Chapter 1

Dear Diary,

What started like a surprisingly good day turned into a nightmare without the warning of a change.

As I sit under the floorboards once again, waiting for the nightmare to end, I think about all the times I had to spend in this little room. The junkie who occupied the apartment before us had made the room to hide his drug stash. Sometimes I can still smell the scent of chemicals that I assume were used to make his drugs. However, now, I have started to find serenity in this little room. I have made efforts to make it more comfortable for my little stays here.

On top of me, I can hear the voices of the men that have come to visit my mum. These men visit a lot. When they visit, I can hear my Mumma’s muffled screaming and moaning followed by shouting and arguments about payments.

Sometimes Mumma even has bruises and marks on her body. I don’t understand why Mumma never tells me about why these men visit. She tells me to hide in this little room until she calls out our safe word. It’s like hide and seek, but instead of me counting to 10 and finding her, I have to wait to hear “Choo choo” before I can go out and find her. Recently these men have been visiting a lot. She said because she’s been having more clients from work and business was booming, she had managed to save enough money for me to go to a boarding school in Mariners Bay. I knew she was lying because I had seen her take a bag full of cash from a guy in the car park outside our apartment. I don’t understand why she was lying to me or why she wanted me to leave, but she said I would be safe at boarding school and no one would be able to touch me there. She said she didn’t want me to have the same life as her.

I have never really known what kind of work Mumma does. She never leaves the house to go somewhere to work like the other parents at school. They all tease me about my Mumma’s job. The boys say my Mumma’s a whore, but when I asked Mumma what that meant, she said it means she’s a good person. I don’t want to believe her because, deep down, I know she isn’t a good person. I know she was trying to keep me away from that Sumo man that comes every Friday to do his collections. Mumma said he was her boss, and some nights he was the one that gave Mumma the bruisings on her body. Mumma had given me strict instructions to stay away from him. He was looking at me funny when Mumma told him I was going to be 13 this Friday. She wanted a free day to celebrate with me, but he said no. That’s why today, on my birthday, I’m hiding in this room while Mumma has her men visitors over.

I didn’t even get a chance to meet Brownie today. He must be waiting at the edge of the woods as he does every day. He is the only friend I have. I know I talk a lot about him in my diary, but he is just so amazing. His chocolate brown fur is the reason I’ve given him that name. It is so soft and fluffy. I can spend hours just running my hands through it. Mumma doesn’t know about Brownie, but maybe it was time I told her about him, so they could keep each other company while I was gone. Perhaps Brownie could protect Mumma from that Sumo man just like he had protected me from those drunk men that first day I met him. I wonder if I will get to see him once Mumma sends me to boarding school.

I don’t want to go. I don’t want to stay away from Mumma and Brownie. Mumma said it was more important for me to leave now than it ever was. She has been very worried about me. She says that one day I will understand why it is so important that I go away.

I think it's the following Monday that I go away. Mumma has said she would visit me whenever she can. Hopefully, she can come and stay in Mariners Bay with me someday. I wonder if I can convince her to let me take Brownie with me. Would the boarding school allow me to have a huge pet wolf in my room? Even though he is big and scary, he is very friendly. Maybe after I tell Mumma about him, she can bring him to visit me too.

I will miss him the most...

Chapter 2

15 Years Later......

As I got off the bus, just down the street from my apartment, the cold breeze wrapped around me and welcomed me into the chilly autumn nights. I took a breath in and let myself get engulfed by the cold air. The bus pulled away, and I walked the short distance to the building my apartment was on. Opening the building door, I recognized the familiar scent of concrete and paint. The building was relatively new, and in the Mariners Bay area, apartment buildings were a new era. My best friend, Taylor’s parents, had bought her this apartment as a graduation present. She decided she wanted to stay in Mariners Bay and work here instead of moving back to Greenwoods, where we lived initially. They gave her a new 10th-floor sea-facing apartment to make her life bearable. After 11 years of being roommates, she said she would not be ditching me that easily. So I became her housemate and contributed to her bills and apartment expenses, which worked well for both of us.

