Chapter Preview: Chapter 1
July 12, 2022
Jane's Apartment. Boston, Massachusetts.
Jane's finger automatically stopped moving when a grating sound reached her ears.
Jane
Damn it. Not again!
The blaring noise of a jackhammer was making her head hurt.
Her cell phone rang. It was her editor and friend, Alice.
Jane
What is it, Alice?
Alice
How's the progress of your novel? May I remind you that you need to submit the first ten chapters on the fifteenth.
Jane bit her lower lip.
Jane
Here's the thing, Alice... I don't think I can finish it on time.
Jane glanced at the calendar on her table. July 20th was a week away.
She winced and stared at her laptop screen. She was still on the third chapter of her current manuscript.
Alice
What? Don't tell me you're having writer's block?
Jane
No. But my neighbor, who happens to be my landlord, was having his house renovated. You know I can't write with loud noise.
Alice
Why don't you leave your apartment and stay in a hotel for the meantime?
Jane
I don't want to waste money. This renovation would last for two months!
Jane imagined Alice rolling her eyes on the other line.
Alice
You're so frugal! I can't believe you.
Jane
You know I'm saving for my dream beach house.
Alice
Then just look for a temporary apartment in the meantime.
Jane
Yeah. I'm already thinking about that. I wouldn't be able to stand this noise for two months.
Alice
I'm sorry I can't invite you to my place.
Jane
It's okay, Alice, I might just ask James.
After talking to Alice, Jane wasted no time and called James.
James was Jane's twin brother. He works as a marketing consultant for an advertising firm.
James
Janey, why did you suddenly call? Are you having a problem?
Jane
How do you know I have a problem right now?
James
(Chuckles) These days, you only call me when you need help. Sometimes, I wonder if you still remember you have a brother.
Jane
(Winces) I'm sorry, James. It's just that… I've been so busy with work.
The last time Jane saw her brother was two months ago—when they visited their mother's grave.
Their mother died eight years ago. After a year since her mother's death, their father remarried again. He was now living in Atlanta with his new family.
James
If you're really sorry, then meet me today.
Jane
What? I can't go to New York today, James.
James
Silly. I have a business meeting in Boston this afternoon. Let's have dinner together.
Jane
Fine. See you later.
Ten hours later. 7 pm.
Jane took a glance at her wristwatch as she entered the Italian restaurant in the city. She looked around and immediately spotted James on the corner.
James
You're ten minutes late, Janey.
Jane slightly rolled her eyes before she kissed her twin brother on the cheek.
Jane
I missed you, too, brother.
James
(Frowns) What are you wearing, Janey?
Jane
A blue plaid shirt and a pair of pants, if it wasn't so obvious to you.
James
Stop being sarcastic. Don't you have better clothes than that?
Jane looked at his brother, who was looking crisp in his white long-sleeve dress shirt and black slacks.
Jane
What? This is decent. We're not in a fine-dining restaurant.
She reached for the menu. James and Jane were twins. But aside from their facial features, there was nothing similar about them. They're completely different from each other.
James was confident, sociable, and fun. Jane was introverted, aloof, and nerdy.
James was popular in high school. While Jane was only known as James' nerdy twin sister.
James
How are you going to have a boyfriend if you're always dressed like that?
Jane
(Grimaces) Stop talking about my love life, or my lack thereof.
James
I'm only concerned about you. You're my baby sister. I don't want you alone in life.
Jane felt a twinge in her heart at her brother's concerned face. But she hid it with a frown. Jane hates it when she's being treated like a kid.
Jane
Baby sister? You're only older than me by a minute.
James
Fine. Then let's talk about your problem. What help do you need from me, this time?
Jane pursed her lips. She waited for the waiter to place their food on the table before she opened her mouth.
Jane
I need to crash into your place for two months.
James
Well, here's the thing, Janey… My girlfriend Madison… She moved into my place a month ago.
Jane
Oh…
James mentioned to her his girlfriend Madison when they last met. But she still hasn't met the woman.
James
But you can stay in my room.
Jane
Stay in your room? Are you insane? What do you think your girlfriend would say?
James
I'll be leaving the country for three months, Janey. That's the reason I asked you to meet with me.
Jane
Where are you going?
James
(Smiles) I was promoted to marketing director.
James
But in return, I was asked to stay in the London office for three months.
Jane
Oh, wow. That's big, James! Congratulations!
James
Thank you, Janey.
James
And since I'm leaving, you can stay in my room while I'm away.
Jane shook her head and frowned. She took a sip of her orange juice.
Jane
No, James. I'll just look for another place.
James
Come on, Janey.
Jane
James, your girlfriend's there.
Jane
You know I didn't get along with your past girlfriends.
Jane
And now you're asking to stay at your place with that Madison?
Jane never liked any of his brother's past girlfriends. They were all annoying and fake. They were only nice to Jane when her brother was around.
James
Madison's different.
Jane
Different?
James
I promise you'll like Madison. And this time, I want you to get along with her, Janey.
Jane
Why? Are you thinking of marrying this woman already?
James
(Shrugs) I might have.
Jane
You're really that serious, huh?
Her twin brother's face broke into a soft smile.
James
I really like this woman, Janey.
Jane
I'm happy for you, James.
Jane
But still, you can't convince me to stay at your place.
Jane
I'll just meet her some other time.
James
Come on, Janey. Madison surely wouldn't mind.
James
She already knows you. In fact, she's excited to meet you.
Jane
Really?
James
I told you she's different.
James
Please, consider this. I don't want you to stay at someone else's place. At least, in my apartment, I know you're safe.
James placed his own garlic bread on Jane's plate. His brother really knows how to get her. Jane pursed her lips.
Jane
Fine. But talk to your girlfriend first.
James
(Grins) Oh, she'll hundred percent agree.
Jane
But if I don't get along with her, I'll immediately leave your apartment and go back here to Boston, James.
James
I doubt that would happen. You two would get along for sure. Madison's a charmer. Besides, I know she'll be good for you.
Jane
Good for me?
James flashed a confident smile.
James
You'll see, Janey.