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 Chapter 1 (Rachel’s POV)

It was another rainy day in London.

Nothing new.

I was born in London, so rain to me was something that’s almost a must every day.

But when I woke up at 6am this morning, I had no idea it would be raining in my life as well.

I was sitting in my office, going over some papers for my boss and waiting for my lunch break.

See, I was just an ordinary secretary in a huge law firm but I didn’t care.

I liked my job.

The only thing I didn’t like was my boss.

He was a sleaze bag that groped me every time he passed my desk.

So a few days ago, I complained about him to our HR team.

I should know by now a good lawyer wouldn’t fall that easily.

And that would be proven to be right to me in three, two, one…

BANG!

The doors of my office were pushed open with great force, and a loud bang resonated all around the office.

“You ungrateful bitch! I gave you an opportunity to work with the best lawyer in London and you went and reported me to HR! For what? A few touches that were accidents? Pack your things Rachel. You are fired?”

I was looking at my boss with wide eyes.

“Excuse me?”

He was red in the face from all the rage. It would be hilarious if my job wasn’t on the line.

“You heard me right. Pack your things or I will call security!”

At this point, I’d heard enough.

One way or another, I had already lost my job, so what else was there to lose?

“You know what? You are the biggest self-absorbed idiot that ever walked on this earth! Accidents? Groping my butt and breasts is no accident you asshole! And you can deny it all you want, but we both know I’m right here! I feel sorry for your next assistant! Now leave my office so I can pack my things!”

He was still fuming but he did as I said and left me alone.

I packed my things in a hurry and left the building.

All I wanted now was to go home and eat all the ice cream my stomach could get.

I had just arrived home and put away my things when there was a knock at my door.

I went to open with a huge amount of exasperation.

Can’t people get a hint and leave me alone?

I opened the door and there stood my landlord.

“Miss Bigsby, I need to inform you that you have to move out of this apartment as soon as possible. Technically, you only have time until tomorrow morning.”

I was speechless.

“Are you shitting me right now? What’s the reason behind all this? I always pay my rent on time and I am a silent tenant. There were never any complaints made about me, and I get along with every neighbour. So I really don’t understand why all this now?”

He began sweating and wringing his hands.

“You see, Miss Bigsby, I got a call today. It was from Mr. Rigson. He said you lost your job because of harassment. He told me you were trying to seduce him and I am really sorry, but I can’t have such a woman living in my building.”

I couldn’t help it anymore. I started laughing like a crazy person.

My landlord only watched with huge eyes.

I bet he thought I was crazy, and maybe I really was, considering how my day was going so far. I wouldn’t really be shocked if I indeed went crazy.

When my hysterical laugh finally settled down, I looked at him and just accepted my destiny.

“No worries. I will be out of your hair by the end of the day. But next time, try getting both sides of a story before you judge someone.”

With those words said, I slammed the door right in his face.

Now what was I supposed to do?

An idea hit me.

Becky!

I quickly grabbed my phone and dialed my best friend.

We have known each other practically since we were born. We lived next to each other and went to school together, but most of all, we just clicked at a young age. And even though she has traveled a lot since she was a model, we texted every day and, if it was possible, we called each other at least three times a week.

She picked up on the second ring.

“Hey babes, how’s life in London?”

Just hearing her voice broke me, and a river of tears started.

I managed to tell her everything between sobs though.

“Damn Rach. It seems the universe decided to fuck you over hard today. What can I do for you? Tell me and I will make it come true.”

I knew she really would, but there was only one thing I wanted to ask her.

“I will put myself together fast, you know me. But I would appreciate it if I could move into your house for a few days or weeks. Just until I find a new job.”

What I said I meant it and Becky knew it. I was a stubborn person and I never gave up on anything I wanted. I fought with everything in me to get the things I wanted in life. This time will be no different.

“You know you can babes. You have the keys so just get your ass to my house and make yourself at home for as long as you need it.”

I really have no idea how I managed to get such an amazing bestie.

We spoke for almost an hour, while I moaned about my missery, she tried to cheer me up with her adventures.

And like always, it helped.

By the time we ended our call, I was already halfway done with packing.

I quickly called the moving service and let them know where to pick up my furniture and the location of my storage unit where they would be taking it.

I carried my clothes and smaller belongings into my car and locked the door behind me.

I was just walking across the street to my car with car keys and phone in one hand when suddenly someone pulled my purse from my shoulder.

I tried to make a grab for it but it was too late.

The robber was already running away with it.

And judging from the development of my day so far, I didn’t even bother to run after him.

I would probably manage to injure my leg or something.

So I just let my shoulders drop and continued towards my car and everything that was left of my life.

Now, universe, if you could just let me get to Becky’s house, I promise to go straight into bed and go to sleep.

