Chapter 7

I was speechless when Linda showed me my room. This room was bigger than the living room in my house. I hope I don't get too used to this living arrangement.

"I don't know what possessed Mr. Laverne to trust a young man like yourself to sleep next door to a young girl like Rose but I suppose I trust his judgment," Linda said. "He had always been great at reading people so I believe you are not the kind of guy to take advantage of this situation."

"Don't worry, I'm not a pervert," I smiled reassuringly.

"Alright then. I'll leave you to get settled in. Ask the housekeeper if you need anything," Linda said and left.

I started to unpack. I was so focused on what I was doing that I didn't realize she was standing in front of me. I looked when I heard her make a noise.

She was wearing a long, thin t-shirt dress and nothing else. Her hair was untied and messy which fell on top of her forehead and eyes. She wasn't smiling but look on her eyes were softer than the first time we met. I still can't get over how beautiful she is. Beautiful and unobtainable.

She gave me her usual spiel about how unhappy she is about me being here and left.

I laid down on the bed and tried to sleep. After tossing and turning for hours I decided to get up and go outside to the balcony.

I heard a noise coming from Rose's room so I looked in that direction. The balcony attached to her room was so close to mine that they almost touched. I looked ahead. You could see the mountains in the distance from this house.

Such a beautiful view, I thought. Who knew one day I'd be able to stay in a place like this? I felt lucky even though this is temporary.

The door to her room burst open all of a sudden and Rose came out. She had a blank look on her eyes.

"Can't sleep?" I asked. She didn't answer and just kept looking ahead.

Something about her didn't feel normal so I looked at her closely. Her eyes were open but that blank stare....

She is sleepwalking! A sudden realization hit me.

Should I wake her up? I heard it somewhere, you aren't supposed to. Maybe she'll just go back to bed by herself. I kept watching her to see what she does.

She slowly started to walk toward the balcony railings. Um...that seems a bit dangerous, I should wake her up, I thought.

"Hey Rose," I called out in a loud whisper so I don't wake up the rest of the house.

"Rose wake up, you are sleepwalking," I said but she kept walking towards the edge.

Fuck, I have to do something. "Rose, stop! I'm coming over there!" I said and got ready to jump over there. Our balconies weren't connected but close enough to jump over.

She went on to the railing and started to climb up.

"NO! Rose, stop it!" I said and jumped over to her balcony. She was not moving. She just stood there on the edge, looking down. My heart hammered against my chest as I was extremely nervous.

"Fuck, Rose! Don't move, I'm coming to get you," I sounded more panicked than I intended to.

I slowly walked over to her so I don't frighten her and make her fall. I stood behind her then grabbed her t-shirt and pulled her towards me. She fell backward into my arms.

"Rose, Rose, wake up already!" I gave it another try.

Her eyes snapped open. She was finally awake.

"Wha...what's going on?" she was startled to see me carrying her.

"You were sleepwalking. You almost fell off the balcony. Good thing I was awake and saw you doing that," I said.

"Oh," she said. Thanks...you can put me down now," Rose said as I was still holding her in my arms.

"How about I do that inside your room? It's freezing and you aren't wearing any shoes," I suggested.

I expected her to call me a pervert and demand to put her down but she just wrapped her arms around my neck. "Okay," she said. She was shaking a little so I held her closer and quickly walked inside her room then put her down.

"Well, I would lock those doors if I were you," I said and motioned toward her balcony. She didn't say anything and sat down on the bed. Was she feeling embarrassed?

"Hey, you okay?" I asked and knelt in front of her.

"I'm fine," she said. "Was I really walking in my sleep? I must've had a nightmare," she said.

"Yup. You looked like a zombie. It was creepy as hell," I chuckled.

She smiled, surprising me. "So what? You ran over there like a Prince Charming to catch me?"

"Of course, I've got bills to pay. I can't have my employer dying and stop my income," I said seriously.

She snickered then turned her expression serious again. "I'm fine now, you can leave," she said.

"Yes ma'am, goodnight," I saluted and headed to the balcony.

"What are you doing? The door is that way," Rose looked puzzled.

"If someone sees me coming out of your room, wearing pajamas and without a shirt on, they might think something is going on between us and I'll lose my job," I said. "So it's better I go the way I came in."

"Seems dumb but sure. Go right ahead. Try not to fall," she scoffed.

"Awe honey you do care!" I cooed then laughed as she glared at me.

Jumping over to my balcony was a piece of cake so I was back in my bed in no time. Mr. Laverne wasn't kidding. It was a good idea for me to be near her. If I didn't see her on time she could've fallen off that ledge. I shivered at the thought.

I wondered what kind of nightmares Rose was having that led her to sleepwalk. The way she held on to me when I carried her felt so desperate and urgent. It was as if she was scared and needed something to hold on to.

What are you afraid of Rose?