Chapter 1

I loved flowers. Every week, I ordered a bouquet for my place.

But three times now, my flowers have vanished—swiped right off my doorstep by the woman next door.

I marched over to her door, and she boldly replied, "The delivery didn't have a name on it. I thought they looked nice, so I took them. What's the problem?"

Alright, since she was so brazen about it, I switched all my orders to cash on delivery. Each bouquet cost forty-three dollars.

A week later, the property manager found me, looking troubled as he handed me a note.

"The resident in 503 asked me to give this to you. Here, take a look," he said.

I unfolded the note—just four words stared back at me.

My name was Rachel Xavier.

I loved flowers.

Ordering a bouquet every week was my little ritual.

Flowers add a little sweetness to my life.

But lately, that little bit of sweetness has started to feel more like a hassle.

This is the third time.

The bouquet I ordered has disappeared again.

The delivery notification clearly said: "Package left on the shoe rack by the door."

But the shoe rack was empty.

Only air greeted me.

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my cool.

Then I headed over to my neighbor's door—503.

I knocked.

The door swung open immediately. A heavily made-up face popped out, plastered with a fake smile.

It was Gloria Smith from 503.

"Hey Rachel, is something up?" she said.

But her smile looked a little forced.

Peeking past her into the living room, I spotted my bouquet of Blue Storm roses—right there, proudly displayed in a glass vase.

They were in full bloom.

Rage shot up inside me.

I did my best to keep my cool when I spoke.

"Gloria, the flowers in your living room look gorgeous," I said.

Gloria's smile faltered for a moment.

"Yeah, I think they're beautiful too," she said.

She wasn't planning on giving them back; that much was obvious.

I pressed on, "Those flowers were delivered this morning—they're mine."

Gloria's face fell.

"Yours? What do you mean by that? The package was left at the door without a name. I thought they looked nice, so I took them. What's the problem?" she shot back.

Her voice pitched up, dripping with sheer, unapologetic entitlement.

Her logic was so absurd that I actually let out a bitter laugh.

"Didn't the delivery slip have a name on it?" I asked.

"I tore it up. Who even bothers with those labels?" Gloria replied.

She waved her hand, looking impatient.

"Rachel, you're young. Don't sweat the small stuff," she said. "It's just a bunch of flowers. If I like them, just let me have them. We're neighbors. Why get so worked up about it?"

This wasn't the first time she'd pulled this stunt.

The first time, I had ordered sunflowers.

Gloria claimed she thought they were a community gift and just took them by accident.

I actually believed her that time.

The second time, I ordered lilies.

Gloria said her son's girlfriend was visiting, so she used them to decorate for the occasion and just forgot to return them.

I let it slide again.

This was the third time.

She didn't even bother with excuses anymore. She acted like taking my flowers was some kind of compliment, as if I should feel lucky she wanted them.

I was completely out of patience.

"Gloria, I bought those flowers with my own money," I said. "Would you mind giving them back to me?"

My tone turned icy.

Gloria's expression soured even more.

She propped herself against the doorframe, crossing her arms defensively.

Gloria shot back, "Hey, is that any way to talk to your elders, young lady?

"They're already in my vase. What do you want me to do? Take them out and hand them back?

"Come on, I told you I like them. Why are you making such a big deal out of this?

"It's just a few dollars. Can't I just pay you and call it even?"

With that, she started to close the door.

I reached out and blocked it.

"Forty-three dollars," I said, making sure she heard me loud and clear.

Gloria's eyes went wide.

"What? Forty-three dollars? Are you trying to rob me?" she snapped. "What kind of flowers could cost that much? That's insane!"

She acted as if I'd just cracked the funniest joke ever.

"If that's how you're gonna be, then I'm definitely not giving them back," Gloria said. "Why don't you call the cops then. See if the police even give a damn about this stupid little stuff."

With that, she slammed the door shut with a loud bang.

I stood at the door, listening to Gloria rant angrily inside.

"Seriously? She actually had the nerve to come over for a bunch of lousy flowers? What a nuisance!" Gloria muttered.

I clenched my fists, my chest heaving.

Great.

That was perfect.

She couldn't help yourself.

Then I would let her take as much as she wanted.

I grabbed my phone, expressionless, and opened the flower ordering app.

I went straight to customer support.

I messaged: [Hi, please switch all my future orders to cash on delivery.]

I walked into my apartment, looking pretty pissed off.