Under The Skin — Part 1

Hello everyone!

Welcome, and thank you so much for stopping by and giving my story a chance..

I’m completely new to Inkitt, and this is actually my very first story on the app. I’m really excited (and a little nervous!) to finally share something I’ve written with you all..

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I’d love to hear your thoughts, theories, and reactions along the way, so please feel free to leave a comment. Every bit of support means a lot to me..

"Under the Skin" is a two-part story narrated from the perspectives of two main characters..

In the first part, we follow Tyler Valentine, a cold and serious man who begins working as a bodyguard for the daughter of a gang boss..

His journey is filled with thrilling, mysterious, emotional, and heartwarming events.. Tyler's emotions oscillate between hatred and love, making his story compelling and unpredictable..

On the other hand, Jeremy Ramsey, a shy and introverted painter, lives a seemingly idyllic life in Paris with his lover.. His life resembles a romantic movie until a decision to return to San Francisco turns everything upside down..

With diverse events and unique characters, this story promises a blend of intrigue and drama that I hope you'll enjoy...

» Notes «

- This story includes references to death, blood, violence, and mature themes..

- All events, characters, and locations are fictional and not based on reality..

- I apologize for any spelling or grammatical errors, as English is not my first language..

- If you have any difficulty understanding any part of the story, feel free to ask for clarification..

» Here are the names of some of the main characters..

Tyler Valentine

Jeremy Ramsey

Derrick Kane

Basil Christie

Cameron Young 

Spencer Hall

Evan Stewart

Helen Stewart

Victor Wendell

Manuel Stewart

Ivy Stewart

Roland Clark

Ross Wood

Paul Logan

Adam Parker

Romeo Gomez

Now let’s start ^^

“Aah.. Yeah.. ”

I lay sprawled on the bed in a dimly lit hotel room.. One hand rested under my head, while the other held a cigarette that lazily made its way to my lips every few seconds.. The faint scent of tobacco mixed with the sharp tang of sweat lingering in the air..

“Aah.. ”

Her cold hands slid over my stomach, sending a fleeting chill across my skin.. Her body moved rhythmically against mine, her moans filling the room as her hips met my thighs with every thrust.. My gaze, however, was fixed on the ceiling, the cracks in the paint more captivating than the woman who was desperately trying to pull me into her world..

“Ohh.. Yes.. Yes.. ”

Her movements grew faster, her breaths sharper, and her moans louder as she reached her peak.. Her nails scraped against my chest, leaving faint trails that burned for a moment before fading.. But I was numb—disconnected.. Her pleasure, her presence, her touch, all of it felt distant, as though I were watching it from behind a screen.. My mind drifted elsewhere, tangled in thoughts about the job I needed, the life I wanted, and the void I couldn’t seem to fill..

“Aaaah.. ”

She collapsed onto me, her lips finding their way to my neck and cheeks in a feverish attempt to prolong the connection.. When her mouth hovered near mine, I turned my face away, the gesture curt and final..

“Why won’t you let me kiss you, handsome??.. ”

She murmured, her fingers tracing the tattoo on my chest with a coy playfulness..

I took one last drag from the cigarette, the ember flaring briefly before I exhaled a cloud of smoke into the air.. Without a word, I nudged her aside, got out of bed, and walked over to where my clothes lay scattered on the floor.. My fingers found the pocket of my leather jacket and retrieved a small box of caramel candy.. I unwrapped a piece and popped it into my mouth, the sweetness a brief respite from the bitterness clinging to my tongue..

I sank into the chair across from the bed, watching her as I chewed slowly.. She lay there, her messy hair framing her flushed face, her expression teetering between confusion and hurt..

“You can leave now.. ”

I said flatly, my voice devoid of emotion.. Her face fell.. She propped herself up on her elbows, her brows furrowing..

“Can’t I stay??.. I don’t want to leave you.. ”

I leaned forward, picking up my jacket again to retrieve my phone.. My fingers flicked through the screen as I spared her a brief glance, my eyebrow raised in disdain..

