Temporary Housemate

Chapter Four

Hey to anyone reading this book, I’m not a particularly comfortable writer and simply hope that you enjoy it. I really do appreciate feedback though and have definitely been grateful so far. Anyone who has already read up until this point sorry I’ve edited the first three chapters so hopefully they flow better and are more coherent. Anyway, enjoy....

Beauty is unbearable, drives us to despair, offering us for a minute the glimpse of an eternity that we should like to stretch out over the whole of time.

-          Albert Camus

I had just made it to the top of the first flight of stairs when I heard a grunt and Adam’s slightly red face appear from around the threshold of the kitchen. ‘Whoops – at least he doesn’t look mad.’ Although he looked peeved, he hadn’t gained that ‘serial killer’ look that most men do when you injure their pride and joy. Grinning even wider to myself, I proceeded to cruise up the stair case at a steady pace and had managed to reach the door to my ‘soon-to-be’ room, however as I turned to close the door I was stopped mid-twist by an arm snaking round my waist and lifting me off the floor. Struggling to breathe through my laughter and futile attempts at escape, a whisper even more deadly than my glare soon entered my earlobes, “Please never do that again, or I cannot be held responsible for the consequences Miss Hudson.”

Despite his obvious intention of warning me, I simply could not stop the laughter that was bubbling from the pit of my stomach. The sheer madness of the moment made my already aching stomach muscles tighten beyond belief, but it was when I looked back at Adam to see a wicked glint in his eye that I suddenly realised he had a plan.

Gulping ever so softly, I continued to keep my uncomfortable position in order to maintain eye contact and watched as his eyes swirled with different ideas. That’s when I realised that I should have been paying closer attention for suddenly a beautifully mischievous grin broke across his features and confusion swept over me almost immediately followed by understanding.

“No! Please don’t I’m too young to die, please.” I barely managed in between hysterical laughter. Adam had somehow walked towards the landing without me noticing and was currently dangling me over the three story drop. Ordinarily I would have been hyperventilating at this point, but despite having only known Adam for roughly thirty minutes he had already gained enough of my trust for me to continue my magnificent mood.

Putting on an accent in true Bond-villain style, Adam said, “Ah, but will you listen to and believe my threat madam?” “Yes. YES!” gasp, “Please, I’ll do anything just put me down,” gasp, “safely I hasten to add.” “As long as you are true to your word, I shall release you with warning!” I could barely feel my fingers and feet at this point and my head seemed quite light from the lack of oxygen from my laughter and the restriction that was Adam’s grasp. Nodding, he lowered me to my feet and triumphantly smirked towards me.

However, having recently found the ground plus that phenomenon air, I was soon surrounded by a maddeningly dizzy spell which caused me to topple backwards, towards the staircase. A scream had barely surfaced through my throat when I felt Adam’s grip on my lower back again. Pulling me towards him for good measure, I stood there gratefully panting in the circumference of his arms for a few moments calming the adrenaline rush my body was producing and gathering my sanity once more. I only realised I had closed my eyes when I reopened them and stared straight into those cerulean pools. Obviously sanity had returned because up on recognising the proximity of our bodies and the intertwining of our breaths I stepped to the side and headed straight in to my room embarrassed.

Continuing as though nothing had taken place, I simply asked him, “So, which would you prefer, odd jobs or first coats?” Thinking about it for a second whilst strolling leisurely into the room, hand on chin, he chimed “Definitely odd-jobs, then I can come and help you when I’ve finished.” His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, but being gracious of his help I didn’t ask him what the problem was - knowing me I’d most likely put my foot in it and destroy our friendship within less than five minutes. Rapidly turning towards the pile of bags I had hauled up here only a few minutes before, I couldn’t believe how much needed doing. Walking over to the enormous take at hand, I gathered the few bags Adam would need to complete the few tasks he had opted for and passed them to him with a genuine and appreciative smile to which I received one back. Our skin contacted for a split second as I placed the bags in his hand and I felt a tremble pass through my body, it was only slight but that flesh-to-flesh contact was exquisite and instantly I had dishonourable thoughts prowling around my head.

Stomping back over to the pile awaiting me, I grabbed a few dust sheets and scattered them across the floor. I then pattered over to the window to open it further (and in a subtle attempt to clear my mind). Reaching down I gathered the tray and roller and proceeded to pour the paint into the tray before unceremoniously splashing it across the walls.

Three coats later, a lot of paint and finally my salad to keep me going, the room had finally begun to look habitable. I did notice that I was covered in various places with paint but that’s half the fun right? Glancing over to Adam I noticed he was pristine except for a few stray specks that had gotten in to his hair and the tops of his shoulders. “How on earth do you stay so clean?” I suddenly blurted out, mostly against my will. Casting an amused look in my direction he simply stated, “I didn’t. You’re just antagonisingly messy.” Scoffing I went back to admiring our handy work. The room finally looked decent. I had painted two of the plastered walls cream along with the breeze block wall (which seriously looked a thousand times better) and the closet before moving to the final wall, which was opposite the bathroom and closet, and now held a deep blue almost like midnight which I loved so much that I even painted the ceiling with it. Perhaps a little eccentric there but hey, it looked homely now.

Thanks to the window being wide open, I gladly found that the smell was more than bearable and that the paint had dried twice as fast.  Now I just needed to remove the duvet and pillow and replace those (the mattress would be here in a day or two but for now would do) and then nearly everything is complete. Turning around to face Adam again, I simply said, “Thank you, so so much for helping me tonight! Honestly I really do appreciate it, if ever you need anything just let me know and I’m there. I most certainly owe you now!” After admiring the room for another minute, he cleared his throat and muttered far too cheerfully, “Not a problem, but be sure to know I will collect on this favour – you can bet on that!” “Yes well like I said, just ask. Anyway I think it must be getting late now, I’m exhausted and can only imagine how you must feel,” patting myself for my phone I found it and glimpsed the time 03:00, WHAT? Mortified I looked up again, “Yup, you definitely will need your bed now, I’m so sorry to have kept you for this long, it’s already three am! Honestly I’m so s-” “Char?” “Yes?” “Shut up!” And I believe that was game, set and match, sadly I was certainly on the losing side. “Fine, fine, goodnight then Adam – and honestly thank you!” As he loped from the room without any apparent cares in the world, I watched the miracle that was his buttocks moving away from me and I’m sure drooled a little. A faint chuckle came from the staircase just as my door closed.

Sudden waves of exhaustion hit me rapidly and I knew I needed to move. Grabbing the covers from the floor and throwing them towards the door, careful not to touch the walls, I then proceeded to throw the duvet and pillow on to the floor whilst grabbing the last few bits from my massive carry-all and whipping the mattress over I slipped the new duvet and heavenly pillows on top the blanket covered bare mattress. Heading into the bathroom I grabbed a quick shower in my newly cleaned bathroom which felt wonderful and brushed my teeth like I never had before. Launching myself in to a new set of pyjamas I managed to wriggle into the softness of the pillows just before sleep claimed me.