Falling for My Ex Next Door: A Best Friend's Brother Second Chance Romance

Chapter One

The splatter of raindrops hit the window pane as I peered through it, gazing at my late aunt’s duplex, which appeared different from my last visit nearly half a decade ago.

After quickly calculating how I’d navigate the rain, I paid the cab driver and hurriedly opened the door, eager to reach the house without getting soaked.

Clutching my miniature travel bag in my left hand, I reached for the door handle with my right, swinging it open before stepping out into the brisk air and promptly shutting it behind me.

As I got ready to move forward, someone accidentally bumped into me. The sudden force jolted me to the side, almost making me lose my balance.

Immediately irritated, I realized plenty of things I hadn’t been briefed on.

Despite my aversion to rain, I was drenched under its relentless downpour.

“I’m sorry–” His deep and smooth voice resonated with familiarity before trailing into a hesitant pause.

Why was he offering me only half an apology? I mused, stooping to retrieve my fallen travel bag from the slick pavement, its corners dampened by the unceasing rain.

Resigning to my fate, I abandoned any notion of fleeing the scene, the cold droplets seeping through layers of clothing, chilling me to the bone.

Raising my gaze from the ground, I couldn’t help but notice the definition in his well-toned legs, outlined even beneath his sporty attire. Yet, as my eyes traveled upward, they abruptly stopped at his face. In a split second, I blinked rapidly, my mouth suddenly dry as I beheld the face before me.

I felt a piercing feeling in my chest as my eyes met Jacob Bradley’s; he was my first in so many things, but had walked away from me years ago, saying one of his father’s businesses in California or was it in Texas needed attention.

It was evident he was speechless, caught off guard by a day he probably never imagined would arrive.

Numerous thoughts raced through my mind, but amidst them all, my foremost concern was my curiosity about why he was there. He cleared his throat, preparing to speak, but I tightened my grip on the handle of my travel bag and walked away without a word.

Reaching the porch, I retrieved the key from where the attorney had indicated, then inserted it into the keyhole, all the while watching Jacob disappear into the neighboring house.

As if running into him wasn’t tormenting enough, now we were neighbors. It felt like an undeserved punishment.

Pushing the door open, I flicked on the light, revealing the sight of scattered boxes strewn across the dusty floor. Closing the door behind me, I began to peel off my clothes, only to let out a loud sneeze resulting from the chilly air and the swirling dust.

I made my way around the boxes, pulling my miniature travel bag behind me until I got to the wooden staircase.

Sitting on the stairs hugging my feet, I shivered, partly from the cold and partly from the memory of bumping into him. I can remember the look on his face; it was utter shock. He wouldn’t have dared imagine, I thought to myself, that we would cross paths in Sunnyvale, of all places. I wanted to let my thoughts rush over and segue to other things, but I was unsuccessful.

The case worsened when the hurtful memory of our breakup came gallivanting in my head. For so long, I had tried to repress those awful memories, but I guess I was too traumatized to lose them if that made any sense at all.

Rainy days weren’t my favorite days, but I have pretty delightful memories of them. However, on this day, I could not compose such memories.

“We have to break up.”

Those words were sharper than a two-edged sword. He had brutally stabbed me with them, not caring how I would feel. He had been selfish, and it hurt to know.

I thought I had moved on without him. Here in Sunnyvale, I thought I would start anew after three years of our breakup. I sniffled. Perhaps I had begun crying; maybe it was the cold. I didn’t know.

Looking around me, I saw that I had a lot more than I had imagined to do. The house was a beautiful mess, with dust bunnies stationed like sentries in different corners, elaborately spun webs on the ceiling and between things, and the covered clothes thickened by masses of dirt.

I sneezed.

Perhaps I needed something warm first.

The kitchen was just right in the next room. I would have coffee, I had brought some along with me, and I would begin the house cleaning.

“Ah, neighbors!” I said out loud, still curious about Jacob Bradley’s sudden reappearance in my life. He couldn’t have followed me here.

“Enough thinking about him,” I said to myself. “You have a lot to do”. I dropped my cup of coffee, resolved.

I grabbed the vacuum cleaner and a dust cloth. Hastily, I rolled my hair into a rough bun and started cleaning.

Initially, I thought it wasn’t a big deal, and that I was perfectly fine. Nothing could stop me from taking care of the house. Still, when my eyes kept looking out the window, and the sound of the rain on the rooftop collided with my thumping heart, I was sure I would sit down to rest soon.

A wave of sadness devoured me, and it was heavier than ever before. I was consumed. I couldn’t think straight; it was as if I was back again to when he had walked away.

“What do you mean by that? Why do we need a break?”

“It’s not you, Clara, it’s me. It’s all me. I cannot shirk duty, Clara. I have to be responsible for the company in California, or it will be shut down.”

“I still can’t see how that affects our relationship.”

“Look, Clara,” his voice broke as I stared right into his eyes as if searching his soul.

What had come over him? I had begun to break inside. How could he do that to us?

“I’m sorry,” was what followed.

“Hmm! What are you sorry for? I’m hating this right now. We were fine, Jacob, and we are fine. We have been the best couple so far, and I -I- “

I was whimpering.

The determination was in his eyes; he had already made his decision. He was sorry, my ice cream was melting away, and I was breathing heavily alongside the gust of wind, causing strands of my hair to wisp about. I wanted to shove the ice cream into his face.

