It's been two weeks since we both signed the contract and everything has been going great.

I haven't seen or heard from Alexander since. I'm still a bit surprised he went down without a fight, though I'm determined not to let my guard down. He can be very unpredictable.

Not going to work means I have a lot of free time, time that I'm not too sure how I'm going to spend. So I've spend it thinking about what could have or might have been between Rafael and I.

I haven't heard from him either, a part of me feels like I dodged a bullet and the other is still helping I'd see him again.

I've already gone back to that same restaurant thrice this week, hoping I'd see him.

Sure, I knew where he lived but I hadn't reached that point of desperation yet. If he wanted to see me he would have made an effort.

I guess I finally know what boredom feels like.

Alex has stayed true to his word and has sent my replacement (James) to look after my cafe. He seems to be doing a great job. I can't complain or insist that Alex and allows me to work.

I've now ran out of movies to watch on Netflix, I've been desperately asking people for suggestions. I felt like I was under house arrest even though I could go out.

I checked the time on my TV screen, to see that it was already 12 a.m.. Now a days there's just yesterday and tomorrow.

Who could have thought that doing nothing would be so much work.

I was still in my nightgown, laying on my couch and staring at the TV screen. I'm sure I would be able to find popcorn in my hair (that's how far I've fallen).

I heard the sound of boxes scraping against the floor, along with footsteps coming from outside my apartment.

I raised my head off the couch, curious of the source of the sound.

I stood up from the couch and walked to the door. I opened the door slightly, just enough to peak through.

I saw a bunch of guys from a moving company, taking boxes and moving furniture to the apartment next door.

With an eyebrow raised, I closed the door again.

In the last ten years that I've stayed here, that apartment hasn't been occupied.

For a while, it was used as a storage room. The owner probably finally decided to rent it out.

I returned to the couch and fumbled for the remote.

The only exciting thing I'm looking forward to is my baby's first check-up in two weeks time.

It's the earliest appointment we could get. Turns out, highly recommended, private doctors have a lot of patients.

I'll finally get an ultrasound. I'm excited to know how my baby is doing.

Scrolling through the channels for something to watch, I suddenly hear a knock on the door, breaking into my thoughts.

I sighed stepping off the couch. I run my hands through my hair hoping it would improve my appearance.

I slightly opened the door to see the person.

I regret not having a peephole on my door.

A tall, dark-haired man stood at my door. He had a grin on his face and held out a small box in his hand decorated with a red ribbon.

"Hi, I'm Tom." He announced.

I stuck my eyebrows together confused. Was I supposed to know him? I had never seen him before in my entire life.

He also seemed to have an accent. I couldn't quite put my finger on whether it was an Australian or New Zealand accent.

"I'm your new neighbour, I just moved in next door." He elaborated.

I mouthed a 'oh', feeling a little more comfortable.

"Nice to meet you." I answered. "Welcome to the neighborhood."

I open the door wider, putting myself in a more comfortable position.

"I come bearing gifts,"he said holding out the small box in his hand. "I brought some cupcakes," he said, his smile widening.

"You shouldn't have bothered." I said declining the cupcakes.

I felt it was weird that he was bringing me cupcakes. I didn't know him.

"Nonsense," he said dismissive. "Can I come in?" he asked, once again forming a grin on his face.

"I'm kinda a little--" I said trailing off.

"Thank you," he said.

Before I could react, he moved past me, walking into my house.

I hadn't even given him the permission enter. I was still busy telling him how 'busy' I was when you rudely entered.

I slammed the door behind him aggravated.

"You have a lovely home," he said taking a look around.

I sighed.

He was already inside, there wasn't much I could do. Hopefully next time I could pretend I wasn't at home.

"This way," I said leading him to the living room.

Although he didn't seem to care much, I felt embarrassed by the mess in my living room. He turned around in a circle taking in the 'view'.

"I'm sorry everything is such a mess it's usually much tidier in here." I said.

"My house is usually messier," he said, somehow making me feel a little at ease.

We sat down on separate couches.

He placed the box of cupcakes on the table.

"So, are you from around here?" I asked.

"No, I've just recently moved here from New Zealand. I got a job offer here," he answered.

"How are you liking America so far?" I asked.

"It's different," he started. "I don't know that many people here, so I was hoping for someone to show me around." He said.

I remained quiet as I slowly nodded.

I knew he was definitely hinting that I show him around. I know that I had just dropped to a new level of boredom, but I hadn't reached rock bottom yet.

"Thank you for inviting me in, it was nice meeting you," he said getting up.

"You're welcome," I muttered, meaning to be sarcastic.

"I hope you enjoy the cupcakes," he said pointing to the box on the table. "You can always count on me for anything if you need any help." He said.

