Chapter 5

Electra bites her tongue all through the list of rules Anders dishes. Don't go here, don't do this, don't touch that. He even goes as far as giving her a curfew. She excuses him as this is his house. He can do however he pleases. At least that’s what her father used to say. But the next rule is a stab she can't ignore.

“You'll cook the meals…”

“Cook what meals?” She cuts him. “You want me to cook for you?” Electra yelps.

Anders cocks his brow at her, wondering what he may have said wrong.

She huffs out a breath. “You should have outrightly told me you wanted a maid.”

“If you choose to adopt that title, I can't stop you. As long as you're happy, pumpkin.”

She hisses and grounds her teeth. “You’re out to make my living here hell for me, aren’t you?”

“You threatened to fuck this up and let me watch my granny…” He doesn't finish.

Shock registers over Electra's face. He did the same thing to her. “So this is payback? Your way of punishing me?”

“No. I'm not that petty.” Anders smiles. “Count yourself lucky. Not many people get to make my meals.”

“Lemme guess, I also get the sheer luck of doing your laundry and cleaning your house, don't I?”

“No. You won't have to do that. I've got someone that handles my laundry. And there's nothing wrong with cleaning where you live.” He says with a shrug.

“Then why can't someone handle your meals?” Electra protests.

“I like food made in my kitchen. There’s something about it that's satisfying. Plus it's safer and healthier. Less risk of food poisoning and consumption of germs.” He says, wearing the irritating smile that crawls under Electra's skin.

“You'll sure as hell be getting more food poisoning from me.” She mutters.

“What?”

“I can’t cook for you.” She says with defiant resolve.

“Oh!” He tilts his head. Then you’d want to split bills on the house utilities. That way, I can hire a cook for both of us.”

Electra’s eyes grow wide. Anders can’t be serious right now. She barely earns from the workshop and even at that, all her earnings are channeled into saving up to getting a good lawyer for her brother.

“Wait, but you’ve been eating before I moved in!”

“Yes.” He nods. “I have.” He reiterates

“Then what is this about? Can't you pretend like I’m not here and continue with your set pattern for your meals before my arrival?”

“So you’ll live here and not make any active contributions in the house?”

“What active contributions?” Electra asks with a gasp. “You don’t even want me here!” Electra is almost screaming.

Anders purses his lips as he considers Electra's argument. “That's true, but doesn't change the fact that you're here.”

She glared at him. “I didn't ask to be here.”

“But you’re here anyway, so might as well make yourself useful.”

“By cooking for you?”

“Or we could split the bills.”

“You don't need me to cover the utilities in this house.” Electra argues.

Anders' house is located in North Montana. And he owns the fúcking building. If he can afford to buy a house in this area, he definitely can afford the utilities without splitting bills with anyone.

Anders knits his brows. “Says who?”

Electra's jaw drops. She's too stunned to speak. He’s tugging at all her strings.

Anders shrugs. “You’re going to be cooking anyway. I mean, you’d be eating too, won’t you? And that means making your own meals. All I’m saying is instead of making food for just yourself, you’ll make it for two!” He spreads out his hands to emphasize how easy and simple his argument was.

Electra’s gaze narrows. She can see right through what he’s doing, and he knows it too. But that doesn’t make Anders relent.

“It’s just cooking. Making my meals along with yours. I don’t see what you’re so worked up about.”

“I’m not cooking for you.” Electra grits.

He slaps his hands together. “So we’re splitting the bills?”

“I can't afford the bills.” Electra says in a defeated tone.

“Cooking it is.” Anders rubs his hands together in excitement. “I can't wait to eat meals prepared by my girlfriend.”

She doesn't miss the jab at her. He's mocking her. Making this a lot harder for her. He's used to getting his way. She's observed that about him. But Electra is not one to yield easily; No matter who she’s against.

“Anything else?” She forces a smile.

Anders pauses, taking a moment to think. “For now, no. I'll let you know of the rest as we go along.”

“Great!” She flips her hand in the air in sarcastic enthusiasm. “I can't wait!”

Anders eyes her. He can’t trust her. He's already discovered Electra is not one to back off from a fight. And he has just given her reasons to gear up for war.

“Now may I proceed into the cage you've so graciously reserved for me?”

He doesn't miss her sarcasm. “Suit yourself.” He grunts and turns to leave.

Without watching, he bumps into a box Electra had laid by the corner.

He hiss and grinds his teeth as pain shoots through his leg.

“Fuck! What the hell is in this box!” He cusses, massaging the throbbing in his leg.

Electra goes around him and moves the box out of the way. She opens it and brings out a baseball bat. She smiles fondly as she caresses the length of the wooden object.

One of her treasures has taken the onus to pick up her fight, giving Anders a good lesson for being a brute to her.

Anders gaze narrows as he looks, watching her caress the bat as though she was crazy. His gaze flits to the opened box. He scrunches his face further as he takes note of the items in it. In addition to the baseball bat, is a baseball, a hat and other items for the sport.

“What are those?” He asks in a tone laced with surprise and a face laden with pain.

“You're not blind.” Electra replies, still holding on to her bat.

“Why the hell do you have those with you?” Anders yells in astonishment.

The corner of Electra’s lip lifts in a smirk. “For protection.”