came to visit."
Lila immediately pulled out her phone and called her mother.
"Mother, did any of you come to the city today?" she asked as soon as the call connected.
"No," her mother replied.
"Do you know if any of my brothers or sisters came around?"
"I said no. They're all here with me."
There was a brief pause before her mother continued.
"Are you missing them already? If that's the case, don't worry. When school closes, I'll send them to visit you."
"Okay, Mother."
Lila ended the call and lowered her phone slowly.
A troubled expression settled on her face.
She asked her neighbors again if they had seen anyone visit her apartment while she was away, but they all gave the same answer.
"No."
"I didn't see anyone go near your door."
"This is strange."
Lila swallowed hard.
"I haven't fought with anyone. I don't understand what's happening."
She looked around nervously.
"I can't stay here. No, no way. I'm leaving right now."
Before anyone could respond, a familiar voice echoed from inside the apartment.
"Leaving so soon?"
Everyone froze.
The neighbors instinctively stepped backward.
Standing casually inside the doorway was Anan.
A smile played on his lips.
Lila's face immediately darkened.
"I don't need your company," she said coldly. "Just leave."
"And if I don't?" Anan asked.
He folded his arms and leaned against the wall.
"What will you do? Call the police?"
A mocking laugh escaped his lips.
"I know you wouldn't dare."
The atmosphere became tense.
Anan looked around the apartment as though he owned the place.
"I'll be here for a long time," he said. "You'd better get used to it."
With that, he laughed and walked away quietly.
The neighbors exchanged frightened glances.
Sister Bright moved closer to Lila.
"Sister Lila, let's go to the police station," she said nervously. "I'm really scared. Who could do something like this?"
Lila sighed.
"Thank you, Sister Bright, but I know who did it."
Bright's eyes widened.
"You do? Who is it?"
She rolled up her sleeves dramatically.
"Is it your little husband? Call him out! Let me discipline him for scattering your things."
A faint smile appeared on Lila's face despite everything.
"Sister Bright, it isn't my husband."
"Then who is it?"
"You probably don't know him."
Bright became serious.
"Is he dangerous?"
"No. Not really."
"Are you sure?"
Lila nodded.
"I can handle him."
After a moment, Bright finally agreed and returned to her apartment.
The moment they were alone, Anan appeared again.
"I'm hungry," he announced.
Lila stared at him in disbelief.
"What does that have to do with me?"
Anan raised an eyebrow.
"Are you sure you're asking the right person?"
"I don't understand you," Lila replied sharply. "You're an uninvited guest. Why should I care whether you're hungry or not?"
Anan's expression became serious.
"What's my problem with you?" he repeated. "I hate it when you pretend not to know."
He stepped closer.
"I'm here to continue where we stopped."
Lila folded her arms.
"I'm done with you."
"Well, I'm not done with you."
His voice hardened.
"And besides, that's not your decision."
Lila's patience snapped.
"My mind was made up a long time ago," she said firmly. "No matter what you do, nothing can ever happen between us again."
Anan laughed softly.
"Your mind is made up? By who?"
"By me."
"You think you have a choice?"
His eyes narrowed.
"I didn't come here for you to decide anything. I came to tell you what's going to happen."
Lila shook her head.
"This isn't the eighteen-year-old girl you used to know."
She looked him straight in the eyes.
"I know what's right for me now, and you are not part of it."
Her voice trembled with emotion.
"The biggest mistake I ever made was you, and I will never repeat that mistake again."
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Then Anan smiled.
"Interesting."
He slowly nodded.
"Let's see who wins this game."
Later, Anan wandered into the kitchen and prepared noodles for himself. He invited Lila to join him, but she refused.
After eating, he left the apartment and sat beneath a mango tree outside, listening to music and enjoying the evening breeze.
Inside, Lila sat alone, overwhelmed with worry.
What was he doing here?
What did he want?
Why had he suddenly returned after all these years?
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't understand what was going through his mind.
Suddenly, the sound of a car entering the compound interrupted the silence.
Anan looked up.
A sleek vehicle pulled up beside him.
A young man stepped out and approached confidently.
"Good evening," the stranger said. "Is Lila at home?"
Anan studied him carefully from head to toe.
A thought immediately crossed his mind.
So this must be the new boyfriend.
"Sorry," Anan said. "Who are you?"
"My name is Kenny. I'm here to see Lila."
"And who are you to her?" Anan asked.
Kenny smirked.
"She should be the one to answer that. Just tell me whether she's home or if I should come back later."
For a moment, Anan said nothing.
Then a slow smile appeared on his face.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
The game was becoming far more entertaining than he had expected.
"Sorry, brother," Anan said. "My mistake. What would you like me to do?"
"Call Lila for me."
Kenny checked the time and sighed.
"Actually, never mind. I just remembered I have a meeting tonight. Tell her I stopped by."
"I'll make sure she gets the message."
Kenny nodded, got back into his car, and drove away.
Anan watched the vehicle disappear down the road.
Then he shook his head, put his earphones back in, and continued listening to his music.
A faint smile lingered on his face as he stared into the distance.