One Plus One Equals One

Chapter 6 - Gwen's POV

The egg yolk sun pours through the royal blue curtains I forgot to shut properly last night. My sight still in the clutches of the night's glue, I hesitantly rub the fading dreams away. Momentarily I am confused, wondering where my fine diamond chandelier that hangs above my four-poster bed is, when I remember I am in America. I all but collapsed into bed last night, exhausted because of the time differences. When I arrived in my room, Cleo my maid had already unpacked all of my clothes, bless her, and put them in colour order. I am certainly grateful for her assistance. Stretching out like a cat, I then proceed to roll out of bed and stumble into the bathroom, splashing my face with warm water.

It is only six thirty in the morning here in America, but in Losington, it is nearly time for the midday meal meaning I am feeling ravenous. Making myself a little more presentable I spray some hair product onto my curls to try to tame some of the frizz, and get dressed in some smart flowery trousers, a plain linen top and white leather pumps. I am not sure if anybody will be downstairs at seven in the morning, and I cannot quite remember my way to the kitchen, but my stomach is growling for food so I decide to take a chance and snoop around.

Shutting the door behind me quietly, I dawdle along the corridor, silently cooing over the adorable family pictures hung on the walls. You can tell that the Kefalas' are a close family. The only pictures I have of me and my own are in the form of portraits, where we are not allowed to smile so as to look 'regal'. Turning the corner, I nearly scream when I bounce off a hard, chiselled chest.

"Woah, relax Princess, it's just me – Cohen." A deep, husky voice, which makes me tingle in places I am not sure I wanted to locate, murmurs.

"Oh, Cohen, please accept my apologies - I did not realise you were there." I utter apologetically, my eyes widening as I take in the tight tank top he is wearing that shows off his muscles like a showcase.

"It's ok. I was just at the gym." He explains, and I cannot help but check out his muscular arms and tight abs.

"Oh, well I was just looking for the kitchen." I explain with a blush decorating my cheeks.

"I'll get Susanne – she'll show you the way." He hums before stepping around me and heading towards Susanne's room.

"Oh no, let her sleep it is no-." Nevertheless, Cohen simply ignores me before proceeding to knock harshly on Susanne's door – probably awakening the whole household in the process – and yells for her to get up.

I feel mortified and embarrassed, but Cohen does not even look my way before heading onwards down the corridor and climbing the stairs to the third story.

"Flipping heck! Who on earth is awake this early in the morning?" Susanne growls as she yanks her door open, finding a mortified me along the corridor. "Oh, Gwen..." She gasps looking sheepish. "I am so sorry about that, don't worry, just give me ten minutes and I'll come and sort you out." Susanne promises.

Twenty minutes later, she exits the room, apologising for taking a while and escorts me downstairs. The cook is already up and baking chocolate chip cookies and I am pleased to become well acquainted with her. I have no idea what I want for breakfast since I usually have to eat what I am served (accompanied by some disgusting green smoothie), so today I am thoroughly spoilt for choice. In the end, I decide to have pancakes - the same as Susanne, drizzled in maple syrup, and my two were so light, fluffy and delicious that I had four more! I did not tell Susanne but it is actually my third time eating pancakes, since my mother likes to regulate my sugar intake and make sure I eat healthily so that I am in good shape. Once we finish our meals, Susanne gives me options on what to do for the day, but since I do not have a preference, she chooses to take me shopping.