House Rules

Chapter Eleven

   She couldn't believe it. What the hell just happened in the pool? It was all confusing, one moment they were fooling around and the next they were so close together! This whole thing was just a contract, a show, nothing more nothing less. Yet, they almost kissed.

    Daniella shook her head to get rid of her thoughts while she waited for the water to boil. She went into the kitchen to prepare some snacks after they had invited Stephanie to come in. Has she not appeared, Daniella didn't know what would have happened. Perhaps they would... She caught her thoughts again before they wandered off too far and started making tea.

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   It was awkward, yet there was no way to avoid it. It shouldn't be like this considering the fact that they had known each other for so long already but the silence was unavoidable.

    Stephanie looked around the living room and smiled slightly at Ian. She had come to give him a piece of her mind after he had hung up on her so rudely but when she arrived at the house, she heard splashing and screaming and laughter. That changed her plans immediately. There was no need to be angry at him. Not yet.

   "I heard from your manager that you moved down here.  Why didn't you tell me?"she asked warmly while looking at Ian expectantly, a small pout dancing on her flawless face.
 
   "I told you before but it was not important enough for you to remember or notice I see." Ian said coldly, and in an annoyed tone.

  "What?"she gasped. This sent Stephanie in shock. No one had ever dared to treat her like that, or talk to her like that for that matter.  "I - I think you are busy so I am not going to intrude and leave." She said, quietly gatherer her things and stood up about to walk to the front door when Daniella came in with a tray of cups and a plate of cookies.

  "Ah, Stephanie, I was just bringing..."she didn't even get to finish when Stephanie glared at her and stomped out of the house. Not knowing what just happened, she set the tray on the table and sighed.

   "Well that went well..."she trailed off while observing Ian, who just sat there as if nothing had happened. She didn't even have time to question him, when her phone rang.

  "Hello?"she said and listened to what the person on the other end had to say.

  "Really?" Ian observed how excited she looked after she heard what they said.

   "Are you serious?"her voice added in excitement and she started walking in front of him. Ian's face become more and more confused as the time passed.

   "Oh my God, that's so great! I will definitely come, thank you very much!she said with a wide smile and hung up. She seemed to glow and Ian looked at her questioningly.

  "Who was that?"he asked carefully.

   "That was the publishing company I gave my story to! They said it was very good and they want to meet me!"she informed in a rush. "So I am going to head there now if you don't mind."

  "Take the bus because I don't want to waste my time being your driver." He replied while texting on his phone. The old Ian was back, no traces of this afternoon.  

   "Don't worry! I wasn't planning to ask you anyway." Daniella scoffed and turned on her heels to head upstairs to change. "Jerk" she mumbled.

  "I heard that!" Ian called after her without glancing up.

   "Real jerk."she whispered while rushing upstairs. It was her time to shine.

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    "Mother fucking idiots!" Daniella yelled out in the middle of the street after she had emerged from a tall building. Receiving glares from the people around, she stomped to nearest Starbucks and called for a caramel latte, her favorite.