Hired As His Fake Girlfriend

Chapter 9: A Failed Plumber

From the day I met Evan till now, it was a complete mess. I experienced every single emotion known to mankind except happiness.

I didn’t bother prying further into who Olivia was….but why did it bother me so much? What if the so-called Olivia didn’t come crawling back? Would I have to be stuck with his unbearable ass till he dies?

I gathered some energy to get out of bed and walked to the bathroom to cleanse myself of the day’s memories. While I was heading there, I saw myself briefly in the mirror. My eyes were extremely swollen and my cheeks bore the mark of my mother’s hand.

I still had the same worn out clothes from this morning, while sweat and humiliation clung onto my like a second skin.

I tore my gaze away from my pitiful reflection and hobbled over to the bathroom like a zombie.

I opened the door, and I was greeted with a bathroom two times the size of my dorm…or maybe even three?

I was more stunned by the interior decor. I was never one to like the color green, but this was impeccable. The walls were forest green, with vines beautifully placed on them as they made their way to the arched windows, carefully weaving around them.

There were two vintage mirrors placed on the walls, opposite each other, while the bathtub looked elegant in the middle of the bathroom. The mahogany ceiling and sink, paired with the checkered floorboards and green walls, contrasted perfectly, giving the space the feel of something out of a dark fantasy film.

I went to turn on the faucet, but was shocked to see there was no knob.

“Are you serious?” I cried out in annoyance, with no specific target.

I hit the faucet handle, hoping for water, but it remained dry. I made another attempt, this time with more force. I stopped for a moment, cautiously examining the spout, when suddenly water gushed out unexpectedly, splashing my sleeves. I inhale deeply and desperately attempt to turn off the tap, but the water keeps flowing out.

“Ugh, not now!” I muttered, rushing out of the bathroom, desperate for help.

While attempting to locate Maureen, I accidentally collide with Evan as I leave the room. Seeing him in just a loosely wrapped towel around his waist makes my heart skip a beat. I find this man intolerable due to his egoistic, annoying, and self-centered nature, but damn— this man is attractive.

“What’s the emergency?” he asks, raising an eyebrow as if he already knows.

“The faucet won’t stop running!” I say, trying to keep my composure. “I’m about to flood the place!”

Evan blocks my path, smirking. “You might want to try not breaking things for once.”

“Yeah, because it’s clearly my fault the plumbing has a vendetta against me,” I shot back, not backing down.

“Lead the way, then,” he says, feigning politeness, clearly enjoying this.

As we rushed back to the bathroom, I couldn’t resist a glare. “I can’t believe I’m asking you for help. You’re the last person I want to deal with right now.”

“Guess I’m your only option,” he replies, following me in.

He strides up to the sink and turns off the faucet with ease. “There. Problem solved. That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

“Wow, look at you. Maybe you should add ‘faucet expert’ to your résumé,” I retorted, crossing my arms.

He leans back against the counter, a look of irritation on his face. “And maybe you should add ‘drama queen’ to yours.”

“Just put on some clothes and spare me your sarcastic commentary.”

“Only if you promise to try not to flood the next place you’re in,” he quips, clearly unfazed.

I just rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to the tub.

“Since that would be all, Lila, I'll be heading back now.”

“Great, don’t let the door hit you on the way out, Mr Sterling” I shot back, feeling more exasperated than ever.

He flashed an infuriating smirk and stepped out, leaving me alone in the bathroom, the echoes of our argument lingering in the air.

I let out a sigh and shifted my focus to the tub. I put my hand in the water, adjusting the temperature before getting into the tub, feeling the warmth surround me.

The comforting scent of the bath items was calming, a blend of lavender and an unidentified fragrance that was unsettling my thoughts. I couldn’t stop thinking about Evan’s face, his smirk and the way he carried himself as if he ruled the place. The impact he had on me was undeniable, and it only fueled my anger further. I disliked how easily he was able to get a reaction out of me.

I shut my eyes and leaned back, attempting to silence my thoughts. After what felt like half an hour, I noticed the tension in my muscles beginning to dissolve. As I started to unwind, a sound outside the bathroom door caught my attention.

The door swung open without warning, and there stood Evan, now in just a pair of shorts, looking completely unfazed.

“What are you doing in here?” I exclaimed, my heart racing for reasons I didn’t want to examine.

“Nice tub,” he said casually, taking a step closer. I couldn’t help but notice the way his muscles tensed, the light catching his skin just right.

“Seriously? You can’t just barge in!” I snapped, trying to keep my composure.

He ignored me, moving closer. “What, afraid I’ll see you naked?”

“Get out!” I shouted, but my voice was more breathless than I intended.

He didn’t back down. “Maybe I’m curious,” he replied, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.

I sensed a change in the atmosphere between us, filled with something I didn’t want to admit. As I was about to respond, he moved closer, his breath was warm on my face, and I could smell alcohol.

“Evan…” but he was so close, leaving me torn between pushing him back and being drawn towards him.

He paused right before my lips, close enough to touch, and for a brief moment, all distractions vanished. I could sense my heart racing, my breath catching as the tension grew. What in the world was going on?

Before I could gather my thoughts, the moment shattered. I pushed back against the tub, suddenly aware of the absurdity of it all. “What are you doing?”

He straightened up, frustration flashing in his eyes. “I don’t know, Lila. Maybe I’m just as confused as you are.”