Chapter 1: The Art of Perfection

Emily Clarke tightened her grip on the edge of the pristine marble countertop, staring at the faint streak her cleaning cloth had left behind. With a sigh, she wiped it again, this time using a circular motion that she knew would leave the surface gleaming. Satisfied, she took a step back to admire her handiwork. The entire apartment was a testament to her meticulous nature—everything in its place, every colour carefully chosen to create a sense of calm and order.

She glanced at the clock on the wall, its quiet ticking a reassuring presence in the otherwise silent room. Just fifteen minutes until her meeting with the new client. Emily loved this part—arriving early, making sure every detail was perfect. It was in these moments, surrounded by the clean lines and elegant decor she so carefully curated, that she felt most at peace.

Her phone buzzed on the counter, interrupting the silence. Emily’s brow furrowed as she reached for it, the screen flashing with a message from her landlord. The subject line alone sent a jolt of anxiety through her.

"Urgent: Apartment Sale"

Heart pounding, she opened the email. Her eyes skimmed over the words, each one adding weight to the sinking feeling in her stomach. Her beloved apartment—the one she’d spent years turning into her personal sanctuary—was being sold. She had sixty days to vacate.

“No, no, no,” she muttered, pacing the length of her kitchen. This couldn’t be happening. Not now. She had projects lined up, deadlines looming, and the thought of packing up and moving out of the one place that truly felt like home was overwhelming.

Emily’s mind raced with the possibilities. She could stay with her sister temporarily, but the thought of living in a house full of toddlers was less than appealing. She needed a new place, and fast. But it couldn’t be just any place—it had to meet her standards, which were, admittedly, quite high.

Taking a deep breath, Emily straightened her shoulders. This was a problem she could solve. She had handled far more complex situations in her career. All she needed was a plan, a checklist, and maybe a glass of wine for later.

She glanced at her phone again, this time pulling up her favourite rental app. “Let’s see what’s available,” she murmured to herself, already scrolling through the listings. But as she swiped through page after page, her frown deepened. Everything was either too small, too dark, or too… wrong.

She was about to give up when a new listing popped up, freshly posted. The photos were decent—light-filled rooms, hardwood floors, and just the right amount of charm. It wasn’t her dream apartment, but it would do in a pinch. She quickly clicked to schedule a viewing.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sound of heels clicking on polished hardwood echoed through the apartment as Emily Clarke stepped inside the viewing. She was the first to arrive, naturally, and she took a moment to survey the space with a critical eye. It wasn’t bad, she admitted to herself—certainly not as perfect as her current place, but it had potential. The tall windows let in plenty of natural light, and the high ceilings gave the rooms an airy, spacious feel.

She moved from room to room, mentally cataloguing what she’d change if she moved in: a fresh coat of paint, new fixtures in the bathroom, maybe a few strategically placed plants to bring some life into the space. She was lost in thought, imagining how she could transform this flat into something truly beautiful, when she heard the front door creak open.

Turning around, Emily expected to see the estate agent. Instead, she was met with the sight of a man—a man who looked distinctly out of place in this refined setting. He had shaggy brown hair that fell just above his eyes, a worn leather jacket slung over his shoulder, and a guitar case in hand. His T-shirt was slightly rumpled, and the laces of his sneakers were untied. He looked, in a word, dishevelled.

Jake Miller paused in the doorway, taking in the elegant woman standing in the middle of the room. She was poised, polished, and clearly someone who took life very seriously. His gaze travelled around the apartment, and then back to her. “You the estate agent?” he asked, a teasing glint in his eyes.

Emily blinked, momentarily thrown off by the question. “No,” she replied, her tone cool and professional. “I’m here for the viewing. Like you, apparently.”

"Ah,” Jake said, stepping fully into the room and letting the door swing shut behind him. “Didn’t expect to see anyone else here. Figured I’d have the place to myself.”

Emily’s eyes narrowed slightly. There was something about his casual attitude that rubbed her the wrong way. “Well, I was here first,” she pointed out. “But I suppose we can both look around.”

“Generous of you,” Jake said with a grin, setting down his guitar case. He didn’t wait for her to respond before he started to explore the apartment, his movements loose and relaxed, as if he were strolling through a park rather than inspecting a potential home.

Emily watched him for a moment, irritation flaring. He wasn’t even taking this seriously! She turned back to her own assessment, trying to ignore the way he seemed to be touching everything—running his fingers along the walls, peeking into cupboards with a complete lack of decorum.

“So,” Jake said after a few minutes, leaning against the kitchen counter and crossing his arms. “What do you think of the place?”

“It has potential,” Emily replied, keeping her tone neutral. She didn’t feel like discussing her detailed thoughts with a complete stranger, especially one who seemed to have no respect for personal space.

“‘Potential,’ huh?” Jake echoed, a hint of amusement in his voice. “That sounds like code for ‘needs a lot of work.’”

Emily’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I’m simply being realistic. There are a few things I’d want to change.”

“Change? But it’s got charm, don’t you think?” Jake asked, clearly enjoying the banter. He gestured vaguely around him. “I mean, look at these floors—sure, they’re a little scuffed, but that just gives them character. And the kitchen? I bet it’s seen some serious cooking over the years.”

“Yes, and it desperately needs updating,” Emily countered. “The appliances are ancient, and the layout is impractical.”

Jake shrugged, unfazed. “Guess it depends on what you’re looking for. I kind of like it as it is—feels lived-in, you know?”

Emily arched an eyebrow. “Lived-in is one thing. Neglected is another.”

Jake chuckled, shaking his head. “You really don’t see the appeal, do you? It’s got personality. Besides, who wants to live in a place that’s too perfect? You’d never be able to relax.”

“Some of us prefer things to be in order,” Emily retorted. “Chaos isn’t exactly conducive to a comfortable living environment.”

“Chaos,” Jake repeated, as if tasting the word. “I like that. Keeps things interesting.”

Before Emily could respond, the estate agent finally arrived, her apologetic smile doing little to ease the tension that had built between the two potential renters. “So sorry I’m late!” she said, bustling in with a stack of papers. “Are you both ready to see the rest of the place?”

Emily was about to insist that she’d already seen enough when Jake cut in, his grin widening. “Absolutely. Can’t wait to see what else this place has to offer.”

As the agent led them through the rest of the apartment, Emily couldn’t shake the feeling that her initial enthusiasm was fading. Sure, the apartment had potential, but sharing it with someone like Jake? That seemed like a recipe for disaster.

But as they finished the tour and she caught sight of the light streaming through the living room windows, casting a warm glow over the hardwood floors, Emily hesitated. Maybe… just maybe, it could work. After all, how much could one roommate really disrupt her carefully curated life?

Little did she know, the answer to that question was far more than she could ever imagine.

... End Of Chapter One ...

... See you in chapter 2...

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***