Heather

"I think that should be the last box," I say to Courtney as I stare at the large box sitting at the door of my new apartment. "Gosh, the removalists were so useless."

As if on cue, the two removalists I hired walk out of my bedroom and into my living room space where Courtney and I are currently standing.

"I think that's all, Ma'am," removalist guy number one says, a grin plastered across his face. I think his name was Tom. "Is there anything else we can help with today?"

I fake a smile and bat my eyelashes. "Actually, there is. Would you two mind helping me set up my bed? I got it from IKEA a few years back and forgot how to do it. I know it's not exactly part of your job description, but you guys were such an amazing help today and I could really use an extra pair of hands."

The grin on Tom's face only widens and he gives removalist number two a nudge on the shoulder. "Not a worry at all. Come on Jerry, let's get to work."

Well, that was too easy.

"That was good," Courtney chuckles once Tom and Jerry are out of sight.

"Why do the work when you can have someone else do it for you?" I question. "Especially since I'm paying these guys."

"The view outside is incredible," Courtney suddenly says, as she stares out the window. "I still can't believe your parents bought you a penthouse."

"Yeah," I murmur. "Well, it definitely beats having to pay rent."

"For sure," Courtney says as she walks over to my couch and then sits down. "This is so comfy."

"Hey, careful with the couch," I say. "It's still new."

Courtney rolls her eyes. "Relax, Heath. Nothing's going to happen. And if for some reason I do break it, I'll buy you a new one."

I let out a smile. Courtney and I didn't always get along, but after going to Business School together, we overcame our differences and become the closest of friends. Not only that, but we were also now work best friends too, working together at TD Consulting Inc—the most prestigious consultancy firm in Canada. Bonding together over a psycho boss definitely made work much more bearable.

"Make sure you're on the lookout for any cute neighbors," Courtney then says with a smirk.

I roll my eyes. "Double dates with you and Duncan are not happening. I'm—"

"—Focused on your work and career only, yes, I know," Courtney finishes.

"Yes, and speaking of which, Chris better be giving me that promotion soon," I say, with my arms folded. "He's been alluding to it for like, weeks now but nothing official has happened."

"I think he definitely will," Courtney agrees. "You totally smashed those last couple of projects, the clients were so impressed."

"I know," I smirk. "I do have a good feeling about it."

"I believe in you," Courtney says. "Hey, I have to head now but see you tonight?"

"Yeah," I reply, rolling my eyes. "I'm obviously not going to finish unpacking by then but see you tonight. Thanks again for helping me with the move."

In celebration of my new penthouse and rent-free life, I had reluctantly agreed to party boy Geoff's suggestion that we host a party at my place tonight. Once upon a time, people from my high school and I weren't exactly 'friends' but for the most part, we've moved past that now. The only people from high school who I don't exactly talk to are Gwen and LeShawna but I have absolutely zero objections about that.

"You're welcome," Courtney says as she stands up. I walk her to the door and she gives me a hug, before heading off.

***

Another three hours have passed. The removalists have finished setting up my bed and after they left I headed straight to the nearest mall for a little shopping spree. Thankfully, I still have a few hours before tonight's party to get ready.

With my shopping bags in my hand, I make my way inside my apartment complex lobby and then head straight toward the elevators.

From behind, I notice a tall-looking figure with medium, dark brown hair who's also waiting for the elevators. He's wearing what looks like an expensive-looking suit and a Rolex watch on his left wrist.

The elevator arrives and I briefly catch a glimpse of his face as he steps inside and turns around—I think he has these green eyes.

Or were they blue eyes?

Never mind, it doesn't matter.

"Hey, hold the elevator," I call out as I slightly walk faster and finally reach the elevator, only to see the doors promptly shut in front of me.

I spin around in exasperation. He definitely heard and saw me but ignored me on purpose.

"What a jerk, you probably think you're so cool with your fancy Italian suit and stupid Rolex watch," I say out loud to myself as I fold my arms. "Newsflash—no one cares."

