One With My Rival

chapter six

He didn't get out.

Much to my dismay.

He's currently sitting comfortably on the couch with one foot bouncing against the floor while I lean against the counter just so I have a better view of him incase he does something stupid.

How did this happen you may ask?

"Okay let's talk about rules"

That's why.

I heave out a breath, looking up for a moment to gather enough energy for this before meeting his gaze.

"You sound awfully collected over this matter" I can't help but note because it's true. Ever since last night, he's been nothing but relaxed while I on the other hand have been steadily growing bald stressing over this matter.

I don't really consider myself as paranoid but if you step back to see the bigger picture, you'll eventually start questioning things.

"It's a perk that comes from running a company"

"About that. Isn't that a bit too loud for someone like you?" He gives me a flat look.

"Rule number one: no personal questions" I raise an eyebrow, scoffing. He waves a hand towards me.

"Feel free to add some"

"Rule number two: don't touch anything that's not yours"

"Rule number three: don't dip your toe into my business" I snort.

"Isn't that already given between us?" He shrugs.

"Just making sure" He signals for me to continue.

I stared at the floor, gnawing my bottom lip.

"Don't open the room I'm in when it's locked" Anxiety's a bitch. I've been dealing with that shit for years now and with living a double life, it just hits harder than yesterday.

Some days even more.

I expected Lucas to comment about the weird rule, maybe make fun of it or something. But I'm caught off guard when I heard him hum and say nothing more. It either means he gets the idea behind that rule and won't question it further or maybe he just doesn't care enough to do so.

"Don't touch me when I'm spaced out" I look up to find him frowning, looking deep in thought and silence drapes over us momentarily like a blanket.

I don't really know the story behind what led him to make that as a rule but for some reason I feel like we're reaching a certain point of conception even though I'm pretty sure neither of us knows the other too well for that to happen.

We're both about to be a part of each others' lives whether we like that or not. It makes sense to know these stuff even though it crosses the line of privacy we both have up.

"Alright" I said, voice coming out a bit breathy than I wanted. He hums again in agreement before looking at me.

"Anything else?" I held his gaze for a second before looking away in favor of staring at my feet.

"When I say no" This is probably tmi he'll either understand the gist of or question but-

I look up to meet his eyes.

I need to say it.

"In every aspect. When I say no, I mean it" Call it trauma or paranoia, but I'm not about to get myself involved with someone I barely know and is also my enemy without stating that.

Besides, he's already asking my own set of rules. It's better to be safe than sorry.

He's staring at me a bit too intently than expected, face holding some emotion I can't decipher but it's enough for me to squirm. For the first time since colliding heads I feel myself growing queasy and restless underneath those eyes.