His Lovable Klutz (Completed)

Segment Thirteen.

♥ Am I Dreaming Or What?! ♥

      Coby stood there for a split second, feeling the tension in the air as Stefan stared at her from the threshold, his arms folded across his chest. With a small gulp, she grabbed her suitcase and began to heave it through the door.

      The suitcase, stuffed to the brim, seemed to have gained extra weight just to spite her. She pulled, pushed, and even tried to shimmy the bulky case through the doorway, but the wheels caught on the edge of the threshold, causing her to stumble slightly.

      She muttered under her breath, trying to maneuver the stubborn bag with as much dignity as she could muster, which, given the circumstances, wasn't much.

      Stefan just stood there, making no move to help her, watching her struggle like he was observing some kind of mildly amusing spectacle. His expression remained stoic, but there was a glint of cold amusement in his eyes as she huffed and puffed, finally managing to yank the suitcase inside with one final, ungraceful tug that nearly sent her sprawling.

      Once the suitcase was safely in, Coby straightened up, slightly out of breath. "Phew, made it," she muttered, brushing her hands off on her jeans, a triumphant smile on her face.

      Stefan's face didn't change. "Take off your shoes," he said flatly, as if this was the most obvious thing in the world.

      Coby blinked at him, momentarily confused. "Huh?"

      "I don't want dirt tracked into the house," Stefan clarified, his tone cool and detached. "Take them off."

      "Oh, right, of course," Coby said, a bit flustered. She crouched down and began to untie her laces, trying to hide her embarrassment as she pulled off her sneakers. She placed them neatly next to her suitcase in the corner by the door, her socks barely making a sound on the polished floor.

      "Follow me," Stefan instructed, turning on his heel and walking further into the house. "There are some rules you'll need to follow."

      Coby hastily fell into step behind him, trying to keep up with his long strides. As she did, she took a deep breath and was greeted by the fresh, clean scent that permeated the air—something like lavender and sandalwood, subtle yet luxurious.

      Stefan's voice was calm but authoritative as he laid out the house rules. "No dirt in the house. Everything must be spotless at all times. You'll have your tasks to complete, and I expect nothing less than perfection. This isn't just a job, it's a responsibility."

      Coby nodded along, her eyes wide as she took in her surroundings. The house was stunning. The living room they walked through was vast, with shiny black leather couches arranged in a U-shape around an ultra-modern gas fireplace.

      The fireplace was sleek and minimalistic, the flames visible through a clear glass pane that gave it a futuristic look. Above the fireplace, a large flat-screen TV was mounted on the wall, and hanging from the ceiling was an ornate crystal chandelier that sparkled even in the daylight.

      In one corner of the room, there was a beautiful indoor fountain, the sound of trickling water adding to the ambiance of the space. Coby couldn't help but be mesmerized by it as they passed by. Beyond the living room, there was a dining area with a long, glossy table surrounded by high-backed chairs. The whole space was airy and open, with light streaming in through large, floor-to-ceiling windows.

      They passed the mezzanine, a stylish landing area that overlooked the living room from above. The adjacent kitchen was enormous, with sleek, stainless steel appliances, marble countertops, and dark wood cabinetry. The backsplash was a striking mosaic of black and white tiles, adding a touch of elegance to the space. There was a large center island with bar stools, making it the perfect spot for casual meals or morning coffee.

      Stefan's voice broke into her thoughts. "The house is equipped with the latest technology. There's a voice assistant—Alexa—that controls most of the electronics here. Lights, security system, thermostat… it's all automated."

      Coby nodded, though she was still trying to absorb everything she was seeing. Stefan stopped near the back of the living room, where he pressed a button to open a sliding glass door. The door glided open silently, revealing the backyard and a beautiful swimming pool beyond.

      The pool was a deep, inviting blue, the water glittering under the sunlight. It was bordered by white stone tiles, and along one side, there were several white leather lounge chairs positioned perfectly for sunbathing. Off to the side, there was a beach chair—a cushioned chaise lounge—strategically placed under a large umbrella for those who preferred some shade. The entire area was surrounded by a lush green lawn, with tall, neatly trimmed hedges providing privacy.

      Coby stood there for a moment, completely fascinated by the sight. She had never seen anything like it, not even in magazines. The pool looked like it belonged in a five-star resort.

      Stefan didn't give her much time to marvel, though. "We'll continue the tour," he said, already heading back inside.

      Coby quickly followed him, her head still swiveling around to take in the view. As they walked back into the house, Stefan continued to explain the technology.

      "Alexa controls all the electronics. Watch this." He paused in the living room and said clearly, "Alexa, turn off the lights."

      Instantly, the room was plunged into darkness, save for the natural light filtering in through the windows. Coby's mouth dropped open in surprise.

      "Alexa, turn the lights back on," Stefan commanded, and just as quickly, the lights flicked back to life.

      "That's amazing," Coby breathed, genuinely impressed.

      Stefan nodded, as if this was all just routine for him. "You'll get used to it. If you can," he added.

      He led her up a sleek, modern staircase that curved gracefully up to the mezzanine level. The stairs were wide, with polished wood steps and a sleek metal railing. Coby's socks made soft, muffled sounds against the steps as she followed him.

      They reached a large hallway with several doors. The hallway was lined with a deep, plush carpet that muffled their footsteps. The doors were made of dark wood, each with a brass handle that gleamed under the light. The overall effect was one of understated luxury.

      Stefan pointed to one of the doors. "This is my room," he said, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "You are never to step foot inside, understand?"

      Coby made a face behind his back, rolling her eyes. She mimed zipping her lips, throwing away the key, and locking a pretend door, but made sure to straighten her expression before Stefan turned around.

      "Got it," she said, her voice overly chipper, earning herself a brief glance from Stefan.

      They continued down the hall until they reached another door. Stefan opened it and stepped aside, motioning for her to go in. "This will be your room. Settle in, and when you're done, come downstairs. I have a few more instructions to give you before I leave for work."

      Coby nodded, stepping into the room as Stefan turned and walked away without another word. The door clicked shut behind her, leaving her standing alone in her new space.