"Are you getting in or not?" a calm, but also slightly vexed voice from behind me suddenly says.

I instantly freeze and then slowly turn back around to see the same man (correction: jerk) from before standing inside the elevator with his brow slightly raised. I hadn't noticed that the elevator door had re-opened, and I realize that he'd probably overheard my little TED talk just then.

Aw no, now I feel bad.

If you didn't the first time, read that again with an extra large scoop of sarcasm because I couldn't give a flying fuck that he had heard me.

"Whatever," I mumble under my breath as I step inside the elevator with my arms still folded. In doing so, our eyes meet, allowing for a closer examination of his facial features.

Okay, so they were green eyes after all. Emerald green eyes, to be more specific.

And that's not all—dark brown hair, tanned skin, devilishly handsome lips, coupled with a very well-defined jawline.

Well, fuck.

He's not that bad-looking.

He's exactly the type that will have women squealing and fangirling over him, with his eyes that will drive you cuckoo crazy, and lips that will say exactly what you want to hear. But he's also exactly the type capable of going around and playing with people's hearts.

I instantly see right through him and he's not fooling me.

"Which floor, señorita?" he then asks, his voice all velvety and smooth.

Ha, suspicions instantly confirmed. Well, fat chance if he thinks I'm going to be giving in.

"I've got it," I coolly respond as I press the button to the sixteenth floor.

He doesn't say anything else and we stand in silence for the next few moments. I concentrate on the screen inside the elevator and watch the floor numbers change, trying not to think about the pair of piercing green eyes in close proximity to me.

Eventually, I hear a soft 'ding' as the elevator door opens and I quickly step out, relieved that I don't have to spend another moment with him.

As I walk towards my apartment door, I hear footsteps from behind and instinctively spin back around to see Mr Emerald Eyes and his fancy Italian suit walk in the same direction as me.

"Excuse me, are you seriously following me now?" I glare at him as I put my hands on my hips.

He completely ignores me. Jerk.

The next moment, I watch as he walks to the apartment door next door to mine and proceeds to slowly take out his keys.

Wait, what?

My mouth drops open as he then steps inside, gently shutting the door after him.

Oh.

Okay.

Whatever.

Alright, I admit it was just a tiny misinterpretation on my part and me getting ahead of myself just a little. But it still doesn't change my opinion that he's a jerk.

I stand there with my feet glued to the ground for the next few moments. I don't really know if Jerkface can tell that I'm still standing outside shocked at his door, or if the Devil really does have eyes at the back of his head because the next thing I know he suddenly comes venturing back out of his lair.

"What do you want?" I say.

"Hola, señorita, apologies, I forgot to introduce myself," he says in a suave voice as he turns to look at me. "My name is Alejandro. Looks like we're going to be neighbors so I'm sure I'll be seeing more of you around," he adds with an annoying smirk.

I don't know why, but there's just something about that smirk that makes me want to wipe it off his face and stick it in the sand.

I roll my eyes. "No one asked and no one cares."

The smirk on his face only widens. "Well, technically you were standing there gaping at my door just then, so I assumed you do care."

The devil really has eyes at the back of his head.

"I wasn't gaping—"

"Of course, I wouldn't be surprised if you found yourself a little obsessed with me," he interjects. "After all, I'm often told by women that I am irresistible."

I think I'm going to puke. If cockiness had a middle name, it would be Alejandro. I've known this guy for less than five minutes and he's already made it onto my blacklist.

"You should really get your ego checked out, it's clouding your perception of reality," I mock.

"Says the woman who was standing outside my door for a whole minute."

I raise a brow. "You were counting? Well, look who's obsessed with who now."

The smirk on his face doesn't disappear. "That was quite a good one."

At that moment, the sound of the elevator door opening, followed by the high-pitched voice of a woman suddenly interrupts us. "Alejandro, are you there?"

"Fuck," Alejandro immediately mutters as he runs his hand through his brown hair. "Fuck me."

"Who's that?" I prod, curious.

"A stage five clinger," Alejandro mutters. "I need to hide."