"I'll keep that in mind." I said with a thumbs up.

I walked him to the door. We exchanged hugs and goodbyes.

I waited until he was in his apartment, just to make sure he lived next door.

I went back to my living room. I needed to put some order into my life.

I swept up the room and even vacuumed the couch. Dirty places often made me depressed, which was what I was heading to. I packed everything in its rightful place.

I sighed as I sat down, pleased by my work ethic.

My mind returned to my niece Sofia. I haven't been able to get a hold of her mother Sarah.

I planned on calling them that day, but it completely escaped my mind.

I searched for Sarah's number in my contact. I pressed her number and place my phone against my ear, listening to the ring.

I was on the verge of giving up when she finally answered.

"Hi," she answered in a cheerful tone.

"Hi," I said. "I was calling to ask how you and Sofia were doing?" I said.

"We are fine. Sorry I took so long to answer. I've just been busy helping out my next door neighbour." She said.

"Is everything alright?" I asked.

"Yes, but they were robbed two weeks ago. Since then, they have just been trying to put things together." she said.

Could it be that Rafael was robbed? Could that be the reason I hadn't heard from him? Maybe I was just obsessing over him.

"Your next door neighbors?" I asked for confirmation. "The ones who lives in the white painted house?" I asked.

"Yes," she confirmed. "We are just trying to help them the best we can. I'll have to go now." She said.

That was the house Rafael said he lived in. Unless he was lying.

"Give Sofia a kiss for me," I said.

"Thanks, please tell your brother it's his turn to look after Sofia. He's been ignoring me, he blocked my calls." She said.

I let out a laugh. I just hope that Alexandra and I can find a better way to co-parent than the two of them.

"Sure will,"I answered before ending the call.

I smiled relieved that the two of them were fine.

I was on my way to the kitchen when I was startled by a loud knock on my door. I was about to make something for myself to eat.

I diverted my route and walked to the door.

I opened my door to a annoyingly smiling Tom.

What was he doing here again. I've already had enough of him for one day.

"Hi," I said in a questioning tone.

"Sorry to bother you again, I think I left my phone here earlier. I can't seem to find it." He said.

I open the door wider, allowing him in.

I haven't seen anything when I cleaned the room earlier, but I wasn't going to deny him the opportunity to check.

He walked straight to where he had been sitting earlier.

"The room looks tidy," he commented scanning the room.

"I just cleaned,"I answered. He fumbled his hands into the couch on the spot he had been sitting on earlier.

"Found it," he said raising his phone from the couch.

I guess my vacuuming skills needed to be improved.

"It must have fallen out of my pocket when I was sitting here earlier." He said.

"I'm glad you found it," I said.

His attention diverted to my TV screen.

"I haven't had the chance to see this movie yet, maybe we could watch it together." He said.

"Maybe some other time, I was about to leave the house." I lied.

I was glad he didn't press on it, I just wasn't in the mood for anyone.

"Thanks again I'll see you some other time." He said letting out a small smile.

I walked him out of the door.

I sighed returning to the kitchen.

My stomach grumbled nearly startling me. I needed a quick snack, I was too famished to cook something for more than thirty minutes.

I searched through the cupboards for bread with no luck, my second option were two minute noodles but I had ran out of those too. My cupboard and fridge were completely empty. I needed to do some emergency grocery shopping.

Lucky I still had a few bananas from my almost empty fruit basket.

After eating the three bananas, I went straight to the bathroom and showered.

I couldn't go in public like this. I might as well go and shop now.

Once I was done, I dressed into a knee-length summer dress. My jeans were already tight on the waist.

I stared happily at my small baby bump. Everyday, my pregnancy was becoming more of a reality.

I tied my hair into a neat low ponytail.

The bananas I had earlier didn't seem to have done enough Justice. I would have ate the cupcakes Tom gifted me, but I hardly knew anything about him other than he was awfully annoying. It just seemed like one of those things your parents warn you about when you young.

I collected my handbag and my set of keys to leave.

I opened the front door.

Just as I was about to step out of my door, I stopped in my tracks after seeing a familiar face.

I blinked twice for confirmation, each time met with the same result.

It was Alexandra. He was standing right outside of Tom's apartment.

The two of them seemed deep into conversation. I stared at them trying to analyse the situation.

What was Alex doing here and what was his relationship with Tom?

That's when the least, most expected thing happened.

Alex reached for his pockets and took out his wallet. I watched him count a couple hundred dollar notes before handing them to Tom.

I quickly stepped back into the house and closed the door.

Why was Alex giving Tom money? That's when the thought occurred to me.

