New Neighbor

Charlize Theron moved into Old Gary's apartment building. She shared an apartment with two other girls, which is common in big United States cities.

The room is a private space, while the living room, kitchen, bathroom, and other areas are public spaces. As long as you adhere to the principle of separating public and private areas, there's nothing wrong with living with strangers.

Charlize Theron's two new roommates were quite welcoming. One was a baker who dreamed of opening her own bakery, and the other was a clerk working for a trading company.

Although the subletting arrangement, spearheaded by landlord Gary, ensured that even with roommate vacancies, the rent wouldn't increase due to fewer people sharing the burden.

However, the utilities and other living expenses are still split equally among the tenants. The difference between having all three rooms occupied and having to share the utilities with roommates when one or two rooms are missing is quite significant for these recent graduates.

So Charlize Theron rented that empty room, and of course they couldn't possibly not welcome her.

Henry once again acted as a driver, taking Charlize Theron in his Cadillac to her original motel and bringing her luggage back to her apartment.

Charlize Theron didn't have much luggage—just a few changes of clothes and some personal items. It all fit in a suitcase and a few plastic bags, so she didn't need to hire a moving company or a truck.

During the car ride, the girl talked about her experiences moving around the world.

From South Africa to Italy, then from Italy to the United States, and from the East Coast to the West Coast, each journey felt like the start of a new life, filled with anticipation for the future.

Henry obediently listened, because it was quite different from the experience of traveling the world with Ms. Hepburn.

When I go to those places, I know perfectly well that I'm just a passerby. I arrive today and leave in a few days.

But wherever Charlize Theron goes, she does so with the intention of settling down and starting a new life.

Although this is a very positive and proactive attitude, it's also clear from her words that the girl is trying hard to get rid of her past thoughts.

Since it was quite late, Henry used his hunger and the fact that it was a housewarming party as excuses to treat the young girl to dinner.

After finishing their meal, the two returned to their apartment building. Henry helped carry their suitcases up to the fourth floor, the floor where Charlize rented her apartment, and even delivered them to her door.

The two roommates, who had already finished work, happened to be sitting in the living room when they met Henry, who was bringing their luggage upstairs. The girls asked curiously, "Charlize, is he your boyfriend?"

The shy girl quickly said, "No, no, no, just a good friend."

One of them seemed to recognize Henry and exclaimed, "Ah, aren't you the one on the third floor?"

Henry smiled and said, "Yes, I live on the third floor. Henry Brown. Good evening, ladies. It's a pleasure to meet you."

After delivering the luggage inside, Henry stepped outside and said, "If you need any other help, feel free to call me or come find me on the third floor. I'll head back now."

Okay, goodnight.

"Goodnight." Henry closed the door, yawned, and went back to his room.

No wonder this girl succeeded. During today's conversation, Charlize Theron was like she was on steroids, spouting nothing but positive energy and motivational quotes. If someone as proactive as her didn't rise to the top, then there would Reason in the world.

Seeing such a dazzling person, and knowing what she could achieve in the future, Henry felt like Vampires looking at the Sun Pharma, so blindingly bright he was almost melting.

Not to mention the barrage of critical hits; it almost makes you want to say something like, "I'm sorry for being a loser."

I should go to bed early tonight.

Meanwhile, the other two girls had already started interrogating their new roommate, asking, "How did you come to know him?"

"Is Henry quite famous in the apartment building?" Charlize asked rhetorically, a bittersweet feeling welling up inside her.

The two girls exchanged a glance and said, "Perhaps his fame is different from what you imagine. You haven't been to his house yet, have you?"

Charlize nodded.

"That's right. Once you're inside his house, you'll understand why he's famous."

"What do you mean?" Charlize asked, puzzled.

Did you know he has pets?

"I know. Gary said it's a Tabby Cat. Isn't it?"

"Hehe, Tabby Cat." "Anyway, just don't be scared when you see it."

"How is it? Is Henry's pet terrible? It's not some little girl, and they call her a ' Tabby Cat, ' is it?" Charlize asked worriedly.

"Okay, you're definitely suited for Hollywood. Such a vivid imagination." "Yeah. But it's not the kind of situation you're worried about. There's no little girl; he lives alone."

"Ugh, what's wrong with you guys? You pique people's curiosity but then don't offer any answers," Charlize complained, unable to bear the Riddler any longer.

The older baker, who aspired to open her own shop, said earnestly, "It's not that I don't want to tell you, it's just that I don't know how to make you believe me. Unless you see it with your own eyes."

The clerk said, "What If...? you're not worried about it being too late, and it feels like you're offering yourself up, you can bring a few cans of beer and visit him at his house to express your gratitude, and you'll see him."

"Don't worry, I don't think you'll be able to stay there overnight. The beer in the Fridge is on me, feel free to take it."

Although she felt a tickling sensation inside, Charlize Theron decided against immediately seeking the answer.

On one hand, it's so late, and I went to their house hoping to see their pets. What if they drag me off to see mushrooms? After all, that really sounds like an excuse to send me on a long journey...

I haven't even come to that realization yet.

On the other hand, Charlize Theron also needed to sort out her thoughts. The changes in the past two days had been too great and too fast. She needed to think carefully about what to do next. She must not be blinded by some good news and misinterpret the signs of bad things.

After exchanging a few jokes with her two new roommates, she took her belongings back to her room and began organizing and arranging them.

One of the great things about Old Gary's house is that it's fully furnished with basic furniture. So the rooms have beds, tables, and wardrobes.

Although the sheets and blankets weren't new, old Gary said they had been washed and were clean. Charlize, short of money, couldn't afford to buy a new set herself.

Fortunately, the bed didn't have any strange smell; instead, it had a light, pleasant scent of detergent. So the claim that it was clean should be true.

She hung her few clothes in the closet, and put her underwear in the drawer. At the very bottom of her suitcase sat a small photo frame that she used as a table.

Inside was a childhood photo of Charlize and her mother on the farm; it was one of the few times she smiled. The unreal feeling that had always been like a bubble suddenly became clear.