Sin Contrato • Maluma

Chapter 1 ● The Night They Met

"So, I'm living expensive this week," I observe as I look at the white kitchen to my left, dining room on my right, living room across from me. "Manolo, you didn't tell me this place was so nice."

I keep on giving myself the self tour when I reach the bedroom and come out to the balcony overlooking the city.

"Hey," I call the dogs attention when he meets me out there. "Don't smudge the glass with your nose."

Manolo had left a smudge on the glass separating the neighbors side of the balcony and Felipe's and I wipe it with the back of my hand quickly.

I send Felipe a message when we make it back inside and let him know that I've arrived and all is good.

I start rummaging through the kitchen cabinets before I find the popcorn I was looking for. I walk on over to the living room couch and nod at how comfortable it is, still trying to figure out how much rent the couple paid for this one bedroom.

Manolo sat on the floor right in front of me, looking at me to help him up onto the couch since he couldn't jump.

"Come on, now," I grunt as I pull the heavy dog up.

I grab the remote and turn the television on before I start scrolling for the show I was halfway through.

"You haven't seen this show yet?" I ask the silent dog. "Well, you're gonna love it," I tell him before throwing over some popcorn in his direction.

○○○

A loud bang makes me jump up and wake up from my sleep. I quickly find the remote that was under me and pause the show I was watching, realizing I missed a couple of episodes while I slept.

I look at the clock beneath the television and realize it's time for bed. I look around to see if something had fallen in the kitchen. The sound fills the room again and I get up and head to the door warily.

When I'm in the hallway I hear another loud bang come from the apartment next door and I take a second to think if I should knock or not.

My knuckles make a sound on the wooden door before a girl shows up behind it when she opens it.

We stand there silently looking at each other, I can only imagine how dumb I look staring at her up and down.

"Hi," I shake my head.

"Hi," she repeats cautiously.

"I-I'm Juan Luis," I put my hand out for her to take. "Sorry, I'm a friend of Felipe's."

"Oh," she relaxes. "Antonella," she shakes my hand. "I thought they were on vacation-"

"They are," I nod. "I'm house-sitting."

"That's very kind of you."

"Very," I smile like a dork at the beautiful girl.

Another bang comes from inside the apartment.

"Was that why you came?" She points behind her. "I'm sorry-"

"Is your boyfriend okay?" I ask and she lets out a pretty laugh.

"That's a good one," she nods. "I don't have a boyfriend, but I like how you asked," we both chuckle together. "My roommate, Eva, is working out with one of those medicine balls or something."

"Oh," I nod. "Is this a two bedroom?"

"Uh-"

"I mean I only ask because it's my first time in this building-"

"It is," she smiles at me. "I don't have the room with the balcony, though."

"That's alright," I nod. "They're overrated anyway," I joke and she chuckles some more.

"How long are you house-sitting for?"

"A week."

"I'll see you around then," she puts her hand on the door. "Thanks for checking up."

"Yeah, yeah," I nod. "No problem. Antonella," I say again.

"Mhm," she smiles as she slowly closes the door.

"See you," I wave my hand before the door finally shuts. "Antonella," I whisper this time around.

Manolo was waiting for me when I got back inside the apartment. I turned all the lights, and everything else, off before making my way to the bathroom then the bedroom.

"You're sleeping with me tonight?" I ask before putting Manolo on the bed.

I decide to slide open the door to the balcony and take a look outside again after taking all my clothes off except for my boxers.

I look down from the balcony this time around and jump at the sound of a voice.

"You should put some clothes on," the attractive girl says.

"You should too," I point at the girl in a sports bra and underwear.

"I was just changing," she shrugs. "You on the other hand-"

"Am getting ready for bed," I explain.

"And the mystery man's name?"

"Juan Luis," I say. "Eva right?"

"He's psychic?"

"He met your roommate just now," I smirk.

"Sorry you had to meet the boring one first," she looks at me up and down. "You're the house-sitter I was told about, no?" I simply nod at her question before we stand there in silence for just a bit, looking at each other.

"Didn't mean to disturb your balcony work out," I change the subject.

"Workout's on the inside," she nods to her room.

"Oh, but you change out here for everyone to see?"

"That's what I call giving back to the community," she smirks and I chuckle. "Sweet dreams, Juan," Eva says before turning on her heels and unhooking her bra as she reaches her door, walking in topless for me to see.