Chapter 2: NEW HOUSEMATE

Groaning, I rolled over to the other side of the bed which suddenly seemed bigger, and switched off my alarm clock.

I was almost tempted to throw it across the room but I decided against it because I'm sure I'll use it tomorrow. Plus, recently I've been having a streak of throwing stuff.

Walking into my bathroom, I went to take a shower and a few minutes later came out completely dressed. Since I didn't necessarily have plans for the day, I wore sweat pants and a plain shirt.

Next up, I picked up my phone to go through my insta feed. My eyes caught an headline about me and my last gala event, making sure I didn't look up from my phone even as I walked into the living room. My entire focus was on what I was doing when I bumped into something.

Looking away from my phone {oh, yeah I've gotten a new one} I checked what it was, and was surprised to see two eyes staring at me.

I glanced around to be sure I wasn't in another house. Yup.....still my house, and I looked down again.

"You look funny", she cheerfully chimed, still looking up at me.

I was pretty sure I looked as though I just saw a ghost. Isn't that what is she? If not, what other possible explanation was there to this?

Believe me when I say, I was completely speechless. What is a child doing in my house? A child?!!!

Rather than question myself, I asked her instead, "What are you doing here?"

Was that was an appropriate question to ask a child? But who else am I to ask?

" I live here " she replied still staring at me like it was some sort of staring competition. Live here...My house....Since when?.... And where's her mum? If she has one?

"You don't live here?" I countered, narrowing my eyes at her.

She wasn't willing to back down and shook her head in disagreement, “ I do, I live here now, Momma said we live here now.” Punctuating her words, she crossed her small arms over her chest.

"No you don't.”

"Yes I do, I live here"

I could tell she was getting annoyed especially with how she puckered her mouth. But what else am I to do?

"I live here!!! " she argued further, stomping her feet. It sounded more like she was shuffling her feet instead.

" Where's your mum?" I figured that I should change my method of approach.

We could keep arguing but it still wouldn't change the fact that a child is in my house. Unsupervised!!

Placing her index finger on her lips, "ssssh," she made me hush, "Momma is sleeping, she's really tired and had a long day yesterday."

All I said was, "okay.”

I told her as I walked away, grabbed my car keys, and headed towards the door.

"Good day", She said, her faint voice filling the room.

Spinning around, I turned to look at her, perplexion evident on my face, "Huh?"

"Have a good day"

That makes more sense.

"Ummm thanks. You too."

With that, I made my way outside, to the safety of my car.

Getting behind my wheels, I started the ignition, putting the car in motion. Everything was great until I got to work and then realization dawned on me.....I wore sweat pants to work.

A loud groan of frustration stumbled out of my mouth. I wasn't even planning on coming here.

Have you ever just driven without actually knowing where you're driving too? But somehow ended up at a destination. That's what just happened.

Rather than bother myself, I pulled my phone out of my back pocket and dialed Sam's number.

Luckily for me, he picked up on the first ring.

"What do you want?", his gruff voice came through from the end of the line.

Uh-huh, I don't think he's in the mood. Not that I care, I have to get down to business. So I did.

"A child, seriously?!!” I also sounded gruff, and also grouchy, “I can't live with a child. Why didn't you tell me?”

If I didn't sound serious, he would not understand the gravity of the situation. And trust me, this situation is quite serious.

"A child.....??”

He sounded perplexed and I waited for it to sink in. And it did.

“Oh you mean....I told you you'll be getting a new housemate didn't I?” If he was in front of me, I bet he'll be arching his brows.

"Yeah... but you failed to mention this roommate has a child.” Which in my opinion is way too important to be overlooked. “Plus, you know I don't like children" I added, for explanation.

I can't live with a child, I don't even like children. I can't come home every single day and see toys scattered around or accidentally step on a Lego block and watch my life flash before my eyes. It's not what I need at this time of my life.

"Deal with it" he replied rather dryly, with no empathy in his voice whatsoever.

Rolling my eyes, I was glad he couldn't see me before I asked, “Since when did the agency hire single mothers, I thought you guys can't handle all the baggage and stuff?”

"Yes, but the agency also need a new look. "

"So, how does that affect anyone?” Especially me. How does that affect me?!!

"A single mother is a new look. She's simple.” He explained further, “We don't want more flashy and glam models, we have enough"

Although, I can't argue with that. It is true. But I don't like their “new look” idea rubbing off on me.

Letting out a sigh of exasperation, "Whatever, can't you just get me a new housemate? Request a swap or something, all I know is that I can't handle this.” Pleading and desperation was laced in my voice, “I don't want to live with a child"

"C'mon Jeremy, you are a grown man. STOP WHINING" He yelled at me, causing me to pull the phone away from my ears. I don't want to damage my eardrums today.

" I am not whining, it's your job to see to my wants. You work for me" Just in case he had forgotten, I'm here to remind him. Isn't he my agent?? What's the point of having one if he doesn't see to my needs?

Typical Sam, he had a comeback for me, "And I work for the agency. Not you, dummy. It's the agency first, then you. Besides, this 'child' has a mother. So, she's not your responsibility.” He concluded by adding, “Besides, the girl is really charming.”

Charming or not, I wasn't ready to bulge. I don't want to have children around me, and that's final.

As expected, I tried to urge him, "There has to be something you can do..... "

Sam quickly interrupted " It's none of my business and don't disturb me. It's my day off, and it has been forever since I got one. In fact, I only got this one because I got this 'single mother' to sign a contract with the agency. So, I don't care what happens, leave me alone.”

With that, he ended the call. Leaving me to my opinions and feelings.

"Good riddance." I muttered under my breath, trying to keep my calm.

But hold up...he said it was his day off. Which means, even if I had dressed properly, I still wouldn't have seen him.

Face-palming, I swore profanities under my breath. I don't even know what's up with me these days.

Technically, I know what's wrong with me. It has Hannah written all over it.

Starting the car, I drove back home. Mindlessly passing blocks and houses until I got to my own. A home I wasn't quite looking forward to going to.

For some reason I didn't want to go back home so quickly, it felt so different but I'll go back anyways. I can't avoid it forever, I have no other place to live. Secondly, I haven't had breakfast yet.

Getting out of my car and walking to the front door was easy. Slowly, turning the doorknob, I opened the door gently. I really don't know what I was expecting but it definitely was not to see a dog in my house. And definitely not one wearing a tutu.

But alas, here we are.

With confusion in every edge of my voice, "A dog?!!!" I pondered aloud.

The little monster barked at me, wiggling its tail.

"Yes, meet gummy bear.”

The child from earlier popped up from somewhere, and came to pat it on its head.

I had to hold the door for support, ok, I just have to say, this is not normal. So my new roommates are a child and a dog?

But the weirdest thing of all is that they named a dog gummy bear. Really? Gummy bear? Why?!!!!

"You can stay to play with us.” She clapped her hands excitedly, grinning ear-to-ear at me.

" No", was my answer. Short and direct.

Gathering enough courage to shut the door behind me, I made sure to avoid where they were both standing.

“Please, don't go.”

She resorted to begging me instead, puckering her mouth and using the softest voice I had ever heard.

I was about to tell her that it won't work on me when I heard someone cough. Someone that was neither me, the child nor the dog.

Guess who it was? The momma.