Fates Exchanged

That voice was one that I knew all too well.

Hansen and Quinn were kissing with abandon. The noise was getting louder by the minute.

Helpless and sleep-deprived, I could only stuff my ears with earplugs.

Half an hour later, a phone call silenced the pair instantly.

“Mr. Hess, you’re awake?

“Sure, I’ll be right up. Yup, I’ve bought everything you wanted to eat!

“I even picked up a new massage technique. Can’t wait to help you relax today!

“Just you wait!”

Quinn hung up the phone and immediately got up to leave. Puzzled, Hansen grabbed her arm.

“I haven’t had my fill. Where are you going?

“Taking care of the old man upstairs? Are you mad?”

“Shh… Keep your voice down! I’m doing this for the sake of our future!”

Quinn lowered her voice as she added, “That old man is our money tree!

“You’ll find out soon enough!”

For the rest of the week, I stayed in my office to avoid any more awkwardness.

During those days, I found a place I fancied and took my father for a full physical examination.

Only after the full report came back normal was I completely relieved.

On Monday morning, I took time off work to prepare for the move.

When I returned home to pack, I discovered that my bedroom had been completely taken over by Quinn.

She had piled all her stuff on my bed.

Furious, I kicked her bedroom door open, and I was greeted with the sight of the two of them going at it.

Upon seeing me, the two of them slowly put their clothes back on.

Minutes later, Quinn appeared right before me, sending me a step back in shock.

In merely a few days, she had aged more than a decade.

The wrinkles at the corners of her eyes were pronounced, and even worse was a sour, rancid odor coming from her person.

It smelled like… the old man upstairs.

“What are you here for?”

Ignoring my horror, Quinn shoved me and said, “I just asked you a question. Playing dead now?”

“You have the nerve to ask me why I’m here?” I said as I clenched my fists.

“I’m a tenant for this place, too! I paid rent!

“Why can’t I come here?”

Right then, Hansen smugly flung a document at my face.

“Open your damn eyes and see whose place this really is!”

I quickly lowered my head and realized it was a property transfer agreement.

No wonder!

That was why Quinn aged so drastically!

It was because she had gotten the old man’s property.

With a cigarette hanging lazily between his lips, Hansen said, “Can you even read?”

Quinn slid onto his lap, and for a fleeting moment, I noticed the flicker of disgust in Hansen’s eyes when he looked at Quinn.

“I demand you get out of my house immediately, Heather Hepburn! Right now!

“Otherwise, I’ll call the cops and report you for trespassing.

“I won’t have a problem with them keeping you locked up for a couple of days.”

I shook my head as I said, “Regardless of who’s the owner, I’ve rented it for a year. And I’ve only lived here for three months.

“According to the contract, as the landlord, you should compensate me.”

Hansen snorted. “No money for that. Well, if you want to stay, then go ahead!”

Quinn, however, looked tense as she watched me and Hansen.

Finally, through gritted teeth, she said, “Fine, I’ll pay you.

“Once you get the money, you’re out of here!”