Chapter 1

A beautiful Saturday morning out here, August 9th, I woke up as the alarm went off, stepped down from my bed, took a glass of water before putting on my full kit for my early morning quick exercise. Curiously I open the door just to feel the fresh freezing breeze. I stepped down the pavement of my front yard, looking at the time and it says 5:23 am.

'What a pleasant day to be alive' I said to myself with a full-blown smile waiting to hit the road to and fro...

After running a few kilometers I noticed a figure ahead of me, and the figure was shaped like a lady because it was not completely bright yet. I rushed to catch up with the figure, on getting there, I noticed it truly was a lady.

'For the first time in three months I will be having company today,' I said to myself.

"Hello, how are you?" I quickly asked, but she seems to be enjoying her own company cause she didn't bother to look at me or give me any attention.

"Good morning dear, can I join you?" I asked again, not willing to lose the only company I might have in months. 

"If you like," she said.

I find it difficult to start up a conversation, especially with a girl I'm meeting for the first time, I always get this feeling that I will be slapped or ignored, I prefer meeting my dates online, where I could say anything that I so desire. 

"My name is Fred! Hope we can be friends?" I asked while putting on my best smile. 

She stopped and stared at me for a while, before replying with a hint of distress on her face, "Is there anything else you want, is this how you go about running after women asking to join them?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you." I apologized on seeing she was angered.

She went on without saying another word. I stood still, looking at her as she wiggled her ass and continue.

'You should not let her go like that, be a man and go after her.' I thought to myself.

'Ok, I can do this.' I encouraged myself, before quickly running after her just to continue the conversation.

"Ok, can you please give me some audience, I don't run after ladies and I don't even know why I am sounding like this now, I don't even know what to say next cause am not used to this "

she stopped...

"My name is Isabella and if you don't mind I would love to be alone, I have some calories to burn." She blurted out in a hurry and I could not help but stare at her pretty face 

"What are you looking at?" She asked when she noticed me staring. 

"Oh...yes... I...am sorry, can I please have your number so I could give you a call when I get home?" I replied.

"Okay, but you should stop following me and you must promise not to disturb me, else I will have no choice but to blacklist your number," she replied after much persuasion 

I quickly nodded in agreement and passed her my phone, she dialed her number and returned it to me. I hastily saved the number with her name. 

After giving me her cell phone number, she took the turn by the right, while I was taking the turn by the left, I couldn't help but praise my luck that I acted quickly. I watched her leave, and it was only after she was completely out of sight did I continue my morning jog. 

I don't know what to say to her if I call, but whatever comes out of my mouth first will be my starting point.

I quickly made my way home, since I should prepare myself for work.

On getting to my neighborhood, I was greeted by my neighbor. 

"Hi Fred, good morning. Also, happy birthday." A young lady who looked to be in her late twenties waved at me. 

Oh my God! I completely forgot today's my birthday! 

"Good morning! Thanks a bunch! You're amazing, but if I may ask, how did you know it's my birthday?" I showed my gratitude with the best smile on could offer, before asking how she knew of my birthday since I didn't recall telling her of it. 

"I got a notification from Facebook, I already sent you my birthday wishes there, guess you will be celebrating?" She asked with a soft smile. 

"I don't think so, I need to be at work in the next hour, and I don't think I will be back on time as usual," I replied while walking to my house. 

"Ok Fred, I need to fix breakfast for Diane, do have a nice day," she said as she rushed in. 

"No problem Annie, and thanks again," I said to her before unlocking my door and walking into the house. 

Annie is not only my nearest neighbor, but she was sadly my only neighbor. The next building from ours is almost one kilometer away. and no house is visible from the left side of my building just the hilltops within half a mile of my own.

She is a strong and independent woman, outside working in a radio station she also practices Cuniculture. Annie is a single mom, who has a 4-year-old daughter called Diane who's very pretty and smart for her age.

Wow! I feel so tired, and hungry. I don't think I have any food left in the fridge, I'll probably have to go to a canteen on my way to work. 

I walked straight to the table and opened up my laptop, I wanted to see Annie's birthday wishes on my Facebook. 

On getting on the site, I was amazed to see 38 notifications, now, I'm blushing. I clicked on all the notifications one after another until I got to hers. 

"It is not important to meet each other every day, the important thing is that we stand for each other whenever required, you are my silent yet precious neighbor. Wish you a very happy and joyful birthday grow old and toothless."

'Hmmm, nice one from a neighbor.' I said to myself still scrolling down as I clicked on my boss's notification.

"Accordingly, for being the most incredible employee and the most versatile member of our team, your birthday is a big deal for us. Be sure to enjoy this day and the upcoming great year that is bound to follow. You can take three days off from work, Happy Birthday to you"

I quickly replied with the biggest smile on my face, "Thank you, sir! You've been the best boss in the whole world"

"Oh my god, am so excited!"

'Did I just scream? Wow, what a relief...let me take my phone off from flight mood and call my friends, three days is just enough to throw a party.'

I looked around the house but was unable to find my phone, 'Hmm, where did I put it this time.'

If I'm good at one thing, then it's misplacing things, I'm frankly surprised how great I am in my job given how careless I am. 

'Did I forget taking it back from Isabella? No, I recall taking it back. Where did I put it then?' I asked myself while thinking seriously. 

I thought of calling it, but then I recalled it was on airplane mode. 

While I was still searching for my phone, I heard a knock on the door. 

'Who could that be? I don't think I'm expecting anyone.' I thought to myself as I walked over to the door. 

I angrily opened the door to see who it is. 

"Your phone, you left it on top of my car." Annie chuckled as she handed it over to me. 

"Thank you so much, I've been looking everywhere for it. I always misplaced my things." I replied with a remorseful face, I added on saying, "You look beautiful!"

"Well thank you." She smiled as she replied, before walking back to her car.

I closed the door after she left with a confused expression. 

'Why did she knock when she could just walk inside? I remember she has my security pass and face recognition.' I thought to myself.

I live in an automation house where almost everything is being controlled by my phone, I can easily grant anyone access to my house even if I'm at work, I remembered granting her and Diane access to use one of my bathrooms when the engineers were renovating her roof.

"Ok, google play me safe by Daya."

If there is one thing I love most in this life is music, I have a playlist for every mood am in and I can listen to songs while at work, some of my favorite songs are: Rude by Magic, Switch by 6lack, Stan by Eminem, OTW by Khalid, FRIENDS by The Carters, No Romeo No Juliet by 50cent, Novacane by Frank Ocean, Life is for the living by Passenger, Lonely by Justin Bieber ft Benny Blanco, etc...

"Mom is at the door." Google voice