She swung the door open and poked her head out uncertainly, looking around the living room connected to the kitchen and dining room with a watchful eye.
She hoped that her employer had already gone to the company, and she could postpone her duties because she wanted to get a decent night's sleep first. Her new bed was so comfortable that she had no desire to get off it. She felt like she was in some kind of kingdom, as she had previously been able to sleep on an old mattress.
She opened her eyes wider and almost screamed when James stood in front of her. He appeared like a ghost, leading her to feel an unpleasant sensation of heat flowing through her petite body.
The young man measured her with his eyes and simply handed her a piece of paper in his hand.
- What is this? - She asked, not thinking to first look at what task he had given her.
- See, and if you don't know, then ask," he declared in a not very pleasant tone. Chloe threw him a reluctant glance and, wrinkling her nose, glanced at the piece of paper.
- It was a shopping list. - She blinked her eyelids in amazement, wondering if this was also indicated in the contract she had signed.
- Bravo, that means you can read. - He graced her with a sour smile and put on the jacket he had slung over his shoulders.
- If this is the atmosphere in this house in the morning then it's best if I start leaving the room after you leave for work," she burbled under her breath, playing with a piece of paper between her fingers.
- As you prefer, but from seven o'clock do the duties assigned to you.
- What bit you today? - His behavior was strange. This was the first time she had seen him in a bad mood. - Did you get your period? - She added more quietly, not thinking he would hear her.
He glanced at her with his eyes, and she looked to the side putting her fist to her mouth to keep from laughing.
- There are no people who get up in a great mood every day," he declared, heading for the door.
- Ah, yes! Aquarius! - she exclaimed in an amused voice, and he stopped and turned to face her. - I saw a magnet with your zodiac sign on the refrigerator. Now everything is clear. I know very well what Aquarian's are like.
- What - James looked confused.
- As for men, they are indeed good people; they do not begrudge anything to others, they make friends easily but are also quick to get angry, and when they get up with their left foot it is better to avoid them for the next hour. They like to have a decent drink, and are sometimes envious of people who get under their skin.
- Are you finished? - James raised an eyebrow, but didn't say a word about the statement she made to him. He guessed that she was obsessed with horoscopes. - Get on with your chores, and then go to the store and cook dinner. I'm counting on you to manage," he announced, and then left the apartment, hastily closing the door behind him.
Chloe showed her teeth in a wide smile and threw herself on the leather couch with full ease, inhaling the pleasant scent of flowers that the electronic air freshener was releasing.
Being in this apartment was something amazing for her. It had been a long time since she had felt so exquisite. She was getting goosebumps at the thought of the apartment she had rented so far. She couldn't have come at a better time.
Furthermore, she took out her cell phone from under her back and, without looking at who was calling, answered by putting it to her ear.
- I have cameras in my apartment, so don't think I'm going to pay you to daven. Since you start work at seven o'clock then actually perform your duties from that hour. - She roused herself from her laziness automatically when she heard her employer's voice.
Cameras? Am I being watched?, went through her mind, so with a watchful eye, she looked around the interior. However, she did not see anything that looked like a camera.
- But you've been grumpy all morning. Did a horse fly bite you or what? - she muttered quietly, lifting her leg to pull the thread from her pants. - Did you call to check on me?
- I'm only asking you to perform your duties as we agreed," he announced in a nervous voice, at which she wrinkled her nose.
- If you are driving and at the same time watching me in the cameras, then I must chastise you for your thoughtlessness," she replied directly, yawning loudly into the earpiece. She didn't care that her behavior was reprehensible.
- I'll just pretend I didn't hear it. I want to be kind to you and try to make your life easier, and yet you treat me so shamefully. Think about your behavior because you should be ashamed. - After these words, he hung up, and Chloe opened her mouth and, blinking her eyelids, looked in disbelief at the cell phone on which appeared a black wallpaper with a dagger stuck in the heart.
*
Although doing household chores gave her a headache, she finally pulled herself together and did everything James asked her to do. She performed it reluctantly, but the results were not as tragic as she supposed. It was clean, and she didn't mess anything up.
Walking into the store, she looked at passing people with hostility in her eyes to show them that she was mad at the whole world and even the smallest stupidity could get her unbalanced.
She culturally shoved a young woman who, while entering the store, specifically drove a shopping cart into her. It was an unwise move on her part because she didn't know that she was dealing with a person who was too quick to get angry and do ill-considered things.
- What right do you have to push me around, you little dwarf! - shouted the green-haired woman at her, pushing the basket aside.
- Dwarf? - Chloe twisted her face in an ironic smile, preparing to crush the stupid girl, however, before she could speak they were interrupted by the phone ringing in the blonde's pocket. The girl stuck her finger out in front of her, signaling the stranger to wait, as she needed to take this call. - Why are you calling me again?
