"Mr Romeo"

Chapter 19: "Hi, Neighbor"

As Lan adjusted his jacket near the door, he glanced back at Ryan’s unusually spotless living room. "So, are you going to tell me why your usually hurricane-hit apartment is suddenly dustproof? Did you strike a deal with a cleaning fairy, or is this some kind of new-age spell?"

Ryan shot him a deadpan look. "I don’t want to talk about it."

Lan smirked. "Ah, so it is a spell. Let me guess—Mr Joshua choi casted it with his magic while you stood there glaring at him?"

Ryan’s eye twitched as he mentally cursed Joshua for invading his space and hiring a cleaning crew without asking. "Let it go, Lan."

Lan chuckled, clearly enjoying Ryan’s discomfort. "Sure, sure. But I’m telling you, that guy has ‘territorial’ written all over him. Next thing you know, he’ll start leaving his stuff's here as a marking ritual, but make sure the stuff is not inside you." chuckles.

"Don’t even joke about that," Ryan muttered, scowling.

As Lan moved to open the door, Ryan glanced at the clock. It was already past 10. "Hey," he said, stopping him. "Why don’t you stay for dinner? By the time you get back home, it’ll be late, and I know you’re too lazy to cook."

Lan grinned. "Tempting, but I should really head out. I’ve got an early morning tomorrow."

They stepped out of the apartment together, still chatting. But before they could get far, Ryan froze as he spotted a familiar figure dragging a suitcase down the hallway.

Joshua.

He was walking toward them with the confident stride of a man who owned not just the building, but the entire street. As his eyes landed on Lan, he raised an eyebrow, his expression clearly reading, Why are you still here?

"Hi, neighbor," Joshua said smoothly, his gaze shifting to Ryan with a hint of amusement.

Before Ryan could react, Mrs. Patel, the ever-curious neighbor from across the hall, appeared like clockwork. "Oh, are you the new tenant?" she asked Joshua with a sweet smile.

Joshua turned on the charm, nodding politely. "Yes, ma’am. Just moved in."

Ryan’s jaw dropped. Moved in?!

Mrs. Patel clapped her hands together. "Oh, wonderful! Ryan is just the sweetest. You two will get along so well."

Ryan resisted the urge to scream as Lan gave him a knowing look, his eyes practically twinkling with amusement. "Well, well," Lan said under his breath. "Looks like your very possessive boyfriend is taking this to a whole new level."

"He is not my boyfriend," Ryan hissed, glaring at him. "Unlike you, who apparently likes them young."

Lan shrugged with a cheeky grin. "Touché."

Joshua, meanwhile, was busy chatting with Mrs. Patel, completely ignoring the tension radiating from Ryan.

Lan clapped Ryan on the shoulder. "Alright, Juliet. I’ll leave you to your Romeo neighbour. Have fun."

Ryan rolled his eyes. "Goodbye, Lan."

As Lan walked away, Joshua turned back toward Ryan, his lips curling into a smirk. Mrs. Patel, ever the nosy neighbor, called out, "Ryan, be a dear and say hello to your new neighbor properly!"

Ryan gritted his teeth, forcing a tight smile. He turned to Joshua, extending his hand like they were meeting for the first time. "Hi. Welcome to the building."

Joshua’s smirk deepened as he shook Ryan’s hand. "Thank you, neighbor."

"Goodbye, Mrs. Patel," Ryan said abruptly, spinning on his heel and retreating into his apartment. He slammed the door shut and leaned against it, groaning in frustration.

Through the closed door, he heard Mrs. Patel’s cheerful voice. "What a sweet boy. You two will be such good friends!"

Ryan sighed, sliding down the door. "Kill me now."

From the other side of the wall, Joshua’s chuckle carried through faintly. "Goodnight, Baby."

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