Leave Your Sins At The Door

5 “Comical”

CHAPTER 5

Linda clapped her hands together, a bright smile still on her face. “Alright then! Now that introductions are out of the way, I really must be going. I just live two blocks over, so if you need anything at all, Amelia, don't hesitate to call. Sterling, be a dear and help Amelia get settled and introduce her to the others, won’t you?”

Before Amelia could protest, or Sterling could even respond, Linda was already halfway down the stairs, waving cheerfully. “See you both later!” The front door clicked shut a moment later, leaving an echoing silence in the hallway.

Amelia slowly turned her head, her gaze locking onto Sterling’s. He was still leaning against his doorframe, the infuriating smirk firmly in place, his damp hair glistening under the hall light.

The air between them crackled with unspoken tension. His eyes, those bright green, predatory eyes, seemed to devour her, making her feel utterly exposed.

“So,” Sterling drawled, his voice low and rich, breaking the silence. “Looks like it’s just us here in this big house.”

Amelia glared at him, a muscle ticking in her jaw. Without another word, she wrestled her heavy suitcase toward the door directly across from his, her back stiff and rigid. She fumbled with the handle, her frustration mounting with each clumsy movement.

The sound of his low chuckle from across the hall only intensified her efforts, her cheeks flushing. Finally, with a grunt, she managed to pull the door open and dragged her luggage inside, even before Sterling could say anything more, she slammed the door shut with a definitive thud, leaving Sterling alone in the hallway.

Sterling watched the door slam shut, the sharp thud echoing in the suddenly silent hallway. A slow, almost imperceptible shift came over his features. The easy, confident smirk didn’t quite vanish, but it certainly wavered, replaced by a flicker of something unfamiliar.

No woman had ever shut him down so completely, so unequivocally. Not even a batted eyelash, a nervous giggle, or a hesitant word—just a furious glare and a door slammed in his face.

He pushed off the doorframe, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow as he stared at the now closed door across the hall. It wasn’t anger he felt, not exactly. More like a peculiar blend of surprise and a prickle of genuine intrigue.

It was utterly unprecedented. Every woman he’d ever encountered had either succumbed to his charm or, at the very least, engaged with it, even if just to try and resist.

But Amelia Rose?

She hadn’t even bothered. She had just dismissed him.

A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his lips, a different kind of smile this time—one that held less arrogance and more focused determination. This wasn’t just a game; it was a puzzle.

And Sterling McCade had always loved a good challenge.

As Amelia settled in her room, she kept the front door key and her bedroom key safely, showered, and began reading the house rules:

Linda’s House Rules for Renters

Here are some standard house rules Linda might have for her renters:

Rent Payment: Rent is due on the first of every month. Please pay via [Preferred method, e.g., bank transfer, online portal].

Quiet Hours: Please observe quiet hours between 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM on weekdays, and 11:00 PM to 9:00 AM on weekends. Be mindful of your noise levels, especially in shared spaces and hallways.

Guests: You are welcome to have guests over, but please be respectful of other housemates. Overnight guests should be pre-approved by Linda if staying more than [e.g., two consecutive nights] to ensure everyone’s comfort and safety.

Cleanliness:

Kitchen: Clean up after yourself immediately after cooking or eating. Wash your dishes, wipe down counters, and clean up any spills. Take turns emptying the trash and recycling.

Bathrooms: Keep shared bathrooms tidy. Wipe down surfaces and clean up any hair or mess after use.

Common Areas: Help keep the living room and dining areas neat and clutter-free.

Utilities: Be mindful of utility consumption. Turn off lights when leaving a room and conserve water. Utilities are split equally among tenants.

Personal Belongings: Keep your personal belongings within your own room. Do not store items in common areas without prior arrangement.

Smoking/Vaping: Smoking or vaping is strictly prohibited inside the house. Please use designated outdoor areas if necessary.

Pets: No pets allowed.

Security: Always lock the front door and your bedroom door when leaving. Do not give keys to unauthorized individuals.

Maintenance: Report any maintenance issues or damages promptly to Linda so they can be addressed.

These rules are in place to ensure a comfortable, safe, and respectful living environment for everyone. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!’

After she read everything, she knew that there was no way she would violate any of the house rules since all she wanted was a very peaceful last year in college. She didn’t even want to worry about the guy from across her room as she was determined to have a low-key year till she graduated.

She toweled her damp hair, dressed in a white cropped tank top and skimpy shorts—an outfit she hadn’t dared to wear in public since the viral video. Her stomach rumbled, a stark reminder that she hadn’t eaten dinner yet. She checked her wall clock, recalling the convenience store she’d passed on her way in—the perfect spot for a quick bite.

She pulled on her baggy hoodie and equally baggy sweatpants, an outfit that had become her comforting shell against the world ever since her viral video. After everything she’d been through, she no longer wished to be seen, heard, or noticed at all.

As she made her way out, she walked down the stairs only to realize that the house was completely silent. Pulling the hood up over her head, she placed her wallet and keys into the pockets of her hoodie.

“Heading out?” The man’s voice echoed in the quiet house, making her flinch. From the corner of her eye, she spotted the shirtless man again, holding a bowl of something. “Linda made lasagna for everyone to share. There’s that last pack for you on the counter.”

Gripping the keys in her pocket, she walked silently past him toward the kitchen. There, she found a disposable plastic container of lasagna, with three slices of garlic bread in a separate container beside it, and a plastic fork too.

Just as Sterling moved to sit across from her at the counter, she snatched up her food and was gone in a flash, leaving him behind, again.

Sterling paused, mid-motion, his hand still hovering over the counter where he’d intended to sit. His eyes, now narrowed, followed Amelia’s swift retreat. A slow, almost disbelieving smile spread across his face, not one of amusement, but of a deep, almost comical shock.

He lowered his hand slowly, finally taking the seat. It wasn’t anger, not truly, but a profound sense of utter bewilderment.

A low chuckle eventually escaped him, tinged with a new note of fascination. “That girl is a complete anomaly,” he murmured to the empty kitchen.

The challenge in his eyes deepened. She wasn’t playing hard to get; she genuinely seemed to despise his presence.

This wasn’t just interesting anymore; it was rapidly becoming an obsession.