This Thing We Call Love

We walk through one of the never ending hallways of Andy’s house, and I can’t help but notice the stunning drawings on the walls. It’s also the most color I’ve seen in the house so far.
“I like these drawings,” I comment, reaching my hand up for my finger to brush against one of the canvases.
He smiles widely, “Thank you.”
I frown, “Wait. Did you draw these?”“This is your room, Charlie,” He ignores my question, opening the door. He holds his hand out for me to go first again, “Shoes off.”
Bossy.
I roll my eyes at that and his jaw tightens in annoyance. Why is he getting annoyed?
He slips his shoes off, and I follow behind him, nonetheless, and leaves them neatly beside the door. I do so not as gracefully as him, though, not at all. I hold onto the wall with both hands, using it for balance, as I clumsily kick my heels off and he shakes his head.
Stepping inside, I swear, I almost melt into the soft, fluffy white carpet. And, as if that wasn’t enough to have me astonished, the room itself… wow.
Themes of a coffee and cream colored beige take over the room, which is decently sized -- no, incredibly sized for only myself. I mean, the room wasn’t massive, but for just me, it was pretty large.
The hazel curtains are draped beautifully across the window, although still allowing me to have a view from the bed across the room.
“The view,” I admire as I walk towards the bay window and have a seat there, appreciating the spectacular view he has from here.
“Just imagine the view in my room,” He wiggles his eyebrows and I find myself chuckling slightly.
That’s how I know how tired I am. I’m laughing at something he said.
“I can’t stay here,” I frown as I look at the amazing view of his second floor, his garden, and then the beach in the distance.
“Well, you can’t leave,” He tells me, sitting down beside me as well. “I have unopened boxes of toothbrushes, untouched washcloths and body scrubs, not to mention anything else you may need.
I quirk a brow, “What if need a tampon?”
He shrugs, unfazed by what I just said, “As you wish. I’m sure we have feminine care products in the main bathroom. Anything else? Sleepwear?” Which I’m sure he has plenty of from all the guests he’s probably had here.
I shake my head, “A car and a driver.”
He smiles but it doesn’t reach his eyes, “Funny.”
“I can’t stay here.”“Because...?”
“Because I don’t know you! I work with you and this is weird.”“You’ll be in this room and I’ll be in mine. Things between us will be exactly the same at work,” He pulls out a box of cigarettes and I roll my eyes again.
Can this guy stop smoking around me?!
“That’s really bad for you.”
“No it’s not,” He lights it and opens the window. “It’s light. And for the record, just because someone tells you that something you’re hooked on is bad, doesn’t impact your addiction,” He admires the stick between his fingers before slowly licking his lips and placing it back between them.
“I guess that’s true.”He blows the smoke out, “You guess? You’re always so unsure about things. Is there anything you’re sure about?”
I’m sure that you’re an asshole.
I shrug.
“See?”
“Ugh, just stop it,” I groan. “I don’t see why anyone would do something that is so bad for you. Why would you pay for something that’s just eventually going to kill you?”
“Have you tried one of these babies?” He smirks, “They paid my great grandfather’s bills. Lifesavers, I’d say.”
I roll my eyes, “What an oxymoron,”
“Perhaps,” He chuckles. “My great grandfather founded the company in 1937, but passed away shortly after, leaving it to his brothers and his son.”
“How did he pass away?” I had to ask, feeling as if I already knew the answer.
He closes his eyes, looking as if he was preventing an eye roll. “Lung disease… from,” He sighs, “cigarettes.”
I knew it. So ironic.
“Oh, cigarettes.”
“They’re good business.”
“How is it good?”
“Well, you see, cigarettes are very addictive. Nobody will really ever quit them. So I can toy with the prices as much as I’d like and no one will give me shit about it.”“They can always just go to a cheaper brand,” I shrug.
He tuts, “Who would ever downgrade themselves like that? Once you go Biersack, you never go back.”
“Oookay, Andy,” I yawn.
He chuckles, “So, sleepwear?”
“Er, it’s okay I’ll just wear this,” I gesture to my attire, which consisted of a loose t-shirt and a pair of ripped jeans.
“That doesn’t look really comfortable to sleep in. Take of your pants.”
Now this creep is freaking me out.
“At least,” He adds, his hand casually running up my thigh, making my breath hitch. His index finger travels up my thigh and then back down slowly. “Denim is possibly the worst thing to sleep in,” His hand lingers on my exposed knee before pulling back.
“Obviously I was just going to sleep in my shirt!”
He smirks, “Just your shirt?”
My cheeks flush, “No, I’m gonna wear my underwear. I mean, not my bra --”
His smirk widens and my cheeks grow redder, “I’m going to bed. Goodnight.” I stand up abruptly and rush over to the queen sized bed. Wow, even the bed impresses me. The white duvet looks untouched, as well as the honey colored blanket on top of it, and, oh gosh, it looks heavenly.
I fluff the soft pillow and a delightful scent is released. Like, it’s just been cleaned in the best detergent money can buy, and I’m pretty sure that this is the case here.
I lift myself up and onto the bed and, just like I’d thought, the mattress is soft and bouncy.
Okay, I am definitely staying here tonight. If he insists on being a tool, the least I could do is enjoy the luxury that comes with it.
“Are you even listening to me?” He scowls from where he’s busying himself by the closet.
“Um, no,” I blink. I’d completely forgotten he was still here.
He tosses some pajamas my way, causing them to land in my face, “Sleep in those.”A tight lipped smile is the most I can do to show that I’m grateful without seeming sarcastic.
“And,” He points to the left, where a laundry basket is, “All of your worn clothing can go in that. I’ll have a maid pick them up tomorrow.”
Another thing I don’t mind. If someone offers to do your chores for you, let them.
“Ensuite,” He points and I turn around, “Feel free to use anything in the bathroom. Clean towels, everything you will need, in there.”
“Thank you,” I smile.
“You’re welcome,” He nods. “I’ll see you in the morning then,” His hand goes to the handle of the door to leave.
“Wait!”
He frowns.
“You are taking me home tomorrow, right?” I point my finger at him, not caring if it’s rude to do so.
He chuckles, “I gave you my word. Goodnight, doll.” He closes the door behind him.
I jump off the bed and open the door to the bathroom, eager to see how luxurious it is inside.

Notes