Walking up to the lift, I thought about how lucky I was to have an awesome friend like Taylor. Without her, my life in Mariners Bay would have been worthless. Even though she knew what kind of life I came from, she helped me forget my sorrow of staying away from my Mumma. She helped me make new friends. She helped me to get a fashion sense. She, at this point, was not only my roommate; she was my sister. Her parents were fantastic as well. Super humble even though they had money. Every time Taylor’s parents asked about my life, Taylor swiftly changed the topic and made them forget all about it. Even though she knew, she didn’t think it was a good idea for other people to know. She always told me, “Rosy, what happened back in Greenwood’s is no one’s business. You just focus on the present”, and she was right.

The lift pinged, and the doors opened. I was so deep in thoughts I had forgotten I was already on my floor. As I walked towards my apartment, I noticed the apartment door opposite ours was open. It looks like someone was finally moving in. I opened my door and walked in. The sound of Frank Sinatra’s songs came rolling down the hallway into the lounge. Taylor was home and was either painting or cleaning.

“Tay Tay, I’m home,” I yelled out.

“Rosy posey hiiiii! Be out in a sec” she yelled back.

I savaged through the fridge and pulled out the fried rice from last night’s dinner. I was starving since I hadn’t eaten all day. I had back-to-back meetings to finalize projects and reports before our CEO turned up on Monday.

I sat on the bar stool with my now heated meal and a juice box. Taylor came out of her room in a pair of overalls covered in paint. She was an interior designer by profession but loved to paint. Both things worked in her favor. She tried to argue with me about dropping my profession and taking up my hobby. Unlike her, my sales and marketing manager profession had nothing in common with my baking hobby. I got paid a decent amount for getting work done and bringing sales up. I had staff that did about 50 percent of the work for me. Taking up baking as a profession would mean working for myself. I would be managing, operating, and delivering all by myself - not happening.

“Wow, Rosy, that smells good. Can I have some?” She asked.

“No, you may not because you said last night you didn’t like the fried rice. Plus, you’ve been home all day. So let the starving child eat will you” I scolded back.

She made a face and turned to the fridge.

“We have a new neighbor,” I said in between my bites.

“Really?! It took them long enough to find someone that could afford that place.”

“Not everyone in Mariners Bay is rich like your parents to afford that apartment,” I snickered back.

She turned towards me and stuck her tongue out. I laughed and returned to my eating.

Taylor grabbed a granola bar and sat next to me. She smelt of paint and lavender.

“So, how was your day?” She asked.

“Chaos! I’m drowning in sales reports, and Mr. Brady threw a massive tantrum because we had missing data from six years ago. So I’m like, dude, I’ve only been here five years; what do you want me to do?”

“The old fart needs to get laid. Why is the company so worried about data from six years ago?” Taylor asked.

Her interest in my work was the most incredible part about Taylor. She never really understood much of it, but she never let me feel she didn’t care. We could have chats about our jobs as if we worked together.

“Fuck knows. I’m just glad it’s the weekend. I don’t have to see his old ass till Monday.” I said and rolled my eyes.

It wasn’t long into our chat when there was a knock on the door.

“Huh, wonder who that can be? Are you expecting someone?” Taylor said while getting up and walking towards the door.

I couldn’t see who was at the door when she opened it, but I could hear clearly.

“Hi. Sorry to disturb you but I’ve just moved into that apartment opposite yours. You wouldn’t have a spare bucket, would you? We’ve opened up the place, and there’s a leak in the bathroom and might flood the apartment if I pop out to buy a bucket”.

His voice was echoing through our apartment. I bent my head to see the face that went with the voice. I almost fell off the stool leaning myself.

I heard Taylor introducing herself and inviting him in while she checked for a bucket. He declined the invitation and said some other time, and maybe she could bring the bucket over for him if she had one.

I heard him leave, and Taylor closed the door.

“Oh my god! He is so hot. Ugh!”

“Keep your panties on and go look for a bucket,” I cut her off.

Her look of realization hit, and she went jogging towards our laundry.

“Yay!!!!” I heard her scream. Which meant she found a bucket.

She came running out with two buckets and headed for the main door. As she got to the door, her phone rang with the ring tone she had allocated for her Dad.

“Ugh, Dad, not right now,” she groaned, answering her phone. “Yeah, Daddy, what’s up?”. Her annoyed expression slowly changed and was replaced with a frown. She put the buckets on the floor and walked towards me, listening to whatever her Dad said.

As she got closer, tears formed in her eyes, and she sunk back into the stool next to me.

“Taylor, what happened???”

“Daddy, I’ll see you soon. Bye”. That was all she said and hung up.

