Chapter One

"At last!"

Diamond heaved a sigh of relief as the house came into view. It had been a long day.

She had spent the entire week arranging her new apartment, although she wasn't an expert in interior decoration, managed to make the place beautiful.

The faithful truck came to a stop. With quick steps, she made her way to the rear wondering where to start from.

"I better begin" She thought and got to work.

The next thirty minutes made her wish she told Declan to come along but her pompous self thought she could handle it all alone.

With hands placed akimbo, looked around if she might see a neighbour or at best a superman in the sky.

"You think you might need help with that?"

She turned to see who asked the question hoping it wasn't a figment of her imagination.

Someone was there indeed.

"Oh Lord....that smile"

"Are you okay?" He asked wondering why she didn't respond. Was she really tired?

"I think you are so tired" He observed

"Yeah....no....I am actually tired...thank you...I really needed help" She babbled

"I thought as much. Let's get along with it" He nodded and got into the truck.

"What's wrong with you Diamond, can't you get yourself together?" She berated herself.

"Thank you so much for your help" She said after he moved the last luggage in.

"You are welcome" He replied turning to leave.

"I really needed help"

"I know. I've been staring at you for a while and I figured out you couldn't carry it all alone."

"Well....I thought I could do it myself" She replied laughing.

"The name is Andrew"

"And I am Diamond"

"That's a beautiful name"

"Thank you and I think I shouldn't delay you anymore"

"I am your neighbor."

For a moment, she wondered why she was pleased with that statement.

"I need to get something to eat so let's walk out together" She suggested

"Would you like a drink at my place?....And I am a pretty good cook" With tongue in cheek, he prompted.

"I won't like to put you through so much trouble, you've done enough for me already"

"Oh! that's nothing, it's the normal thing to do under the circumstances" He replied as she locked her door.

"So, are you still having a drink with me?"

"I don't drink"

"I have non-alcoholic wine"

"You are the persistent type"

"It's a virtue" He replied with a smile.

"So what if I refuse?" She countered

"I don't expect you to do so"

"But what if I do?" She asked again

"You have a right to do so though"

"You haven't answered my question"

"Are you coming or not?" He asked with an outstretched arm.

"Alright" She accepted.

"Perfect" He smiled

********

"So how was the meal? I hope you weren't disappointed" He smiled as he offered her a glass and sat down on the nearest cushion.

"What do you want me to say?"

"Something at least to praise my efforts"

"You cook so well"

"I am a Chef"

"Oh...now I see" She replied with a smile and took a sip of her drink.

"I just love cooking"

"So do you do it professionally or...?"

"Professionally."

"That's beautiful"

"If you don't mind me asking what do you do?"

"I work as a writer for ZIP"

"That's good" He praised.

"Not really, I just started work last month"

"ZIP is well known in entertainment, soon we will be seeing you in the tabloids"

"You hardly get to see the writers" She replied with a laugh and looked outside.

"But a good movie starts with the story line"

"That's true and the actors also need to bring whatever is written alive."

"You are correct. Apart from writing, do you engage in anything else"

"I was born to be a writer"

"You said that confidently. I guess your life is pretty figured out"

"Yeah I think so too.

"It's late though and I think I should go home" She added and drained the glass of its content.

"Here I was thinking you would stay a bit longer"

"I really need to go home" She replied and stood up.

"It was nice talking to you Diamond" He said leaning against the door frame

"Same here, Andrew" She replied with a smile and walked into the dark night.