It wasn’t even 12 o’clock but I was ready for this day to end.Chapter 2 (Mason’s POV)

Damn those leaking pipes.

I was forced to move back in with my sister for the near future because someone was messing with pipes in my apartment building.

I was going to give her a call in the evening once I get settled in.

Technically it was our house, but the only person using it was Becky.

There was no use for her to get a new apartment or anything since she was away most of the time and she just needed a space to crash between her model gigs.

On the other hand, I bought myself an apartment closer to my job.

I was a programmer in a small but uprising firm.

It was a good job, it paid well and I did what I loved for a living.

So you won’t hear me complaining.

I was just putting my laptop and all the other equipment on the table when I heard the front door unlocking.

I went to greet my sister and let her know my situation.

“Hey Beck’s. I just wanted to let you know I’ll be staying here for a few weeks. Some plumbing maintenance is being done in my apartment.”

But once I rounded the corner I realized my mistake.

There in the hallway stood a woman sure, but she wasn’t my sister.

Those curves and long red hair haunted many of my dreams.

You know what they say, the things you can’t have always seem to be the best.

And those were the right words to describe my sister’s best friend Rachel Bigsby.

But for some reason, she hated me.

It has always been like that.

I really don’t understand it though.

She didn’t even know me, she only knew what others told her about me, and she just decided to hate me based on those rumors.

Now hold on.

I am not saying those rumors are not correct.

But she should at least see it with her own eyes before she decided to hate me.

“Universe what did I do to deserve this kind of punishment?”

She was looking at the ceiling when she said those words.

Sure it could only be my subconscious trying to soothe me but I felt like there was more to the story than just me being in this house.

I finally registered that she had a suitcase in one hand and a backpack on her shoulders.

“Wait. Why do you have a suitcase? Don’t tell me you’re moving here as well?”

She looked my way with pure hatred written all over her face.

“No shit Sherlock? How did you guess it? I thought you were supposed to be some kind of genius. But guess I was wrong. What are you doing here? Becky said the house was empty and no one would be here.”

She was really starting to piss me off.

It’s not like I was trespassing. It was still my house just as much as it was Becky’s.

“I think I’ve told my reasons already. Some leaking pipes in my apartment. Now if you would be kind enough to tell me what’s your reason I would really appreciate it.”

She was still shooting daggers my way but I wasn’t about to back down.

After all, she was in my house.

And I had every right to know why she was here.

“Well since you asked so kindly Mason, my life is in a deep shit hole right now. I lost my job, my landlord threw me out of my apartment and my purse was stolen. And the cherry on top is, now I have to live with you. If my day goes any worse I will start thinking about taking some sleeping pills so I can wake up a week or two later. Maybe my bad luck will go away by then.”

I could see why she was so frustrated.

She really didn’t have a good day.

So I kind of felt sorry for her, but the last part she said ruined everything.

She said it, like it was the worst thing possible to share a living space with me.

“You know what? I don’t need this right now. You know where Becky’s room is. I will try to avoid you and you do the same. I am gone for half a day anyways so it shouldn’t be a problem. Maybe if you decide to be civil, come find me. Otherwise keep that negativity to yourself. People in high school were right. You are a self absorbed selfish bitch. I have no idea what my sister sees in you.”

With those words I left her standing in the hallway and went back to my room to finish unpacking.

I also decided to give a call to my sister before my new roomie managed to do so and make me look the ugliest person alive.

Becky picked up the phone with her cheerful response as always.

“Hey big bro. What’s going on? I only have a few minutes so be fast please.”

Me and my sister were close.

More like best friends and not siblings.

We pretty much told each other everything.

And to be honest, I would do anything for her and I am sure she would do the same for me.

“Hey sis. I just wanted to let you know I’ll be using our house for a few weeks because some pipes got damaged in my apartment building.”

There was a moment of silence before she started speaking really fast, that was a clear sign she was nervous.

“Mason, is there any other option? I’ve told Rach she could stay in my room and I know you guys hate each other. I don’t want it to be uncomfortable for you guys.”

She was still in the middle of her word vomit when I interrupted her.

“Beck, take a deep breath please. Stop worrying. She is here already, she threw her usual insults my way, and we decided to keep to ourselves while we share living quarters ok? It will be fine and I promise I won’t strangle her.”

She finally relaxed and laughed at my words.

“I’m not worried about you strangling her but the other way around. But ok. I trust you. Just don’t be evil to her please. She really pulled the short string today.”

I knew she cared for her bestie and I could see Rachel really had a bad day so I promised to be good and we ended the call shortly after that.

Now let’s survive a few weeks with the sexy she-devil.

