Chapter 2

Mason’s POV

Damn those leaking pipes.

I was forced to move back in with my sister for the near future because someone was messing with pipes in my apartment building.

I was going to give her a call in the evening once I get settled in.

Technically it was our house, but the only person using it was Becky.

There was no use for her to get a new apartment or anything since she was away most of the time and she just needed a space to crash between her model gigs.

On the other hand, I bought myself an apartment closer to my job.

I was a programmer in a small but uprising firm.

It was a good job, it paid well and I did what I loved for a living.

So you won’t hear me complaining.

I was just putting my laptop and all the other equipment on the table when I heard the front door unlocking.

I went to greet my sister and let her know my situation.

“Hey, Becks. I just wanted to let you know I’ll be staying here for a few weeks. Some plumbing maintenance is being done in my apartment.”

But once I rounded the corner I realized my mistake.

There in the hallway stood a woman sure, but she wasn’t my sister.

Those curves and long red hair haunted many of my dreams.

You know what they say, the things you can’t have always seem to be the best.

And those were the right words to describe my sister’s best friend Rachel Bigsby.

But for some reason, she hated me.

It has always been like that.

I really don’t understand it though.

She didn’t even know me, she only knew what others told her about me, and she just decided to hate me based on those rumors.

Now hold on.

I am not saying those rumors are not correct.

But she should at least see it with her own eyes before she decided to hate me.

“Universe what did I do to deserve this kind of punishment?”

She was looking at the ceiling when she said those words.

Sure it could only be my subconscious trying to soothe me but I felt like there was more to the story than just me being in this house.

I finally registered that she had a suitcase in one hand and a backpack on her shoulders.

“Wait. Why do you have a suitcase? Don’t tell me you’re moving here as well?”

She looked my way with pure hatred written all over her face.

“No shit Sherlock? How did you guess it? I thought you were supposed to be some kind of genius. But guess I was wrong. What are you doing here? Becky said the house was empty and no one would be here.”

She was really starting to piss me off.

It’s not like I was trespassing. It was still my house just as much as it was Becky’s.

“I think I’ve told my reasons already. Some leaking pipes in my apartment. Now if you would be kind enough to tell me what’s your reason I would really appreciate it.”

She was still shooting daggers my way but I wasn’t about to back down.

After all, she was in my house.

And I had every right to know why she was here.

“Well since you asked so kindly Mason, my life is in a deep shit hole right now. I lost my job, my landlord threw me out of my apartment and my purse was stolen. And the cherry on top is, now I have to live with you. If my day goes any worse I will start thinking about taking some sleeping pills so I can wake up a week or two later. Maybe my bad luck will go away by then.”

I could see why she was so frustrated.

She really didn’t have a good day.

So I kind of felt sorry for her, but the last part she said ruined everything.

She said it like it was the worst thing possible to share a living space with me.

“You know what? I don’t need this right now. You know where Becky’s room is. I will try to avoid you and you do the same. I am gone for half a day anyways so it shouldn’t be a problem. Maybe if you decide to be civil, come find me. Otherwise, keep that negativity to yourself. People in high school were right. You are a self-absorbed selfish bitch. I have no idea what my sister sees in you.”

With those words, I left her standing in the hallway and went back to my room to finish unpacking.

I also decided to give a call to my sister before my new roomie managed to do so and make me look the ugliest person alive.

Becky picked up the phone with her cheerful response as always.

“Hey, big bro. What’s going on? I only have a few minutes so be fast please.”

I and my sister were close.

More like best friends and not siblings.

We pretty much told each other everything.

And to be honest, I would do anything for her and I am sure she would do the same for me.

“Hey sis. I just wanted to let you know I’ll be using our house for a few weeks because some pipes got damaged in my apartment building.”

There was a moment of silence before she started speaking really fast, that was a clear sign she was nervous.

“Mason, is there any other option? I’ve told Rach she could stay in my room and I know you guys hate each other. I don’t want it to be uncomfortable for you guys.”

She was still in the middle of her word vomit when I interrupted her.

“Beck, take a deep breath, please. Stop worrying. She is here already, she threw her usual insults my way, and we decided to keep to ourselves while we share living quarters ok? It will be fine and I promise I won’t strangle her.”

She finally relaxed and laughed at my words.

“I’m not worried about you strangling her but the other way around. But ok. I trust you. Just don’t be evil to her, please. She really pulled the short string today.”

I knew she cared for her bestie and I could see Rachel really had a bad day so I promised to be good and we ended the call shortly after that.

Now let’s survive a few weeks with the sexy she-devil.

How hard could it be, right?