Neighboring Hearts: The Thin Line Between Love and Hate | An Enemies to Lovers Story

By Dorothea Torlove

Aria is staying at her parent's house before she gets her own apartment. After breaking up with her boyfriend, since she had no idea where she would stay, her parents invited her to stay at their place before she got on her feet. With her parents going on a cruise, she jumped on the offer to be able to lick her wounds in peace without her parent

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dorothea Torlove
• Release date: Jul 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088103401

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Chapter 1

Aria

O h, fucking hell, I mutter as I pick up a box from the trunk of my car.

I feel its weight as I carry it to the house, and when I’m in the living room, I all but drop it to the floor, not caring that something could be breakable. I so badly want to sit down and rest, but the fact that there is only one box left propels me to walk back to my car and pick it up.

I’ve been carrying boxes from my car all afternoon, and I am starting to feel fatigued. I can’t believe this is what my life has led to. Hauling boxes containing everything I own to my parent’s place because I don’t have anywhere to live.

At twenty-five, I thought I’d be living in my suburban home with a husband and two kids. But my boyfriend of three years felt that settling down wasn’t his goal—or that he didn’t want to settle down with me.

Once we’d broken up, he quickly found himself a new girlfriend and was already asking me to move out of his house, even though he’d told me to move out once I’d found a place to live.

Fuck, I groan as I carry the last box.

I know I should haul this box to my bedroom, but my legs just seem to give up once I get to the living room. So, I place the box down instead of just dropping it before flopping onto one of the sofas.

Ohhhh, Godddd, I let out as I stretch my body.

I lie on the sofa for a minute before my phone starts ringing, interrupting my peaceful rest. I let it ring. I don’t feel like talking to anyone. When it stops ringing, I figure I’ll finally get some rest without interruptions, only for it to ring again.

Seriously?

I gingerly get to my feet, and I feel my legs burn while I walk to the kitchen where I’d left my phone, cursing whoever it is for making me get up when I hadn’t intended to.

What? I lean against the kitchen countertop to take the weight off my legs.

That’s no way to talk to your mom.

I’m sorry, I’ve just had a long day.

Did you pick up all your stuff from Jerome? my mom asks, reminding me of my lousy ex-boyfriend.

I don’t even know how I ended up being in a relationship with him for three years. Three years that I’d definitely wasted with nothing to show for it. When we started dating, I thought we had potential, that we’d end up getting married, have our own house, have kids and a pet or two, but well, we don’t always get what we wish for.

Yeah, I have, I tell my mom, bringing myself out of my thoughts.

And you’ve settled alright at the house?

Yup, how’s the cruise? I asked her, wanting to change the subject because I knew if we continued to talk about me, she’d start asking me when I’d start dating again, and I didn’t want that.

It’s amazing. Your dad is actually gearing up to go scuba diving, she says excitedly.

My parents had decided to go on a cruise for their 50th anniversary. They’ve been planning this trip since I was in college, and I am happy they actually went for it. At least their love life is strong compared to mine. I’ve always wondered whether I’ll be lucky enough to experience their kind of love, but at this point, I'm pretty sure I won’t be so lucky.

Tell him I said hi then, I finally say, ending my train of thoughts before I start overthinking.

Will do! Oh, I think he is calling me; I’ll talk to you later, okay darling?

Okay, Mom, by— but she had already hung up, making me shake my head. Oh, God, I groan as I place my phone down.

My whole body is hurting. I think of soaking myself in my parent’s bathtub, but I’m too tired to run the bath, so I decide to limp my way up to my bedroom, ignoring the boxes that need to be unpacked, before jumping into bed, not bothering to change into my pajamas, and letting out a sigh of relief.

I need to get some rest—I have a big day tomorrow.

Just as I am about to turn over and cover myself, I hear loud booming music coming directly to my bedroom.

Oh, you gotta be kidding me! Did they have to start playing music at 10:00pm? Really?

I pick up my pillow and bury myself underneath it, trying to drown out the sound, but unfortunately, it’s not as helpful as I thought it would be.

If only I had earmuffs…Why is this happening to me? Of all days…

I don’t think I will be able to get any sleep with this music blaring. It’s just impossible, so I get out of bed, grab my shoes, and head for my door.

I don’t normally confront people, but I’m tired and have a big day tomorrow. I could use the rest.

As I cross over to my neighbor’s side, my heart is in my throat, my palms have started to sweat, my knees are wobbly, and I just hope I won’t trip as I climb up the steps to the front door.

Should I ring the doorbell or just knock?

I go for the former, that way, they’ll know someone is at the door, despite the loud music.

I press the doorbell repeatedly, not pausing for even a second until, five minutes later, the door is opened. I don’t know if the owner’s purpose was to let me freeze until I went away or if they just couldn’t hear with all the noise. I think it’s the former, and I’m proven right when the owner throws daggers at me when he steps out.

He’s quite attractive, that’s for sure, with messy, lush black hair, honey-like eyes, and a toned body, one could confuse him with Joe Jonas, but the only difference is that my neighbor is