Chapter 44 - Drama (2/2)
”He's still there!”
”...”
”That's it. I'm calling the police!”
”...”
Charlus opened the door just then. He found that it was locked. He knocked.
The girl unlocked it.
”That's it. I called the police. They will be here in a few minutes. Scared now?!”
Charlus just entered the house and showed his phone to the girl.
”What?” She looked at the photo. She then immediately dialled her mother.
”Mom! He's showing some documents. Please don't tell me-”
The girl's expression soured. Charlus smiled.
”You can start by taking your luggage from the master bedroom. I would like to move there immediately. I don't like spending too much time moving.” Charlus was about to walk past the girl but she stopped him.
”I am very sorry about this misunderstanding. My mother said she found it like this and that no one was coming, so she decided that I would be safe here. No one ever checked on this unit either.” The girl started rambling.
”I don't see you getting to a point here.”
The girl continued, ”But the thing is I don't have a place to stay. Could you please, for a day or two.”
Charlus looked at her. ”We are in Los Angeles, so it's really hard finding an affordable house. But, it's harder letting someone so rude near me.”
”I am sorry, I thought that my mom was actually renting the place. I don't even have any relatives-”
”Yes. I figured, seeing that you are living here alone. Fine, maybe for a day or two.”
Charlus took his luggage to the master bedroom. He went in and immediately got out.
”I'm getting the master bedroom. Find another room for now. Quickly. Move your stuff out.”
Charlus went to another room. He found that it was empty. He put all his stuff there and went to the living area. He got onto the couch and switched on the television.
”Excuse me?”
Charlus heard a timid voice. He turned towards it.
”I was wrong earlier, and I am sorry. But I can't afford living in Los Angeles. So could you please...”
”Like I said, I will let you stay here for a day or two. And I won't register a case.”
”Thank you. And I have to make up for living without paying rent. It was my mothers fault but I will take full responsibility.”
”Rent is $2000 a month in this area. Forget $2000, can you fork out a 1000 bucks? And god knows how many years you lived here.”
”I can work for you.”
”Are you insinuating that you will...”
”Only house chores.”
Charlus shook his head.
”That's not enough.”
”What else do you want.”
Charlus looked at the girl. He sized her up with eyes that seemed to pierce through her clothes. She immediately felt a need to hide herself.
”Household chores plus.....”