House Rules

After a shared breakfast, Catherine returned downstairs dressed in black silk satin pajamas that clung to her body, providing the perfect coverage. She couldn't help but regret her earlier choice of an oversized T-shirt and shorts, especially considering the way Luis had been eyeing her with less than innocent gazes during the meal.

They now found themselves seated on Luis's living room sofa, with Max, the adorable furry Maine Coon, enjoying a peaceful nap in a nearby window nook. Catherine's gaze occasionally drifted towards Max, mesmerized by its cuteness. However, her mind was also preoccupied with concerns about the rules Luis, her landlord, was contemplating setting for her.

"Rule number one"

Luis's voice was low and commanding as he scribbled the words on paper.

"You need to do the cooking five days per week. That includes weekends, and you can pick your favorite three weekdays."

Catherine's reaction was swift, her hand intercepting Luis's pen with a mix of disbelief and defiance in her eyes.

"What? That's not fair!"

A knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as his azure eyes locked onto her obsidian gaze, radiating a mischievous amusement.

"My house, my rules," he asserted, enjoying the playful tension that was building between them.

Catherine's lips pressed into a tight line, her brows creasing as she contemplated a response. She knew he was right, this was his house, but it was a bitter pill to swallow.

"Rule number Two," Luis began, and Catherine clutched a pillow to her bosom, her anticipation growing.

"You have to clean the whole house once every two days," he continued, his voice husky. "That includes the kitchen, dining room, living room, my bedroom, bathroom, and... the garden. Well, I suppose cleaning the garden once every three days is acceptable."

Catherine's frown deepened, her frustration growing as Luis counted off each room she was expected to maintain. When he mentioned the garden, her voice, though faint, murmured in protest. "I'm not your maid..."

His pen paused, and Luis slowly turned to face her, an expression of feigned innocence on his face. "What did you just say?" he asked, his icy blue gaze penetrating her defenses.

Caught off guard, Catherine clutched her knees to her chest, a throw pillow serving as a feeble shield. She shook her head, refusing to meet his gaze as her voice barely rose above a whisper.

"Nothing..."

"Oh really?.. "

With a sly grin, Luis continued writing down the second rule. He then surprised the young woman with another unexpected demand, his words laced with mischief, as he declared

"The next one is you have to instinctively give me a massage when I'm tired or when I say I need it."

He watched Catherine closely, curious to see how she would react and secretly enjoying testing her limits. Catherine's exasperation was evident in her voice as she exclaimed,

"A massage?! I'm not your maid, Luis!"

Her annoyance was palpable, and for a moment, the young woman even felt like tossing the throw pillow she was clutching in her chest at Luis.

As her objections hung in the air, Catherine's eyes flickered with the bitterness of past memories. In her inner thoughts, she lamented,

"You never even said you liked it when I willingly learned how to massage only for you back then."

Recollections of those months dedicated to mastering the art of massage resurfaced. After all those invested hard work, what Catherine had hoped from Luis in return was just some genuine compliments. In her heart, the young woman remembered how she had even fantasized things like how her efforts would finally make Luis take her seriously as a potential life partner, even stupidly imagining herself as a perfect wife with these newfound skills.

The young woman couldn't help but recall the sting of Luis's hurtful words from the past,

"I think you're too serious about pleasing me, Cathay. Don't try too hard because it really turns me off."

It had been a cutting remark, one she didn't want to relive at this moment. She pressed her rosy lips together, casting a determined look at Luis. Her eyes seemed to silently convey, "Don't even think about it." Catherine appeared resolute in her decision: she had no intention of giving Luis another massage in this lifetime, no matter what.

Luis, unaware of the bitter emotions Catherine was experiencing, in a carefree manner, brushed aside her response and and even managed to make a mischievous joke.

"Well... If you don't want to be my maid but want to stay in my home, you have another option... Be my sugar baby."

His words hung in the air, carrying a light-hearted tone. However, Catherine couldn't even act mad anymore. The young woman just noticed how Luis had never even realized how some of the things he said back then had hurt her so much. He actually didn't know anything about her at all.

"It's not funny, Luis. "

She replied, her voice carrying a mixture of sadness and resignation. Without revealing the sadness that enveloped her, she buried her face in the throw pillow, concealing her vulnerability.

The word "regret" didn't quite capture the complexity of Catherine's feelings toward him. Loving Luis had been a journey of self-discovery, and their relationship had been a profound chapter in her life story. But sometimes, it really hurt her to be reminded of the fact that someone she had so deeply cared about, would care very little for her at all.

"What's rule number three? "

Catherine's voice held no hint of enthusiasm, and her gaze remained resolutely averted from the inconsiderate man before her.

"Rule number three," Luis repeated, his tone unwavering,

"you need to give me a massage anytime I want."

However, Catherine's patience was waning, and her eyes bore a steely resolve as she repeated firmly, "No massage for you." Her refusal was resolute, and she made her stance clear.

But it seemed like Luis also had no thoughts to take a 'no' for this matter. Pivoting in his seat to face her squarely, his light blue eyes bore into hers, unwavering and determined as he declared,

"No massage, no place to stay."

For a moment, a silent standoff ensued. Their unyielding stares locked onto each other, both unwilling to back down. In the end, it was Catherine who reluctantly relented, muttering a single word,

"Fine."

Just uttering that one word, Catherine rose from her seat, her resolve to leave apparent. She had no idea where she would be going if it's not by Luis's side. Anywhere would have been less safe for her than here. But she was so sure that it would still be less stressful than having to confront this heartless man everyday.

However, As Catherine moved to leave, a powerful hand snaked out, capturing her delicate wrist in an unyielding grip. Catherine's attempts to resist were swiftly quelled, and she found herself forcibly drawn back, her struggle proving futile as she landed squarely in Luis's lap.

Catherine could feel her fear mounting as she trembled within his grasp, her another attempt to break free proving futile as he firmly gripped both her wrists and tightened the hold on her small waist. 

Leaning in so close to Catherine's neck that his warm breath caressed her skin, Luis's voice carried a trace of annoyance and anger as he repeated his demanding question.

"Who are you thinking of giving a massage if it's not me? Didn't you learn it just for me? So who are you thinking of doing that for if it's not me?" His words were almost a possessive assertion of his claim on her.