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Unlocking the door to my new apartment, I stepped in inhaling the scent of my new home. I pulled in my luggage plopping myself on the couch.

How many days had I longed to move out to live on my own, just like my sister. The thought of living alone excited me as I wouldn't have my mom nagging about everything I do.

Don't get me wrong.

I love my mother.

But the fact that she never let me taste freedom was getting to me day by day.

Being treated like a child even after turning 18 can be annoying. So I decided to pursue my higher education in another country, Korea.

We had our graduation party a few months ago and I still remember the teary faces of my friends on our last day. Ah..how much I miss them now.

Travelling exhausted me but I felt my stomach growl so I decided to take care of that first.

Pressing the doorbell of the apartment opposite to mine, I stood there waiting for a response. A pale guy opened the door with a sleepy face.

"What?" He asked clearly annoyed of the fact that I interrupted his sleep.

"Hi, I'm Y/n. I just moved here so please can you tell me where the nearest restaraunt is?"

"It is at the end of this lane," He said and shut the door before I could thank him.

"Rude," I scoffed as I grabbed my phone and jacket heading out.

The night sky had set in by the time I stepped out. The entire street was illuminated only by a single lamp post which was flickering.

Spotting a small illuminated building by the end of the lane, I headed towards it. Though the restaurant had an 'open' board sign, the place was empty.

The bell chimed when I pushed the door open before taking a seat. Soon a fairly old man walked out of the kitchen towards me to take my order.

Not being sure if I was overthinking, but I spot a glint of mischief in his eyes. Once he walked back in, I pulled out my phone plugging my earphones turning on some music.

The food was taking longer than usual to arrive. Getting up, I knocked the kitchen door.

"Sir, why is it taking so long?"

I halted when I pushed the kitchen door to find it empty. Where did he go?

The kitchen had no other doors except one so he couldn't have come out without my knowledge. This scenario made me uncomfortable so I decided to leave the place.

When I started heading towards my apartment, I noticed a man in a black hoodie walking closely behind. This sent my whole being to alarm mode as I mentally tried to convince myself that nothing will happen.

I increased my pace and the man did the same too.

In a flash of a second, he was so close to me that I could hear his breathing right behind me.

I shrieked when he caught my hand interlocking his fingers with me.

"Don't panic. Remain silent," He said slowing down his walk making me slow down too.

"Excuse me! Who-"

"Shhhh" He gestured me to shut up and we slow walked for a few seconds until I realized an extra presence behind us.

I turned around to see a drunkard following us and the way he eyed me sent shivers down my spine.

Understanding the situation, I halted when we reached my apartment waiting for the drunkard to pass by.

"That pervert had been following you," The male who saved me said.

"Thank you so much! Who knows what he would've done to me if you hadn't come," I clasped my hands bowing to him.

"Please stay safe," The man breathed out and turned to leave without another word.

I ran into my house slamming the door as relief swarmed my body. I just turned off the light and crawled under the blankets not forgetting to take my tablets before that.

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3:01 a.m.

My extreme hunger distracted my sleep in the middle of the night.

Getting out of bed to get myself a glass of water, as that's all I could afford for the time being, I started heading to the kitchen.

The knocks made me halt in the middle of the living room.

Who could it be at this hour?

The knocking continued even when I tried to ignore it. Sighing, I walk to the front door and tiptoed to peek through the peephole.

"Lisa!"

Lisa has been my childhood bestie who moved to Seoul a few years ago for her career. We managed to meet at the airport today and spent time together in a nearby cafe.

I sighed in relief letting Lisa in.

"Why are you here at this hour?"

"Was returning home from a friend's party. It's late plus your place is closer than mine so you don't mind me stayin' for the night right?" She asked as she took off her shoes.

"Not at all," I smile but she walked in without a glance.

I walked into the kitchen to fill my empty stomach with water. When I walk back into my bedroom, I find Lisa already asleep.

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The sun's rays shone on my face tickling my closed eyes. I found the bed next to me empty.

She left so early without informing me, so I decided to call that girl.

"Morning!" I greet cheerfully like how I usually do.

"Morning Y/n, why are you up so early?" She spoke in her drowsy voice.

"Gotta unpack stuff. And why did you leave so early?"

"Leave what?"

"You slept in my place last night--"

"When did I?"

"Not the time to play," I roll my eyes at her dumb trick to fool me.

"I'm not playing. I slept in the dorm last night."

Okay now wait, what!?

"Uh? But you came to my house at 3 am!"

"Y/n ah I don't even know where you live yet. Remember you told me you'll text your address once you get a new sim? You haven't texted me your address yet," She said.

"Oh shoot," I started panicking because who wouldn't!?

"Chill that must've been another 'realistic' dream," She nonchalantly says.

There are days when I woke up thinking a certain thing happened when it really didn't but it feels so real.

"Maybe you're right...must've been a dream," My voice trails.

"Okay then, enjoy your day, I'm gonna resume sleeping," She hung up.

I got out of bed to do my usual morning routine. I decided to take a walk outside to calm my nerves and to get used to the neighbourhood.

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