Chapter 7: [Hozier]

I tried not to let my employer's cold reception bother me. It wasn't as though the man had given me much reason to expect a warm welcome. His face seemed permanently set in a frown, and he had barely shown any emotion throughout our conversation.

Still, I had more important things to worry about than Mr Scowl Face.

I stepped out of the cab and looked up at my apartment building. I had only two days left before I was expected to leave, so I couldn't afford to waste time. Securing the housekeeping position had given me somewhere to stay and a steady source of income, but I still needed to organise my belongings and make sure I didn't leave anything important behind.

As I entered the building, I passed two moving trucks parked near the entrance. Several tenants were carrying boxes and furniture outside, while others stood around the landlord, who was seated near one of the corners. Their conversation sounded heated, but I didn't stop to listen. I had enough problems of my own.

I went straight to my apartment and unlocked the door.

The place felt different now that I knew I would soon be leaving it. The familiar walls, the furniture, even the little imperfections I had grown accustomed to seemed more noticeable. I stood there for a moment before setting my bag down and got to work.

I packed my clothes, books and other personal belongings, trying to fit as much as possible into the bags and boxes I had available. I didn't own many things worth much money, but there were a few possessions I couldn't imagine leaving behind.

Among them were the photographs I had taken with Dad and Grandpa Edmund. I gathered them from the shelf, wrapped them carefully and placed them between my clothes so they wouldn't get damaged.

They weren't expensive, but they meant more to me than anything I could have bought.

Once I had packed the essentials, my attention shifted to the piano standing near the wardrobe.

It was probably the most treasured possession I owned. Dad had bought it for me when I was ten, back when my fingers were too small to reach some of the keys properly. I remembered sitting beside him, struggling through simple notes while he patiently guided my hands and showed me where to place each finger.

A smile tugged at my lips, I hadn't thought about those lessons in a while.

I moved closer and rested my hand on the piano. Taking it with me would be difficult. It was too large to fit into the bags and boxes I was using, and I couldn't imagine asking my new employer whether I could bring it into his house. Something told me Mr Scowl Face wouldn't be particularly enthusiastic about it.

Perhaps I could find somewhere safe to store it until I figured out what to do.

With a reluctant sigh, I placed a protective cover over it and returned to packing.

A few minutes later, I heard the front door click open.

Caleb's head appeared around the doorway, followed by the rest of him. He walked in with a grin that immediately made me wonder what he was so pleased about.

"You got a place?" His smile widened. "Already?"

I couldn't help returning it. "A place and a job."

"Hozier, that's really good!"

He dropped onto my bed and leaned closer, looking far too interested in the details. "What kind of job offers accommodation?"

I hesitated, Should I tell him? Caleb was the sort of person who would want to visit me whenever he had the chance, and considering the kind of man I would be working for, I wasn't sure that was a good idea.

I blinked and gently pushed his face away. "A normal job."

His lips pressed together. "Why do I feel like you're hiding something?"

"It's a live-in housekeeping position at a private residence." There. I had said it.

"Where?"

"That's one piece of information I can't disclose."

His eyebrows rose. "Why not?"

"My employer is particular about the household rules. I don't think he'd appreciate me giving out the address."

I wasn't sure whether I should also mention that the man was enormous, intimidating and annoyingly handsome. I hated him already, but I could at least admit that much.

When I glanced at Caleb, I found him watching me with a thoughtful expression.

"What?" I asked.

"Is the pay decent? And the accommodation?"

His voice had softened. He was trying not to make his concern too obvious, but I knew him well enough to recognise it.

I hated making him worry about me, so I gave him my best reassuring smile.

"The room is twice the size of this one, and the pay is…ten thousand."

Caleb sprang off the bed. "Ten thousand?"

I nodded, and this time my smile was genuine. The salary was more than I had expected, especially considering that accommodation and meals were included.

"That's a lot of money," he exclaimed.

"Tell me about it."

His excitement lasted only a moment before his eyebrows drew together.

"Wait. A live-in position with accommodation and that kind of pay? Isn't that a little suspicious?"

