7. Household Havoc

Liam

"What the hell is wrong with you, woman!" I yelled out with a hiss as a sharp pain surged through my ankle. How could someone knock so aggressively? I was already irritated from not getting enough sleep last night due to the conference meeting I had, and she had to appear at my door just minutes after I finally got some rest.

"That was unintentional," she said, her eyes darting left and right. The least she could do is apologize for her actions. I should've followed my instinct yesterday that told me hiring the woman would be trouble. She looks like someone who has a big mouth. And why does she keep reminding me of the woman who scammed me the other day? She looks oddly familiar.

"Why would you be knocking aggressively as if I owe you money?"

"Maybe you do," she retorted back. And that confirmed my suspicion that she indeed has a big mouth.

"It is not good manners to knock on someone's door so early in the morning."

She rolled her eyes in return. "Excuse me, you asked me to be here as early as 7 AM. That's why I am here."

I clenched my jaw. I did tell her to come to work as early as 7 AM. But does that give her the right to knock so aggressively, depriving me of my sleep? Is it even 7 AM yet?

I pulled the door and she walked in before I closed it behind me. My eyes went to the clock plastered on the wall, and it read 7:15 AM. Great. "Make it as quiet as you can," I said, then sauntered inside. Instead of going straight to the bathroom, I hopped into bed again with the hopes of getting a bit of rest. Maybe thirty minutes to an hour.

I had just rested my head on the pillow and closed my eyes, hoping sleep would take me fast, when I heard a sound. The music started off slowly before the volume increased. I sat upright. I thought I told her to make it as quiet as she can. What the hell is she up to now?

With my mood getting sourer, I got off the bed and made my way out to the living room, only to find her moving the book shelf . "What are you doing?" I questioned, halting her in her tracks.

"I'm cleaning the house, of course," she said, her eyes darting left and right just like she did earlier. Was I supposed to be angry or just pissed?

"I thought I had told you not to move anything around."

"How am I supposed to clean if I don't move the stuffs around? I don't know whether little kids slept here last night. What's with the papers?" She said, gesturing to the crumpled white papers that were scattered on the floor.

Well, it all happened during the meeting with Dixon last night. We were trying to come up with a sketch for the wellness center. I want to start everything as fast as I can. Because judging by the way the Roseville community is, I won't appreciate spending more than the fixed time.

"Stop asking questions and do your job. And lower the volume of the music or switch it off." I had already turned around to leave when she spoke up.

"But I don't work without music."

"You must be kidding me, woman. This is not your house." She said nothing. That means my words had settled in her head.

I headed for the bathroom since there was no point in trying to sleep. Dixon left for an early morning jog that I don't see the need for. Like, all his workouts don't show in his body. As the hot water cascaded down my body, my thoughts wandered off to my discussion with my father. Pulling myself out from the company wasn't easy. I know my brothers can take care of it quite well. Most especially the workaholics, Scott and Logan.

Opening up my own Wellness Center had been my dream. In a quiet yet open place. When Dixon came to me with the Roseville town map, it piqued my interest. The town isn't only known for its broadness; it is also one of the best towns to start up a business. And there isn't any Wellness Center, which will give me the full advantage to run a smooth business.

I went for something simple since Dixon and I would be having a tour of the building we were planning to buy out. I wouldn't want to go scorching hot in a suit. I didn't hear the sound of music as I went back to the living room. However, I was met with a much more shocking scene. Smoke coming from the kitchen.

I quickly darted to the kitchen only to be met with Delilah and Dixon coughing their lives out. "What the hell is going on here!" I exclaimed, covering my mouth with my palms. "Both of you should get out of here!"

I ran towards the kitchen window and opened it before I rushed out, closing the kitchen door behind me. The first person I fixated my eyes on was Delilah, who was looking everywhere else but at me. Looks like I've made the wrong decision in hiring her. Even our maids back at home aren't this careless. "What is wrong with you exactly, woman?" I commenced, breaking the silence.

