On Annie’s way home, Instead of asking the taxi driver to drop her at H District Apartment Building, she decided to make a stop at a nearby grocery store.
While she was shopping, her hair stood on end as if someone was watching her. That didn’t make her panic, though. The grocery store was wide and filled with people. Although it was evening, inside the store was as if it was still afternoon.
She was walking through the vegetable area and picking some. The feeling that someone was following her increased, and now and then, she would glance over her shoulder.
“Little girl, are you alright?” There was an Old Woman behind her. The woman who had been watching the girl sensed something was wrong with her, and she couldn’t help but ask.
Annie turned around and smiled. “I’m fine, Grandma. Thanks for your concern.”
The Old woman was struck by the girl’s beauty. The little girl even looked more beautiful when she smiled.
Seeing how this girl didn’t snub her and even thanked her for asking, The Old Woman was pleased. “Where do you live, Little Girl? This Old Woman has never seen you around here.”
“I live nearby, Grandma. I moved in here not long ago, so…”
The Old Woman nodded in understanding. Seeing this girl dressed in smart corporate wear, she thought maybe she was living in the large buildings not far from the store.
Annie found it puzzling that the Old Woman was staring at her like some treasure. The woman did not walk away as if in a trance.
In an attempt to dispel the awkward atmosphere, Annie decided to strike up a conversation. “Are you shopping alone? If you won’t mind, I can accompany you.”
“That’s so sweet of you, Little Girl.” The Old Woman was once again struck with a cupid. “However, I am here with my grandson. I don’t even know when that stupid boy disappeared. Don’t worry, this Old Woman can fend for herself.”
“Please take care of yourself.” As Annie was done shopping, she bid the woman goodbye and went straight to the counter.
The taxi man was patiently waiting for her outside the store. But before entering the car, Annie’s eyes suddenly caught a familiar figure inside a car. Her brows creased and her eyes followed the car.
The window was suddenly lifted, so she wasn’t sure if her assumption was right.
“Ma’am, may I start driving?” The taxi driver asked. The girl was holding the door open, yet, she showed no readiness to enter the car. Therefore, the man was confused.
Annie broke out of her reverie and entered the car. “Please start driving.” After replying to the man, she brought out her phone and scrolled through her contact list.
Her fingers stopped at a particular number and she pressed on the message button. Looking at the last text she sent which was still reading ‘seen’, the girl let out a sigh and looked out of the window.
The taxi soon arrived at the apartment building.
While going up with the grocery bags in both hands, Annie walked into Mrs. Huang in the elevator and she smiled at the woman.
“Hi, Mrs. Huang.”
Mrs. Huang’s eyes were on the grocery bags. “Ms. Lin, is this all yours?” She asked, looking flabbergasted.
“That’s right,” Annie replied. “I guess Mrs. Huang also went grocery shopping,” She said, looking at the white bags Mrs. Huang was also holding.
The woman took her eyes off Annie’s bags and nodded. “I couldn’t do it during the day because of my tiresome job. I also had to pick up my son from school. Urgh! Isn’t life treating me so bad while others have to live in bliss without even trying?”
The woman’s whining caught Annie by surprise but she didn’t say anything.
“By the way, Ms. Lin, do you perhaps have a boyfriend? I can feel that this food is not only for you, right?” Mrs. Huang’s attention returned to the large grocery bags. “I know Ms. Lin is getting paid handsomely, but you can’t afford this much. Girls nowadays are only fond of buying those expensive things to paint their faces with.”
“Mrs. Huang, you’re overestimating me.” Instead of answering her question, Annie gave her a smile.
Luckily, the elevator came to a stop and she had the chance to get away from the investigative woman.
Mrs. Huang watched the girl walk away and she scoffed. Seriously, some people had it all without even trying. She especially wasn’t fond of this girl who was too smart for her own good.
Mrs. Huang could never forget how the girl had exposed her. Now, she even lacked the confidence to scam others because she was afraid that this girl must have already told the landlord.
If only there was a way she could regain the landlord’s trust.
.
Annie stopped in front of her door and dropped the grocery bags on the floor. She shoved her hands into her bag and retrieved the apartment’s keys. After inserting the key, she was confused at why it didn’t turn.
Annie tried turning the key again in vain. She tried out all the keys in the key holder, but the door wouldn’t open.
Then a voice reached her ears and her frown got bigger. She looked from left to right, however, there was no one in the hallway except her. Mrs. Huang had long gone inside her apartment.
Seemed like the voice was coming from her apartment.
Annie held the doorknob and she hesitated before pushing the door open. She couldn’t recall giving anyone her apartment keys. The place also had heavy security. It shouldn’t be a burglar.
She pushed the door open and picked up her grocery bags. On reaching the living room, Annie found it empty. But she heard sounds coming from the kitchen.
Carefully, the girl dropped the bags and walked to that area without making a sound. On her way there, she picked up a flower vase and raised it in the air.
“Ahhhh! Mrs. Lim.” Assistant Jiang was very quick to dodge the attack. “Please put it down. It- It is only me.”
Looking at the vase that would have hit his head, the assistant wanted to faint.