Accidental Housemate

07: visiting

I came back from work late, drained, and fed up with Hannah and her suspicious compliments.

The woman clearly had questionable feelings towards me, so her compliments creeped me out. Courtney’s re-entry into my life wouldn’t leave my head, either.

When I arrived at the flat, I opened the unlocked door absentmindedly, not knocking as usual. I passed by the kitchen. Dave was in simple trousers and a white singlet, exposing his arms and a little of his collar bones. I averted my gaze, realising it lingered, and made a mental note to myself that I should get more used to the guy wearing such carefree outfits because he wanted to be comfortable in his home.

I greeted him briefly, “Hey, Dave.”

He was busy cooking, sparing me only a glance. “Hey, Perrie. How was work?”

“Not bad. Just work; you know.”

I excused myself and went to shower, changed into the best casual clothes I had, and blew my hair dry.

“Need a hand?” I popped into the kitchen again, tucking my hair behind my ear.

He looked from my attire to his. “You look like you’re going out on a sweet date while I look as if I came back from a construction site,” he commented with a smile.

I giggled. “Just trying to look presentable.”

Dave nodded. “Be a sweetheart and cut the veggies for the salad. That’s all I can ask for from you.” He winked.

I blushed and nodded. Of course, we had to recall my disastrous chicken dish. While he put the last touches on the lasagne he made, the doorbell rang. He mumbled an excuse and left the kitchen to put on clean clothes quickly and open the door. I finished the veggies and wiped my hands to go after him.

When I went out, he was already hugging his sister. His mother’s attention turned to me. She looked me up and down, taking in my exterior. I cowered under her gaze, a series of apologies and explanations of why I was in her son’s place on the tip of my tongue. However, I reminded myself I was supposed to be a housemate who paid half the rent.

She cut off my panic by greeting, “Hey. Perrie?”

I stepped in and nodded. “Hey. Yes, I’m Perrie. Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

We shook hands, then I did the same to her daughter.

“I’m Melissa,” his sister introduced with a pearly smile.

Dave watched it all with a relaxed smile. We ushered them to the small dining area that had a table for four. Dave and I had never used it; we always ate at the kitchen island and stools. Melissa helped me set up the dining table while Dave chatted with his mum in the kitchen, insisting he wanted to know how she lost so much weight since he last saw her. As we put down the plates and utensils, I felt Melissa’s pinning gaze on me. God, please, not her too.

“What’s your job, Perrie?”

There we go.

“I work in a retail store,” I told her. It was the usual lie I occasionally needed. I prayed Dave hadn’t told them about the modelling. I made a mental note to explain to him later why I lied.