“And who do you think you are to stay with me??.. Your mission is over.. ”

I replied, my focus already back on the phone.. I gestured toward the door with a dismissive wave of my hand, signaling her to leave.. The tension in the room thickened, her earlier passion now replaced by simmering anger.. She scrambled to put on her clothes, her movements sharp and agitated..

Before leaving, she stood in front of me, her hands trembling..

“Look at me.. ”

She demanded.. I raised my eyes lazily, not expecting the slap that landed across my cheek with a force that made my jaw ache.. My hand instinctively reached for my face, rubbing the spot to check for damage.. A crooked smile spread across my lips as I shook my head in disbelief..

She stormed out, slamming the door behind her.. The echo lingered for a moment, followed by silence..

I leaned back in the chair, the candy dissolving slowly in my mouth.. Closing my eyes, I let the faint sweetness fill the emptiness inside me, if only for a fleeting moment..

Let me start by telling you a bit about myself.. My name is Tyler Valentine.. I’m 29 years old, and I live on the rooftop of a two-story building in a modest apartment that barely feels like home.. It’s small, just a bedroom, a bathroom, a living area with a kitchen, and a rooftop space I often use to clear my head.. I never went to college—barely scraped through high school, to be honest..

Once, I worked as a bodyguard for the daughter of a wealthy family.. It was a decent job, though not without its complications.. But that all ended when her father got convicted for corruption.. I didn’t stick around to see how things unfolded—I just left.. Since then, I’ve been drifting, jobless and unsure of my next step..

My life??.. It’s nothing special.. In fact, it’s incredibly dull.. I wake up early, sometimes before the sun rises, and do some exercise on the rooftop.. That’s usually when the neighbors start yelling at me about the noise.. Apparently, my attempts to stay fit are a nuisance to their “peaceful” mornings..

After a quick workout, I go back inside and feed the little Paul.. He’s practically my only companion in this lonely life.. Once little Paul’s taken care of, I jump into the shower, then prepare my usual bland breakfast: a bowl of cereal.. Every day, the same routine.. Little Paul seems to notice my boredom and tries to cheer me up with his playful antics.. I play along until he tires himself out.. Once he’s asleep in his little bed, I change clothes and head out—not to work, but to volunteer..

I’ll admit, I don’t volunteer because I have a big heart or want to make a difference.. I do it to kill time.. To feel like I’m doing something instead of staring at the walls of my apartment..

Today, I entered a large, brightly lit hall that smelled faintly of cleaning products and cheap coffee.. It was my first time volunteering with this organization.. The last one I worked with turned out to be a scam—they were closed down after a major scandal.. That left me even more skeptical about these kinds of places..

I stood near the entrance, scanning the room.. A few people were gathered in groups, chatting and laughing like old friends.. I felt out of place, like an intruder in their little world..

Before I could take another step, a girl approached me.. She looked to be in her mid-20s, with short, sleek black hair framing her face and a bright smile that seemed almost too perfect..

“Can I help you??.. ”

She asked, her voice warm and welcoming.. I stared at her for a moment, caught off guard by her friendliness.. I opened my mouth to reply, but before I could say anything, she spoke again..

“Are you here to volunteer??.. ”

She asked, tilting her head slightly like she was genuinely curious.. I nodded slowly, my voice still caught in my throat..

“My name is Cameron.. ”

She continued, holding out her hand..

“I’m responsible for the volunteers here.. ”

Her handshake was firm but not overbearing.. I noticed her smile hadn’t faltered—not even a little.. Was it genuine??.. Or was she just pretending to be cheerful because it was part of her job??.. Didn’t her cheeks get tired from all that smiling??..

“And what’s your name??.. ”

She asked, her tone still friendly but with a hint of expectation.. I hesitated, realizing I’d been standing there like an idiot, overanalyzing her expression.. Finally, I cleared my throat, ready to answer..

Just as I extended my hand, intending to return her handshake, she abruptly flipped open a small notebook and began flipping through its pages.. Her focus shifted entirely, leaving me standing there with my arm half-outstretched..

“Seriously??” I thought, resisting the sudden and irrational urge to snatch the notebook out of her hand.. Instead, I forced a faint smile, the kind that felt unnatural, and slowly withdrew my hand.. Just as I was about to try speaking again, a voice cut through the air..