I didn’t, luckily, before he walked away.

And that night had been miserable. It was a bright night, illuminated by a round, full moon, but it had been miserable. And so was the following morning, and the one to come after, and the ones to come after.

My best friend, Daisy, had called, but I had not answered. There were peculiar circumstances that called for a certain embankment of solitude, and the situation was one.

Tears were fast gathering in my eyes, and I gripped my head as I felt dizzy.

Curse Jacob Bradley!

Curse California businesses!

Curse the stupid feeling of love!

The overwhelming sound of the rain irritated my ears, and I cried out. Thankfully, I was alone, and the mightiness of the downpour was capable of drowning out my voice.

I nestled in bed until late evening; the rain had stopped by then.

I was grateful to Sunnyvale for the peace that enveloped me. It was exactly what I needed and more. Rising carefully, my stomach growled. I was famished. I had not had anything besides coffee since the morning. Jacob Bradley had succeeded in ruining my day, my excitement about Sunnyvale, and the anticipated conciliation with my memories of Aunt Madeline’s home.

Aunt Madeline’s room was my refuge. It was large with a customary decor which was totally to my taste. Each and everything must have been carefully considered to create comfort, from the plush carpet to the exquisite chandelier overhead, to the sturdy bed covered in white linen that had delicate lace details at the hem, to the gorgeous artworks that adorned the warm-colored walls, to comfy armchairs designed for relaxation and lastly, to the silk curtains that framed the windows.

I decided I was going to use the room as my bedroom. The house was big and had many rooms, but I especially wanted this room, particularly because it belonged to my late aunt.

Slipping down the bed, I checked out the vanity.

Aunt Madeline hardly used makeup, so nothing much was in the drawers besides her stockings.

I was startled when my phone rang. It was my mom. She must have been expecting a call from me upon my arrival at Sunnyvale.

“Hey, Mom!”

“My darling, have you arrived at your aunt’s?”

“Yes, Mom. I’m sorry I didn’t give you a call.”

“Are you okay? You sound down.” As usual, she could detect my emotions anywhere and anytime.

“I’m good.” I lied.

“Did something happen? Talk to me, Clara.” She sounded impatient.

Should I tell her that Jacob Bradley had reappeared?

“Mom, Jacob is here.” I let the cat out of the bag. I couldn’t conceal the fact for a long time; my mom would find it out herself.

“What do you mean he is here?” I could picture the grave look on her face right then. She resented Jacob for acting so irrationally and being insensitive to my feelings.

“He’s here, in Sunnyvale. He seems to be my next-door neighbor,” I added.

“Ah! Incredible!” She sighed, and I could picture her rolling her eyes.

“I know, right? I wish he hadn’t been here.”

“He has ruined your mood, my baby.” Her voice tinged with pity.

“Yes, he has.” I breathed.

“How are you? How do you feel? I want to see you right now.” She said in one breath.

“Mom, Mom, you can’t see me now. I’m miles away from you.”

“Of course, I can, baby; let’s have a video call.” She suggested, impromptu.

I groaned, “Mom!”

“Do you not want to? Wait a minute, are you hiding something from me? Did you cry, Clara?”

By then, I knew whatever was to come after was inevitable. She immediately switched to a video call.

“Clara, look at me.” She was virtually glaring through the screen.

“I’m looking at you, Mom.”

“You didn’t cry because of him, did you?” She raised a brow.

“I did, Mom; I cried!” I was beginning to feel frustrated with everything.

“Oh, my baby. I’m sorry, Mom’s not there with you. Will you come back home, honey? This seems like a tough situation for you, and-”

“It’s not a tough situation, Mom!” I yelled. “It’s not. Jacob and I are finished; we are not a thing. We broke up three years ago, and we’ve both moved on. This is not a tough situation.”

She fell quiet, and I suddenly felt guilt rush through me.

“Well, you don’t seem to have moved on,” she murmured.

“Mom?”

“Alright, alright, I’ll take your word for it, you have moved on. Fine.”

I sighed. Could my day get any worse?

“It’s just that I feel for you,” she continued softly. “Why does he have to be there? You want to stay there, huh?” Her brows arched questioningly.

“Yes, Mom. Running away won’t do me any good. I couldn’t possibly abandon Aunt Madeline’s desire and will for me because of some man with whom I have no ties anymore. I’ll be alright, Mom.” I assured her.

“Exactly. Make sure you are just alright, my baby. I love you so much.”

“I love you too, Mom.”

“I want to squeeze you right now.” she grinned, staring at me with so much love.

I smiled.

“Call me frequently, okay?” Her tone switched to an authoritative one.

“Yes, Mom. Thank you, I feel good now.”

“Anytime. I have to go now. Be sure I’ll tell your father about this. I can’t keep it from him.”

“Sure. Definitely.”

Who could stop her anyway? The call ended.

The window towards the left, I observed, gave me a vantage view of the neighboring house, which, as I already knew, was inhabited by the bane of my existence. Perhaps, I tried to convince myself that I didn’t have to overthink things. Jacob and I were adults, and we would behave in such a manner.

I would be very quiet and try as much as possible not to trespass on his property. I promised myself I wouldn’t be interested in why he was here in Sunnyvale. I would duly mind my business while he minded his occupations. Though there were several tales of ex-lovers coming back together again, I wouldn’t dare imagine us coming together again.