Scared?

"I am scared of you?" Now that caught Niana's attention as she looked at the man in front of her with an incredulous face.

Harvey smiled at this, "It looks like it. You have not even looked at me properly since we have met today, you only talk to me when I ask you a question and you have come out with quite a few 'unique' and I mean ridiculous by that by the way, rules to deter me into not living with you. So, either you don't like me or you are afraid of me. And since I believe I am a likable person, then you must be scared of me."

This caused Niana to break out into a smile that transformed her entire face, before she explained herself," Uh huh.. So you think you are likable so I cannot dislike you. But you think you are scary? Your logic is skewed."

Before Harvey could explain himself, Niana raised her hand," Let me tell you Harvey Elliott. I dislike you after thinking over our conversation last night.. First, because you were a jerk who decided his opinion on me based on a one sided argument. And then assumed that I would be interested in having you as a room mate and being your inspiration for that. And now you think that I have done all this because I am scared of you. Harvey Elliott, you want to be my room mate and write a book with me as an inspiration, I don't care. But do not try to analyze me! I am not a dead body that you can conduct an autopsy on!"

As Harvey wondered if he should be pleased about this response or not, Niana sighed and continued," I know creative people are a bit crazy so I am not blaming you for being a jerk. It cant be helped with the craziness. However, I would really appreciate that you don't try to be more than room mates. I don't think your girlfriend would like that."

Deciding not to be offended over the fact that she had not believed him about him having a girlfriend, after all he had crossed a few boundaries and social etiquettes, Harvey nodded and continued, " You are right about that. But I would like us to be friends or at least not strangers. If I have to cook for you, then I must really know what you like and what you don't. And I want to use as an inspiration so I cannot help but not dissect you. I can, however, assure you that I will back off if something makes you uncomfortable. Also, I have a few conditions of my own."

Niana nodded at this as if expecting it and looked at him in question waiting for him to continue. "First, if you are not going to eat, you will let me know in advance. Second, you will let me tag along with you whenever you are going out. I would like to research you well. If it's personal, I will not insist. And third, I don't like to eat alone. So you have to accompany me for at least a single meal in a day. Any meal."

Niana agreed and extended her hand to shake on it as she said," Very well. I will do that. So, you can sign the contract and move in whenever you want."

Harvey nodded and signed the papers with a flourish, never realizing that he had just signed away the most excitement in his life...

Five days later, he stared at Niana with his eyes almost going blurry from boredom. He had thought that after moving in, he would be able to observe her lifestyle and what made her so calm and laidback that she would be able to carry herself so well.. Maybe the mad woman would also spring out from somewhere to demand her room back, or anything interesting happening in this woman's life. But, for the last three days, he had been stuck here watching her knit! Knit...

His eyes were tired of looking at all those bright colors even though watching her long fingers move nimbly was pretty interesting. But not interesting enough to sit there for three days! And that is what he had been doing! On the first night he moved in, he had cooked up a delicious bone broth and rice meal for them only to endure a silent dinner that had bordered on painful... Niana Rivers spoke as if words were diamonds and emerald and speaking them would make her penniless.

The second day, he had finished off three chapters of his new book and was looking forward to writing more only to get stuck again...And in the total of five days, he had been spoken to exactly thrice," One- Don't ask Sir Francis to look for a job." He had yet to meet the elusive Sir Francis though... Second- I don't like thyme flavored food. Third- Don't disturb me."

And that was three days ago. As if it was not bad enough for his ego that she did not treat him like a man, she was even treating him less than air! Finally having had enough, he could not stop himself and disturbed her," Hey, witchy witch. If you keep going like this, your eyes will fall out and get knitted in the process."

He was ignored like the other times. Nothing new there...

Keeping his hands on his hips, he glared at Niana, trying to intimidate her which was a little difficult as she was not looking at him. Narrowing his eyes, he walked away to the fuse box and pulled the fuse. Ha! Now let her try knitting. Never had he been ignored in his life that way she ignored him! He realized he was having a tantrum but he needed to do something or he would never be able to get any work done.

Finally, the plan worked and Niana looked up into the darkness with a glare as she reached for her phone's flashlight. As the phone's light hurt her eyes, Niana rubbed her tired eyes.

Seeing that she had finally given up, Harvey walked back inside with a smile," My witchy witch. I have not cooked anything today because I was extremely busy today. So, let me treat you to a meal. Why don't you go and freshen up and we'll go to the fine restaurant that's just down the lane?"

Niana rubbed her neck and shoulders which were stiff and rotated her neck slowly wincing as she did and spoke, "It's alright. You can go. I'll simply order something.."

Shaking his head, Harvey walked around to the couch and placed his hands on her shoulders. As Niana stiffened and tried to move away from him, Harvey pushed her into the couch and spoke," Sit! I am only going to massage them a bit to get the stiffness out. I have suffered enough stiffness when I am writing to know what you are going through."