“Cameron!.. Come on, we’re starting soon!.. ”

Another girl strode toward us.. She had long blonde hair, a confident swagger, and a mischievous glint in her eye.. She barely acknowledged the brown-haired girl before turning her attention fully on me..

“Well, well.. ”

She said, her tone laced with mock appreciation..

“What do we have here??.. ”

She gave a low whistle, her gaze unabashedly roaming over me from head to toe.. I raised my eyebrows in disbelief, my jaw tightening.. Before I could react, she stepped closer and smirked..

“Wow.. So perfect.. ”

She said, reaching out to touch my arm.. Her fingers lightly brushed over my bicep as if she were inspecting a piece of art.. Then, without hesitation, she moved her hand toward my chest.. That was enough.. I stepped back quickly and pushed her hand away, my voice sharp..

“What the hell are you doing, miss??.. ”

She grinned, completely unfazed..

“Relax, I was just admiring.. You’ve got a killer physique.. Which gym do you go to??.. ”

“Spencer!.. ”

The brown-haired girl interjected, her voice stern but laced with a hint of exasperation..

“Stop it!.. ”

I opened my mouth, finally ready to say something, but the brown-haired girl cut me off again..

“I didn’t catch your name.. ”

She said, looking at me with an encouraging smile.. Before I could respond, she chimed in once more..

“Come on, you’ll have so much fun with us.. You’ll fit right in.. ”

I stared at her, utterly baffled by how easily she interrupted me every time I tried to speak.. She didn’t need to ask questions if she wasn’t going to listen to the answers.. Suppressing a frustrated sigh, I clenched my jaw and exhaled deeply, trying to let go of the irritation building inside me..

Suddenly, I felt someone grab my wrist and tug me toward a door that led into another large hall.. Startled, I glanced around, only to realize it was the brown-haired girl pulling me along.. Her grip was firm yet oddly gentle, but I immediately yanked my hand free the moment I processed what was happening..

The blonde girl, now standing on my other side, added with a sly grin..

“You’ll be at the soup station.. It’s easy—one scoop per bowl.. Oh, and wear this.. ”

She handed me an apron, her tone making it sound like I had no choice in the matter.. Before I could protest, she gave me a light shove from behind.. I stumbled forward but begrudgingly decided to go along with it..

“Go on, go!.. ”

She urged, waving me toward the station.. I turned back for one last look at the two girls.. The blonde one shot me a playful wink, while the brown-haired girl’s smile remained unwavering, as if glued to her face.. I shook my head and muttered under my breath, ensuring no one else could hear..

“Just bear with it, Tyler.. Just for today.. ”

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment as I tied the apron around my waist and positioned myself behind the large soup bowl.. This wasn’t my first time volunteering, but today felt different.. They hadn’t even bothered to ask for my name or any basic information about me.. It was like they just assumed I would fit in.. How could they trust someone they barely knew to handle something as simple as serving soup??.. I couldn’t help but wonder—did they even care about who I was??..

Maybe I was just overthinking it, but it bothered me.. I could be a bad person—well, I wasn’t exactly a saint.. But still, a little background check wouldn’t hurt.. I sighed to myself, the quiet hum of the event fading into the background as I focused on the task at hand..

“Young man, wouldn’t you pour soup for me??.. ”

An elderly voice suddenly interrupted my thoughts.. I turned to see an old man standing before me, an empty bowl extended in my direction.. I had been so lost in thought, I hadn’t realized my distraction had caused me to freeze.. Beside me, a younger man gave me a subtle nod, a silent reminder to focus on the task.. I quickly shook myself out of my haze and opened the lid of the soup pot.. With a steady hand, I filled the scoop and poured it into the old man’s bowl..

“I apologize.. ”

I muttered, still a little flustered.. The old man shook his head and gave me a dismissive wave before moving on.. I glanced back at the young man next to me, giving a small nod of gratitude.. He simply shrugged and continued his work, as if this sort of thing happened often..

My gaze wandered to the two girls.. The blonde one was busy elsewhere, but the brown-haired girl stood still, her smile still present.. She gave me a slight nod, almost like a silent acknowledgment.. I sighed and refocused, trying to push past the growing frustration that seemed to be building within me..

