บท 14: Roommates
Mariela's POV
I watched Archer walk out of the library, and I couldn't believe what I had done. I shook my head as I realized I agreed with him to be his roommate. I know it was not a good decision for me, but I couldn't allow him to mock me, and I accepted his challenge right away. And I hated myself for being so stubborn and always wanting to make a point. He only told me that if I was not interested in him, I could live with him at his place.
I stood up and put back my notes in my bag, and I got out of the library with a heavy heart. I know my instinct is telling me that Archer is a good person, but I couldn't stop myself from worrying because of his reputation. And I couldn't deny that I am so afraid of myself if I become one of those girls. And knowing that his only reason for wanting me to become his roommate was because I didn't show to his face that I liked him, but he didn't know I was trying my best to stop what I was feeling for him.
Yeah, I admit his overloaded sex appeal is hard to ignore, but I needed a place to stay, and his offer is very tempting, and I don't think one week is that hard to be with him. I don't know how to face my best friend right now, knowing that she was right. And I couldn't accept that I had to eat my words because I told Valerie I would never be Archer's roommate.
After my last subject of the day, I went to the maintenance department and met my friend, Tristan. He is also a freshman, and we have three subjects together, and he is also a scholar like me. His father is one of the maintenance staff, and since I was bringing my suitcase after I left Archer's place, I asked him to put my luggage in one of the stock rooms, and I felt so thankful for his help.
"Thank you, Tristan," I said as he handed me my luggage.
"You are welcome, Ella." He replied, looking at me as if he wanted to ask about something.
"Do you want to ask me about something, Tristan?" I asked, and he weakly smiled at me.
"I don't want to pry, Ella, but I am just curious if you are okay. Are you alright?" He asked, and I could see the concern in his face, and I smiled at him.
"Why do you ask? Do I look not okay to you?" I asked back, and he shook his head.
"Of course not; you still look gorgeous, Mariela, but I heard about Archer and you; that is all." He responded, and I know it is impossible if he will not hear about it since he is so friendly with the girls, and he is good-looking too.
"Ah, about that, don't listen to those girls, Tristan; they don't know anything about me or Archer's life; all they ever wanted is to date him; they don't even try to make friends with him," I responded, and I was shocked with my own words.
"Okay, just be careful, Ella, you are my friend, and I don't want you to be hurt." He replied.
"Don't worry, Tristan, and I can take care of myself," I responded, and he beamed at me, and I left after I said my goodbye to him, and I went straight to the bus stop, and I felt so anxious, and I kept watching my watch because I couldn't be late, or else my boss will fire me.
My eyes widened when I saw a black SUV stop in front of me, and when the driver rolled down the window, I realized it was Archer. He climbed out of his car, and he walked closer to me, took my suitcase, and put it in the back seat of his car.
"You don't want to be late, right?" He asked, and I blinked my eyes one more time to see if he was real.
"Get in, Ella!" He said as he opened the passenger's door for me, I know I will be late for my work if I will not ride with him, I walked towards his car, and I was shocked when Archer put his hands on my waist and he helped me settle on his car, and I could tell right away, my entire body was on fire while I become speechless.
"Can you tell me the address of your workplace?" He asked, and that was when I tried to find my voice because I couldn't believe myself for having this kind of reaction towards him. I composed myself and tried my best to sound serious as I dictated the address of the resto-bar, and I felt so glad he never took a side glance, or else Archer would know right away, I was blushing.
"I will pick you up tonight after your shift, Ella," He declared, and I shook my head.
"I plan to have overtime tonight, Archer," I replied.
"The more I need to pick you up, you will be coming home late, and it would not be good for a young woman like you." He muttered, and I turned my head and looked at him, and I hated it because he looked so hot driving his car.
"Look, I appreciate that you drive me in going to the resto-bar, but I will be fine and don't worry, I will let you bring my suitcase to your place, so you will believe me that I will be staying at your place, and I will try to live with you for one week, and if it works out just fine, then I will stay with you," I said, and when he looked at me sideways, he was smiling at me.
"Thank you, Ella." He mumbled, and the softness of his voice made me smile.
"I can take the bus, Archer," I said.
"Okay, if you insist, but please text me if you are on your way to our place." He said.
"Okay, I will," I responded, and we fell silent for the rest of the ride; when I arrived at the Resto Bar, I smiled as I realized I had fifteen minutes to spare.
"Thanks for the ride, Archer. Can you open the door at the back? I need to get my uniform from my suitcase." I said.
"You are welcome, Ella." He responded, and I heard the unlocking of the door. I hastily opened my luggage and got my uniform, and I said my goodbye to Archer, and I made my way towards the resto-bar, and I felt so glad it was Val's day off, or else she would know Archer drove me here, and I don't want to hurt her feelings. I quickly changed into my uniform, and when I punched in, I released a sigh of relief because, for the first time after so long, I logged in five minutes before my shift started.
It has been hard lately because I always arrived on time, and worse, late. My boss didn't smile at me when she saw me. Still, she didn't also scowl, it means I am good, and now that I had a place to stay, I felt energetic after a long time, and I served the customers with beautiful smiles on my face, and when my work ended, I changed into my civilian clothes quickly.
And I went to the bus stop running. I smiled when I saw the bus coming to a halt. I climbed hastily, and tapped my card and made my way at the back of the bus, and slumped my body hard, and no matter how sleepy I was; I didn't dare close my eyes because I didn't want a repeat last night, and walking is not suitable for me because I needed to finish my report tonight. I don't wish Archer to wait for me.
"Hi, Ella!" Archer greeted me that moment I got off the bus, and I was so stunned to find him at the bus stop.
"Are you going somewhere?" I asked him.
"No, I came here to meet you since you insisted you would ride a bus." He said, and I couldn't deny my heart skipped a beat when he smiled at me, and some of the students who also climbed out of the bus were looking at us with curiosity.
"You don't need to do that, Archer," I replied.
"I know, but even if this neighborhood is safe, I don't want you to walk alone at this hour." He replied.
"You better stop doing something like this, Archer, if I will be living with you because I don't want to disturb you, and I don't want to get used to it," I said as I tried to contain the excitement that I feel as I looked at his handsome face. I am so afraid I can no longer stop myself from falling for him.
"Don't worry, Ella, if you feel uncomfortable about it, but I hope a time will come when you will feel at ease with me." He responded, and I smiled at him as we made our way to the lobby of his building.
"Welcome back home, Ella, and please don't ever do that again; I don't like notes with goodbyes, Mariela. I was so excited to read your message on the fridge, and I didn't realize it would make me feel so disappointed; it would be okay if you have written, enjoy your meal, please, don't ever do that again." He said after we got inside his unit, and he put down my suitcase beside my cabinet. I wanted to lay on my bed immediately, but I still had many things to do.
"Okay, I am sorry, Archer; I wanted to speak with you, but you were sleeping peacefully, and I don't want to disturb you in your sleep," I said, and I felt so embarrassed with what I did to him.
"It is okay, and now I want you to relax; I am so happy to have you as my roommate, and please, for now, you don't need to worry anything, Ella," He softly said as he smiled at me and my hot roomie walked towards his closet. He got a clean towel, and walked towards the bathroom to shower.
I smiled as I realized we are now roommates, and it is not bad to have him as my new roommate; after all, I could even say he is way better than Carol because she never handed me a glass of milk even once, and I couldn't stop myself from beaming as I unpacked my things thinking all I need to do is fight the attraction I felt for Archer because I can't fall in love with him.
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