I knew there was something strange about the mansion. The employer's rules alone had been enough to make me question what kind of household I was walking into. 

But I wasn't going there to pry into anyone's private affairs. I had been offered a job, and I intended to do it properly.

Caleb seemed to notice my expression. He cleared his throat and gave a careless shrug.

"Well, who cares? The money is speaking."

I shook my head as he laughed and climbed onto the mattress, bouncing on it like he had forgotten he was no longer a child.

"Get off my bed before you break it."

"Your bed is perfectly fine."

"Caleb."

"All right, all right."

By the time we finished packing, most of my belongings had been arranged in boxes and bags. Caleb had spent a good part of the process arguing with me about helping me transport them, and I had spent just as long insisting that I could manage on my own.

"I'll drive you to your new place," he said, lifting one of the boxes.

"I don't have that many belongings, Caleb."

He looked around the room. "That's bullshit. What do you call all these boxes?"

"I can manage."

"You're not managing anything. You're moving."

"I don't want to inconvenience you."

He scoffed. "Helping a friend carry a few boxes is hardly an unreasonable burden. And before you turn a simple favour into an argument..."

He stopped talking long enough to pick up another box.

"...I'm doing it anyway."

I sighed, knowing there was little point arguing with him.

Caleb carried the boxes outside and began loading them into his truck. I followed with the lighter bags, making sure nothing was left behind. Just as I was about to take another one out, the cab I had ordered pulled up outside the building.

I let out a quiet breath of relief.

Caleb noticed the car and looked from it to me. "Don't tell me..."

"You know what would really help me right now?" I interrupted.

He narrowed his eyes. "What?"

"Storing my piano for me."

His expression changed. He glanced towards the apartment, then back at me. "Your piano?"

I nodded. "It's too big to take with me, and I don't want to leave it here. It's important to me. You know that, right?"

His expression softened, and for a moment, he didn't say anything. Then he exhaled, looking thoroughly defeated. "All right."

I grinned and reached up to ruffle his hair. "You're the best."

"Don't start."

"But we still need to move those boxes from your truck."

He shot me a look. "You're lucky I like you."

I laughed and helped him finish loading the last of my belongings. Once everything was arranged, I checked the apartment one final time, making sure I hadn't forgotten anything. The piano would stay with Caleb until I found a proper place for it, and knowing he would look after it eased some of my worry.

I locked the door and handed the key back to the landlord's office before returning to the truck.

Caleb helped me settle my things, then walked me over to the waiting cab. I was about to get inside when he caught my arm.

"Come here."

Before I could ask what he wanted, he pulled me into a hug.

I wrapped my arms around him, resting my cheek briefly against his shoulder. I hadn't realised how much I needed that until he held me.

"Take care of yourself, okay?" he said.

"I will."

"And don't let your new employer work you to death."

I pulled back enough to look at him. "I'll try."

"Call me if you need anything."

"I will, Caleb."

He gave me one last squeeze before letting go. I knew I would see him at university, so it wasn't as though I was saying goodbye for good. Still, watching him stand beside his truck as I climbed into the cab made the departure feel more significant than I had expected.

I gave him a small wave through the window before the driver pulled away.

The journey to the estate was quiet. Cool air slipped through the slightly open window, brushing against my face as I watched the familiar streets pass by.

I had thought leaving the apartment would bring me some peace of mind. Instead, my thoughts kept circling back to everything that had happened over the past few days.

My job was gone. My scholarship had been withdrawn. I had been given two days to leave my home, and now I was on my way to live in a stranger's house.

Was I grateful for the opportunity?

Absolutely.

The salary and accommodation would give me room to breathe while I sorted out my university situation. I knew that. I wasn't foolish enough to overlook what the job could do for me.

But gratitude didn't erase the discomfort of placing so much of my immediate stability in the hands of a man I had met only once and already disliked.

I rested my head against the seat and watched the scenery change beyond the window.

I could only hope that living under his roof wouldn't be as unpleasant as dealing with him had been.