Bet On Us [L.P.]

3. Japanese Garden

My Creative Writing class was only one hour and a half today, but boy did it wear me out. I woke up with a headache this morning and had to hurry up to get some class work done before heading out to the campus. Jeff had texted me this morning asking how everything had gone last night, and I could tell he was angry when I told him I'd be taking Annabella out today. Guess he thought she'd reject me.

Once my class finished, I saw that it was 1:35, so I had a little less than an hour and a half to go to Annabella's house. Maybe I should buy her something for when I show up? Girls like it when guys buy them gifts, right? It would definitely buy me some points with her.

I decide to head to my apartment first to change out of my sweats and tank top since that's what I wore for class. My apartment was near Union Square, which just happened to be about 15 minutes away from where I worked and the school campus, so the area worked perfectly for me.

When I got inside my apartment I put my keys on the table placed beside my door before quickly going to my room to grab a change of clothes. I decided on wearing a long sleeved red flannel with a black t-shirt underneath, along with dark washed jeans. After I showered, I fixed my hair up in its normal quiff and put on my black vans, making my way out the door once I was ready.

I stopped at a flower shop on my way to her house, buying her a bouquet of pink roses, taking the advice of the female worker who promised my 'girlfriend' would love them. I have never bought somebody flowers before, so I hope Annabella likes them. I quickly bought them, cursing at the sight of the cost, now praying it was worth the pay.

I put the flowers on my lap, hoping that they wouldn't fall off while I rode my bike. Annabella lives in the neighborhood of Pacific Heights, an area known for being home to some of San Fransisco's wealthiest families. Her parents obviously make a lot of money if they were able to afford a home here. Annabella doesn't act like she comes from good money though, which I have to admit is quite admirable.

I pull up to the gate of Annabella's house, having to push the intercom button since I don't know what the code for it is.

"Ryder's Residence." A woman's voice I don't recognize says through the speaker.

"Erm, hi. My name's Liam Payne and I'm here for Annabella." The voice never replies, but once the gate starts opening I know she heard me.

I pull up to the same spot I parked my bike yesterday, in front of the steps that led to the front door. I notice a white Mercedes is parked in front of the house, meaning one of her parents is home. I'll be sure to make a good first impression if I have to meet her parents. I have to in order to win Annabella over.

I get off the bike, hiding the bouquet of roses behind my back before ringing the doorbell. The door opens revealing, whom I'm guessing is their maid. She's an elder woman, who looks about 50 years old.

"Liam Payne?" She asks. I immediately recognize her as the voice from the intercom.

I nod. "Yes ma'am."

"Well, come in darling. My name's Maggie. Annie should be down any minute now." Annie? I could tell Annabella's close to this woman. She politely gestures for me to step inside, to which I comply.

The entire interior of the home is almost completely white, aside from the colorful photographs placed on the walls. There's a giant staircase in front of me leading upstairs, which is where I'm guessing Annabella is. To the right of me is the living room, half the size of my own apartment. Maggie leads me to one of the black leathered couches so I can sit while Annabella comes down.

"Those photographs in the hallway," I point towards the door, "did Annabella take those?"

She smiles. "Yes, she did. Talented girl she is. All the pictures you see in this home were all taken by her from her trips around the country." I look around the living room, looking at all the different photos on the walls. The ones Annabella had shown me on her phone last night were beautiful, but there's just something about seeing them in a frame that make them so much more spectacular.