CHAPTER 7

"Am I to let you unpack or-" Josiah trailed off.

I was crouched down on my knees pulling my wheeled bag open, I looked up at him "Are you suggesting helping me unpack?"

"Of course not" He dashed his fingers across his hair "Just... what am I to do while you're at it"

I sighed "I don't know, pick a room," I said "I recommend the ones upstairs, they have a lot of space"

"Actually, I was kind of thinking-" he trailed off again and I looked up, questioning him with my eyes. I hoped it wasn't what I was thinking.

"Oh no" his eyes almost popped with the realization of my line of thought "I want to stay in the room next door so that I won't be too far from where you are"

I smiled wide and big "Of course you can stay next door, I'd like that," I said. It would be nice knowing that Josiah was just a room away, after all, he was like my safe haven.

Now look at that, who would've thought that I'd call Josiah my safe haven?

"In fact" I shoved the bag under my bed "I'll follow you there and let you settle down"

He smiled and led the way out of the room, we stepped out into the corridor and he headed for the room just by the left of mine. "This one," he said, shoving his hands into his pockets.

I reached into a box beside the frame and brought out a key, the key to the room and Josiah removed his hands from his pockets to take the keys from me. I walked in with him and watched him take in the room. The white walls and equally white sheets, the polished wooden drawers and the marble tiles, the inbuilt ceiling lights, and the vastness of the room.

"I think I'll enjoy staying here" he smiled.

"I'll let you settle in a bit," I said, "your things will be here by evening right?" I asked rubbing my hands together.

"Yeah, evening" he dropped on top of the bed, sinking it in and he let out a small sigh "Go unpack, let me breathe," he said.

"Alright?" I raised an eyebrow and sighed, leaving Josiah in the room and then I shut the door.

I went back into my room and began to unpack my stuff from both my bags. I arranged them in my wardrobes and shelves: my cosmetics, clothes, books, and devices. Then I went into my bathroom to take a shower. After that, I dressed up in a casual tank top and jeans and brushed my hair. I had just finished brushing my hair when I heard a knock on the door.

"Come in," I said, turning to take a look at the door. A chubby middle-aged woman walked in, she was dressed in casual clothes but she had on an apron and her hair extensions were neatly packed in a net, a hairnet.

'She must be the cook' I thought.

"Morning miss, I was just told you had arrived," she said, her voice soft and mother-like "Would you like to eat anything before lunch," she asked.

"Perhaps, any snacks would be alright" I smiled warmly at her, wondering what happened to our old cook "Anything that won't be too much of a hassle really"

"How about I surprise you," she said with a smile.

"Alright," I laughed nervously.

"Be sure to be in the dining in a bit"

I nodded and watched her leave my room.

I put on my flip-flops and headed to Josiah's room so that I could call him to have some snacks. I knocked on his door "It's Joan" I called.

"Come in," he said from inside.

 I turned the knob and entered the room. Inside, Josiah sat on the bed, he was in a singlet and shorts, and there was a towel around his neck- probably for the water dripping from his hair. I took him in a moment, astonished as to seeing Josiah on so little clothes, he looked like... a boy.

"Any minute now, Joan" he chuckled, bringing me back from my trance.

"What?" I ran my fingers through my hair.

He pointed at me with a long arm "What are you doing here?" he asked.

My brain began to glitch "Why- I just wanted to see how you've settled in"

He raised an eyebrow "I don't have anything to settle in with" he said "I just took a shower, I hope you don't mind me using the cosmetics there" He touched the singlet and shorts "These were packaged in a drawer and I am contemplating wearing this" he raised a sweat-shirt and pressed trousers "Also from the drawers" he finished.

"You should wear it, one of the helps probably put it there," I said, instantly recalling the cook "We need to go to the dining and eat some light snacks"

"I'll be there shortly," he said, dropping the clothes and looking closely at me "Now you can leave" he dramatically bowed and pointed at the door. I huffed and walked out of the room, wondering what just happened and stopping my mind from wandering more than it should.

I entered the dining room to find several plates of brownies, waffles, and pancakes. There was also a jug of apple juice and water by the side. As I pulled a chair out of the table to sit down, the cook came over to the table and dropped two glasses beside the jugs.

"This is really wonderful" I smiled at her "And brownies? how did you know I liked chocolates?"

She arranged the glasses "Well, I have my ways" she chuckled but leaned in to whisper "But if I were to confess, I actually asked the helps, they know you more than you know" she winked.

I blushed softly "Thank you, ma," I said "I didn't quite catch your name"

"I am Sandra," she said "But I would prefer, Chef Sandra" She had a warm smile.

"Chef Sandra" I repeated, stretching my hand "I'm-"

"Joan" she finished for me "Boss' niece, I know"

"Yes," I said nervously. This was the first time any of the staff called Uncle David the boss, at least to my hearing.

It felt weird. I felt weird.

Just then, Josiah walked into the room. He looked nice, dashing. Probably because this was the first time I had seen him out of the school uniform.

Yes, that explains earlier when I got lost staring at him. I just wasn't used to seeing him out of uniform. Makes sense. Makes plenty of sense.

He made his way to the table and sat in the chair closest to me- adjacent to me. Then, he looked at Sandra and graced her with a smile, I poured myself some apple juice and began to drink.

"I'm Josiah" he still had that annoying smile "Joan's schoolmate," he said.

"Nice to meet you, Josiah" she giggled "are you Joan's boyfriend?"

My drink got stuck in my throat and I had a hard time swallowing the lump. What was it with everyone assuming we were dating. Even Josiah was looking at me with a smug smile.

"Uh, no Chef Sandra" I said, still trying to swallow "we're just friends" I turned to Josiah and I was relieved when he nodded.

"Then why'd you invite him over?"

This woman clearly loved amebo and I was suffering it "I didn't" I said.

"You didn't?" she asked.

"Well, he's my best friend" I said with a sigh.

"Aww, how lovely," she said and reached down to pinch my cheeks "You know, my husband used to be my best friend," she said, her voice full of nostalgia.

"No, it's not like that here-" I was saying.

"Oh darling, enjoy it" she smiled "Denial is all part of the process"

I could see Josiah's smirk and I was tempted to use a fork to stab his lips but instead, I spoke to Chef Sandra "Thank you ma, for everything" I said, hoping the torture would end.

"Anytime, Joan" She smiled and after giving Josiah a warm smile, she walked away.

I huffed and poured myself another glass of apple juice "Wipe that smug grin off your face or I'll stab it myself" I tried to sound dangerous as I chugged down the drink.

Josiah dropped the grin but reached out to take a glass, intentionally brushing his hand on mine, I cut him a glare so sharp that if looks could kill, he would be in hell... or heaven. Depends on how you see it.

"Just relax, Joan" he poured himself a glass of the juice "and enjoy the company" he drank from the glass.