Was Alex having Tom spy on me? I wouldn't put it past him. His past actions have proven that he would do anything to gain control.

That would explain his recent quiet behaviour, all the while he was scheming behind my back. He seemed to always have a plan up his sleeves.

I leaned on to the door, trying to digest the possibility. That would explain why Tom seemed so invested in me.

I was startled out of my thoughts by a loud knock on the door.

I turned to stare at the door, still stick in my thoughts.

My thoughts were yet again interrupted by another knock.

I turned the door knob and opened it to a nonchalant Alexandra.

He was leaning into the side of the door. With both his hands tucked into his pockets. He held my gaze, causing an uneasy feeling inside my chest.

"Hi," he finally spoke, his eyes searching mine.

"What are you doing here?" I asked trying to act surprised.

I broke the eye contact, looking everywhere else but at him.

"I'm entitled to two visits per month, remember?" He said standing up straight.

I opened the door wider, allowing him in.

He stopped in the hallway. I closed the door behind him.

"I just wanted to tell you in person that I'll be in Italy for the next two weeks." He said.

He reached into his pocket and took out a card.

"Here's my information." He said handing me the card.

It was a business card. It had his private number, office number, email address and even his house address.

"You can call me if you'd like. Call me if there is a problem." He said.

I nodded staring at the card in my hand.

That's when I snapped out of it, remembering my latest discovery. Wasn't I supposed to be mad at him.

"Did you hire my neighbour to spy on me?" I asked.

I looked at his face for a reaction.

He sighed, taking a step forward.

"I only had him move in there for your own protection," he said, confirming my suspicion.

He wasn't even going to deny it. After everything we've discussed, he still had the guts to go behind my back.

"We agreed that you'd stop harassing me, you signed the contract!" I yelled at him.

He took another step forward.

I held out my hand for him to stop.

"And I agreed. I just don't want anything happening to you. Think of it as my insurance policy." He said. For once I got a hint of sincerity in his tone.

"I don't need a babysitter." I said.

"Fine, I'll tell him to back off. You can contact him if you need anything." He said.

"I don't like that you continuously intervene in everything." I said in a more calm tone.

"Fine, from now on I will no longer concerned myself in any of your business. I'll only be there for the baby." He said with reassurance.

Until he came through with his word, I'd always be doubtful of him.

I felt myself relax as I dismissed the issue.

"How would you know I hired him as your bodyguard?" He asked, in a somewhat intimidating tone.

He stepped even closer.

So that's what he called him, a bodyguard.

"He was trying too hard," I answered trailing off.

Alexandra continued moving closer.

"Plus I saw you paying him off."I added.

I felt like my lungs had suddenly run out of air by our sudden closure. The reasoning I still had left was yelling at me to push him away, but I didn't.

His hand cupped my face, my body suddenly going into paralysis, his eyes held mine.

I felt like a teenage girl with a crush. Just one stare and I was melting into his arms.

"I should have hired the scary looking guy then," he said with a chuckle, as if it was some kind of private joke.

He brushed my hair away from my face and tucked it behind my ear.

His hand moved away from my face and trailed it down my arm, causing a shiver down my spine.

I suddenly felt a tickle on my belly. I looked down to see his fingers trailing in circles are my small baby bum.

"Take care of our baby." He whispered looking down at my belly.

By now I had somehow lost all reasoning. I knew I should have pulled away but I didn't. His tough was slowly breaking all the walls around my heart.

I looked up to see him still staring at me. He looked like he was studying me.

My breathing stopped as he looked at me intensely. I turned away from his face. His hands slowly creeping onto my waist.

Why couldn't I move? What was he doing to me?

He leaned his forehead in as I felt the attraction between us intensify. I somehow found myself leaning in as my eyes went to his lips.

We were now so close I could smell his minty breath. My eyes began to close and we both continued leaning in.

To my surprise, he lips landed on my cheek, causing a tingle. My eyes popped open.

What was wrong with me? Had I been hoping he would kiss me? He was my sworn enemy! I couldn't let him have that kind of effect on me.

"Bye,"he whispered into my ear, his breath fanning my cheek.

He pulled his hands away from my waist and stepped back.

He gave me one final look before turning away to leave.

He had his hand on the doorknob when I suddenly snapped back into reality.

"Alex!" I called out, stopping him in his tracks.

He turned around to face me.

"The first check-up is in two weeks," I managed to say.

"I'll be there," he answered.

He smiled then turned away and left.

Reality came puring down like a bucket of ice when the door slammed shut.

I knew then that my teenage fantasy was over.

I was mad at myself for allowing him get that close. Maybe I should have been mad at him too, but I somehow couldn't. A part of me already missed him.