“Taylor, what’s going on? What’s wrong?”

“Grace is in the hospital. They don’t think she will make it,” she said, pulling me into a tight hug.

Chapter 3

Grace was her nana who had been unwell for some time now but never this bad. Taylor was really close to her.

“Oh, Tay Tay. It’s going to be ok” I hugged my sad friend back, hoping to take her pain away.

“I’m going to go pack and drive down to Greenwoods. I wanna see her before anything happens,” she said as she pulled away and walked towards her room.

“Rosy, can you take the buckets over to 10B, please.” She said over her shoulders and disappeared into the room.

Crap! I wasn’t very good with new people. That was a Taylor thing to do. I looked towards the buckets and felt sorry for this guy I hadn’t met. The last thing you want is to move into a new place and have something that added more stress.

Suck it up, Rosy let’s go I told myself and grabbed the buckets.

Walking out into the foyer, I saw the apartment door was open. I knocked anyway.

“Come in, I’m in here”, he yelled out.

I followed the voice down the hallway and into a bedroom. I could hear water dripping and some other noises from the ensuite. As I walked into the bathroom, Blake was mopping up water dripping from the overhead shower. There was a puddle on the floor, which meant the water had been leaking for a while.

He must have heard me walk in because he went to turn around but slipped and fell.

“Oh my god, are you ok?” I dropped the buckets and rushed over to help him.

“Ouch, that hurt. Yeah, I’m fine, thanks. Who are you?” He asked, looking up at me. At that moment, when our eyes met, a shiver went down my spine.

Ok, so Taylor was right. He was hot. Very hot. Those blue eyes and defined jawline, nice sculpted nose and lips that you just want to.....

I stopped my train of thought and focused on the question. Was I seriously having such thoughts about this guy?

“Hi, I’m Rosy. I’m Taylor’s flatmate. She’s had something come up, so she asked me to bring you the buckets,” I said while helping him on his feet.

I felt an electric shock prickle through my fingers when my skin touched his. I recoiled from his touch and looked at my hands. When I looked up, his eyes had widened, and he looked startled. As I shamelessly studied his face, his beautiful blue eyes went dark. If I hadn’t been paying so much attention to his eyes, I would have missed it. What the hell?

“Oh right, thanks for that.” He blinked rapidly and shook his head a little like he was trying to clear his thought.

“I’m Blake, by the way. I just thought I’d put the buckets under the drip and keep emptying them instead of letting it floor the bathroom” he turned away from me and grabbed the buckets, placing them under the dripping shower.

He completed ignored the electric shock moment.

“Yes, that’s a good plan. Have you called a plumber?” I played along.

“I’ve asked my assistant to do that. I’m new in town and don’t really know anyone or anything.”

I felt terrible for him. Poor guy just moved into town, has a flooded bathroom and doesn’t even have anyone to help him out.

“Well, I’ve got a friend that’s a plumber. Would you like me to give him a call for you?” I didn’t want to push my way, so offering him options sounded better.

“Oh, that would be great! Could you please do that for me? I’ll be forever grateful.” The smile on his face just lit up the entire bathroom.

I shook my head to get rid of the trance I was in and pulled out my phone. I was dialling Rocky’s number. I waited for him to pick it up as it rang.

“Sup, my delicious flower, what can I do for you today ?” Rocky answered.

Taylor and I went to boarding school with Rocky, and just like us; he made his life here in Mariners Bay afterwards. He was a super nice guy and was also Taylor’s “friend”. Taylor and Rocky had both decided that they didn’t want a label. Everyone knew they were a thing, but what that was even they didn’t know. So they were happy just screwing around and enjoying each other’s company whilst also agreeing to be faithful to each other and not seeing or sleeping with other people. So as complicated as it sounds, it was straightforward for both of them.

“Hi, handsome. Are you busy? I need your help.” I explained the situation over the phone.

“Ah right. Well, I would be over soon to pick Taylor anyway, so I’ll bring my tools with me. Would that be ok? I’ll be over in about 10-15mins.”

“Sounds good. See you soon. Bye,” and Rocky hung up.

I turned around to tell Blake, and he was on the phone with someone he called Vanessa. That name sounded familiar, but then again, there are hundreds of people with the same name.

Blake ended his call and turned to me. “Sorry, I was just asking my assistant. I had sorted out a plumber.”

