Chapter 2

I spent most of Sunday sleeping. The inner clock was quite damaged. I got up to cook and eat and crawled back into bed to sleep more. It didn’t take long for Monday morning to come as my alarm song Wake Me Up by Avici streamed through my phone's speakers - classy but good.

I got ready – shower, dressing, light breakfast. I packed all the portfolio that was for the renovation project and my laptop. Today I had to meet the clients and revise all the details with them. I wanted to see if there was anything else they wanted to add or maybe they had changed their mind about something by now. 

As I was driving to the client's place, I felt anxious. It was slightly odd. Usually, I did have some level of anxiety when meeting new clients and people, but this felt different. My stomach was buzzing and my palms were even sweaty. I tried to shake off the stress. Chill, it is another client. I know the procedure. If they want to change anything, it is not a problem. I tried to pep talk myself. I felt like my intuition was trying to tell me something. Do they want to cancel the project? The question popped into my head. I guess I was looking for crazy explanations for this anxiety. Could they truly do that? I wondered. Anyhow, even if so, well, nothing to do. I would just go home and work on other projects. I tried to calm myself down. Yes, this sounded rational. I had a solution even for the disaster. But that didn’t calm my nerves. It is something else. A small voice was telling me. I guess I will find out soon.

There was a security check before we entered the place. That made me think that we had arrived in a posh area. Yes, the clients were rich, and their house was big. I assumed that maybe all the neighborhood was with rich people. I looked outside to calm myself. My previous conclusion didn’t turn out to be true, as many houses were small and simple. Some were even unkempt and shabby with paint peeling off from the wooden boards. Of course, a large share of houses were big mansions. It seemed weird that such an area had extra security. But oh well, what do I know?

The cab stopped in front of the client's residence. Well, here it was – the mansion of my latest project. The project I have seen way too many times, even in ungodly hours when finalizing details. I walked up the stairs and rang the bell. Soon a lady in her fifties opened it.

- Hello! I’m here to meet Mrs. Montgomery. She is expecting me.

I said with a sweet smile.

- Yes, she is expecting you.

The lady who I assumed was the maid opened the doors for me. I slipped in.

- She is in the sitting room. You can follow me.

She offered. I rushed to decline her.

- Oh, it is okay. I know the way. You don’t have to bother. I will go myself. Thank you very much.

I rushed while talking. I didn’t want to disturb her or give her extra work. She probably had loads to do in this big house. The lady offered me a small smile and gave a curt nod. She headed in the opposite direction. I followed her with my eyes for a moment. I removed my sand-colored trench coat and hanged it on the rake that stood near the door. My gaze went around the entrance. I know almost every corner of this house just by watching so many videos and looking at all the pictures. But seeing it in real life gave me a different vibe. I was standing in an open space entrance hall. All the house had classy and posh Victorian-style interior. They wanted to remodel it into a modern style while changing their bedroom wings into small studio-type apartments.

I gazed around until I froze. There was a guy in the middle of the stairs, and I noticed him just now. It looked like he had descended the stairs but then stopped. Suddenly, I felt self-conscious and nervous. Has he been observing me? Did I do something stupid? Did I say something out loud while thinking I was alone? No. I didn’t. Phew, I'm good. I relaxed a bit.

But wow, the guy was a complete muscle mountain. I frowned. Geez, did this dude spend all his time in the gym? His body was ripped. His shoulders were broad and covered in muscles. All the muscles were poking out of the clothes. I bet he could pick me up like a sack of potatoes. Okay, where are my thoughts going? I couldn’t reply to myself because d*mn he was such eye candy. I smirked inwardly. I took in the rest of the guy. He had blond let down wavy hair. He had a sharp jaw, high cheekbones, a perfect nose, and thick lips. Overall, a model-like face. He was tall, at least a hundred ninety centimeters.. Oh man, he was breathtaking. I was totally distracted.

He was wearing a simple black t-shirt and gray sweatpants. But he still pulled off a casual, sexy style. I looked back at his face. I was too far away to see his eye color, but his eyes were captivating. We locked eyes. It gave me a strange feeling. I was still aware of my surroundings, but it felt like it all went in a blur and the only one that existed in this hall was this guy. That’s a weird feeling.

And then my train of thought kept on moving. Rich and handsome guy? Most probably a playboy. Most probably all the girls were falling at his feet. And what did I do? I ogled him too. I furrowed my eyebrows. How pathetic of me! I scolded myself. No, no, no, I am better than that. I have more self-respect.

Why are rich people handsome? I always thought it was not fair. Rich people should be ugly. And poor people should be beautiful. Don’t you think so? At least then there would be some justice in the world. And it would give poor people a chance to break out from the poverty cycle and become something more in life. I scrunched my nose.

I was still looking at the guy like glued. Laila, compose yourself, you are here for your new project not for looking at handsome guys! I scolded myself. Judging by his approximate age, this guy was most probably my client’s son or something. Clients! Work! Mrs. Montgomery is waiting for me! Common, girl, chop-chop!

I took a deep breath and put a polite smile on my face.

-  Good afternoon, Sir!

I nodded at him and, without waiting for a reply, I turned left. I went straight to the living room where Mrs. Montgomery was supposed to wait for me. This was and wasn’t my first time in this house. As I’ve seen pictures and videos of it, it feels as if I have lived here for many years.