4 - Meeting him again

"Go to sleep, Miss Stack. The streets have always been my home," Andrew hugged his shivering form and lowered his head. He was bent on living with her, pretending to be cold and appealing to her concience. Susan felt her heart tighten. With a chuckle, she drove into the compound of her apartment. As soon as she stepped out of the car, she hastened out to see him again.

Reaching there, she didn't say a word, just wrapping her arms around him to help lift him from the floor. Andrew was shocked. "Don't you think you'll be infested with germs?" He asked with concern, knowing her germaphobe.

Susan didn't utter a word, helping him to her room and into the shower. "Clean up. The water is warm," she mumbled, leaving him astonished. He wasn't the only one. For the first time, she didn't think about her disorder but rather acted on impulse, not knowing what to call it.

She went to the kitchen and made some chicken soup. When he came out, he was dressed in pyjamas. 'That backpack must have a lot of things.' She thought to herself. Andrew seemed too attractive for the streets especially when he cleaned up. She still had her doubts about him but this didn't seem like the right time to ask the questions bothering her.

"Sit down and have some soup. You will feel better," she said, placing two bowls of steaming hot soup on the dining table. The aroma filled Andrew's nose, his lips thinning into a smile. He didn't reject the offer, taking the seat opposite her while he scooped the soup into his mouth. He loved how delicious it tasted. Susan was a good cook. He smiled through every spoonful while Susan focussed on her bowl of soup, not realizing that Andrew was gaping at her. "Why.." Her words hang on the tip of her tongue when he said most gently,

"You don't have to worry yourself. I'll be gone before you wake up."

Susan felt bad for kicking him out earlier. She didn't want him to leave. She watched how elegantly he held the spoon between his fingers and how attractive he looked when his lips parted. Her gaze shifted with unease. "Didn't you say that you were going to cook and clean in exchange for a place to stay? Well, the job is yours and since you proposed it first, I won't take no for an answer," she smiled.

Andrew sighed with solace. “Thank you," his lips stretched, taking in another spoonful as he licked his bottom lip, not seductively but in a rather dignified manner. She kept wondering how his little actions drew him to her. She had to put a few things in place in order not to become bedmates or friends with benefits.

"There are a few rules," Susan hinted, gaining his attention. "What happened last night will never happen again." There was a comfortable silence between them before Susan continued to list the remaining rules.

"Don't walk around bare-chested. I'll get you some clothes tomorrow. You will use the washroom after I leave for work so we don't get into each other's way and the visitors' toilet is there for emergencies." She had a one and half washroom. If Andrew wanted to bathe, then he had to use the washroom in the bedroom since the visitors' washroom only had a toilet.

"Well noted, what else?" Andrew curiously asked. He was ready to do anything to be close to her, just so he could know her. After last night, she was the only person on his mind. At first, he thought it was her style to keep changing men each night but realized that she wasn't like that. The only reasonable explanation he could give himself was the confirmation that Susan must have been hurt before.

"That's all for now," she said and stood up. She picked up her almost empty bowl and turned to the kitchen.

"Can I have your contact number?" Andrews' alluring voice rang behind her, forcing her to turn and face him.

"You have a phone?" She asked with a suspicious glare. Susan wasn't foolish. What would a homeless person be doing with a phone? If he had someone, then he shouldn't be on the streets and not in her house. Andrew was smart, seeming that his question raised suspicions, he didn't lie.

"Yes but it's just a cheap phone. Just for alarm and emergency services like 911. The streets can be dangerous sometimes," he retorted with a serious expression. Susan had never been homeless so how would she tell whether he was lying or not?

"Sure, you can have my number. We live together anyway," she went to the kitchen, washing the bowl and cleaning it with a napkin before placing it neatly on the shelf. Andrew took another spoonful of soup but asked as soon as Susan stepped out of the kitchen.

"May I know where you work?"

Susan didn't answer immediately. Was it right for a stranger to know everything about her? Well, that stranger was already living with her.

"It's.."

A ringing tone of a phone burst through, startling both of them. The tone wasn't like that of a cheap phone but Susan wasn't a pro in electronics, thereby not detecting it. Andrew was slightly nervous, standing up instantly and striding to his backpack. "That's my alarm. I set it at this time to beware of thieves," he forced a smile.

His back was turned to Susan while he turned off his iPhone, pulling out a cheap old phone. "My communication line," he turned and waved, a little embarrassed.

Susan looked away and said, "there's only one bedroom. I hope you don't mind sleeping on the couch." She was indifferent to the phone matter.

"No, I'm rather grateful. It's more comfortable than the hard floor," he responded quickly.

"Good night," Susan headed for her bedroom as she bade him.

"Susan, thank you. I promise you won't regret this," Andrew said behind her. She didn't turn around and murmured,

"I hope so."

Andrew waited for at least an hour, ensuring that Susan was asleep. Then he brought out the latest version of iPhone, switched it on and redialled that last number. His voice was stern as he rebuked the caller.

"Greg, don't ever call me again. I'll do the calling from now onwards. I almost got caught."

"What? You got another chick?" An amused voice sounded from the other side.

"She's different," Andrews' tone was still stern.

"Good luck then. You have only two months and your father is getting suspicious. I'll send the articles for tomorrow to your email."

"Good."

"I hope you don't get thrown out again," Greg, his best friend, teased him.

Andrew sighed, "your plan worked. She took me back."

"I hope you find happiness really soon, Andy, you deserve it," he said in a slight remorseful tone, recalling what Andrew had been through because of love.

"I'm going to do whatever it takes to win her but I want to know everything about her," Andrew made a request.

"Send her full name and contact details. I'll send it to you tomorrow," Greg confidently replied.

"Thanks."