Coffee and paper

With the morning's sun, brightness filled the land again. The birds that hid in the night while it was raining, had come out of their nests to sing a morning song on welcoming a new glorious day. By the time Lucas woke up from his sleep and came out of his room, a sweet aroma hit his nostrils like a wave. Upon going into the kitchen, he saw Katherine cooking. For a man who had been living all by himself since quite a number of years, an unsettled feeling brewed in his chest with the sight that was displayed to him.

"Good morning, Mr. Wynne," Katherine beamed at him. Her smile, brighter than the rays of the sun that was cascading through the half-opened windows of his house. "I hope you don't mind me for using your kitchen. I wanted to make a thank you-breakfast for you," she chirped. He saw the way she tucked her hair from face. Her cheeks had a little amount of white powder which she was not aware of, and which he did not bother to let her know.

"I don't have breakfast in the mornings and if you thought this might convince me, then you're wrong," he said, that dimmed her smile a little.

There was a pause, a silence between them before Lucas spoke again.

"I only have coffee," he added, a little irritated for the reasons unbeknownst to him. "You can have the breakfast, Ms. Priestley," he said, his hands were slid in either side of his pockets and averting his gaze from her, he turned around to leave.

His head started to ache early in the morning. Was it lack of sleep or the bright chirpy voice of hers early in the morning, he did not know. But one thing he understood was not every act of kindness gives you a reward, sometimes it gives headaches too.

"How..about.. I make some coffee for you?"

He was at the threshold of the kitchen when her voice stopped his tracks. Turning back a little, he gave his reply. Not in words but only with a simple nod, he brought back her smile.

Lucas left to get ready; meanwhile, Katherine cleaned the mess she created in his kitchen. She had planned to clean it by the time he wakes up, but she had another encounter with Trixie early in the morning that messed her plans. The puppy did not let her cook in peace, it seemed that it liked to get in between her legs and play with her. With all the running and jumping around the house for nearly half an hour, Trixie stopped playing with Katherine after she threw a bone at her.

Katherine prepared coffee for Lucas by the time he came out in his regular formal wear. His hair that was left all ruffled in the night, was now neatly combed. His blue eyes matched with the blue dial of his wrist watch, the tie he was wearing around his neck was a contrast to his grey shirt and yet it looked perfect. Placing a bowl of milk for Trixie, he picked up the morning's newspaper at the door. Where by then, Katherine had placed the hot coffee cup on the table and took a seat- right opposite to him. Katherine tried not to look at him as he had his first sip of the coffee, which she made all by herself. There was a peaceful silence between them which she wasn't actually enjoying.

While one was having a hard time swallowing the food, the other was savouring the coffee.

To Katherine, it appeared that she was invisible to him as he did not speak a word but when had he ever initiate any conversation before?

"I hope it is up-to your taste?"

With the un-readable expression he wore, it was difficult to understand if he liked it. Also, she felt a little awkward with the silence early in the morning. It looked like she needed to search for another house and her efforts to please him with a perfect breakfast didn't turn out as she had planned.

"Its fine."

But when he went on to take another sip brining a small smile on her lips, she knew he liked it. Feeling a little prideful that at least her coffee worked, Katherine had forgotten that she was staring at him way too long where it started to bother him.

"Is there something on my face, Ms. Priestley. You have been staring at me since a while now, it is starting to make me feel uncomfortable," he said, flipping on-to the next page of the newspaper. While others might read the paper to be aware of current affairs, Lucas was checking if there have been any errors in it.

"Oh, haha! I didn't mean to stare at you but, I was just, I mean, I was going to thank you. I am grateful for your kind help, sir," she said, sheepishly. Katherine felt as she was caught while stealing something.

"I think, you've already made it clear to me, yesterday and in the morning," he replied, pushing his chair back to set aside from the table, he disappeared into the kitchen.

"About the thing you asked me yesterday, is it only for a month?" he asked, once he reappeared from the kitchen.

Maybe there is no need to hunt down for another house anymore, she hoped.

"A month, yes. I could pay you in advance," she confirmed, she didn't have any plans to stay away from her house more than a month either.

There was a nod from him, as if he was thinking something.

"You need to take care of my house, not like yours, but mine," he had the liberty of visiting her little apartment once and it looked no less than a dump yard in his eyes with too many things floating on the floor.

"So, you're letting me stay?" she squealed, hurting his eardrums.

"I guess so," he knew it was a bad idea, and yet he was talking about it.

"I'm sorry. I was over joyed; but yes, no worries. I can do it," she grinned at him, her hazel eyes had a sparkle in them.

"The lights won't be left on throughout the night like yesterday. Trixie will be left free all night and if you are scared of him, then that is not my problem," he stated.

"Again, let me make it clear to you, sir. I. am. not. scared of dogs," Katherine smiled but her lips were pressed together when she replied.

"As you say," he mumbled.

"If that's the case, then I reckon you have no problem with signing a contract with me?"

"A contract?" he asked, with his arms across his chest, bringing his eyebrows together.

"Yes, about the period of my stay," she answered.

"There is no need to draw a contract for temporary things. You wouldn't be away from my sight even if you try, Ms. Priestley," there was a smirk when he said.

"Because we will still see each other in office?" she saw him nod. "Well, can I add a few requirements too?" she asked.

"About?"

"You are my boss in the office and my owner in the house. What I mean to say is…"

"What happens in office stays there and vice-versa," he completed her words and asked, "Anything more needed to be added?"

"That is all as of now," she smiled.

"Good, now get ready to leave unless you want to be late to work," he said and Katherine quickly emptied her plate and washed before rushing into the room to get ready. Lucas was not only kind enough to let her stay but also for dropping her but he did make it clear that he wasn't going to drop her everyday on their way. Though he did not drop her right in front of the office, he stopped his car a little away and fortunately it was right in front of the floral store where she meets Mrs. Clarke.

"Thank you for dropping me, see you in the office," or hope not. She thought, looking at him start the engine to leave. While Katherine greeted the old woman at floral store, she wasn't aware of Lucas's gaze at her through the rare-view mirror. He may have not known the old woman but he did spot them quite a number of times on his way to the office which was the very reason for him to drop her at the place.

He shook his head thinking how ecstatic she was when he let her stay at his place. He was surely not going to have a peaceful morning for a month.