[|]

Because I was in a new place and was used to waking up early, I was up at five in the morning and ready for the day. The house was still a bit dark even though I could see the sun setting a little bit in the dark blue sky.

Most importantly, I was comfy in the big bed with thick blankets over my body. For the first time in a long time, I was extra comfortable.

I sat up on the bed and stretched my arms. I rubbed my eyes and stared at the chandelier hanging from the living room ceiling. I immediately thought about Lucas and smiled.

"Lucas is such a nice guy," I said and smiled wider when an idea crossed my mind. "I need to do something to show my appreciation for letting me stay here. A simple thank you won't do. I know just what to do."

I got out of bed and ran into the bathroom where I brushed my teeth and washed my face. When I was through, I went downstairs quietly and paused when I saw Lucas sleeping soundly under my blanket.

I tiptoed over to him and held my breath when I saw how peaceful he looked while sleeping. The blanket was halfway on his tall body and I stopped myself from giggling. My blanket was too small for his body which left his right leg and upper body uncovered. His muscular arms were crossed tightly on his chest while he faced the inner part of the couch.

When he uncrossed his arms, his shirt slid up, giving me a view of his lower abs and the happy trail that stopped at the rim of his Calvin Klein boxers. I gulped and tried to look away but I couldn't. I was ogling a sleeping man like a creep; a beautiful sleeping man.

Lucas groaned and readjusted his sleeping position so he was laying on his side which caused him to fall to the floor with a loud thump. I jerked and covered my mouth so I wouldn't laugh.

He groaned and reluctantly sat up, rubbing his face.

"Good morning," I said and he snapped his head in my direction.

Lucas stared at me through hooded sleepy eyes as if he was confused before shaking his head. He ran his fingers through his hair and rose to his full height.

"Good morning," he said in a hoarse voice.

I tucked a lock of my hair behind my ear when he sat on the couch, still acting sleepy.

"You can lay on your bed now. I'm going to get ready to start the day," I said and he nodded and left instantly. I giggled and went to the kitchen.

When I saw he was laying on the bed, I began to search around for the food items he had. It took me ten minutes but I was able to find the things I needed. The next thing that took my time was finding the cooker which I ended up seeing as a rectangular black surface on top of the counter.

With a few videos online through my phone, I was able to operate it and cook breakfast.

An hour later, I was done and set the food on the counter with dining seats. As I poured some orange juice into my glass cup, Lucas made his way down the steps, hair slightly wet and in new outfits; a white shirt that hugged his strong upper body and denim pants.

"Good morning," he said and I chuckled.

"You already greeted me," I said.

"Did I?" Lucas sat down on one of the seats and pulled his plate close to him. "Is this mine?"

"Yes," I replied and when I sat down to eat, my phone rang beside me. I picked it up and gasped when I saw it was a call from Maddy.

I looked at Lucas and thought if it was reasonable to pick the call in his presence. Feeling lazy, I answered the call and placed the phone against my ear.

"Hey, Jackie!" Maddy said in excitement.

"Hi," I said in a low voice.

"Why are whispering?" She asked in the same tone which made me laugh.

"I'm not," I said in my normal tone of voice and chuckled. "How are you?"

"I'm good. Hey, where are you now?"

I gulped. "I'm... I'm living with a friend."

"A friend? No offense, babe but you only have me as Axel as your friends."

I sighed. "I know, Maddy..."

My eyes darted to Lucas who stared at me in shock before looking down at his plate. I mentally facepalmed and gave up on the idea of hiding the fact that I'm friends with Maddy from him. Besides, Maddy wasn't the only one with the name, I'm sure he wouldn't think it was her.

"It's a friend in my department. Yes, I'm staying with them for now until I either find my place or when school begins and I'm able to get a new room on campus."

"Oh, that's okay. Are you safe there with them?"

"Yes, I am safe with them." I moved a piece of my food on my plate, feeling awkward that I had to lie. "So, have you gone home?"

"Not yet but I'm going to leave this morning. I'm still packing up my things and Clark's driving me to the airport and he wanted to follow me. Romantic, right? He says he wants to meet my parents but I told him next year. I haven't introduced any guy to my parents before and I don't want to do it in front of them."

I hummed. "He's lucky to have you... Before I forget, can I have Clark's number? I have to start working at his place today."

"Oh, yeah. I'll send it to you via SMS. I have to go now... Bye!"

She ended the call and I awkwardly dropped the phone on the counter, not meeting his eyes when I saw he was looking at me.

