Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 3

The next morning, I woke up to the alarm on my new phone. It was 7am. I was so exhausted yesterday that I fell asleep right after I showered last night. I was wearing the white fluffy robe that was hanging on the bathroom wall. I stretched my arms and legs out while letting out a big yawn. I got out of bed and made my way to the closet. I feel weird about wearing something from there, but I don't want to show up at the diner in the same musty clothes as yesterday. I washed my underwear in the sink last night and laid it out in the bathroom to dry. I took some black jeans and a plain black jean and put the diner shirt that I took home yesterday as well. I took a light pink cashmere sweatshirt from the closet and pulled it over the shirt since it looks quite chilly outside. At last, I put on my shoes and grabbed my new phone, my keys as well as the contract while exiting my room. In front of my door was a black backpack. Next to it was a note.

For you to put stuff in and to keep you warm.

Congrats on the new job!

Nate x

I smiled at the note and took the bag. I put my stuff in it but noticed something already took up all the space. I pulled out the piece of fabric and noticed it was a black jacket. I took it out and replaced it with my things. I took the backpack and the jacket with me downstairs, remembering to thank Nate later for them. I made my way down to the kitchen to get some water before heading to work. I left all my things in the hallway. I walked right up to the sink and almost didn't notice that I wasn't alone. The house was so quiet. Everyone seemed to be sleeping. Everyone but him.

Dark glistening green eyes looked back at me. Raven messy black hair that looked like someone had put every strand in its individual place. A jawline that could cut through ice. Slightly parted lips revealed a soft cupid's bow. His presence took up every breath of air in this room and in my lungs. I let my eyes travel down to his broad shoulders, over his defined muscular arms to the very prominent abs that pressed against his shirt. The man standing in front of me looked like he just fell from Olympus. But even a Greek god wouldn't do the tall broody man justice. He was practically towering over me. He looked older than any of other guys that live here. He also seemed much more intimidating than anyone I've ever met. I averted my gaze to the floor with embarrassment. I don't know how long I had been starring at him. Part of me questioned if I had maybe gone mad and just imagined the man standing in the kitchen with me as the faint light of the sunrise fell through the windows. But when I looked back up, he was still standing there. Dressed in a black shirt and a pair of black slacks. His expression was cold and hard. I couldn't help my hand from traveling over my face, wondering if there was something that might bother him. His eyes were dark. Not a hint of friendliness radiated of him. With every passing second his eyes kept me frozen to the tiles beneath my feet I grew more uneasy. One hand was casually resting in his pocket, in the other one he was holding a cup that seemed to be filled with coffee by the smell of it. But the smell of coffee was not what filled my nostrils and made my head dizzy. It was the scent of that radiated off the man standing on the other side of the counter.

"I'm Ivy." I mumbled quietly, scared to break the fragile silence between us.

He didn't say anything. He was just staring at me with an intense look in his eyes. He seemed to be searching something on my face. His attention burned on my skin. I wanted to look away and break the intense eye contact but couldn't bring myself to do it. He was mesmerizing. Everything about him pulled me into some kind of trance, that I couldn't escape. It scared the shit out of me.

"I don't know if Nate already mentioned it but I'm renting the room on the 4th floor." I try again.

Nothing. Not a word. Not a sound. It's like he's not even breathing. It was so quiet. And to make matters worse I didn't remember why I came to the kitchen in the first place. So, all I did was stand there and stare at him, waiting for an answer.

"Are you now?"

His voice was deep and wrapped around me like velvet. He set down his mug on the counter. His whole presence was radiating authority and control. As if every move he makes was carefully calculated and perfected.

"Yes. Nate said he had permission to rent out the room."

He stepped around the counter, closer to me.

"Who gave him permission to do that?" he asked in a demanding tone.

I backed up against the sink as he stepped closer to me.

"Gideon...I think that's his name..."

A smirk formed on his lips. Oh god. It can't be him, can it? I didn't even think of that before those words left my mouth. I must look like a frightened sheep, trying to press myself further into the counter as he was now inches away from my face.

"I'm Gideon."

My heart stopped beating for a second or an hour, I couldn't really tell. The look in his eyes burned holes into me. I'd be lying if I said that man didn't intimidate me.

"Please don't kick me out!"

I looked up at him with desperation in my eyes. If I had to fight for my place in this house, I will. The universe sent me a sign. This was meant for me. I won't let this go so easily.

"Okay."

That's all he said before stepping back. He took one last glance at me before picking up his mug and leaving the kitchen. Okay. The scent of expensive French-milled soap and cedar wood lingered long after he was gone.