Chapter 4

Julia:

I was an early riser for many reasons. People often say the early bird catches the most worms. I think this was true. People who were always on time received the best opportunities, whether in the working world or simply the mall. But in this case, it was the early bird didn't encounter the vultures.

Gina had someone renting out the other room. Yesterday when I returned, and Gina got on my last nerve by questioning me like a cop about the car that dropped me off, I stormed away from her and ended up stumbling into a redheaded female. She had several face piercings and a neck tattoo. Like her other renters, this one wasn't a nice person either. The way she looked at me made me want to crawl in a corner and stay there until she told me that my time out was over.

I added vanilla and sugar to the pancake batter for sweetness since I didn't have any syrup. Meanwhile, the pan warmed up on the stove. I wanted to hurry and get out of here before Gina woke up. After drinking and partying like a teenager all night, I knew she wouldn't be up until 12, probably 1 PM, but who knew who else she had here. I hated her friends; she had the worst ones.

My phone vibrated next to me on the counter. I snatched it up to see if it was Rome emailing me. It was just Emmie telling me that Mrs. C wanted me to come by today to help her with a few things. Mrs. C wasn't good with technology, so I had to give Emmie my number so that she could contact me.

I texted her that I would be there in an hour. I had already brushed my teeth and had a shower this morning. All I had to do now was fill my empty stomach, tame the mess on my head, and change into more appropriate clothes.

It didn't take long for me to finish my breakfast. It was only pancakes and cranberry juice, although I was starving since I didn't bother making dinner last night. Gina and her friends were in the kitchen, and avoiding them was best.

I walked over to the kitchen sink and did the dishes. After doing so, I dried my hands and made my way over to the barstool to finally reply to Emmie.

"Damn, Julies, is that you?" My heartbeat increased. There was only one person who called me by that name.

I stood from the stool and turned to face Xavier. I couldn't believe that after two years, she still kept him around. He looked a bit different than the last time I saw him. His raven hair was longer and resting on his forehead. He had two nose piercings, one on each side. There was a skull tattoo on his neck, and he seemed a bit taller. He pretty much resembled the rapper G-Eazy.

"Your mom said you were back, but I thought she was just talking shit like she normally does." I stood still as he circled me like the vulture he was. "You're hotter than the last time I saw you."

I wanted to tell him to fuck off, but instead, I swallowed my words. I knew better than to talk back to him. He made sure I knew better, and so did Gina. I felt him stop behind me; he was too close. I could practically feel his naked chest on my back. My heart rate increased as he breathed against the right side of my neck. I felt his hand snaking its way around my waist, and that was when I snapped out of it.

Pulling away, I turned around and glared at him. He had that stupid grin on his face, a grin that made me hate myself for my past. A grin that reminded me of so many mishaps and halcyon times that all I wanted to do was lay in a dark cave and cry.

"Don't fucking touch me or come near me again." With that, I rushed to my room to get changed and leave.

I hope whatever Mrs. C wanted me to do took the entire day. Removing my rainbow shorts, I replaced them with gray cargo pants, and I just threw on a T-shirt over my tank top.

I grabbed my backpack and threw some extra clothes in it along with some water and snacks. I had nowhere else to go, but the last thing I wanted to do was come back here.

Rome:

"Julia seems nice. I like her."

"The construction workers will start working tomorrow. The building will be up in the next six months, hopefully sooner." I ignored Josh. He had been going on and on about that girl for the last five minutes.

"Stop ignoring me. I am fully aware of what's supposed to take place."

I leaned forward in my chair, resting my hands on my desk, and narrowed my eyes at him.

"I'm starting to wonder why I hired you."

Josh took the opposite seat around my desk and chuckled. "I don't even know why I work for you. You don't pay me."

"So, what do you call those pieces of paper you get every month? Besides, you are my brother; you're supposed to do these things for free."

"Half-brother." He frowned.

In the past, when I met him, he would call us brothers, and I would always remind him that we were half-brothers. I had a hard time accepting him as my brother. I hated both my parents, and he was the son of the one I hated most, the one Josh got all his features from. The only thing I got from that woman was the hair, and I was glad that was it. I should feel sorry for him because he did spend most of his years with her.

"Forget that," I told him.

His spirit seemed lifted from the Cheshire cat grin he wore. "I know you are a closed-off person, but there must be a reason why she wanted to stay with you. You did say she mentioned it was until she got back on her feet."

"I don't care. What if she never crashed into me? I do not want a stranger living under my roof." I was irritated with Josh at this point. This was why I kept things to myself.

"Let me get this straight. You won't allow a stranger to live with you, but you will allow a stranger to clean your house?"

I leaned back in my chair, simply contemplating the situation. He was right, but I would not admit that to him.

"Come on, man. She's a nice girl."

"That's where you are wrong, little brother. All women are evil."

Josh laughed humorlessly. "Mom screwed us over. She did the same thing to both our dads. But, that does not mean you should lose hope in all women. Believe me or not, Rome, there are good women out there, and I believe Julies is one."

I raised a brow at the nickname he gave her. "Why don't you let Julies live with you then?" I asked sardonically.

He seemed to be considering this. "Maybe I will. When will she start working here?"

I had already created her schedule; she would work three days of the week between 8 AM to 2 PM. She should be able to use those days to clean all fifteen rooms, twelve restrooms, the kitchen I use, and the rest of the house. I wondered if she had any cooking skills since I was thinking of having her cook for me as well. She could always leave it in the microwave or refrigerator, whichever she preferred. I was tired of always having takeout and Josh's bad cooking.

"I'll send her an email later. She'll start tomorrow."

Josh nodded. "An email? Really?"

"This is strictly business," I started scrolling through my contacts to see that she also saved her number and her name with a red heart next to it, "and it will always stay that way."