Self

Chapter 8

It had been ages since Yara had gotten her hands dirty like that.

With Yale, she had lived the easy life–never needing to do any heavy lifting, let alone manual labor.

Even in the early days, when his startup was strapped for cash, a cleaning lady came by every week to tidy up.

One bucket later, Yara rubbed her aching back. After a few years of luxury living, she was out of practice.

She stepped into the hallway, ready to haul in the rest of the paint.

However, in her haste, she stumbled and sent a bucket tumbling down. She caught it just in time, but not before splashing paint across the neighbor’s doorstep.

Yara grabbed a mop and was halfway through the cleanup when the door swung open.

They locked eyes. She was about to apologize when she recognized the face.

“You live here too?”

“What are you doing here?”

They yelled out their surprise at the same time.

Wade’s gaze darted from the mess to her.

“So you’re the new neighbor?”

Yara could not believe the coincidence. “Yep, looks like we’re neighbors now.”

A glint of curiosity passed through Wade’s eyes.

He had picked that place because of its proximity to the lab and school, which made his work and teaching a breeze.

What about Yara? What brought her here?

It was clear that the place was not exactly female–friendly. No elevator? That was a deal–breaker for most young folks.

Yara noticed he had not budged, probably thinking she was the reason the hallway was a mess.

“Oops, sorry about the paint spill. I’ll have it cleaned up quickly.”

She kicked it into gear and had the mess cleared up quickly.

She nodded toward the garbage by his side as she headed downstairs.

“Since I’m heading down, want me to take that out for you?”

Wade did not object; to say thanks, he fetched a foldable ladder from his place. “This will make your wall painting easier.”

“Thanks a bunch.”

With the ladder, Yara turned into a wall–painting machine.

By noon, she had given all the chipped walls a fresh coat.

The place was instantly spick and span.

Then she hit up the mega furniture store and bought a sofa set and a dining combo, giving the room a quick spruce–up. Mission

accomplished.

As dusk approached, Yara rubbed her shoulders, taking in the transformation.

The warm glow of the lights kissed the room, banishing the old, tired vibe. Her home was reborn, a stark contrast to the day she arrived.

Her cozy comer was a dream. The bed was decked out in her favorite light cotton duvet, sun–kissed with whispering scents of fresh laundry.

The afternoon’s greenery lineup perched by the window, oozing charm and life.

There was also a black–and–white bean bag chair, accompanied by the fluffiest pillows–perfect for sinking into with a good book.

It was a small space, but it had it all

“This is your new place? Pretty cool, Rainie said through the video

call.

“Your DIY skills haven’t lost a touch, You’re still the makeover queen from our dorm days.”

Yara grinned. “Gotta take care of where you live, right?”

“Yara, you’re way tougher than I gave you credit for, getting your new life on track so fast.”

When Rainie heard about Yara’s new address, she had a hunch about her plans, but she kept it to herself.

I’m super stoked you’re getting back on track.”

After ending the call, a wave of sadness washed over Yara.

She had come to her senses too late, but at least she could still fix things.

It was soon six o’clock, and Yara had not grabbed a bite all day.

Her fridge was stocked with toast, fresh veggies, and some millet.

it was late, so she whipped up some quick soup and threw together a sandwich.

She wanted to return the ladder to Wade, she paused and packed some soup and sandwiches.

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She was rocking a laid–back look with her hair up in a bun, a bright spot in the crowd.

“Taking a stroll?”

“You’re out for a run?”

They both said it at the same time.

Yara–nodded. “Yeah, just stretching my legs and grabbing a package.”

He slowed down to match her pace and caught his breath as they walked side by side.

“Hey, thanks for dinner tonight. It was really good.”

Yara said, “You’ve helped me out twice now. I’m the one who should be thanking you.”

Not far from them was a kids‘ park, alive with the sound of play.

“It’s pretty lively here.”

At Yale’s place, it was always dead quiet.

Wade looked where she was looking.

He had been there over two months but hardly ever noticed those things.

As he thought back to a message he got earlier, he said:

“I checked with a buddy earlier. Professor Olson’s been laying low at home. I’m thinking of swinging by tomorrow at ten in the morning. You good with that?”

“Tomorrow at ten?”

That was quick…

As the visit loomed, she thought of the professor she had not seen in six years and felt a twinge of nerves,

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