20. Keya

I’m desperate.

Now is the right time to properly ask for Tyler’s help.

I am now, homeless. Yes, you’re right! I am homeless.

The fucking tornado hit my dorm house, forcing me and the rest of the lodgers to pack up and look for some place to stay. I have nowhere else to go, and I don’t have enough money to rent an apartment. Or stay on a hotel or hostel for days until I find an affordable apartment or until the dorm house is fixed. But based on how wreck the house was, I totally need a new place to stay the whole school year.

The roofs of my dorm was gone, all the windows were shattered, there are walls that has huge cracks on it and there are parts where it was completely shattered. Accordingly, there was no casualties on the said chaos since everybody was able to get out of the building right before it hit the house.

The only damage my room has was the windows, so all of my things are still intact and none of which are completely damaged. After Paz called me at the diner that day, Steve was kind enough to let me come home to take care of my things and look for a place to stay.

I checked in on a hostel near the campus for three days, I’m about to check out first thing tomorrow and I absolutely don’t know where to go. My friends can’t help me with my situation either, Paz is staying on her brother’s apartment downtown that he shares with his girlfriend it would be awkward if I’ll go with her, Jessy and Alexa’s townhouse they share together has also got affected by the said tornado so they are currently checking in on a hostel too until the renovations are done. Lily offered me to stay on the one-bed apartment she shares with her boyfriend but I refused to because I don’t want to disturb the two of them.

So I have left with no choice but to call Tyler and ask for a place to stay. He’s responsible with my baby so he’ll surely give me some place to stay that’s for sure. He can’t be that cruel by letting me and his future baby to be homeless right?

After I texted Tyler the address of the hostel where I am staying. I couldn’t help but cross my fingers the whole time as I laid in bed, praying that he’ll help me. Few more minutes passed, someone knocked on my door. I immediately opened it and Tyler is standing outside. He abruptly entered and closed the door behind him as he studies the whole room where I am currently staying. Obviously, it is filled with my trunks, three boxes filled with school stuff and books that I thankfully recovered. Plus two boxes that contains some of my other things. I thank god that my room weren’t really that wrecked unlike the others which made some of their valuable things damaged by the tornado.

“My car can’t fit all of your things.” He said without any hint of emotion on his face, I don’t know if he is annoyed, felt pity over me or just don’t really care. “Just bring your important luggage and I’ll just order a hauling company to move your things at my house.”

I blinked twice or thrice after hearing what he just said. “Yo-your house? You’re letting me stay at your house?”

“Don’t feel too special. You’re going to be staying there only because of the baby.” He said firmly which squeezed my chest so hard. Why do he have to be so harsh?

He gave me few minutes to pack some of my things to bring with as he calls for a hauling company. Later on, we hit the road heading to his house. The thirty minute drive from the hostel down to his place is only but dead silence, neither of us talk. Not until we entered a massive gate heading to a huge house, that’s when I finally break the silence.

“This is your house?” I said. Did I mentioned that my jaw literally dropped into the ground?

As I stepped out of the car after Tyler is done parking it next to a black truck and a black Ferrari. I couldn’t help but look and admire the huge backyard he has, it has its own golf course, a tennis court and basketball court inside. If this is how surprising his house on the outside, how much more on the inside right? And based on what I see this is not even the front yard!

Who is this guy?

I mean don't get me wrong, he is the father of my baby but I didn't get the time to research about him or stalk him out or whatsoever because I am way too occupied doing necessary things than stalking. However, what I am seeing right now makes me want to do it right away. How much money does a world professional hockey player make though?

He was kind enough to carry some of my luggage and guided me to a small path heading somewhere around the house. Then we finally stopped at a small door right before he finally speaks up after forty-five minutes of total silence!

“That's the mini-gate.” He said pointing at the small gate just few meters away from the door where we just stopped. “Rule number one, you're only allowed to use that gate and this door when you enter my house. There are medias all the time, remember what I told you.”

“Of course. This whole thing is a secret.” I mumbled nodding.

He opens the door and handed me the key and guiding me to come inside.

“This is the left wing of the house.” He started as we walk down on a not so long corridor. “This side of the house is not occupied that much. So if I get visitors or the media, they don't get to see you unless you roam around. However rule number two, you are not allowed to leave your room when I have friends or visitors over, understand?”

I nodded again as I follow him out.

“That's the door heading to the main floor. That's the door heading to the front yard, I suggest you should avoid going to the main floor or else my dogs will butcher you.” He warned.

We walked further again. Seriously, I don't remember which door did we entered a while ago. I may get lost if I'm all by myself, that's for sure! He continue to point out further doors that leads to a room which I am not allowed to enter. I don’t know why he still tells me what’s inside those doors when he forbids me to come in anyway.

But all in all, this house is so damn big that I wasn’t able to stop the curiosity out of my mouth. “How many people live here?”

“Just me.” He said plainly. “And my dogs.”

“Aren’t you scared?”

“Why would I be scared?” He said slightly turned as I continue to follow him.

“Because your house is quite big for one person.” I said remembering those Asian ghost documentary stories I watched online. “Aren’t you like afraid of ghost?”

I only heard him snickered and that’s just it. No reply.

“And this is going to be your room.” He said opening a door for me. I entered right away, the room is bigger than my dorm room in Leyton House. The room already has a single bed, a mini kitchen on the other corner, a small dining table, a door that looks like the bathroom and an another door that leads to the outdoors.

“This is nice.” I commented. I know for some, this is absolutely a not so nice room but if you’re broke like me this is absolutely fine. If this is going to be my room until I give birth then it is already good for me and the baby. Maybe, I’ll add some decorations and further furnishes and make it my own perhaps.

I still have vague plans on what will I do once the baby is born but as of now, I’m going to make some use on what is currently offered.

“You’re only here because of the baby.” He started again as he hauls my trunks inside the room. “Once you give birth, we will then talk about the terms and agreement—“

“Agreement?”

“—we will have. But as of the moment, you can stay here and I’ll provide everything that you need for the baby. All you just have to do is to follow my simple rules while you live under my roof, are we clear?”

“As a bell.” I replied. “Uhmm…”

“What?” He asked in a plain tone which made me confused on whether he’s angry or not.

“Can I make few changes on this room?” I asked. “Who stays here by the way?”

“My staff used to live here, but I already don’t have one now.” He explained. “So do whatever you want.”

“Anything else?”

“No. I’m good.” I replied and hesitated for a bit, however, I’m glad that Tyler was kind enough to do this for me. I know he was forced but I just have to give him some faith that maybe, just maybe he really wants me here just so he can look out for me and the baby personally.

“Thank you, Tyler.” I said and in just one blink he’s out of the room.

Just have faith Keya, I told myself.