Tempted to sweet poison

"A new family has moved next door," my mom said as she looked through the window, her elbow resting gracefully on the window ledge.

"You’ve got some company, it seems," I chuckled as I picked up my bag and draped it over my right shoulder.

My mom finally turned from the window, her gaze fastening on me.

"Ryan, where are you going?"

"Bike ride, Mom."

"Oh Ryan, alone? You should spend time with boys your age, or at least date girls."

"Oh Mom, come on, not this again—especially not so early in the morning," I grumbled, adjusting my hair while staring at the tall mirror in the middle of the room that my mom once designed herself.

"I’ve heard this too many times. Not again, please." I walked to her.

"I don’t know what’s wrong with you. Always alone. Aren’t you lonely?"

I let out a soft chuckle at my mom’s concern.

"Mom, why would I be lonely? I have you and Jade." I leaned my face over her shoulder.

"Is Jade the only friend you have? I don’t know how she puts up with you, nerdy dunce." I could feel her side-eye piercing me.

"Ouch, that hurts." I raised both my hands in mock surrender.

"Enough teasing me." She turned to me, holding my hands.

"Ryan, how about you go greet the new neighbors?"

I raised my eyebrows. "I don’t want to bore myself, Mom."

I ruffled her hair as she yanked my hands away. I could tell she was angry, yet I loved seeing that expression on her face—her lips forming a charming little pout.

"They might be interesting. You never know."

"Evening. I’ll greet them in the evening, not now, my cupcake. I’m busy." With that, I walked to the door. I just knew Mom was mimicking me behind my back. I couldn’t hide my smile as I opened the door and stepped out.

The Livingston air seemed to have a crush on me—or how else should I explain it—giving me that main character breeze the moment I stepped outside.

I put on my helmet and hopped on my bike, mounting it with ease.

As I crossed the road, I glanced at the house next door. They were moving their belongings—it seemed they had just arrived.

"Aaahh—"

I pressed the brake, hearing someone gasp, but my bike defied me. The audacity!

I collided with someone, falling from my bike as I struggled to stop.

I winced in pain, touching my temples. I could already tell I had a scratch on my handsome face. I opened my eyes and looked around.

Does it sound strange if I say she was exotic? She wore a long white skirt, flowing like a ballroom gown, paired with a peacock-blue top. I could tell she wasn’t from Scotland or the West. Her blouse had no designs—it was plain—but the color was magnetic, the fabric glistening with a silky sheen.

I was studying her until she snapped her fingers at me. I looked up at her eyes. Was she painting them? A bold black outline rimmed both the top and bottom. Her lashes weren’t long, so I could sense she envied my naturally thick ones. Sorry ladies—the men got the best eyelashes. Her eyes were alluring. Or should I say exotic? I mean—look at me, stammering. But I’m no creep, believe me. She was shouting at me the entire time, but my brain refused to function.

Until she shook my shoulders, realizing I wasn’t listening to her as I lay sprawled on the road.

I finally came to my senses. Thank you, brain, for humiliating me before this beauty.

"Don’t you have eyes?" she was practically singing to me—sorry, yelling. Oh come on, ears, don’t confuse me.

"Does it look like I don’t?"

She glared at me, then stood, adjusted her skirt, and extended her hand to help me up.

I slowly placed my hand in her palm, deliberately prolonging the moment as she lifted me.

She brushed off her hands. Her hair flowed freely, grazing just below her chest—not too long, not too short. A red dot adorned her forehead, and I knew it—she was Indian. Damn. Earth, please swallow me before she does.

She looked at me, her eyes blazing with fury.

"Eyes are there for you to watch the road while you ride. Just where were you looking?"

She stared at me expectantly. I couldn’t admit that I had been spying on her house, could I?

"I… I’m sorry." If only I had left it at that, the problem would have been solved. But no, my tongue insisted on dragging me into a duel.

"Maybe at an angel?"

She was taken aback by my response. Her hands dropped from her hips.

"Why? Flustered?" I leaned slightly closer, catching sight of a bead of sweat glistening on her forehead. I chuckled as I extended my hand for a handshake.

"Ryan." I smiled as I introduced myself.

She returned to her angry-bird expression. Adorable, how she could change faces as if switching channels.

I kept smiling.

She walked past me. Sandalwood. I caught the scent of sandalwood mingled with her own fragrance. My lips curved downward as I turned to watch her walk away, her hair swaying with every step. I picked up my bike with one hand, anticipating she might look back once.

"Come on, just once. Turn around, come on."

She did glance back, her brows furrowed in a frown, before shutting the door behind her as she entered her home.

I chuckled as I got on my bike to ride it.

Usually, I ended my ride just around, but today I wanted to go a little longer.

Let me grace Livingston with my presence.

Her POV

Ugh, my mood was almost spoiled. What was that, God?

"Hey Vaishali, where were you? Not helping us?" my mom snapped at me.

"Mom, I—"

"She was romancing, Mom," my brother had to chime in.

"What?" Mom and I exclaimed in unison.

My brother put his arm over my shoulder.

"Yes, Mom, not even an hour since we came here and Vaishali already got herself a boyfriend, it seems." He nudged me.

"Vihaan, would you shut up now?" I glared at him.

What drugs is he on?

"He’s right though," my other brother Adithya chimed in, defending Vihaan.

"So who is this boyfriend now?",Mom asked, with a teasing smile on her face.

"Maaaa—"

My mom chuckled at me.

"You all teamed up???"

Adi (Adithya) grabbed a laddu and extended his hand toward me.

"Say aah. They say every good deed should begin with sweets."

"Are you giving sweets because we moved into a new place or because she got a new boyfriend?" Vihaan nudged me again.

"Will you both stop? And for your information, I don’t have any boyfriend!" I stormed to my room. I could still hear them laughing at me.