No Escape from Love

Lila 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 plants and decorative pieces that made the space feel especially cozy.

"Make yourself comfortable. 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.

A large oil painting hung on the living room wall, depicting a vast lavender 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?" Lila walked over with two glasses of water and handed me one.

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

She smiled. "Glad you like it. You should come 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 neighborhood lately?"

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

She glanced 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 my lap. 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 burglaries?

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 surveillance 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, she laughed. "Relax! 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 surveillance camera for your place?"

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." noveldrama

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

"Anyway, it's getting late. 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 place was conveniently close to Astern University, it had been unoccupied for a while and clearly needed a deep clean.

"Do you want to come in and help me tidy up?" I turned back to Lila with a playful smile.

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

up and I'll come over for dinner instead."

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