As the landlord sat there, nursing his drink, his thoughts were captivated by Charlotte’s enchanting smile.

That smile that fooled him, and made him unable to see the turbulent path his life was about to take.

She was polite, courteous, and seemed genuinely interested in renting one of the apartments in the building.

Over the weeks, as Charlotte settled into her new apartment, she and Jimmy , the landlord, struck up a friendly rapport. 

They’d often chat in passing, discussing everything from the weather to their dreams and ambitions. It was the kind of connection he, the landlord, hadn’t felt in a long time.

But beneath Charlotte’s radiant smile and friendly demeanor, there was something unsettling about her. 

Jimmy, her landlord , couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but there was an air of mystery that surrounded her.

 She spoke very little about herself or her family, always changing the subject when personal matters arose. 

He should have seen that as a red flag, but one look at her and his doubts were nonexistent.

Where did she come from?

As time passed, Jimmy’s , her landlord, curiosity about Charlotte grew, and so did his unease. 

She was no longer interested in what they had.

He began to notice strange occurrences around the building—odd noises in the dead of night, a mysterious visitor who would come and go without explanation.

He looked at the cold Matt working in Mr Tipsy Bar his eyes dark wondering if by any chance he was the one visiting.

It doesn't matter if he was or not. 

Jimmy hates his guts, for he looks like someone Charli would look at and not be disgusted by. 

Angry Jimmy gulped bitter vodka at the thought. Taking the glass off his lips, Jimmy felt worse after Drew walked in all hio and manly.

Matt was calm, Jimmy was drunk, and Drew had unreadable face. Although not noticing each other, they three acknowledged the source of their grievances. Charli. 

****

In the dimly lit cellar of the bar’s store, Matt, Jimmy, Charlotte’s landlord, and Drew sit on beer crates, tension hanging heavy in the air.

Drew, self proclaimed group leader, speaks with a stern expression, emphasizing the seriousness. “Listen here,” his eyes narrowed, “this is not the time to make mistakes. If any of you dummies mess up, we’ll all end up in jail.”

Jimmy, his fear palpable, whispers, “I can’t survive jail,” beads of sweat forming on his forehead. 

“Sure”, Drew confirms his face stiff.

 Matt paces around, attempting to calm his nerves, but Jimmy’s anxiety mounts with every step. He knows the dire consequences of any slip-up.

Desperate for reassurance, Jimmy stammers, “Can I get your number?”

 Drew, agitated by Jimmy’s hesitance, responds sharply, “We can’t leave any trace for the cops to follow us. You’re a banker; memorize it if you have to.”

As Jimmy continues, his voice shaking, “You’ll swing by tomorrow, do it, and then…” He knows his role is terrifying but seemingly straightforward – to carry the lifeless body from Charlotte’s apartment to the truck in the building’s garage.

He's the apartment manager, that's why Drew tasked him with that.

Looking at Jimmy, Drew wondered why he came to pick them, especially Jimmy.

 He would have done it easily when he passed by earlier, but he didn't want to bypass Jimmy knowing that he owns the building. 

Drew needed accomplices in order to keep mouths shut

Matt’s mind drifted back to thoughts of Charlotte and Drew’s relationship. 

Matt asks, “Did you sleep with her?” Drew, slightly taken aback, retorts, “Did you?”

 Their pasts with Charlotte are complicated, hanging between them like a shadow.

Matt tried to evade the question, saying, “It’s complicated.” 

Drew, with all knowing look, heads towards the exit, saying, “That’s what I thought.”

The plan is simple but risky. Drew, armed with the gun and more than happy to be the one doing it, will kill Charlotte, wrap her body in a bag. 

 Jimmy, the landlord, will carry Charlotte’s body downstairs to the parking garage. Matt will have left the truck there for the night and get it in the morning.

Matt will take care of the rest, with a place in mind for the grim aftermath. 

After that, they will never meet again. If plan changes, Jimmy will have no body to carry, Matt will take an empty truck and they can rearrange it.