Dangerous Attraction

5. Shock

Hazel Whitlock

~•~

I stumbled back in shock when I realized that it was someone very familiar that opened the door. My principal. Mr. Laurier.

"What are you doing here?" I couldn't help but ask.

He narrowed his eyes, pinning me with a stare that had my heart racing more than normal. "I should be asking you that question, Miss Whitlock. Did you follow me home?"

"No!" I exclaimed. "Why would I do that? Why would you even think that?"

"You're standing on my property, aren't you?"

I opened my mouth to oppose him, then I closed it and took a step back. This was my mother's new client. She was working for Mr. Laurier.

As I looked at the unconvinced expression on his face, I realized that there was a misunderstanding. I cleared my throat, blushing furiously. He thought I was a creepy stalker who followed him all the way home. "My mom works here as a maid."

He arched an eyebrow. "How does that translate to your presence here?"

"She's sick so she told me to come in place of her to do the cleaning and cooking."

He continued to stare at me, unimpressed.

"I'm not lying, Mr. Laurier," I swore. "I can call her right now if you want or I can show you a picture of two of us. I didn't follow you home. I was also surprised to see you."

He stared at me for a few more seconds, as though trying to intimidate me. It worked. "She could have called in sick. She didn't have to send you."

My cheeks heated up in embarrassment. Had I been too forward in class today? "Well, I'm already here. You might as well let me in."

He appraised me for another long moment before he stepped aside to let me in reluctantly. "Did she tell you that Fridays are for thorough clean-ups? That means you'll be here for a while."

I felt embarrassed just a few seconds ago, but I couldn't help myself. "I don't mind it."

He sighed inaudibly. "I do not have the time to give you a tour. Find the rooms by yourself. Dinner has to be ready by seven-thirty. No snooping. You're just here to clean and nothing more. Keep this to yourself. If the other students find out you know my house, you'll get expelled."

My jaw dropped. "Are you threatening me over a situation I had no control over?" He was strict but it seemed like he lacked morals himself.

"You didn't have control over coming to my place, but you have control over who finds out about this."

I sighed, shaking my head. "Is there anything specific you'd like for dinner?"

"No. Just a good meal." I glared at him and I could swear I saw the corners of his lips lift for a second. "I'll be in my office. Do not disturb me." He turned around to leave me but paused halfway. "Tomorrow's for meal preps but if your mom still isn't fine, she doesn't have to come. She can come next week."

As he left, I made a face at his back for dismissing me. On Saturdays, my mom made several dishes for him to use throughout the next week. Sometimes, she brought some home for me. It meant Mr. Laurier and I had shared some meals.

I giggled at the thought.

I didn't care that he didn't want me to come back tomorrow. Even if my mom was magically fine, I would offer to be here. He looked handsome in the formal clothes he wore when he was at school but seeing him in sweats made him even hotter, strengthening my attraction to him.

I sighed to myself at my improper thoughts. I didn't want to think too much and end up acting on those thoughts. He might chase me out of his house, or worse, expel me from school. He seemed capable of that.

Since the house wasn't huge, it wasn't hard to look around. It seemed like he was the only one that lived here. I wondered what he used all this space for.

Looking through the house, I found out that he had an in-house gym. No wonder he looked so fit and appealing, ugh! He also had an indoor pool, which was crazy. He was just a principal. How was he so rich? The pieces of equipment in his gym screamed elegant and so were his furniture.

It was crazy. I didn't think teachers earned that much, did they? Should I become a teacher in the future?

After cleaning up the living room and the kitchen, I started making dinner. I spent an hour on the meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Since there were a few more minutes before seven-thirty. I went to clean up the gym and the hallway.

Most of the extra rooms were untouched, so they weren't dirty. Well, his whole house wasn't dirty but it seemed like he just wanted everything sparkling clean.

When it was seven-thirty, I followed the path that he had followed earlier to get to his office, but before I could start looking for it, a door opened, revealing the man of the hour.

His hair was ruffled and his shirt had risen slightly, showcasing a silver of skin that had me blushing and looking away. I was too attracted to this man for my good and I didn't even have any plans of putting distance between us.

"Is dinner ready?" He asked, making me look back at him. His shirt was proper now, which meant he had caught me looking at him earlier.

"Y-yeah." I cleared my throat. "I was about to call you."

He hummed and walked past me, heading straight for the kitchen, where I had set out his plate on the kitchen aisle.

"I like my dinner in my office, but it's okay. It's your only day here."

I frowned, not liking those words. I wondered how often my mom worked for him. I wanted to be here every day of the week to serve him.

Oh my God! I was starting to sound crazy. This man was dangerous.

I stared at him as he took the first bite of the food. "Is it good?"

I didn't know why I was eager to please him. This was getting out of hand.

He chewed slowly, staring right at me as if prolonging my misery on purpose. I watched him swallow, but he just continued to look at me.

"Well?"

"It's okay."

"Just okay?" I huffed. He shrugged, saying nothing more, which annoyed me. "I'm hungry," I announced. "Can I fix myself a plate?" I added before he could dismiss me.

"I don't know if your mother told you this but she doesn't usually have dinner with me."

"Well, we know each other outside here, don't we? You're my favorite teacher."

"Miss Whitlock–"

"Please." I interrupted before he could decline. "I'm hungry. I haven't had anything since lunch at school."

He let out a breath, visibly annoyed by me. "As soon as you're done eating, you're leaving."

"But I'm not done cleaning–"

"I made myself clear the first time." He said sternly.

"Fine."

I didn't care though. I was going to eat with him. That was a small win.

Isn't he just a Ray of sunshine? Hazel is a little...

What do you want to happen between them tonight?