Chapter 7

“Happiness”. A voice called out. “Happiness”. Again.

I moaned, opening my eyes to Mason shaking me vigorously. He took a deep breath when I opened my eyes. “Damn, Happiness. You just closed your eyes all of a sudden. Are you okay?” He asked, his eyes filled with concern.

“Uhn? What happened?” I asked him, looking around and confused. ‘We're still in the backyard. Who interrupted our kiss?’ I wanted to ask, but kept quiet.

“I was talking to you, then suddenly you just closed your eyes and you weren't saying anything.”

‘Oh My God! Did I imagine that kiss? But it felt so real, I even got goosebumps.’

“Oh, okay. Thank you.” I finally said when I noticed Mason was still looking at me. “What were you saying anyways?” I asked, acting nonchalant. I wanted to know why he touched me in the first place, my blood boiling in my veins all of a sudden.

“I wanted to apologize about this morning.” He said, and I raised my brows. “I won't wander around shirtless again, I don't want you to be uncomfortable.”

“It's your house, you can do as you want.” I told him, jerking myself out of his arms, and heading inside my room.

The door shut behind me with a quiet click, but it might well have been a blast. I stood frozen by the door, hands clenched, breath uneven. My skin still buzzed from the conversation, and my lips tingle with the ghost feeling of a kiss that never happened. That I had imagined. Again.

I pressed my hands to my face, willing myself to snap out of it. He wasn't even my type. He is older, kind, and reserved. Like I know my type, I scoffed. I took a deep breath as I realized he is never going to see me as anything besides his best friend's niece. A responsibility.

And yet I want him to see me. Really see me as a lady, and not a favor to my family. I want him to want me the way I am starting to want him. My stomach twisted in on itself as the thoughts fully formed in my mind, clear and undeniable.

‘It's just a fleeting moment of distraction, nothing more.’ I assured myself.

I moved to the window, my windows curling around the edge of the curtains as I peeked out to the street. He is still there, where I'd left him, hands in his pockets, his head tilted like he was deep in thought. I tore my gaze away, letting the window fall shut. I laid on the bed letting sleep fade my thoughts away.

***

Mason's POV

My gaze is fixed on the path she took inside the house, a flicker of frustration passed through me – not at her, but at myself. What was it about her that's putting me completely off balance? She hadn't even been here for a week and she'd managed to unsettle me in a way I hadn't felt in years.

I exhaled slowly, shoving my hands in my pockets, and turning towards the house. It was nothing. I tell myself, even though it seems otherwise. She is young, spirited, and a little too bold for her good, but she'd settle in soon enough. And I'd learn to ignore the way her presence filled the room, or the way she tilted her head when she's studying me, thinking I didn't notice.

I didn't think much when I asked her to stay here, it didn't seem like a big deal at the time. And yet, from the moment she had walked through the door that night, I had felt it, the creeping unease, the strange awareness of her every move. ‘It wasn't an attraction, it couldn't be.’ I told myself.

I shook my head, forcing the thoughts aside as I stepped inside. The house felt quiet, but not in the way it used to. It wasn't the kind of silence that comforted me after a long shift at work. It was restless, full of her footsteps, her presence lingering just out of sight.

She seemed upset earlier, I don't know the reason for that yet. I paused by the doorway to the kitchen, catching a glimpse of her coat draped over the chair. It was such a small thing, but it made my chest tighten anyway. There's a woman in my house, and she's making me feel. Well, I'm just doing her a favor, and she's just a guest. That was all it is, and that's all it would ever be.

Forcing myself to move, I headed inside for an early night. I need to think, I am not about to let myself be drawn into anything complicated, not again.

***

Happiness POV

I opened my eyes this morning with excitement building up in my chest. Today is technically my first day at school.

The wall clock shows that it's still early in the morning, but it's the perfect time for me to do my routine. I need a cup of coffee to function this morning.

Still dressed in my night wear, I stepped out of my room and headed to the kitchen. A yawn escapes my mouth as I arrive in the kitchen. I look around for Mason but he is nowhere to be found.

‘Maybe he has left for work’. I thought to myself then shrugged. ‘I don't know how to face him anyway.’

I work through the kitchen making a quick breakfast of bacon and eggs and my coffee before heading to the dining table. There's a note attached to the table, and I picked it up.

‘Good morning. I have something urgent I have to attend to, I'll be back by the time you're ready for school.’ Precise and brief.

I still couldn't believe I left him alone last night, I don't even know how to apologize. To think he allowed me to stay in his house, and I'm upset at him. ‘This is not you, Happy.’

I start eating, trying not to think too much about last night, and how I would apologize for my actions. My phone buzzes on the table and my eyes widen as I see who's calling. A video call. Dad.

I know it's impossible to always reject Dad's call. I'm now staying in this house, I might as well act normal so I wouldn't be suspected. Dad would be suspicious if I didn't pick his call.

I answer the call, but reject the video. That makes Dad's voice resonate through the phone speaker.

“Munchkin, why are you rejecting the video?”

“I'm cooking, Dad.” I say abruptly. “My hands are full right now.” I laugh nervously, praying he would buy the lie.

“What are you cooking, Honey?” Mom chirps in, and my gaze drops on the food in front of me. I'm not really a fan of this in the morning, and it might look suspicious to them. I don't want Dad to worry.

“Pancakes.” I blurted out.

“Always your favorite.” Dad said, and I can hear the smile in his voice.

“Did you get the maple syrup I placed on the kitchen counter?” Mom asks. “I know you like your pancakes with lots of it.”

“Yes, mom. Thank you.”

“And the cereals?” Dad asks. “I bought a lot of packs of Lucky Charms for you.”

“I had to stop you from buying all the stocks in the grocery store.” Mom speaks to Dad, and I can imagine her shaking her head in disbelief.

“But she loves it.” Dad said, sounding hurt, only to receive a chuckle from Mom and a smile from me. I missed them. I stop myself from bawling my eyes out. “Don't you, munchkin?”

“I do, Dad. I had some last night.” I said, trying to keep my voice from trembling.

“I’m so excited for your first day honey.” Mom said, unable to hide her excitement. She knows how eager I am to join the business classes.

“But she went to school yesterday.” Dad said.

“It's not the same. Class is starting today.” Mom told him, and I smiled sensing a banter. The door opened revealing Mason in his uniform, and it takes all my self control not to drool. He nodded at me, then went inside his room.

“Munchkin? Are you there?” Dad called.

“Yes Dad.” I try to remember our conversation. “I will start classes today.”

“You remember our deal right?” Dad asked, and I felt like pulling my hair out.

‘Please Dad. Not again.’

“Stay away from guys–”

“I know Dad.” I cut him off, Mason can hear our conversation since he's on speaker. “Anyway, I gotta hurry. My first class is pretty early today. I'll call you later. I love you.” I blew a kiss then hung up before Dad unknowingly spilled unnecessary information to Mason.

Dad must be staring at his phone with an opened mouth right now, but I'll text him later. I let out a sigh. The guilt I'm feeling worsens too. I can't imagine what would happen if Dad knows about this.

I tried to go back to my food but I was just playing with it. I had lost my appetite. Mason arrived at the table, I turned to face him, only to find an apologetic look on his face.

I got up, and packed my plates in the kitchen. I came back outside. “You don't have to feel guilty. I brought this upon myself.” I told him then went to change.