I was still frozen at the door. There was a relaxed, even slightly mischievous expression in Alp's eyes. As if the more I panicked, the more he enjoyed it. My breath came out short and quick without me realizing it.
"Arrogant…" That one word I had uttered was still hanging on my lips.
Alp shrugged as he tried to suppress his laughter.
"I don't want to be arrogant, but this look of yours… legendary."
I crossed my arms tightly across my chest. "Are you seriously enjoying this right now?"
Alp folded the paper in his hand and slipped it into his pocket. "Look, let me tell you something. If I had really been the one leaving those notes, I wouldn't flaunt it like this. I wouldn't bother making sure you noticed. I'd say it directly. I'd just tell you: I'm interested in you."
For a moment, I froze. My heart seemed to somersault in my chest. I tried to narrow my eyes, but I could feel my face turning red.
"You… are truly shameless," I said, trying to make my voice sound as stern as possible.
He leaned casually against his door. "Maybe… but at least I'm honest."
Something inside me tangled. Was this anger, or something else that made my heart beat faster… I didn't know. Behind the door, Pakize meowed, as if saying, "Close the door already and end this commotion."
I took a deep breath, deciding to put an end to it.
"Whatever. If it's not you… fine. But if you keep mocking me like this… I'll report you to the janitor, just so you know."
Alp laughed. "Are you serious? Janitor İbrahim? That guy told me the other day, 'The elevator's broken, but hey, at least you're burning calories.' Yeah, I'm sure I'll be terrified of your complaint."
I rolled my eyes, unable to take it anymore. I slammed my door shut, but my heart was still racing. For a few seconds, I just stood there, breathless, before slipping on my teddy-bear slippers and heading for the stairs.
As I stomped up, muttering to myself:
"Arrogant jerk! Who does he think he is, saying he's interested in me… As if I'd ever look at him…"
My steps were heavy, my heels clicking against the stairs in sharp echoes. Then, from below, Alp's laughter echoed up.
"Careful, pajama girl, you'll fall any second!" His voice was filled with wicked amusement.
I froze, clenched my teeth. I didn't turn back, but I shouted down from the landing:
"Mind your own business! Even if I fall, don't worry—I won't lean on you!"
Behind me, his short laugh rang out again. This time, it wasn't mockery exactly—more like a challenge.
"We'll see…" was all he said.
Goosebumps rose on my arms. I quickened my steps, feeling as though I was running away, though I'd never admit it to myself. By the time I reached Ela's door, my palms were sweaty. Before pressing the doorbell, I took a deep breath. Only one question echoed in my head:
If it's really not him… then who?
When Ela's door opened, the smell of fresh coffee hit me. A soft light spilled from inside, accompanied by smooth jazz music. Ela appeared in the doorway with her usual effortless, shabby chic style: hair in a messy bun, oversized cardigan draped over her shoulders.
"Welcome, Ada! Oh wow, your face… what happened this time?" she asked, narrowing her eyes as she scanned me up and down.
I slipped off my slippers and walked into the living room in my pajamas. "Don't ask, Ela. I just had a showdown with the handsome jerk of the building."
Ela burst into laughter. "Alp? He's only been here a few days and you've already raised the war flag."
I crossed my arms again, still fuming. "I didn't raise it—he did! Showed up at my door with a piece of paper. And the things he said…"
Ela quickly set down two mugs of coffee on the table, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Wait a minute… a paper? Don't tell me it was one of those creepy notes you mentioned?"
I fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "Yes. He had it. But he thought I left it. Ugh… I mean, I thought he left it. Then he started mocking me."
Ela raised her brows, then smirked knowingly. "So you're saying… maybe Alp's actually innocent?"
I took a deep breath, pursing my lips. My heart was still pounding. "That's the problem. I don't know. But if it's not Alp… then who?"
Ela picked up her mug, squinting at me. "Ada… I don't think you realize it yet, but… your life has turned into a romantic TV series."
I gulped down a big sip of coffee, the burn stinging my throat as I rolled my eyes. "Romantic, or a psychological thriller—that's up for debate."
Ela couldn't hold back her laughter. "Come on, admit it—you kind of like it."
I slammed my mug onto the table. "Never!" I said, loud and firm.
Just as I was about to take a second sip, the doorbell rang. Ela muttered nonchalantly, "That's probably Eren again—he's been eyeing my coffee machine since last week," and walked over to open the door.
Sure enough, Eren stood there, holding a box of chocolate cookies, wearing a casual T-shirt. Smiling, he said, "I brought you some cookies… but it seems I walked right into the middle of a conversation."
Ela ushered him in right away. "Come on in, Ada's got apartment gossip—it's perfect for you."
Eren chuckled as he set the box on the table. "Gossip, huh? Alright, I'm all ears." He turned to me. "So, what's going on, pajama girl?"
I rolled my eyes. "Pajama girl? Seriously?"
Ela burst out laughing. "Yep, that's your nickname in the building! Don't act surprised."
Eren, trying to look serious, said, "Okay then, let's hear it. What's happening?"
I hesitated, then recounted everything—the moment Alp appeared at my door, the cursed paper in his hand, the things he said. Eren listened intently, frowning at times, smirking at others, sometimes just nodding.
When I finally finished, he took a deep breath. "Hmm…" he said thoughtfully. "I don't think it's Alp."
Ela jumped in right away. "That's what I'm saying too!"
I narrowed my eyes at Eren. "Why are you speaking so confidently?"
He shrugged. "Because Alp's not the type to play sneaky games. He's straightforward. Says whatever's on his mind. Instead of secretly leaving notes at your door, he'd just blurt it out. At least… that's how he seems to me."
Ela nodded. "See? Even Eren agrees. Alp's clean, Ada."
I leaned back against the couch, frustrated. "Then who is it? The cameras are broken, the elevator's constantly out of order, no one knows who comes and goes… Why me?!"
Ela pursed her lips, barely holding back laughter. "Maybe you've got a secret admirer."
Eren, however, grew more serious. "But seriously… this isn't something to joke about, Ada. If it's truly bothering you, we're here. Don't worry."
I fell silent for a moment. Something strange stirred inside me. Alp's words, Ela's laughter, Eren's seriousness… they all swirled together.
But one thing I knew for sure: this game wasn't over yet.