Chapter 4 — Messages From the Extra Bedroom

5 The next day, Truong Thien actually appeared at the office of the housing management board, looking extremely proud. She wore a brand new uniform, careful makeup, and looked like an exemplary "professional female employee". Ky Hoai did as I told him and personally received her. "Truong Thien." He called her directly by name, his voice was not friendly at all. "The rules here are very strict - the residents come first. Especially in building A, everyone there is rich or has status. It's best for you to know what to do. From now on, you're in charge of the entire A block, especially the floors 18 and above, the guests there are very picky, so you have to pay attention."My apartment is on the highest floor - floor 32. Truong Thien's eyes lit up, she nodded rapidly, her excitement undisguised. "Director Ky, don't worry, I will definitely do well!" And her first "mission" - was aimed at me. At ten o'clock in the morning, my doorbell rang. I looked through the cat's eyes and saw Truong Thien standing outside, next to two repairmen. "Miss Lam, open the door. We received a notice that there is a risk of gas leak in your apartment, we need to urgently check." She held a file in her hand, her tone was stern as if she were on duty. I opened the door, leaned against the door frame, and asked: "Check? Why haven't I received any notification?" "Emergency, special treatment." She raised her chin and nodded. "I am now an employee of the management board and have the right to conduct mandatory inspections. I hope you will cooperate." She thought that just by wearing a uniform, she could make waves. I leaned slightly. "Please." She excitedly led the two workers into the kitchen. After a half hour of knocking and checking, the repairman brought out the report, looking embarrassed. "Manager Truong, all pipes and systems are normal, no problems were found." Truong Thien's face darkened. She snatched the report, went into the kitchen herself and checked again, still didn't see anything. "No way!" She gritted her teeth, "Check again more carefully!" The two workers looked at each other, confused. I picked up the glass of water and took a slow sip. "Manager Truong, have you found anything? If not, please get out, I still have to work." She walked out and glared at me fiercely. "Today's routine check is over. But Ms. Lam, I remind you, be careful when using fire. If something happens, the whole building will be involved." She was blatantly threatening me. I smiled. "Thank you for reminding me, I will pay attention." After sending the "distinguished guest" away, I immediately texted Ky Hoai. "Send me today's gas inspection record of apartment 3201 and the related request." He immediately replied: "Yes, Ms. Lam." Before long, an electronic file was sent to my mailbox. The requester part clearly states — Truong Thien. Reason: “Resident reported a gas leak.” I saved the document carefully. I know, this is just the beginning. In the following days, Truong Thien took advantage of every little power she had. Today they said my car was parked in the wrong place in the tunnel and tried to lock the wheels. Tomorrow they say I made noise at night and the neighbors complained. The other day, they told me my parcel contained "prohibited goods" and had to be opened for inspection. I have never argued with her once. She locked the car, I gave the spare key to Ky Hoai and told him to turn it back on. She said I was making noise, so I let you investigate the hallway camera to prove I never left the house. She said the parcel was suspicious, so I opened it right in front of her — inside was just a newly purchased book. Every time, she was so angry that she was shaking but couldn't do anything. Each of her "attacks", all the records, reports, cameras - I saved them neatly classified on my computer. She was like a clown dancing in front of me, trying to act without even realizing it

that — the more you act, the tighter the rope around your neck becomes.6