Emancipation

five

"Just a second." I shout over as I rinse out the toothpaste.

I move to the adjoined door on my right to open it and notice an annoyed looking James standing there in running shorts and a white t-shirt that seems to sticking to his built up body with sweat.

"Sorry, I was just brushing." I apologise, hoping to avoid an argument this early in the morning.

"Yeah, can you not do that around this time? I have to be at office and I need the bathroom vacant." He snaps, getting in and turning on the shower while I still stand there, a little dumbfounded by his harsh tone as I look at him through the mirror reflection.

He turns his back towards me and pulls up his shirt, making my eyes widen as I stare at his defined and toned body. James' suit always outline his arms muscle but as I stare at his naked back, I honestly find it hard to breathe.

I notice how his thumbs tug at the elastic of his running shorts after he checks the shower temperature and when I realise he's about to pull down them, I audibly gasp, catching his attention. He turns around, his intense gaze fixed at me in the reflection as I stand there like I have lost my voice.

Holy shit.

His back has nothing on the toned pack of abs resting on his front, making me stare at his body shamelessly. But when I realise what I am doing, I immediately focus my eyes back on his face and notice that he just caught me staring at him.

He arches an eyebrow, "Do you want something?"

I manage to command my brain to actually respond to him as I shake my head frantically. He cocks his head to side as he continues to stare at me, making me swallow visibly.

"Well?" He asks, gesturing for me to move and I nod, turning to my right to walk out.

I am just about to step out when he clears his throat and I finally turn around, coming face to face with him with a good five feet distance between us. But suddenly this big bathroom seems to small for my own liking. James's lips turn a little upward into a slight smirk, making me frown.

"That's my room, Mrs. Clark." He motions towards the door where I was just about to enter and the realisation hits me.

Is it possible for me to become invisible right this moment?

I shake my head to snap out of my thoughts as I offer him an apologetic look before moving towards the door that connects to my room and step out. When I close the door behind me, I rest my back against it, sighing and closing my eyes as I bring up my hands to my cheeks to realise that they are heated up with all the blushing.

It's just seven thirty in the morning, and he's already getting ready for office. And from what I could see, he had been up for hours. His routine sounds exhausting and I know he works out in the morning, making me realise how opposite we really are. I run a hand through my hair as I make my way out of the room and go downstairs to kitchen in order to get a glass of milk for myself.

When I get to the kitchen, I notice Mrs. George scrambling eggs. Everyone in this house seems to be in sync with James' routine. When she realises my presence, she smiles at me.

"Good morning, Mrs. Clark." She says.

"Morning, Mrs. George. And please call me Lillian." I tell her as I move to the refrigerator.

She looks at me with surprise in her eyes, "That wouldn't bother you?" She asks and I frown.

"No, I actually prefer being called my first name," I assure her, confused as to why she would ask such a question.