I had volunteered plenty of times before, but today was different.. The way everything seemed to be moving so quickly, without giving me a chance to adjust—it was all just a bit too much.. But it wasn’t the situation that was the problem, it was the people here..

I raised my arms, stretching them above my head, feeling the sunlight warm my face.. I let out a slow exhale, letting my body unwind as I allowed the warmth to sink into my bones.. Finally, it was almost over..

Just then, I felt a light tap on my shoulder.. Without thinking, I whipped around and grabbed the hand that had touched me, my reflexes sharp and quick.. A voice immediately spoke up..

“Wow, slow down.. It’s me.. ”

The girl said, her voice calm and unruffled.. I blinked, staring at her for a moment.. It took a few seconds for me to process what had just happened.. She was the brown-haired girl from earlier.. I quickly released her hand and turned away from her, trying to regain my composure.. She stepped in front of me, a little too close for comfort..

“What’s wrong??.. Did I scare you??.. ”

She asked, her smile still plastered on her face.. I looked at her seriously, feeling irritation bubbling up inside me..

“You can’t just sneak up on people like that, miss.. ”

I said, my tone more clipped than I intended.. Her smile faltered slightly, the first sign of seriousness I’d seen from her today..

“I apologize.. I didn’t mean to scare you.. ”

I stared at her for a moment, the sharpness of my words hanging between us.. I realized I might have been too harsh, especially since I didn’t even know her.. I sighed, my frustration giving way to a feeling of guilt..

“Never mind.. ”

I muttered, my voice softer this time.. She smiled again, as if nothing had happened, and her eyes brightened..

“How was your day??.. Did you enjoy it??.. ”

I raised my eyebrows, astonished, as I looked at her.. I couldn’t help but think that she could become a talented actress, considering how expertly she controlled her facial expressions.. In mere seconds, that smile returned to her lips, as though nothing had happened.. I glanced away, my frustration mounting, and opened my mouth to speak.. But before I could say anything, she cut me off..

“Oh, right, I haven’t caught your name yet.. What is it??.. ”

I sighed in frustration, shaking my head.. I turned my gaze back to her, ready to respond.. But, of course…. once again, she spoke before I could..

“You seem like a good person.. I hope you’ll keep volunteering with us.. ”

I closed my eyes tightly, doing my best to conceal the boiling anger inside me.. Here’s a little secret about me—I’m quick-tempered.. Small things can set me off, and when I’m pushed far enough, I could lose control.. But since she was a girl, I wouldn’t lash out physically.. No, my words would be sharp enough for now..

I opened my eyes, preparing to deliver the final words between us, the ones that would close this chapter for good.. But before I could, she turned her attention to the blonde girl and a young man..

Wait.… the young man.. The same one who had been beside me when I poured soup.. I sighed, an overwhelming sense of despair washing over me.. It seemed this day would never end..

The blonde girl spoke, her tone light..

“Today was better than yesterday.. ”

The young man chimed in, his voice matter-of-fact..

“Yes, the numbers were fewer.. ”

“Oh, he’s the guy with the perfect body.. ”

The blonde girl added, almost to herself.. I immediately turned away, not wanting to make eye contact with her.. But just as I thought I had escaped, she…. leaped in front of me.. Or maybe she didn’t leap—could she have flown??.. I was too stunned to figure it out.. I heard the young man’s voice then, laced with an irritating tone..

“Where did you find him??.. He doesn’t seem to know even the simplest things.. ”

That was it.. The anger I’d been holding in all day, stemming from these two girls and their incessant interruptions, was finally boiling over.. My eyes narrowed.. Slowly, I turned to face the young man, taking a step toward him.. But he quickly asked permission from the girls and left before I could reach him.. If he’d stayed even another second, I’m not sure what I would’ve done.. The fury in my chest felt like it could have consumed me whole..

I glared at the spot where he had disappeared, my eyes burning with rage, until I couldn’t see him anymore..

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes, trying to center myself.. When I opened them again, my heart skipped a beat.. The blonde girl’s face was mere inches from mine.. Instinctively, I stepped back, my body reacting before my mind could catch up..

