The Arrangement

6

Joy had been watching the same cat video for the past ten minutes. A fluffy orange kitten kept tumbling off a couch while dramatic music played in the background. Normally, something like that would have made her laugh but today, it did nothing.

She sat curled on the living room couch with the iPad balanced on her knees, staring at the screen without really seeing it. The bright video reflected faintly in her eyes as another tiny kitten attempted, and failed, to jump onto a table. Joy sighed.

Her fingers drifted absently to a small strand of hair near her temple, twisting it around her finger before tugging lightly. It was a habit she had never managed to break. Whenever she felt anxious, her hands always found their way to her hair. Another cat tumbled across the screen. Joy groaned softly and let the iPad slip from her lap onto the couch beside her.

“Why am I like this?” she muttered to herself. The house felt too quiet. Richard had left earlier for school, she didn't know where her mother went, and the silence seemed to amplify every restless thought running through her mind. Tomorrow she would move into Liam Owen’s home.

Her gaze shifted slowly toward the phone lying on the couch beside her. She stared at it. Then she looked away. Then she looked back again.

Her teeth found the edge of her fingernail as she chewed it nervously, her mind spinning through a dozen different possibilities. Should she call him? Maybe it would be strange. Maybe it would be rude. Maybe…

Joy exhaled sharply. “Oh, whatever.” Before she could change her mind, she snatched up the phone and dialed Liam’s number.

The moment the line began to ring, she regretted everything. Joy shot to her feet and began pacing across the living room, dragging a hand through her hair. Her heart thudded loudly against her ribs.

Why did I call him? What am I even going to say?

The ringing stopped, and her breath caught.

“Joy?” Liam’s voice came through the phone,deep, calm, and unmistakable. For several seconds, she forgot how breathing worked. Her mouth opened, but nothing came out.

Say something, she screamed internally.

“Uh… hi,” she managed finally, her voice betraying a nervous edge she hadn’t expected. Joy frowned slightly. What is wrong with me?

She hadn’t felt this nervous when she dialed the number. Yet the moment she heard his voice, it was as if her brain had completely abandoned her.

On the other end of the call, Liam chuckled.

The sound was quiet but unmistakably amused. Joy’s face immediately warmed with embarrassment.

“You seem distressed,” he said.

“I’m not distressed,” she replied quickly. A pause followed. Then Liam chuckled again, clearly unconvinced.

Joy covered her eyes with one hand. “This is embarrassing,” she muttered under her breath.

“So,” Liam said after a moment, his tone carrying clear amusement, “did you call for a particular reason?”

Joy lowered her hand and forced herself to focus.

“I just…” She hesitated. “I’ve been feeling a little… nervous.”

Another short pause. Then Liam spoke again, sounding almost thoughtful. “Isn’t it a bit early to begin sharing emotional or personal feelings?”

Joy froze. “What?” Her eyes widened slightly as she stared at the wall in front of her. “That’s not what I meant,” she said quickly. “I just meant that I can’t relax because I keep thinking about tomorrow and…” A quiet laugh cut her off.

Liam’s laughter this time was warmer, clearly entertained. “Relax,” he said. “I was joking.”

Joy groaned softly and dragged a hand down her face. “Great.”

Her embarrassment only seemed to amuse him more. After taking a small breath to steady herself, she tried again.

“I just… can’t stop thinking about moving in,” she admitted. “And it’s making me nervous.” Liam didn’t respond immediately.

Joy hesitated before adding, her voice softer now.

“So I was wondering… if maybe I could visit your place first. Just quickly. So I know what to expect before actually moving in.” Silence filled the line, and her heart sank. That was a stupid idea. Joy rubbed her forehead.

“Actually, never mind,” she said quickly. “That was probably a strange thing to ask. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have…”

“That’s fine.” His voice stopped her mid sentence.

Joy blinked. “It is?”

“Yes.” Her shoulders relaxed slightly. “I’ll send a driver to pick you up,” he continued.

“That’s not necessary,” she said quickly. “I can find my way…” But the line had already gone dead.

Joy stared at her phone. “He hung up.”

She slowly lowered the phone and looked down at her clothes. Her eyes widened. “Oh no.” She bolted toward the stairs.

Twenty minutes later, Joy stood near the window, nervously adjusting the sleeve of her sweater.

She had changed into a pink sweater decorated with small red apples, a pair of fitted black jeans, and pink sandals. A small black purse hung from her shoulder, and her hair had been pulled into a neat ponytail.