"I'm sorry. I was trying to stir-fry the sauce, I didn't know where the smoke came from." She muffled out innocently. I clenched my jaw. That's what they're good at. Pretense.

"You could've told me you don't know how to use a kitchen; I would've hired a cook instead. Are you sure you can last because you've been getting on my nerves" I said irritably.

"Sir-"

I cut Dixon off by lifting my finger. "I will deal with you later." He instantly retracted back.

"If money is what you need, just tell me. I might be of help. You don't have to lie about something you don't know how to do." I threw her a look and began walking away. "Behaving like a typical local girl," I muttered under my breath.

"I'm not a local girl!" Her loud voice resonated through the living room. "I'm here to work for what I'm going to be paid for. And I'm doing exactly that. I know how to use the kitchen. I'm going to make breakfast." With that, she stormed out. My mouth was literally hung open.

"Did she just raise her voice at me?" I asked, my eyes going to Dixon.

"Well, looks like it," he replied.

"What sort of answer is that?"

"You didn't ask for my opinion when you hired her so I don't have a say here. She doesn't look bad though," he remarked, earning a glare from me.

"Do you mean the fact that she nearly burned down this house or what?"

He said nothing and instead cast his eyes down on his phone. "Why am I even talking to you? You always arrive at the wrong time. When everything has already gone wrong. But doesn't she look familiar to you?"

"With your ex-girlfriend?" I reached for the small pillow next to me and hurled it at him. "Say that again and you're going back to the city," I warned.

"Will you be able to cope without me? Without getting scammed again?" His words stung, and I felt the urge to punch him in the face. If not for the truth in his words, I would've thrown him out.

I heaved out a sharp breath. "She looks like Lily," I said.

"The con artist girl?"

"Yes."

Dixon dropped his phone by his side before folding his arms across his chest. I noticed he had been copying some of my moves lately. He even looks me straight in the eye now. "You know you're not good at recalling people's faces, right? Don't jump to conclusions yet and accuse the wrong person."

"You're right. Lily is nicer than her. This one has a big mouth." The next thing that followed was Dixon's laughter.

"Did I say anything funny?"

"I'm surprised at the way her name is smooth on your lips," Dixon remarked.

I threw him a glare. "Don't test my patience, Dixon. Let me even ask you, when did you and I start having these kinds of conversations?"

"Sorry, sir. Are we going to check the building today?" The look I gave him in return was enough to shut him up.

The next fifteen minutes were spent with me glancing at the kitchen door every minute. I wondered what she was cooking that was taking so long. "Is that lady cooking an elephant?" I muttered. Dixon only sighed. I was sure he was as frustrated as me.

Finally, she made her way out. "Breakfast is ready!" she cheered as she set the tray on the dining table.

Dixon wasted no time in sauntering away, and I followed suit. The aroma of freshly cooked noodles filled the air, and my stomach instantly reminded me of how famished I was. "You made only noodles, yet you took the whole decade to finish," I remarked.

"Are you not thankful enough that I cooked what you can't?" she retorted with a chuckle. It seemed like she didn't realize what she was saying. I decided not to dwell on it and focused on the inviting noodles in front of me.

I reached for the fork and scooped it into my mouth. Dixon and I exchanged looks, both wearing the same expression of surprise. "Why? You guys don't like it?" she asked, her eyes darting between us.

"No, it's not bad. But not what I expected," Dixon answered. It wasn't exactly what I expected either, but it was enough to satisfy my hunger.

"Good. I'm not a bad cook after all. Let me clean up the kitchen and get the hell out of here," she said, turning on her heels.

"Are you sure we won't have a runny stomach later?" I asked Dixon.

"The food is actually not bad. If you can't eat it, we can get something on our way to check the building. I'm sure there would be reasonable restaurants around." he suggested.

"Don't worry. At least her cooking skills are better than my ex-girlfriend's. Finish up, let's head out," I said. I guess I could manage the taste of the food for a month.