“That’s fine. Rocky will be here in about 10-15mins. Did you need some help with mopping up the floor?” I asked, trying to be a good neighbour.

“Umm, no, I should be ok. I wasn’t expecting my day to be like this. If I had known, I would have organised myself a lot better,” he said, laughing.

“Organised yourself better how? You don’t even have any furniture in here yet. Were you planning on sleeping on the floor tonight?”

“No, no. The truck hasn’t arrived yet. I should be here in an hour with all my stuff. It’s coming up from Huntly but what I meant was like I would at least have some food organised for myself. I didn’t think this moving thing through. It was very last minute,” he said, shaking his head.

Somethings that happened with him is all I could think. His words and tone implied that something had happened for him to want to move so last minute.

“There’s a really nice Chinese takeaway a few blocks down. I’ve got the number and a menu in my apartment. Did you want to order something from there, maybe?” I asked quietly. I felt like I was invading his privacy here, but the guy needed help settling in. Not just in his new place, but also in this town.

“You are really thoughtful. Thank you! I would really appreciate that number, actually. I’m starving and don’t think I have the energy to be wandering around the town looking for food” he laughs and rubs the back of his head.

He was cute and hot. He was about 6ft tall and looked like he had a nice body under the jeans and t-shirt he wore. His smile was really drawing me in, and I couldn’t help myself in wanting to help him.

I laughed and walked out of his apartment back into mine. The menu and number for the Chinese place were on the fridge since we ordered a lot from there. As I grabbed the menu, I had Taylor coming out of her room. She had her suitcase trolleying behind her and a carry bag in the other hand. Her eyes were red from crying.

“Taylor, shall I come with you? I don’t think you should be driving by yourself.” I said as I met her in the lounge.

“Oh, it’s ok, babe. Rocky is coming with me. You’ve got your CEO in this week, and I don’t know how long I will be away. So Rocky will drop me off, maybe stay till Monday and come back. I’ll get dad to drive me back.”

“Ok, well, call me when you get there and keep me updated with what’s happening, ok,” I said, and she nodded her head.

There was a gentle knock on the door before it opened. A head popped through the open gap and the blonde guy slowly emerged into our apartment. Rocky was always a gentleman and knocked even though he had a key to our place. He said that even though he practically lived here, he didn’t want to invade our privacy, especially since I was single and could be doing anything and anyone at any point in time.

He walked in and went straight to Taylor and hugged her. I smiled, watching them hug. They were so cute together, and Rocky really cared about Taylor. I envied them sometimes, but my life was way too complicated, and I didn’t want a guy in it.

“You alright, babe?” Rocky asked softly, and Taylor nodded her head. I could see she was struggling to stay quiet as tears threatened to spill over.

“Can I quickly go and help your new neighbour out, and we can take off after.” He asked, giving her the option of leaving now. I know he would go if she said so, he couldn’t deny her anything. But my poor neighbour kind of needs Rocky right now.

“Yeah, that’s ok. I gotta get some clothes out of the dryer, so take your time,” Taylor replied, and Rocky kissed her forehead. Damn adorable people.

“So beautiful, how can I be of service to you today?” He turned to me.

“Oh Hunny, the services you could provide for me,” I said to him with a wink, and he cracked up laughing, and so did Taylor. Seeing her laugh was relieving and made me happy. Rocky and I had always had an amicable relationship. He knew about my life as much as Taylor. They had been and were going to be together for a while, so I figured he should know. Since then, we’ve been great buddies, and regardless of how much we flirt, Taylor never doubted our intentions.

“But for now, Mr 10B needs you more than me. Poor guys really frustrated and look like he’s having a rough day,” I said, walking towards our door.

Rocky followed me, and Taylor disappeared into the laundry.

“I brought up my tools; they are outside, so lead the way”.

I walked out into the hallway, and Rocky’s tools were sitting near our door. Just like before, I got to Blake’s door and knocked.

“Come in, doors open”, he yelled back.

Rocky followed me into the room the flood had happened. As we got to the bathroom door, I saw Blake still mopping the floor. His t-shirt was soaked through, and it looked like he had another fall.

“Blake, Rocky is here,” I said gently, making sure not to scare him this time.

“Hey, man. Wow, some leak you’ve got there,” Rocky said as he walked around me to shake hands with Blake and introduced each.