Her reflection in the mirror had looked decent enough. Now she just hoped it stayed that way.

Her heart raced the moment she spotted a sleek black car turning onto their street. It slowed as it approached the house.

Joy quickly checked her reflection one last time before rushing downstairs. She opened the front door just as the driver raised his hand to knock.

“Oh! Hi!” she greeted quickly, her voice overly enthusiastic. The moment the words left her mouth, she realized she might have overdone it.

The man, dressed in a sharp black suit, simply smiled politely and dipped his head in greeting.

“Good afternoon, Miss Roberts.”

His calm professionalism somehow made her feel even more awkward. He stepped ahead of her and opened the back door of the car.

Joy hesitated. “You really don’t have to…” She stopped herself. Of course he had to.

She forced a small smile. “Thank you.”

The interior of the car felt… expensive. That was the only way she could describe it. The seats were soft, the air smelled faintly of leather and something clean and crisp, and even the quiet hum of the engine sounded smooth.

As they drove through the city, the buildings gradually changed. Small houses gave way to towering structures, and shops became high-end boutiques.

Joy pressed her face slightly closer to the window as the car entered an area filled with enormous estates and perfectly trimmed lawns.

“Wow,” she whispered under her breath. Eventually the car slowed in front of a massive modern mansion surrounded by tall gates. The gates opened automatically.

Joy’s eyes widened. “Is this seriously one house?” She asked before she could stop herself. The car came to a stop, and before the driver could step out, Joy had already pushed the door open herself.

She turned and offered him another slightly awkward smile.

A middle-aged man stepped out from the house and approached them. He carried himself with quiet confidence, dressed neatly in a tailored suit.

“Miss Roberts,” he greeted politely. “I’m Harold, the estate manager. I oversee the household and staff.”

Joy nodded quickly. “Oh! Hi.”

He gestured toward the house. “If you would like to come inside, I can give you a short tour.”

Joy followed him through the large front doors, and she couldn't help but gasp.

The living room stretched wide with towering windows that flooded the space with natural light. Expensive furniture sat arranged with perfect precision, though the room felt strangely untouched.

The dining room featured a long polished table that could easily seat twelve people. The kitchen gleamed with spotless marble counters and sleek modern appliances.

Outside, through glass doors, she could see a massive swimming pool shimmering under the sun.

Everything was beautiful. Yet something about the house felt… empty. Almost like a luxury hotel, not a home.

Harold’s phone rang suddenly. He glanced at the screen. “I apologize, Miss Roberts. I must take this.”

He gestured lightly around the house. “Please feel free to look around. It is your home as well.”

Joy opened her mouth to protest, but he was already walking away. She sighed softly.

“Okay… now what?” Should she wait in the living room? Curiosity won and she began wandering through the house, peeking into different rooms.

Every space looked just as polished and minimal as the last. Beautiful and expensive, but oddly lifeless. She paused in a hallway.

“If I lived here,” she murmured to herself, “I’d definitely add some color.” A few more turns later, she pushed open another door.

The room beyond was large but simple. A king-sized bed sat neatly made in the center. Dark wood furniture lined the white painted walls, and a sleek desk held a few neatly arranged books. No clutter, no decorations, no personal touches.

Joy slowly stepped inside. Something about the quiet seriousness of the room made her realize whose space she had just entered. “This must be Liam’s room,” she whispered.

Part of her told her to leave immediately. Instead, curiosity nudged her forward. She wandered toward the desk and glanced at the books stacked there. Business. Finance. Strategy. “Of course,” she muttered.

Then she noticed the dress shirt lying across the bed. She walked closer. Had he planned to wear it?

Or had he already worn it earlier? Without thinking, Joy picked it up.

The fabric was soft between her fingers. Then, for reasons she couldn’t fully explain, she lifted the shirt slightly and inhaled. A subtle scent filled her senses, it was clean and unexpectedly appealing.

She closed her eyes briefly and took another deeper breath. It smelled really good. She wondered what perfume he used.

“Well,” a voice said from behind her, “this wasn’t the sight I was expecting.”

Joy nearly jumped out of her skin. The shirt dropped from her hands as she spun around in panic.

Liam stood in the doorway, tall and composed, his expression serious. Behind him, Cameron leaned against the frame with a wide grin that clearly suggested he had enjoyed every second of what he’d just witnessed.

Joy clapped both hands over her mouth, mortified. Heat rushed to her face as shame flooded through her. She wished the floor would open and swallow her whole.