L was so insistent that I had no choice but to follow her upstairs.


    Her apartment was warm and inviting, with light-colored wallpaper, wooden furniture, and a few potted nts and decorative pieces that made the space feel especially cozy.


    "Make yourselffortable. I''ll get you some water," she said while motioning for me to sit before heading to the kitchen.


    I sank into the plush couch, letting my eyes wander around the room.


    Arge oil painting hung on the living room wall, depicting a vastvender field.


    The endless sea of purple swayed gently in the breeze. It was a scene so beautiful that it felt almost calming.


    "What do you think? Pretty nice, huh?" L walked over with two sses of water and handed me one.


    "Yeah, it''s beautiful," I said sincerely.


    She smiled. "d you like it. You shoulde over more often."


    We chatted for a while before she suddenly leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Serena, have you noticed something... off in our neighborhoodtely?"


    I blinked. "Off? What do you mean?"


    She nced around as if making sure no one was listening, then said in a hushed tone, "I heard there have been a few break-ins recently."


    "Break-ins?" My heart clenched instinctively, and I tightened my grip on the throw pillow in myp. The area around Astern University was known for its good security-one of the main reasons I had chosen to rent here. How could there be burries?


    She nodded mysteriously and leaned in closer. I caught a faint trace of her perfume, mixed with the fresh scent of her body wash.


    "They say the thieves are pros. They leave no trace at all."


    "That''s..." I hesitated, then looked at her worriedly. "You live alone. Will you be okay?"


    She shrugged. "I should be fine. I installed a surveince camera, and my dad even hired a bodyguard for me. He stays in the unit upstairs." She gestured in the direction of my apartment, and I froze. Upstairs?


    Seeing my surprise, sheughed. "Rx! He''s super professional. You won''t even notice him. Plus, with him around, you''re safer too."


    Even though she sounded reassuring, something about it still made me uneasy. It just felt... off.


    "Oh, right," she suddenly said as if remembering something. "Do you have a surveince camera for your ce?"


    I shook my head. "No, I always thought this neighborhood was pretty safe, so I never bothered."


    Her expression grew serious.


    "Serena, Freally think you should get a few. The world isn''t what it used to be. You never know what could happen. If something does happen, at least you''ll have proof."


    I nodded, realizing she had a point.


    "Tell you what, I''ll go with you tomorrow to buy a camera and help you set it up,"


    she offered enthusiastically.


    I smiled gratefully. "Thanks, I appreciate it."


    "Oh,e on. Don''t be so formal with me." She waved a hand dismissively.


    "Anyway, it''s gettingte. I won''t keep you. Go get some rest."


    "Alright." I got up to leave, and she walked me to the door.


    Stepping out of her apartment, I pulled out my keys and unlocked my own door. The moment I stepped inside, a faint musty smell greeted me.


    I frowned. Even though this ce was conveniently close to Astern University, it had been unupied for a while and clearly needed a deep clean.


    "Do you want toe in and help me tidy up?" I turned back to L with a yful smile.


    She grinned but shook her head. "No way. Just let me know when you''ve cleaned


    up and I''lle over for dinner instead."


    "Fine, fine. I''ll see youter, then," I said. "Good night."