Rocky’s body language changed. He stiffened up a little, and I saw him clench his jaws. Rocky was a pretty chill guy and got along with everyone. However, from the reaction he had, it felt like they already know each other. You could feel the tension in the air.

Blake narrowed his eyes at Rocky and gave him a tight smile, “Yeah, man, this is crazy. It’s been leaking for a while, actually. I came in about 4 hours ago to open up the place for the movers and found this bathroom flooded.”

Blake’s eyes flickered to me quickly and then back to Rocky.

“Why don’t you turn off the water? That might stop more flooding?”

“I would if I could. But, unfortunately, I have no idea where the mains valve is. I tried calling the agent, but he is a no show.”

“Ahh, right. Your place is the same as Taylor and Rosy’s, so the valve should be in the same place. Hang on”

Rocky walked out of the room, and 5 minutes later, the water from the showerhead stopped dripping.

“Well, that’s a relief”, Blake exclaimed and wiped his forehead.

“There you go, man. I’ll show you where it is before I leave just in case you ever need to turn it off again,” Rocky said, walking into the bathroom and grabbing his toolbox. He walked towards the shower head and started pulling stuff apart. He seemed happier now.

“Hey Blake, I got you the menu and number for the Chinese place. Why don’t you order something for yourself while Rocky fixes the leak? They gotta leave soon so Rocky won’t be too long.” I said.

“They gotta leave? Who?” Asked Blake.

“Yeah, Taylor’s nana isn’t well and may not make it. So Rocky is driving Taylor home so she can be with her family.” I explained.

“Oh right. Sorry to hear about Taylor’s nana; please pass on my wishes. I’ll go change out of my wet clothes.”

I watched him leave the bathroom and stared at him walking out the door. I just couldn’t get my eyes off him. He had a nice butt as well. Something about him just drew me in. I heard someone clear their throat behind me, and I turned to find a big smirk on Rocky’s face. He wiggled his eyebrows at me and tried to hide a laugh.

“Did someone finally find her hormones? Never really seen you eye out a guy like that gorgeous,” he said quietly. Obviously, knowing Blake was at hearing distance. I flipped Rocky the bird and rolled my eyes. He just laughed.

Right then, Blake walked back in. He was wearing a different t-shirt now, and it was a lot tighter than the first one. “What’s so funny?” He asked.

“Rocky just thinks he’s amusing”, I replied and narrowed my eyes at him.

He laughed again and carried on working. Blake picked up the menu I gave him and studied it. I was having naughty thoughts about Blake, and it felt so weird. Rocky was right. I didn’t really socialise with guys much besides him. I wasn’t bad looking, but I just wasn’t interested in wanting to persuade silly guys and play their silly games. However, Blake had intrigued me. I didn’t know much about the guy, but there was a pull between us. He flipped the menu around a few times and looked conflicted.

“The honey chicken fried noodle and BBQ pork stir fry is pretty good,” I said quietly.

“The wonton soup and chowmein are pretty good too,” chipped in Rocky.

Blake laughed a little. “I look that lost, huh. Sorry, I’m just wary when I eat at new places. I don’t have the strongest stomach, and a slight hiccup with the food will put me kissing the floor of the toilet for a day or two.”

“Not a pretty image there, my friend” Rocky laughed and put his wrench down. “There all fixed. Do you mind turning the main switch on so we can make sure it’s still not leaky”

Blake nodded and walked out of the room. Rocky turned the shower handle, and there was no water. “Fixed!” He declared as Blake walked back in. “Awesome work Rocky. I’ll leave you guys to it. I wanna check on Taylor before you guys leave.” I said and turned to walk out.

“Hey Rocky, Rosy, thank you very much for your help. Rocky, how much do I owe you?” Blake pulled out his wallet.

“na man, you all good. Take this as a welcome gift to the building compliments of the pretty girls across the hall. I’ll take payment from Taylor later” he laughed and winked.

“Or would you be keen on making the payment, Rose?” He wagged his eyebrow suggestively. “When pigs fly,” I said, making him laugh harder, and Blake joined him.

“Thanks, guys. I really appreciate this. You don’t even know me, and you are so helpful. Didn’t think I would get some lucky moving cities,” Blake said. He sounded frank and grateful. However, his voice held a little sadness that told me something terrible had happened to move cities.

Rocky and Blake shook hands as I opened the door and walked out. As I walked out, I heard a little chatter that included “keep an eye on her please, she doesn't know”..

What didn't I know?...