Bianca was so furious that she gobbled her food to hurry and finish. She washed her plates and everything she used in the kitchen except for what he used. She was murmuring words Asher had no clue about. They weren’t loud enough to hear and realized that she was cursing him in her mother tongue. Cursing her situation, she was deeply annoyed at the realtor agent she talked to.
“Nega namja rang kateun jib-eseo jinirago? Tsk!” [They expect me to live in a house with a man?]
“Mari andweji!” [that’s insane!]
But she was also worried about being the one defeated in this battle. This isn’t Korea, after all. She can only hope her landlord will take her case into consideration. But then this country is among the liberated ones. They may not really mind her complaints and make her decide to take it or leave the place and find another one she would agree with.
“Assssh! Jenjang!”[Damn it!] She hissed.
In all this, Asher was keenly watching her. He was aware she was deadly pissed. The poor kitchen wares could stand witness if only they could speak. He won’t even be surprised if he sees any crack on the bowl and cup. But he was enjoying the situation. He knew he should let her be so as not to annoy her more, but he couldn’t help teasing her. He wanted to create a connection, even if through anything.
“I am a good guy. I can prove that to you if you give me a chance, you know?” he folded his arms above his chest as he leaned back on his chair. Her back was to her as she was still wiping cloth on the cooktop.
“I am not interested.” She couldn’t add to say that she is worried he will make his weekend scandalous sexcapades on a daily basis since he will be living here from now on.
“How can I make you agree I stay? I really like this place, plus I have a beautiful roommate. I cannot give this place up anymore!” Asher mischievously stated.
What he said triggered more of Bianca’s worry. She looked down at what she was wearing. She was alarmed.
“Shit!” Bianca’s face scrunched when she realized she had been wearing such clothes in front of a guy. She was feeling at home when she came out of her room to eat, and she totally forgot what she was wearing even when the guy came around! This guy might be a sex maniac or sex offender! How can she live with him in one house?! She was even more terrified!
“You keep this place. I am definitely going to find somewhere else to rent,” Bianca declared without hesitations. She hurriedly wiped her hands and grabbed her phone on the table, and rushed to get inside her room. Then she locked the door.
Asher did not understand why she suddenly moved too fast. He did not realize that Bianca was totally unaware of how he looked like with her clothes when he came into the kitchen, for him she was looking lovely and sexy in his eyes that he would never mind her wearing such at home, although he may have to warn her if she tries to go out with such attire. He quickly stood from his seat when he saw her almost running towards her room. He was nearly hit in the nose when he did not notice he was already by the door which she slammed to close, knowing he was about to follow her. His eyes bulged, and he subconsciously moved back as he felt the wind woosh on his face.
He knocked on her door. Then when he did not hear her answer, he called out.
“Hey, roommate!” He did not know her name.
“Let’s talk about this,” hoping she would at least talk to him about any arrangement she would prefer. He sat beside the door as he kept talking.
“How about I pay for the whole rent? You only have to share whatever food you cook with me?” Asher insisted. He was amused to tease her more.
Bianca was still standing, leaning behind the door as she was holding the doorknob behind her. She heard his voice still nearby. She decided to answer, anyway, she was already inside her room.
“I’ll pass, thank you.” Bianca firmly answered.
“You won’t find any other place nearby,” Asher shrugged his shoulders as if he was stating the most natural fact.
But he was actually thinking of calling his secretary. Also, a realtor agent Bianca talked to when she rented the house to tell her to inform all real estate agencies not to assist his now roommate if she ever asked for their help finding another place to rent. Asher Collins is a name these realtors cannot afford to ignore nor deny requests. Collins Realtors Empire holds the biggest name in the real estate world, after all.
“I will have to try. Who knows, I may still have a little bit of good luck left in me,” Bianca sassed at him. She was also aware it wouldn’t be easy finding a new place, but she would have to try. If there are no results, then maybe she will have to endure ten months living on the same roof with this man.
“I hope you change your mind. I would love you to be my roommate,” Asher tapped her door before deciding to stand up. “My name is Asher, by the way, what’s yours?”
Bianca did not want to answer. She could still feel his presence as if waiting for her to tell him her name.
“If you don’t tell me your name, I will make one to call by myself,” Asher warned her.
Bianca remained silent.
“Okay, I will call you, honey, from now on,” Asher was holding his laughter, knowing she would be more pissed at his antics. “Is it okay, Honey?” he teased her.
No answer.
“Honey? Come on, answer me, honey?” Asher knocked again. Calling out playfully. Provoking her to come out.
Bianca opened the door with so much annoyance. She did not expect the guy to be standing right in front of her door. She thought he was still sitting by it. Asher lost his balance and ended up hugging her.
“Honey?” In his shock, Asher called for her name without teasing. It was as if her name was really honey that it slipped out of his lips as he tried to keep his balance, which he still ended up falling forward, and as Bianca was also caught off guard, they both fell into the floor with her beneath Asher.
Their position was so ambiguous, and their lips brushed. Bianca was furious while Asher was fascinated. He couldn’t move quickly as his mind seemed to freeze.
“Get off me!” Bianca growled in anger. She was immobile beneath him, so she felt so offended.
“Ahhhh, okay!” Asher was awakened by the intensity of her anger expressed in her voice that he was startled and moved off her instantly. “I’m really sorry, honey...”
“It’s Bianca. Stop calling me honey! Do you understand?” Asher was surprised at how ferocious she looked right now. She looked cute as a cub tiger when he saw her first in the kitchen earlier, but right now, she looked like the mother tiger who would eat him alive if he made one more wrong of a move.
“Oh, Bianca! Nice to meet you. I’m Asher!”
He was still talking with his right hand extending for a handshake when he felt her kick him out of her room! She literally kicked him out of her door! Followed by an ear-piercing sound of the door slamming to its frame.
Bianca realized what she just did.
“Well, my self-defense lessons weren’t useless after all!” She clapped her hands as if shaking dust on them as she inhaled a good breath and exhaled with satisfaction.