The girl burst into a loud laugh, pointing at me.. The brown-haired girl, looking genuinely concerned, tried to warn her..

“You get scared so easily.. ”

The blonde girl teased, her grin widening.. The brown-haired girl stepped forward, grabbing her hand, her voice dropping to a more serious tone..

“Hey, Spencer.. Stop.. ”

The blonde girl turned to face the other one, still laughing uncontrollably.. The sound was grating, and it was the last thread of my patience snapping.. I took a deep breath, my fists clenching at my sides as I gave them both a sharp, piercing look..

With a cold fury in my voice, I spoke up, the words coming out more forcefully than I intended..

“Do you really think you can mock me, or anyone else here, just because you’re in charge??.. ”

I paused, letting the weight of my words sink in..

“Let me tell you something.. ”

I took a step forward, my gaze unwavering..

“First of all, you don’t deserve this position.. A petty, childish person like you shouldn’t be in charge of so many people’s lives.. Secondly.. ”

I continued, my voice hardening..

“You let anyone volunteer without even bothering to learn their name.. That’s another sign you’re not fit to be in charge.. ”

I took a breath, my words gaining momentum as the anger inside me simmered to the surface..

“Third, I’ve volunteered more than you, probably even more than that guy who was standing next to you earlier.. ”

I said, my voice cutting through the tension like a knife.. I stepped even closer, the space between us charged with tension..

“Fourth.. ”

I added, my tone biting..

“I don’t get scared easily, Miss.. But you—you’re the one who crosses the line with everyone you meet.. If you closed your eyes for a moment, only to open them and find an ugly face like yours inches away, let’s see how you would react.. ”

I spoke quickly, my words fueled by anger and frustration.. The torrent of emotions inside me was spilling out, and I felt an overwhelming need to say everything I had bottled up.. The two girls stood frozen, their eyes wide as they stared at me, their shock evident.. I wasn’t sure if it was because of my sudden outburst or my harsh words, but I hoped I’d scared them enough to finally understand who Tyler Valentine really was..

Then it happened..

“Ha-ha-ha-ha!.. ”

The blonde girl burst into laughter, the sound echoing in the space like an off-key melody.. I turned my gaze to her, my eyebrows knitting in confusion and annoyance.. Meanwhile, the brown-haired girl’s lips twitched upward, her expression betraying a growing smile that only widened as the blonde’s laughter filled the air..

I’m not going to lie—it was a strange laugh.. It reminded me of the squeaky sound a window makes when you’re cleaning it with a rag.. Imagine that.. If you can’t, I suggest grabbing a rag and trying it yourself..

I couldn’t hold back anymore and snapped at her sharply..

“Did I say something funny?!.. ”

But the blonde girl didn’t stop.. Her laugh rolled on endlessly, like one of those old arcade machines that kept making noise the moment you inserted a coin.. Seeing that she wouldn’t answer, the brown-haired girl stepped in, her tone apologetic but with a hint of amusement..

“I’m sorry about her.. ”

She said, suppressing a chuckle..

“She probably didn’t understand a word you said.. She’s…. a little slow on the uptake.. ”

The blonde, still laughing, swatted her friend lightly on the arm, as if playfully reprimanding her.. I glared at both of them, then let out a frustrated sigh, shaking my head hard enough to loosen the tension in my neck.. Turning on my heel, I headed for the exit, muttering under my breath..

As I walked away, the blonde girl’s voice rang out, still laced with laughter..

“Come back again!.. ”

I didn’t bother to turn around, shouting back over my shoulder..

“I won’t!.. ”

Reaching my motorcycle, I pulled out a pack of cigarettes, staring at it for a moment as I debated whether to light one.. After a few seconds, I shook my head and stuffed the pack back into my pocket.. Instead, I pulled out a box of caramel candies, unwrapped one, and popped it into my mouth.. The sweet taste eased my nerves as I inhaled deeply, the crisp air filling my lungs..

Just as I was about to slip my helmet on, I heard a sound behind me.. A soft call.. I turned reluctantly, my eyes locking onto the brown-haired girl as she approached.. She looked hesitant but determined, her steps quickening as she reached me.. I let out a resigned sigh, my helmet still in my hands, ready to end this interaction for good..