"He's over here!" I spin around and call out. I'm pretty sure Alejandro is glaring at me right now behind my back, but whatever. Who doesn't like a bit of drama?

The sound of heels tapping against the marble floorboards become louder and the next moment, a blonde woman appears.

"Hi Alejandro!" she exclaims.

I roll my eyes. She's literally staring at Alejandro right now as if he's some kind of Greek god. I mean, objectively, and as I said before, he's not that bad-looking but my bullshit meter would bleep loudly at the sight of this guy from a million miles away.

"Brianna, what are you doing here?" Alejandro lets out a nervous chuckle.

I take a step back as the drama unfolds. Now the only thing missing was some popcorn.

"You haven't answered any of my texts or calls. We had such a great time in your bed last week—" Brianna continues, whilst letting out a tiny giggle.

Okay, forget the popcorn. I need earplugs.

I turn my heel to leave (not because I actually plan on getting earplugs, but because frankly and obviously, I have much better things to do than to waste my precious time here), and that's when Brianna suddenly turns to look at me. "Who are you?"

I roll my eyes and open my mouth to speak but unfortunately, Alejandro beats me to it. And before I know it, he's suddenly standing right next to me. "She's my girlfriend," he states matter-of-factly.

I instantly turn to glare at him. Excuse you? I did not get asked to be dragged into this.

"I am not his girlfriend," I firmly state to Brianna.

"She's right," Alejandro lets out another nervous laugh. "She's my fiancé actually, to be more specific."

My mouth drops wide open. The audacity of that jerk! "Excuse me? He's lying."

"Two truths and a lie, anyone?" Alejandro casually asks.

I let out a scowl. "I don't have time to play your stupid little games. I already said—"

"Board games! She means she doesn't play board games," Alejerkdro interrupts as I continue to glare at him.

"Where's your ring?" Brianna demands.

I roll my eyes again as I turn back to look at Brianna. "There is no ring because I—"

"I accidentally lost it," Alejerkdro interrupts again. "That's why she's looking at me with eyes like shooting daggers right now."

I give him another death stare. "If you keep this up, imaginary daggers won't be the only thing you'll have to worry about."

Alejerkdro lets out another chuckle and turns to look back at Brianna. "Oh, she's a funny one, isn't she?"

I take a deep breath and face Brianna again. I don't know why I'm even still standing here, giving these two people—one airhead and one jerk—my time. "For the last time, I only met this guy today. I am not—"

"You only met him today and you're already getting married?" Brianna gives me a quizzical look.

"Oh my god, have all your brain cells left town?" I snap.

Brianna ignores my comment and shakes her head, before placing her hands on her hips. "You two are both crazy. You can have him, I'm out of here."

With that, she turns to leave, her heels tapping loudly against the marble tiles. Alejerkdro lets out a loud sigh of relief when she's out of sight.

"What the hell was that?" I give him another death stare.

"Thought you could do me a little favor, señorita," he states, placing extra emphasis on the word 'favor'.

I fold my arms. "Just so we're clear, I don't owe you anything."

"But you had no hesitation in calling out to her after I told you that she was a stage five clinger," Jerkface states.

"Well, maybe if you didn't go around playing and ghosting women like that you could have avoided this situation in the first place," I counter.

He clenches his jaw. "You don't know anything about me."

"And I don't want to know anything about you," I make clear. "Goodbye."

With that, I promptly turn on my heel and head for my apartment, before carefully turning my key and stepping inside.

Jerkface doesn't say anything in reply and a wave of satisfaction overtakes my body.

Heather Kasuga always gets the last word.

--

A/N - hiii guys!! Thank you for reading chapter one of "The Jerk Next Door". This is my attempt at writing a (kind of?) romcom style fic - I hope this story will be a fun(ny), lighthearted, escape-from-reality read :)

Feel free to vote if you enjoyed and leave a comment / let me know what you thought of this first chapter & story so far!

There's definitely going to be more of their banter ;) ngl, it may get a bit chaotic - but hopefully it's a chaotic good hahah