I sneak in the house, still feeling overwhelmed by the news. My mind and body tired and all I wanted was a hot cup of coffee and a B movie to fall asleep to.

"So... how did it go?" Richard yelled from the kitchen, startling me a little. I walked into the kitchen, hoping for some of that delicious smelling coffee. If there was one thing other than music, he was great at it was brewing tasty coffee.

"Please don't make me go into details." I grunted, hopping onto a bar stool by the kitchen island. He smirk was cocky, the kind that annoys whoever it is meant for. I gulp down my annoyances.

"How's Till?" I loudly ask, effortlessly placing the pressure onto him.

"I don't know it went to voicemail." He shrugged, pouring the steaming coffee for me.

"And so, what? Did you leave a message or called later?" I asked curiously before gulping down the steamy beverage.

"I gave up after four times."

I glanced him up and down with a puzzled look.

"What is it with you today? You're nitpicking everything and being very grumpy." He states more to himself than I.

My hands tightened around the cup. "Excuse me, that I'm not always happy." I snap back, my eyes drilling into his. He seemed startled by my reaction.

"Why am I the only one here who's worried about Till. Why does no one care?" I am so angry now that tears are welling up in my eyes. Demoting my effort in sounding and looking serious.

Richard huffed. "You don't think that I care? Of course, I care. But it's a little hard to find the compassion for someone who kissed my fiancée."

His eyes were filled with rage and I could tell he wanted to burst out in a fit, but he kept composed.

"I thought this argument was over." He protested in a growl.

"Let me remind you that you were the one who cheated first." I said, crossing my arms over my chest to calm my shaking body. My factual statement seemed to make him boil up even more. But I did not care. I could not just stand by and watch him lose his friend just because of a mistake. No matter how good that mistake felt.

"Oh, so sorry, I didn't realize this was a who can do it worst competition." He snarled between his deep angry breaths. Some of his hair had fallen out of place, having taken a rest on his wrinkled forehead above his red-covered face.

"It's not a competition. I just don't understand your lack of compassion and interest." I fling at him, smashing my hands on the cold marble kitchen top, to make my point come across.

"I don't feel the need to defend my actions and surely not about the matters on my relationship with Till." He snaps back walking closer towards me with clenched fists. He leans down to meet my eyes, the icy touch of them grabs my full attention.

"You are what I have done everything for. Every bad moment I have been through has brought me to you. Don't forget that." He pleaded to me with a look that seemed more hurt than when I came back from London.

"I haven't forgotten, I'm just telling you that he did so much for you in your time of need... and now all of a sudden, all of you are pulling away."

He shook his head in disapproval. "There's much more to that story. It is something that I'll have to tell you later."

"Later!" I yelled pushing him away. I rushed up from my seat, grabbing my purse in the same motion.

I turned to face him. "You're acting like a real jerk," I whispered through my clenched teeth, before turning around, walking out the door.

I did not come far before I was yanked backwards at the waist. Forced to look Richard in the eyes once more. I sizzled with anger as he placed a light kiss on my lips.

"I don't want to fight." He declared in a desperate tone that despite my efforts made my heartbeat rapidly run like a wild horse. I took in a deep breath.

"I don't want to fight either... but I can't help worrying about Till. I do not blame him for kissing me. I blame myself for letting it happen."

Richard's face was turning darker despite the warm glow from the low setting sun, lighting his beautiful delicate features. If I wasn't prohibited in my movements, I would most likely have reached up to kiss his tempting lips.

"I don't blame you... I blame him, but most of all myself."

My eyes widened in a puzzled look. How could he blame himself for something I did? Something he did not have a single part to play in.

"I should have known that he liked you and that you liked him back. I could have set you free but instead, I kept you in my grasp... I'm only lucky that you forgave me and stayed."

His words had reached through my skin and right into the thumping heart I had been fighting for so long. I had had such a hard time finding the one person I knew I could trust. Richard had seemed like the one, seemed to be the thing I had been missing. But when he let me down I was quick to jump off the train, just like with Zach. Zach who had paid the prize for showing me his love.

I knew then and there that all my past thoughts were only a means to shield myself from the thing I needed the most.

My hand reached up to his cheek stroking slowly with my thumb. He lights up and starts to caress my lower back lovingly.

"I never wanted anyone but you. I was a fool to believe that love was a fairytale that is simple and always end happily ever after. We fight like crazy sometimes, but that is okay... Because it is  you."

My wet cheeks cooled my skin down and I had a hard time visualizing what Richard's eyes were expressing to me.

All I felt was him pulling me closer to him. His breath on my ear as he hugged me tighter.

Zach's POV Berlin

I cannot believe it, that little bitch had fled England. How could he? I had people at the borders looking, making sure that he would be confined to that country till I found a purpose in letting him go. Or better yet blame him on something.

I stroll down Unter der Linde towards the mighty Brandenburger Tor. Although nightfall has covered the sky and most people have gone to sleep by now. It's still hard to find a clear undisturbed moment away from people.

People are like cockroaches, always crawling from the cracks. To absorb everything, you have.

"Why're you here?" A seductive voice whisper from behind. I turn around, not even surprised by the low-cut dress and high heels she is wearing.

"Emalia, to what do I owe this pleasure?"

"I thought you still were in London. I was just about to call when I saw you from across the street." She said in a sweet tone. Her eyes lingered to mine and challenged me to match her playful intentions.

"I came to personally keep an eye on my dear Zoey." She seemed to lose some of her confident appearances. I smirked.

"You know since you have been so bad at keeping them from engaging with one another." My words seemed to anger her even more. Check.

"To be specific. You only told me to keep an eye on them, not to interfere." She smirked back feeling proud of capturing me in my own comments.

"I just thought that you would be somehow smart enough to think for yourself. But I guess that's why you lost Richard in the first place." Checkmate.

Her cheeks turned red with anger as she stepped closer. "I lost him because of you." She hissed in a low tone. Her hissing would probably scare most but I knew better than to give in to her empty threats.

"I never asked you to kiss me in the first place. You did that all on your own and see how far it has gotten you."

Her hand rushed to my face, but I was quick enough to grasp her wrist before impact. "Now, don't be stupid. If it weren't for me, you would be on the street selling yourself." I grunted, letting go of her wrist.

Her chin turned to the ground and I lifted it up with one finger. "Don't you worry doll, our plan is not done yet. I promised you that Richard would be yours." I leaned closer to her ear and whispered.

"I always keep my promises," I said my hand grasping her jaw harshly.

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What is Zach up to? Is the argument between Richard and Zoey over? Find out in the next chapter.

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Long time. I have been in a bit of a writer's block and in general figuring out how to get to the end of Neighbor. I'm not there yet but I have come a long way. So I found it best to not let you lovely readers wait any longer. I'll be uploading chapters here and there and I hope you'll enjoy it. 

Love Alex