Before I could move, she reached out and grabbed my elbow.. Her grip was firm, but her eyes were pleading..

“Please, wait.. ”

She said, her voice soft but urgent.. I looked sharply at her hand gripping my arm.. She immediately pulled it away, her fingers trembling slightly as she spoke in a quiet, almost pleading tone..

“Can you hear me before you go??.. I promise it’ll just take a minute of your time.. ”

I stared at her, my expression cold and impatient, before finally turning my face away..

“Fifty-seven.. ”

I said flatly.. Her brows knitted in confusion..

“What??.. ”

I sighed deeply and repeated..

“You have fifty seconds left now.. ”

Realization dawned on her face, and she hurriedly responded..

“Oh, right.. First, I want to apologize for what happened today.. I think we crossed the line.. ”

I glanced at her from the corner of my eyes, my brows raising as a mocking smirk tugged at my lips..

“You think??.. ”

She fumbled, her words rushing now..

“I mean, we did cross the line.. I’m really sorry.. ”

She paused, studying my face as if trying to decipher my reaction.. It was futile—I had perfected the art of masking my emotions.. Anger might have been the only thing she could read..

“Thirty seconds.. ”

I said, cutting through her silence.. Her eyes widened in panic, and she started talking faster, her words tumbling over each other..

“Oh… uh… also, we don’t let just anyone volunteer with us.. But I thought you seemed like a good person, and we were running out of time, so I allowed you to join…. ”

I didn’t let her finish..

“That…. ”

I said sharply..

“Was your biggest mistake.. You’re responsible for the lives of everyone who came here for help.. Letting me in without proper checks shows a blatant disregard for your duty.. ”

She nodded quickly, her voice defensive but softer..

“You’re right, but you didn’t do anything wrong.. You didn’t hurt anyone.. ”

I turned to fully face her, crossing my arms over my chest..

“I considered killing two or three people, but lucky for you, I held myself back.. ”

She laughed nervously, clearly thinking it was a joke.. Then she stopped abruptly, realizing I wasn’t laughing with her.. Her gaze fixed on me, her smile fading as the tension thickened..

“Well…. ”

She said weakly..

“I’m glad that I’m lucky.. ”

I tilted my head, my tone unwavering..

“Are you finished??.. Because I am.. ”

I turned toward my motorcycle, ready to leave, but her voice stopped me again..

“Wait!.. I’m not done yet.. ”

I glanced over my shoulder, irritation flaring..

“Your time is up.. ”

She countered quickly..

“That minute was mine, but you took half of it.. You owe me another thirty seconds.. ”

Her boldness surprised me.. I sighed, nodding slightly..

“Fine.. Thirty more seconds.. ”

Her determination returned, and she stepped closer..

“Come back again.. I promise you, what happened today won’t happen again.. You’ll be happy working with us.. ”

“Why do you even want me to come back??.. I’m sure plenty of people would volunteer here…. ”

She interrupted before I could finish..

“Because I want to prove to you that your words were wrong, that I do deserve this position.. I want you to admit that I’m a good leader and that I take my job seriously.. ”

I raised an eyebrow..

“Miss, I don’t care if you’re good at your job or not.. The first thing you need to do is learn to listen.. Stop interrupting people when they’re talki…. ”

Her face reddened as she stammered..

“Oh… sorry.. It’s a bad habit.. I’ve tried to break it, but…. ”

“You interrupted me again.. ”

I said, cutting her off with a sharp glare.. She stared at me, flustered and unsure of what to say.. I shook my head, and a faint, involuntary smile crept onto my lips.. Pulling out my box of caramel candy, I popped another piece into my mouth.. Her expression softened as she noticed..

“That’s the first time I’ve seen you smile.. ”

She said, her voice lighter.. I studied her for a moment.. Maybe she wasn’t as bad as I’d initially thought.. Raising an eyebrow, I replied seriously..

“Well, Miss, I’m leaving now.. ”

“Wait!.. ”

She called again, her tone almost desperate..