"Didn't know you two were seriously close," Lucas said.

"Well, we are," I replied.

"Especially with my brother."

I looked at him. "How do you know that?"

"Remember when we bumped into each other at that restaurant and how we exchanged phones? I was able to see a text from Axel talking about Maddy and all."

I slumped my shoulders and leaned back on the high seat I was on.

"Axel and Maddy have been my friends since I started college. They are my best friends and I love them."

Lucas had an expression on his face like he was grimacing but with a thoughtful look over it.

"It's weird seeing Maddy being friends with the type of people she trolled in high school plus what will you do when she finds out that you're staying with me. Her ex-fling?"

I began to have images of the scenario and felt guilty about it. I should not have lied to her especially when they both had a history together. My thoughts were interrupted when my phone chimed, notifying me of a text message. The screen lit up and I was able to see it was Clark's phone number and address from Maddy. Attached to it was her saying Clark wanted me there since she will be leaving on her own because they argued.

I immediately lost my appetite as I was excited to start work and come back with a lot of money. I stood up and grabbed my plate off the counter and walked to the sink where I washed my plate.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"I got a job. I have to clean someone's house. So, I won't be home too much every week," I replied and ran to the stairs.

[|]

Some minutes later, I had showered and changed into a summer dress and twisted my hair into a loose bun. After slipping my feet into my sandals, I left the room with my bag and took my phone off the counter.

I looked around for Lucas but saw no sign of him so I left the house. Clark's place wasn't too far away from the apartment building. It was a ten minutes drive and I was glad.

The moment I left the apartment building, I groaned at the usual hot Californian weather. Lucas' house had the air conditioner blowing that it felt like I was stepping into the desert.

I spotted a taxi leaving the driveway of the building's courtyard and waved at the driver when he saw me. It stopped and I rushed to it and then boarded it.

"Springs estate," I said and he hummed.

I could not wait to start working so badly. I needed this money so much.

[|]

The driver drove into a rich estate with big houses on each side of the quiet street. The place oozed wealth as I saw expensive cars parked on the sidewalk or in their courtyards. Trees surrounded some areas which made the place airy and cool. When the driver asked me the house's number, I told him, and five minutes later, he was stopped in front of a two-story house with flower bushes lined in front.

"Here," I said, paying the man and getting out. I stared at the house and raised my phone then called his number. It rang for some seconds before he answered.

"Hello." His voice was hoarse. "Who's this?"

"It's Jackie."

I heard rustling and soft curses which made me stop myself from smiling. He must've been sleeping when I called. Some seconds later, I saw him walk out of a door upstairs, shirtless. From where I stood, I saw how defined his tan upper body was. He waved at me from the balcony where he stood and I waved back. He walked back inside and I made my way to the front doors.

The door opened and I saw he was now wearing a shirt. Thank goodness he was. Although his shoulder-length hair was ruffled and his eyes looks hooded from sleep.

"Come on," Clark said and he stepped aside

I got a view of a passageway before stepping in. I heard the door close and felt awkward being alone in a big house with a man I barely knew. But since he was Maddy's boyfriend, I was less uncomfortable.

"Follow me," Clark said as he walked past me.

I followed after him while looking at the white walls. We got further into the house and I saw a living room that was slightly messy with books on the coffee table, shirts in different places, and pizza boxes. I grimaced.

"Sorry about the mess. The people I live with are really..." He dragged on with an uncertain tone.

"Untidy?" I asked and he chuckled.

"Yeah, you could say that. Anyway, you can start now if you want. Although you're supposed to start on Wednesday," Clark said, waving his hands around.

Clark showed me around the place and by the time we were done, thirty minutes had gone by. It was a huge house with four bedrooms, two living rooms, and a swimming pool at the back, which was a mess too.

"So, here's your uniform," Clark said, walking out of his room.

"A uniform?" I asked and raised my eyebrow at the folded black and white clothes in his hands.

"Yeah, you can't clean in that," he said pointedly and I looked at my dress.

"Right," I said and took the clothes from him. I lifted the one on top and saw it was a white tank top and stared at what I saw was black shorts short. I gulped.

The outfit was too short and looked smaller and sexy for my liking. How was I going to walk around his house wearing something straight out of a porno?

"Are you okay?"

I looked up at his face. He was staring down at me with concern in his eyes with his lips parted. I smiled and nodded, too numb to speak.

"I am fine." Even though I was not on the inside.