Shaiyan Crawford sighed as she lifted the cardboard box filled with shoes and bags from out of the moving truck, and carried it into the house she was renting for $40,000. She carefully placed the box in the empty space, that very soon she would transform into her living room.
The men brought the big, blue couch in, and she watched them set it down near her feet. She smiled politely at one of them who was staring at her. He didn’t smile but his eyes observed her curiously. She wondered if it was what she wearing that sparked his interest.
She wore light blue leggings that hugged her figure and a white t-shirt. She didn't look like the corporate girlie who she truly was, but obviously she needed to dress appropriately for the situation. She gave him a bright smile and went back to the truck to collect another box of items.
The men brought a bluish gray loveseat also, moving carefully towards her. She laid down the box and pointed to her right. “Put it there,” she said. She noted that the younger of the two men was still staring at her as if he could bore a hole into her.
Maybe he’s wondering what a girl like me is doing in a community like this, she mused.
She was supposed to pay them the other half of their stated moving fee as soon as they were finished. She had the cash in her pockets waiting to give it to them.
Thirty minutes later, she counted out the money before them and gave it to the older gentleman. He smiled at her then walked through the hallway and out the door, but the younger man hesitated.
Shaiyan looked at him. “Is something wrong?” she asked.
He shook his head. “No miss,” he said.
“So … why are you still standing here?”
He cleared his throat. “A lady like you moving into an area like this can draw attention. Things are quiet now, but at any time war can bruk out in the community. Plus, you’re a pretty girl. Here’s not really a safe place. Just be careful,” he said, tilting his head to one side as he looked at her.
"A lady like me?" she asked, her left eyebrow rising above the other
He smiled at her. "You just look like a nice girl is all I'm saying. Just be careful."
Shaiyan’s finger nails dug into the palm of her hands. A chill passed through her, making her blood run cold. She nodded her head. “Thank you for letting me know,” she said.
The young man nodded, his eyes scanning every detail of the room, then he looked at her one more time. “Take care,” he said, then he was gone.
A rush of air left Shaiyan’s trembling lips. She collapsed on the couch, her heart beating erratically. 'What was that about?' she wondered.
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