The Sharing Essentials

The Reluctant Roommate

Brian is quite used to being propositioned by women but this one took him by utter surprise.

It took him awhile to process what she said. The question kept repeating in his mind. Why would this girl, after knowing him so casually, invite him to live with her?

Being a really perceptive guy, Brian knew somehow what made her ask him. He didn't have to ask. He can see it from the desperate look she was giving him. It wasn't the kind of look that suggest anything lustful or even, romantic. It was the look of terror and disgust rolled into a frenzy, coated with doubt, sprinkled with defensiveness.

"Well..." Brian said in an honest and earnest tone. "I wasn't ready for that."

Flustered completely, Jessie wanted to run away from that place. She wanted to take back everything she said.

"I apologize if I sprung that on you. The thought just came to my mind."

She lied. Brian was quick to call her on it.

"Just came to your mind, really?" Brian said as he looked at her pretty, lying face.

"No, honest, it just came to my mind. You need a place, I have an extra room..."

"What is it really, Jessie, that you are asking me?"

"What do you mean?"

Brian beamed back at her. The smart man that he was knows that there are only three reasons why women do this kind of stuff: 1) They are crazy. 2) They are desperate. 3) They have the hots for him.

Brian really wants to know why.

Jessie squirmed in her seat. The way he looked at her made her extremely uncomfortable. He has this snarky grin on his face. She felt terribly stupid and embarrassed for having asked.

"I just thought of how difficult it would be for you to find a quality apartment here in the city. Most of the units here are so small, you could barely move in it. Plus, I just thought you need to find one fast..."

Brian was not put off by her lies and her sudden defensiveness. In fact, it made him extremely curious.

"Nope, I don't, " Brian said bemusedly. "I don't need to rush in finding an apartment right away. I can stay in the hotel as long as I can..."

Jessie instantly fumed. She felt this guy was somewhat manipulating the situation to embarrass her.

"Why did you need to find an apartment then, if you can stay here for free?" she said, somewhat indignant.

"I want to have a proper work-life balance, Jessie. This hotel is work. I want a place where I can separately live a life."