Part 2Kicking Out the Landlord?

The voices from inside carried on.

"Anyway, the lease is up in three days. We just won't renew hers."

"Serves her right! Who does she think she is, ordering us around like that?"

"And that story about it being her 'relative's' place? That's why it's so cheap and we should 'take good care of it'? Please."

"I actually reached the real landlord. He agreed to rent to us next quarter-same price."

Just like that, in a few sentences, they decided my fate.

But they'd forgotten one thing.

After graduation, they couldn't afford anywhere near work. They were stuck in a cramped apartment way out in the suburbs, waking up at four every morning for a three-hour commute by bus and train.

It was out of pity that I lied. I told them my “relative” owned a place we could get cheap, and invited them to live with me.

This apartment was actually a graduation gift from my parents. It was right next to my office, a five-minute walk away. Prime real estate, four bedrooms, two bathrooms-it was never hard to rent out.

My parents had always taught me to be discreet about money, so I never revealed I was the landlord. I just symbolically collected a thousand dollars in rent from each of them, covering all utilities and maintenance fees myself.

Now, my kindness had been completely twisted.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door.

The laughter inside abruptly ceased, and the air instantly froze.

Madison was the first to react, forcing a smile onto her face.

"Chloe, you're home early today. Have you eaten? We made noodles, you should have some."

She pulled me to sit at the dining table. She cleared her throat and began, "Chloe, the landlord called to ask if we're renewing the lease."

I kept my head down, eating my noodles, not saying a word.

She secretly watched my expression, then continued, "We're not planning to renew."

My hand paused, and I looked up, feigning a bewildered look.

"We found a cheaper place," she said, her eyes darting nervously. "You asked us to move in with you because the rent for the whole place was too much for you alone, right? Now that we're not renting, you'll move out too, won't you?"

My voice was flat. "No worries. If you guys aren't renting, I can take the whole place myself. I just finished a big project at work and I'm getting a nice bonus."

Madison's face visibly changed. "But it's such a big place, isn't it a waste for just one person? Listen to me, you should get a smaller studio. You could save a lot of money."

If I hadn't overheard their scheming with my own ears, I might have actually believed she was looking out for me.

"I'm used to living here. Too lazy to move."

"Chloe!" Brittany, who had been quiet until now, finally snapped. She slammed her fork down on the table. "We wanted to spare you some dignity, but you're being incredibly dense!"

"Fine, I'll spell it out for you. We don't want to live with you anymore. We hope you'll move out willingly, don't make us have to get ugly!"

I stared at her coldly.

"I found this place. I signed the contract. Why should I be the one to move out just because you say you're not renting anymore?"

Jessica, who had been quiet until now, finally spoke up. "Chloe, it's been awkward living with you. If we keep going like this...I don't think we can even stay friends."

Jessica was my best friend.

Her family was a mess. Her mother left after she was born. Her dad gambled and drank, and took his anger out on her when he was drunk. She fought her way into college anyway, only for her father to try and sell her off.

One night, I helped her run away. I helped her apply for student loans, and throughout college, I shared every bit of my living expenses with her. We scraped by, and I supported her until she graduated.

After graduation, I couldn't bear seeing her frail frame squeezed onto buses and subways every day. That's why I suggested we rent together. And to spare her pride, I even brought the other two in.

Jessica bit her lip, looking at me with timid eyes. "You've always put me first, Chloe. Please just agree to move out today. We can still be good friends."

I looked at her blankly, then suddenly laughed.

"Fine, I'll move."

Their eyes lit up at my words.

They kept telling me that even if I moved out, we'd still be good friends.

I didn't want to hear another word from them, so I turned and went back to my room.

Closing the door, I pulled out my phone and called my dad's contact.

"Raise the rent to twelve thousand."