- I wanted to make sure you were okay.
- After all, you have cameras," she scoffed, sharply measuring the girl standing next to her, whose face showed clear surprise. Apparently, no one had yet treated her similarly.
- Can you please stop ignoring me? I think we need to explain something to each other, dwarf! - The stranger raised her voice, looking very upset by the blonde's behavior.
- What's going on? - On the other side of the receiver, she heard James' worried voice.
- Some Snow-White princess with green hair drove a basket up my ass, so I'm trying to clarify a few things with her," Chloe announced, forcing a fake smile.
- Why do you always have to get into conflicts with people? Even going to the store is a hassle for you? - James scolded the girl as he hoped she wouldn't open her mouth again after the last incident, since her tongue was causing nothing but problems.
Chloe moved the cell phone away from her ear and looked with distaste at the screen that showed the caller's name. Looking at the nickname she gave him, she felt like parrying with laughter.
- Mr. Policeman, please don't get upset because I'm trying to de-escalate this situation, but the woman who started this looks very aggressive, and I'm afraid she'll hit me. - She interrupted and unexpectedly took a picture of the surprised girl. - I have her smiley face on my phone, so if I come home with a black eye, I'd be happy to use the photo and brag to you, Mr. Policeman, how pretty she is.
She interrupted the call and innocently shrugged her shoulders.
- So where did we end up, Snow White?
- Never mind. Next time, be careful what you do.
She wanted to leave, but was stopped by the blonde's words.
- Remember my face because next time someone might run into you, and it definitely won't be just a shopping cart," Chloe warned her, specifically poking her shoulder as she walked past her.
She bought the products on the list that James had written down for her in careful handwriting, and carelessly threw everything on the conveyor belt.
As she waited for her turn, she yawned loudly without covering her mouth. The older woman glanced at her with her eyes, as she did not like the young girl's behavior.
- Any problem? - She asked Chloe, as everyone around her irritated her. She hated it when someone looked at her crookedly.
The woman ignored the blonde, not wanting to start an argument with the young girl when she noticed her combative attitude.
Someone jabbed her in the butt, which made the blonde even angrier.
- What the fuck... - She didn't finish when she noticed Samuel's laughing face behind her. The brunet furrowed his eyebrows as he waited for her to finish her sentence, which began rather vulgarly.
- What did you say?
- Are you stealing again? - She asked aloud before biting her tongue. The brunet opened his eyes wider, clearly confused, as several people stuck a chastising look at him.
The boy laughed nervously and lightly slapped his friend on the shoulder.
- Very funny, Chloe. Your jokes are so strange that a person feels uncomfortable in your presence.
Samuel put the products on the tape and sent the blonde a warning glance to never do it again.
- When sober, your mood sucks, but I believe that will change in a while," she announced, out of the corner of her eye looking at the alcohol he was going to buy. - Drinking in broad daylight? That bodes badly.
- I'm shopping for the evening. A couple of friends are going to drop by," he declared, taking his wallet out of his pocket. - Why, do you want to join us?
Chloe snorted under her breath, at first pretending to be uninterested in this proposal, but she didn't last long, so she looked at him with curiosity in her eyes. The idea clearly appealed to her.
- Give me the address and I guarantee I'll rock your friends.
Leaving the store in Sam's company, she muttered a curse under her breath as her phone started ringing again. Reluctantly, she put the cell phone to her ear, and Samuel took the commercial from her.
- I'm listening to Daddy. - There was an awkward silence on the other end, and Chloe stopped in place and put her hand in her hair, rubbing it in all directions. - Why don't you speak up?
- First the policeman and now the daddy? I'm afraid to ask how you saved my number in your phone. - A happy smile appeared on the blonde's face. - Have you clarified the misunderstanding?
- I'm just coming home. Everything is fine.
- I have a break from work. Should I come and help you?
- I see that your mood has already improved. - She glanced at Sam, who looked curious about her conversation. Or maybe more of a conversationalist? - The bag is not heavy, and besides, I already have help," she declared with complete satisfaction on her face.
- Help? - By the sound of his voice, he seemed surprised by her answer.
- Yes. I met a colleague, so I'll manage," she declared hastily, then rudely hung up.
Samuel massaged his neck and, seeing that Chloe had finished talking, sent her a friendly smile.
- I'm really curious about whom you call daddy. It's not likely you would talk to your father that way," he began uncertainly, interested in who her interlocutor was.
- He's the roommate I work for.
Sam furrowed his eyebrows, trying to interpret her answer.
- The roommate you work for? - He repeated, and she snatched the commercial from his hand.
- The employer I live with," she explained more carefully, and only then did he understand. He looked surprised.
- You amaze me more and more....
