Sid treaded rather leisurely around Laurice's house while she hurriedly followed behind him.
It was as if she turned mute the entire duration and just keep nodding to his endless babbling.
The man inspected the ground floor first starting from the livingroom and he continued to point the areas that needed security cameras. He also meticulously examined each corner from walls to ceilings, pathwalks and entryways which should be upgraded with high-technology equipments such as fire drills and intruder alarms. He even advised her to contact her contractor right after and have the person meet him to discuss the rest in detail and have his team install the equipments immediately.
She was dumbstruck yet again.
There were two guest bedrooms downstairs and surprisingly another room which is likely a servant's quarters, each with separate bathrooms.
Sid thought it was a relief that she didn't plan on leaving all by herself in this huge house after all. Certainly, a maid-servant will be of help. But the idea of two guest beds were bothering him a bit. 'Seems like the woman intends to invite people around her house that they even have a room for themselves to sleep in for who knows how long!'
Somehow the thought of another person, a man in particular staying with her under one roof is getting on his nerves.
His mood is getting affected and the temperature around him dropped a few degrees.
A certain woman suddenly felt a gust of wind that sent chills to her bones. She slightly trembled.
Laurice: " ...?"
The two continued their 'inspection' and finally finished the first floor. Laurice who was initially feeling odd and reluctant about the whole ruckus was now actively and diligently responding to Sid's intelligent remarks. She realized the man was talking some sense so she gave in and ended up asking him several questions herself. She later found out that the man was actually an engineer. Sid was a Licensed Civil Engineer. He actually had a few more other licenses and certifications on his head but he did not bother telling the woman any of it.
Laurice thought it was a good thing to have her home fully-furnished and move-in ready if not she would probably be too embarrassed to even let him inside the house considering he was actually a professional.
Soon enough, they were already treading the wooden and metal staircase which complements the entire modern rustic charm of the house all the way through the second floor when Laurice suddenly remembered something. She instantly stopped on her tracks.
'Oh no, the second floor is completely her personal space. Like literally all rooms belong to her. And all rooms are unique only to her. But they weren't fully furnished yet.'
Sid suddenly noticed that she wasn't moving at all and was in a daze so she called for, "Are you alright? Don't just stand there, it's dangerous. Come up."
Laurice inhaled heavily and continued with her steps.
'Whatever! It isn't like she was hiding something anyway. If there's any mess then i'll just explain it to him.'
She decided to just let the matter be and just take advantage of the whole situation. She will take advantage of his professional help and opinion to improve her house free of charge.
'That's right, she will be the one taking advantage of him! Period!' 'Hehe, just kidding.' Her mind is getting naughty again.
She mentally noted that everything is just an inspection.
...
But she failed to realize that her decision will make her open doors with her own hands for the man himself which shall pave the way for him to get close to her. Closer even.
....
Laurice brought Sid to the first room upstairs. It was her bedroom. He was reluctant to enter but she said it was alright.
A glint flashed past his eyes the moment she said alright. He did not want to believe that Laurice will let another man in her own room. Again. 'Atleast not anybody else', he thought. He himself will never allow it.
Laurice on the other hand didn't notice the changes in his mood and only continued to urge him to inspect the room.
Sid controlled his murderous intentions and as soon as he regained his composure, he was suddenly pleasantly surprised with his own discovery. Having realized that he had just entered the woman's cave, he was indeed shocked that she actually did let him in ... in her own sleeping room.
And the man was even more suprised to discover that her room was rather smaller compared to the guest rooms downstairs. He wanted to ask her why but he wanted to save himself some face. He was shameless enough as it is to actually step foot at her own room as if it was nothing to him. But the woman told him anyway. She said she didn't want too much space and just needed enough for her to move around. Laurice appears to be comfortable around him while he was actually sweating on his palms.
...
Sid was feeling quite nervous now having entered ... no, having invaded her most private space. He was even having sensual notings and was actually liking the idea of a cramped room with just the bed inside and just the two of them with lights off.
'F*ck!'
He tried to shove off his perverted thoughts with every bit of his will and focused on the room itself and not with the beautiful woman beside him.
Laurice's room was rather cozy and the color scheme inside was also neutral. According to her, she did not have a walk-in closet for clothes nor shoes because she doesn't need it anyway. The bed was a queen-size with a wooden frame and mattress. There was literally just a bed and bath, a side-table, and an upholstered wing chair inside. The room is cool and fully-airconditioned, too. In fact the whole house was integrated with a centralized cooling system which she personally liked since she could not take the heat and humidity of the country all too well. Although originally she wanted a more open concept like literally an open house with lots of doors and windows, the weather would probably kill her so she made a different decision in the end. Her bedroom was overall plain and simple, 'just like her' Sid thought.
'Or she might not be that simple after all.' He reminded himself.
There were no excessive and luxurious furnishings in her room, not even a veranda. The balcony upstairs is a separate space overlooking the entire West Manor.
From her bedroom they went right into the next room which was her study and work area adjoining a supposed library. Laurice was anxious to even open the door but she did not have a choice, she better finish this tour now to end her misery. She opened the room was welcomed by a pile of mess. There were huge boxes everywhere stacked with books and other materials. There wasn't any computers installed yet and her laptop was also amongst those boxes lying around that she haven't had a chance to tidy yet. There were just too much stuffs inside that they could not even enter the room itself.
Laurice: "Eh, i'll work on this one." She said rather shyly.
Sid could not blame her since she had just moved back in the country.
Sid: "I'll help you arrange them later."
Laurice: " ...?"
She was not able to retract his words since he already walked passed her and went unto the next room.
'Help me later.' Laurice was astounded.
Is the man staying longer? She thought.
With this much stuff she believed they would need a day to finish!
'What does he mean?'
Sid noticed the look on her face before he turned his back on her and smirked. 'Yes, darling. I'm staying."