“Tell me you’ll come back.. ”

“I’ll think about it.. ”

I said, my voice noncommittal..

“Please think carefully.. I’ll wait for you.. ”

She insisted, her smile persistent.. I placed the helmet over my head, pausing to glance at her one last time before pulling the visor down.. She was still smiling, her determination unwavering..

“I’ll wait for you.. ”

She repeated as I climbed onto my motorcycle.. With the engine roaring to life, I left her words hanging in the air behind me..

I arrived at the house, the familiar hum of my motorcycle breaking the quiet of the evening.. It felt almost as if the neighbors were waiting for the sound, just so they could step out and watch me pull in.. Of course, they weren’t waiting to greet me—they were waiting to reprimand me..

“There are always noisy sounds coming from your house.. Things crashing to the ground.. It’s very annoying.. We can’t sleep well.. ”

The scolding had become routine, a daily annoyance.. I stood there, trying to maintain my composure, forcing a smile as I listened to the same complaint for the hundredth time.. And then, inevitably, I would apologize.. Though I never really understood why I had to—after all, it was my house, and I could do whatever I wanted..

“I’m sorry, madam.. I think little Paul gets bored and doesn’t mean to disturb you.. ”

She shot me a sharp look, her eyes narrowing with disapproval, before she snapped..

“Put him in a room so he won’t cause this mess.. ”

“But…. ”

Before I could finish, she slammed the door in my face.. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath to control the rising anger within me.. It seemed like this day was destined to be frustrating.. Maybe I needed a shot of happiness just to keep myself from exploding..

“Little Paul.. ”

I muttered to myself, and at the mere mention of his name, a smile spread involuntarily across my lips.. It was like magic.. I rushed up the stairs, eager to find him..

“Little Paul, I’m back!.. Come to your daddy!.. ”

I entered the house, but the sight that greeted me was enough to stop me in my tracks.. The cup of juice I’d left on the table was shattered on the floor, a torn pillow lay in the middle of the living room, and the dish of cereal I’d left on the kitchen counter was smashed too.. Even the TV had been knocked over and was now resting on the floor.. I sighed heavily, frustration bubbling up..

“Little Paul, where are you??.. ”

Oh, this was not going to end well.. Now I could understand what my neighbor meant by “annoying”.. But this was the first time something like this had happened.. Surely, there must be a reason for it..

I picked up the TV carefully, relieved to find the screen wasn’t broken and the device still worked.. I started cleaning up the mess—wiping the glass shards from the juice, throwing the torn pillow in the trash, and closing the window I’d forgotten to shut earlier..

And then, I noticed: I hadn’t seen little Paul yet.. I went to my room and found him curled up peacefully on my bed, with a dead bird beside him..

“Aah.. So that’s why.. ”

It seemed the poor bird had flown into the house through the open window, not realizing that it would meet its end at the paws of little Paul.. I sat beside him and scratched gently behind his ears..

“Ohh, did you really have to kill it??.. ”

At the sound of my voice, little Paul stirred, his eyes opening to meet mine.. He climbed into my lap and settled there, as if nothing had happened, ready to continue his nap..

By the way, little Paul is my cat.. He’s the source of my happiness, the owner of my heart..

Later that evening, a friend called, wanting to meet up for drinks, but I turned him down.. I’d had enough of the day.. I needed some solitude..

I poured myself a glass of whiskey and headed up to the roof, the cool evening air offering some respite from the day’s frustrations.. The neighborhood around me was dull—nothing to see, nothing worth paying attention to.. It was simple, just houses lined up on either side.. I sighed, took a sip of whiskey, and let the burn settle in my chest..

“Damn this.. ”

I muttered angrily, finishing the glass before going back inside to grab a pack of cigarettes and my box of caramel candy.. Lighting the cigarette, I took a deep drag, feeling the familiar relief as the smoke filled my lungs.. A smile crept onto my face, the tension slowly melting away..

I am an athletic person.. I love working on my body and staying in shape, but when it comes to food and drink, I’m not so healthy.. I adore alcohol, cigarettes, and, of course, caramel candy.. Despite all my efforts to quit smoking, sometimes I just need it.. Especially on days like today..