The cab driver pulled up in front of the villa, the engine humming softly before it fell silent as he collected his payment. I took a moment to catch my breath, feeling the weight of another round of tension looming ahead. All I wanted was for it to be over quickly so I could retreat to my bed and sink into a restful escape.
With a resigned sigh, I began the ascent up the hill, my path framed by lush bushes and vibrant flowers swaying gently in the breeze. Eventually, I reached the imposing double doors, their dark wood gleaming under the soft evening light. I rang the doorbell, and this time, the door creaked open to welcome me in, a stark contrast to the last visit when shadows cloaked the entrance. The hallway shimmered with warmth, illuminated by the soft glow that spilled from the rooms beyond.
As I descended the staircase, my gaze drifted towards the dining hall, where Harper sat cross-legged at the table, deeply engrossed in her work. She was clutching a pencil, her brows furrowed in concentration as she scribbled on the page before her.
Clearing my throat to break the silence, I approached her.
"Good evening," she mumbled, her voice surprisingly dry, as if the words were a chore to utter.
"Evening, Harper," I replied, trying to muster some enthusiasm, though the events of the day weighed heavily on my mind. All I wanted was to finish this task and find solace in sleep.
"Is that your homework?" I asked, peering down at her papers. She nodded slightly, and I set my bag down in the corner before moving closer. I stood behind her chair, stretching my neck to sneak a glance at her work.
"You're getting it wrong," I pointed out gently, taking a seat next to her. "It says here: if Benji has five apples and divides them between his two sisters equally, how many does each sister have?"
Harper's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "I think there's something wrong with the producers of the book," she declared, crossing her arms. "Five is an odd number; it can't be divided equally."
"Correct," I encouraged her, impressed. "But since he has to share with two sisters, we can say each of them would get two."
"That's four," she retorted, her little face scrunching up in frustration.
"Right. But what about the remaining one?" I probed, watching as she pursed her lips thoughtfully and tilted her head to one side.
"Equally means to have the same amount, right?" she asked, and I nodded. "Then he should divide it into two, so each sister gets two and a half."
Beaming at her insight, I cheered, "Exactly! That's a great way to solve it. If each gets two and a half, then it's fair!"
After giving her the encouragement she deserved, I motioned for her to continue. "Now, use this reasoning to tackle the rest of the questions, because the others are just as tricky. Let me know when you're finished."
Rising from the table, I moved toward my chores. I knew I could only attend to the ground floor, as Julian had warned me against venturing upstairs—especially since Roman was particular about his belongings, and meddling with his things would surely complicate matters for me.
"Pfft… Why ask me for help? Benji must not know math, either," Harper sighed, casting a frustrated glare at her book.
I ventured down to the storage area, searching for the cleaning bot Julian had mentioned last time. It was a handy little device, far superior to mopping and scrubbing—tasks that would drain both my time and energy.
Finally, I spotted it, its flat gray surface catching my eye. I studied the instructions on the package before heading out. Once in the sitting room, I activated the bot and set it on the floor.
<The cleaning process will now begin> it chirped, lighting up briefly before starting its task, gliding around and picking up dirt effortlessly.
I envied the convenience of such gadgets, wishing they weren't so expensive. With a resigned sigh, I turned my attention to the couches, picking up stray crumbs and fluff. Next, I added fresh firewood to the hearth, ensuring the room radiated warmth and comfort, while sweeping away soot from the edges.
The tables, cupboards, and the television all followed suit, along with the decorative vases that adorned the shelves. Heading to the dining table, I washed the fruit basket, its woven surface slightly dusty, before drying it and restocking it with ripe produce.
I peered into the fridge, which was bursting with an abundance of food and fresh vegetables. I knew I needed to ask Harper what she wanted for dinner to avoid preparing something she wouldn't enjoy, as had happened before.
"Noodles," she replied decisively, closing her books with finality.
I made my way to the kitchen, which was a striking U-shape, featuring dark countertops that gleamed beneath the vibrant overhead lights. Quality wooden cupboards housed an array of unique kitchenware, including a large cooker, oven, microwave, and dishwasher. The sink was particularly eye-catching, with a tap that offered water in an array of delightful twists and turns.
As I gathered vegetables like carrots, onions, and peppers, I carried them back to the tap. But as I turned the faucet, to my surprise, nothing poured out. I blinked in disbelief, puzzled by the sudden silence.
I edged closer, my brows furrowing in confusion as I tried to comprehend what could have caused the sudden loss of water. Just then, a metallic clang echoed from the sink, and water erupted violently, spraying across the room and assaulting my face. I gasped, inhaling droplets and immediately feeling the sting as they rushed into my sinuses. Instinctively, I raised my hand to shield my face, stepping back in a panic. "Harp—" I began, my voice trailing off as I lost my footing.
My feet snagged on something unseen, and I felt myself plummeting backward. Just before I could hit the floor, a firm grip caught me mid-fall. I lifted my gaze, heart racing, and found myself locked in an unexpected stare with Roman, his eyes darkened. The faucet behind me became a frenzied waterfall, mirroring the confusion spiraling within me.
In that bewildering moment, I realized my fingers were tightly clutching the fabric of his shirt, knuckles whitening as I fought to regain my composure. "The... tap," I stammered, my head instinctively tilting toward the now-erupting sink. But, as suddenly as the chaos erupted, the wild spray ceased. The faucet stood still, as if the madness had never existed.
I swallowed hard, my pulse racing as I turned to Roman once more. His expression was a maelstrom of emotions: confusion, intensity, frustration—and his eyebrows were knitted together. In a swift motion, he released his hold on me, and I crashed to the slippery floor, feeling the cold tiles press against my skin.
Roman's gaze suddenly shifted upstairs, where Harper was perched casually, a mischievous chuckle escaping her lips before she retreated to her room, slamming the door behind her with a definitive thud that echoed through the tense silence.