The girl did not answer. Without a word, she headed for the Mercedes, which she easily found in the large parking lot, as it stood out from the other cars.
- You will give me a ride home, right?
- Sure, just you have to give me the address.... - The boy followed the blonde and watched in amazement as she took the passenger seat. He sat down next to her and started the engine, surreptitiously glancing at her. They both buckled their seatbelts, and Chloe took the chips out of the commercial.
Samuel headed to the address given, and when they stopped at a traffic light, he put his hand in the package and took out a handful of chips. He did it so clumsily that he crumbled them in the car, although he didn't care. Apparently, he didn't belong to the species of guys who took better care of the car than of their ass.
He pulled up to the indicated address and, batting his eyelids, admired the building that housed the most expensive apartments in the city.
- Who is your employer? - He asked with a clear stupor on his face. He did not expect that Chloe could live in such a place.
The blonde smiled broadly and popped a potato chip into her mouth, but her face turned dark when she saw James' car.
How did he get there so fast?
- My employer is just getting out of the Jeep. - Samuel followed her gaze and opened his mouth, inquisitively observing the young man's silhouette.
The handsome brunet, dressed in an expensive suit, got out of the car and carefully looked around. He glanced at his watch and, crossing his arms over his chest, looked as if he was waiting for someone.
She knew it was her he was looking out for. But why?
- I'm going to go now. This idiot is waiting for me because he probably wants to see that I didn't screw up anything.
Chloe rolled her eyes and reluctantly got out of the car. Before she closed the door, she thanked Sam for the ride.
James caught her with a glance and fixed his eyes on the driver of the car, from which Chloe had just gotten out.
Samuel recognized him then. He remembered seeing him at Aaron's house party.
She was holding a commercial and chips in her hand, and with her other hand, she was eating out the contents of the package, directing her steps directly to James. Her face showed that she was unhappy with his presence. She hoped he would quickly return to work.
- I don't understand what you are doing here... - she began grimly, while still busy eating an unhealthy snack.
- Starting tomorrow, I ask you to have lunch ready for this hour so that I can go and have a hot meal during my break," he declared, which made the blonde laugh for a moment. She sent him a laughing look and dismissively put a handful of chips in her mouth. She turned her face and noticed that Samuel had only now left the parking lot.
- I see that you are finally starting to show your true face. On the outside you pretend to be a walking ideal, and when one gets to know you better, you become bossy and whiny. Lame," she stammered, continuing to be arrogant.
James got annoyed, unexpectedly took her packet of chips and demanded that she look at him.
- How about a little more respect, eh? I'm older than you, so behave properly. I see it's time for me to change your meanness. - She opened her eyes wider and looked at his face in amazement. - I asked you politely to be nice to me since we live under the same roof. Apparently, I need to change my tactics so that you start treating me with respect.
Chloe squinted her eyes, like an angry tomcat ready to attack, and wanted to shout at him what she thought about it, but refrained at the last moment when she remembered how much he had helped her.
She should have been more grateful and kind to him, but she couldn't help feeling that at times he irritated her terribly, as he pretended to be a walking ideal, yet such people didn't exist. It was just an illusion.
Puffing out her lips, she crossed her arms over her chest, and James took a commercial from her into which he put an unfinished package of chips.
- Let's go inside," he asked, and his tone seemed much softer. Without a word, she moved behind him, in her mind calling him a jerk to at least relieve herself a little.
*
Although he didn't bluntly show it from himself, Chloe noticed that he was looking around the apartment, as if he wanted to make sure she had done all her chores. He couldn't be bothered to do anything because Chloe had accomplished all the work he had given her.
Cooking rice was the only thing she could do well. She had a slightly worse problem with chopping and cooking vegetables, and it was impossible for her to make a sauce.
James, seeing how much she was struggling to figure out how to make a sauce for the dish, approached her to show her how to prepare it properly. Although she pretended to be offended, she followed his movements carefully.
Dinner was prepared, and they sat down at the table to taste it. James glanced at his watch, realizing that he had little time left. He devoured the meal at a rapid pace, and Chloe discreetly glanced at him to make sure he had enjoyed it. She herself thought it wasn't bad, and it was manageable to eat.
- For the first dinner you made, I have to commend you because it was perfect. I ate it with taste," he praised her, while sending her a gentle smile.
This small compliment made Chloe feel happy. Although she didn't show it from herself, a real pride overwhelmed her inside.
James sprang from his seat and put on his jacket to get back to work. He grabbed the phone from the table and hurriedly headed for the door.
She wanted to tell him her plans for the evening, but at the last moment she refrained and kept it to herself. What reason did she have to explain herself to him? Her private life was her business and when she had a free moment, she could do whatever she wanted. That's why she decided that she wouldn't tell him about anything, and in the evening she would simply leave the house to meet Samuel.