House Guest

Chapter 1: Welcome Home

As Emily walked through the front door of their new house, the smell of fall washed over her. The windows were open to let the wind from outside in, as they carried in the last of the boxes containing their belongings. Emily sat the box she was carrying on top of a stack of others, and wiped the sweat off her forehead. The moving process had been terrible, but at least the worst of it was over. Now it was just time to unpack. She shut the front door and carried two of the boxes labeled "kitchen" into their large dining room, setting them on top of the brand new mahogany family table. The chandelier above her twinkled in the sunlight, and she smiled as she opened the boxes. She grabbed some dishes and walked into the kitchen, setting them in the cabinet they belonged in.

"I see you're already unpacking." Josh walked around the corner, leaning against the doorframe.

She grinned at her boyfriend, and shut the cabinet. "Well we have to get it done at some point. Might as well start now while I have the energy."

He nodded and smiled, glancing around the kitchen. "I still can't get over how beautiful this house is."

"I know! I can't wait to put all of our stuff in it and make it home." Emily walked over to Josh and wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning into him. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For coming here with me. I know it was hard to leave your family behind for me, but I appreciate it more than you know."

He sighed and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "You're my family. You're all I need. As long as I have you, my life is perfect. You don't need to thank me."

She smiled and laid her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. "Well, still."

He chuckled and pulled her away gently. "I'll finish unpacking. Why don't you go put that ad up for the basement apartment?"

Emily nodded and grabbed her laptop out of one of the boxes nearby, and carried it upstairs to their room, sitting on the bed that wasn't made yet. She flipped the screen open and the computer came to life.

She pulled up the website where people were posting looking for roommates or apartments, and began to type.

Large ranch house! There are two other tenants, my boyfriend and I, but we will have the upstairs. Whole furnished basement apartment for you! Basement apartment is one bedroom, one bath, but has own kitchen and patio. $300 a month! Call 773-214-8965 for more information!

She attached a few photos of the basement apartment, and smiled at her work.

Shortly after hitting post, her phone rang. She answered it quickly.

"Hello! This is Emily Miller."

There was a crackling on the other line, before a voice came through.

"Hello Emily. My name is Stanley Higgins. I'm interested in your apartment you have listed."

The man's voice was very deep and assertive, making Emily immediately feel uneasy.

"O-Oh! Well that was very fast!" She stumbled over her words a bit. "One second I'll get my boyfriend he can give you a little more info." She placed him on hold quickly and ran down the stairs, almost running right into Josh.

"Woah there! Steady." He caught her and saw the excited but anxious look on her face.

"Someone is calling about the apartment!" She handed the phone over to Josh, who raised an eyebrow, but took Stanley off hold.

"Hello this is Joshua." He nodded as he listened to what Stanley was saying. He held up a finger and walked into the other room, continuing the convo more in private.