How hard could it be right?Chapter 3 (Rachel’s POV)

I am sure you are wondering what Mason did to deserve my hatred.

Well honestly, he did nothing. At least not to me.

But he was a well known playboy that used girls for his entertainment and threw them away once he got tired of them.

And that kind of behavior was simply unacceptable in my book.

Yes, he was hot. But he knew it and used it to his advantage.

He had black hair that was a bit curly at the end and always looked like he just crawled out of his bed.

His eyes were green, but not just any green. It was this forest green mixed with something bright.

I have no idea how to describe it, but if you looked at him at the right angle it was like his eyes were little shiny emeralds.

About his body…I know next to nothing.

Sure I knew he was tall but that’s it.

He always wore baggy clothes and since he was always behind his laptop developing and programming shit, he was probably skinny under all those clothes.

Once upon a time I had a crush on him.

But that was back in high school before he turned into a man whore.

So now you know all there is to the story about me and Mason.

But now I had to live with him.

It’s not like I minded him, but considering his reputation he will be gone for half a day and the other half I would have to witness all his one night stands leaving the house.

Hopefully he won’t find a clingy one that would cause us problems.

I really didn’t have time or patience for drama right now.

But back to business.

I had to unpack and get started on my job hunting spree.

So I did just that.

Once done with unpacking I took my laptop and went to the living room, but surprise, surprise Mason was already there.

Guess we had the same idea.

I stood there frozen because I wasn’t sure if it was ok for me to join him.

After a moment he startled me when he spoke.

“You know, I don’t bite. We should get used to seeing each other a few times a day since we would be living under the same roof. And I hope we can be grown up and get along for the time being ok?”

He had a point. Even if we tried, we couldn’t avoid each other all the time.

So I just nodded my head and sat down on the couch that was opposite his.

We were silent for some time, each of us absorbed in our task.

But he surprised me for a second time.

“So what was the reason for you to lose your job?”

It was weird that he tried having a normal conversation with me. But even weirder was the fact that I could only hear curiosity in his words.

So I gave him an honest answer.

“My boss that was sexually harassing me, turned the story around when I complained to the HR. And because I bruised his ego he fired me.”

He was just looking at me for a few moments before he spoke.

“Your ex boss is a huge chauvinistic pig. Don’t mind him. I am sure you will be a great employee wherever you go. You are smart, young and beautiful. You also have the drive that is needed in your line of work, so I am sure you won’t have any problems finding a new job.”

He left me speechless.

What I wanted to ask him was if he really thought I was beautiful but I didn’t want to come across like I’m fishing for compliments. So instead I just thanked him and we both returned our attention to laptops.

Maybe this next few weeks won’t be so awful after all.

We were deep in our work for a few hours already when my stomach informed me it didn’t get any food today.

I looked up to see Mason fighting a smile.

A blush crept on my cheeks.

“I am sorry. I forgot about food today.”

At my words he stopped fighting his smile and I must admit it was a really nice view. And guess what. He had dimples.

On both cheeks.

Now I realized it was no surprise girls fell for his charm that easily.

“Don’t worry. It’s understandable after a day like yours. Are you in for us to order some take out?”

I was relieved that I wouldn’t have to cook today.

“Sounds amazing. I can order so you can continue with your work if you want.”

“Nah don’t worry, I am a few days ahead on my assignment anyways.”

He pulled out his phone before I could object and we were discussing what to order.

In the end we realized the best option was pizza.

And to my surprise we had the same preferences for it. We even agreed that pineapple is definitely a no go on our pizza.

Now we wait.

I was expecting a weird suffocating silence to settle upon us but once again Mason proved me wrong.

He asked about my job as the secretary if I liked it and what I hated about it. He shared some things about his job, the parts that weren’t classified.

It was generally a relaxed atmosphere between us.

He was a good listener as well.

After a short time our pizza was delivered and we didn’t even bother with plates or anything we decided to eat it tight out of the box.

We were halfway through the whole pizza  when he asked his next question.

“I get why you got fired even though I still think that your ex-boss is an idiot, but why did your landlord throw you out?”

I took a moment to think about my answer but realized there was no way around it so I told him the honest truth.

“Well my dearest ex boss decided to give a call to my landlord and tell him I was sexually harassing him and my landlord decided to believe him and he couldn’t have such a tenant in his building. So here I am.”

I could see disbelief written clearly all over his face.

“Are you fucking kidding me right now?”

I chuckled but there was no humor behind it.

“I wish I was but I am not. I guess he wanted revenge and he got it.”

He just shook his head and after a few moments he said:

“I guess in that case you need this house more than I do at this moment. But about your boss I only have 2 words. Good riddance.”

See? I told you. It might not be so bad.

https://www.inkitt.com/stories/romance/1154897/chapters/