Chapter 638 Don't Abandon Me, Okay?
Finally reaching the twentieth floor, Ryder was completely winded.
This couldn't possibly be just twenty floors—it felt more like thirty!
The building's unusual design was to blame: single-numbered floors were standard, while even-numbered floors featured split-level "apartment within apartment" layouts.
Catching his breath, Ryder located the correct apartment number. Strangely, the door was ajar. Had the customer left it open knowing he was coming?
Still, he remained outside and knocked politely.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" he called. "Delivery service! I have your package—it's cash on delivery. Please sign for it!"
After several attempts, a woman's voice finally responded from within, "Oh, good. Would you mind bringing the package to my living room? Have a seat and I'll pay you once I finish what I'm doing."
Ryder found this request inappropriate. "It's okay, I'll wait outside. Please come sign for it when you can."
"Fine, if you insist," the voice replied.
Ryder stood patiently in the hallway, but three or four minutes passed with no sign of the customer. This was getting ridiculous.
"Hello? How much longer before you can sign for this package?" he called again.
From inside came the woman's voice, "I can't come out right now—I'm completely soaked! Just wait while I put on something. I'll give you five hundred dollars for your patience, OK?"
"I don't need extra money, just please hurry," Ryder replied, growing impatient.
The situation was becoming clear—the customer was apparently bathing and getting dressed. And she'd left her front door unlocked while showering? This woman was either extremely trusting or reckless.
Thankfully he wasn't some criminal!
Something about her voice seemed familiar, though. Where had he heard it before?
"Ouch!"
A loud crash suddenly came from inside the bathroom, followed by sounds of distress.
"Delivery guy," the woman called out in pain, "could you please come in? I'm so sorry, but I've fallen in the bathroom and can't get up. Could you help me?"
"I don't think that's appropriate," Ryder replied, deeply uncomfortable with the situation. He was a married man—this was highly improper!
The woman continued pleading, "Please, I really did fall! I'm not trying to trick you! And I'm single, so you won't get in trouble with anyone. I truly can't get up! Look, I'll give you another five hundred dollars. Please help me!"
Ryder responded reluctantly, "Are you really unable to get up? I'm married, and this isn't right. You've just bathed, so you're probably not dressed. This is very inappropriate."
"Hahaha!" Laughter erupted from inside. "You're so innocent! Actually, I was bathing my dog. I'm fully dressed—just soaked from the splashing water."
A dog's bark confirmed her story.
"Oh! I see."
"Yes, now please come help! I really can't get up. I'm begging you."
"Well... alright."
Reluctantly, Ryder pushed open the door and entered the apartment.
The penthouse was surprisingly compact—kitchen, bathroom, living room, and bedroom all visible at a glance. The entire space was about 600 square feet.
Despite its size, the apartment was immaculately clean and cozy, with a predominantly pink color scheme. Pet toys were neatly arranged throughout.
There was no unpleasant odor—instead, a subtle orchid fragrance permeated the air, instantly relieving Ryder's exhaustion.
The scent seemed familiar, but he couldn't place it.
Focusing on his task, Ryder approached the bathroom to help the fallen customer and complete this delivery.
"Just come in," the woman called when he knocked on the bathroom door. "I didn't lock the door!"
"Alright then."
Ryder opened the door and was visually stunned by what he saw:
A woman lay sprawled on the slippery bathroom floor. She wore form-fitting clothes made of sheer material, now completely soaked through. The wet fabric revealed more than it concealed, accentuating her curvaceous figure—full hips, long slender legs—the embodiment of sensuality.
Ryder quickly averted his gaze to the woman's face, and shock registered in his eyes.
"Saskia? Is that you?"
Saskia appeared equally stunned. "Ryder? It's you! No wonder..."
"No wonder what?" Ryder asked, confused.
Saskia smiled. "Any other man would have been eager to enter this bathroom, but you're different from them."
Ryder didn't know how to respond. It was strange—Saskia had been coldly sarcastic during their previous encounter. Today she seemed different. Probably because she needed his help.
"Let me help you up. Then you can sign for the package, and I'll be on my way."
"Sure, help me up first."
Ryder carefully helped Saskia from the bathroom. It took her nearly fifteen minutes to recover normal mobility.
During this time, Ryder helped dry her dog with a hair dryer. He had expected the animal to resist a stranger, but surprisingly, the dog nuzzled against him and cooperated perfectly.
After drying, the dog licked Ryder's arm before trotting over to Saskia, who sat on the living room sofa.
Saskia picked up the dog and playfully raised its paw toward Ryder. "Come on, Mike, say thank you to daddy for the bath!"
"Woof, woof!" The dog barked twice, as if genuinely thanking Ryder.
Ryder's expression tightened. "Mike? This dog is...?"
"Yes, remember? We found him as a starving puppy near a garbage bin when we were walking in the park during college. We felt sorry for him and adopted him together. I named him Mike, and you reluctantly agreed."
Ryder certainly remembered the incident, but he was uncomfortable revisiting old memories. The past was the past.
Saskia, however, seemed lost in reminiscence. "Those were good times. We fed Mike sausages together. Remember how the student apartments didn't allow pets? We gave Mike to that homeless man near campus, but then the dog got sick. The man abandoned him because treatment was expensive. You were kind enough to pay for his medical care."
Ryder didn't want to hear these stories.
Yes, he and Saskia had shared many beautiful moments as first loves, but their relationship had ultimately been defeated by what they'd called "reality" three years ago. They had gone their separate ways.
"Enough, Saskia. Bringing this up now serves no purpose," Ryder interrupted. "Please sign for your package. I need to return to the station and report today's deliveries."
At his words, Saskia's eyes filled with tears as she looked at him.
After a long pause, she finally spoke, "For three whole years, I never abandoned Mike. Ryder, could you please not abandon me either, the way I never abandoned him?"
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