The nobody i fell for

Chapter 3

THE NOBODY I FELL FOR

Chapter Three — Blake's POV

By the time my last lecture ended, the sun had already begun its slow descent behind the buildings of Westbridge University.

I stepped out of the lecture hall and stretched my arms above my head, feeling the stiffness in my shoulders from sitting for hours. Students poured through the doors behind me, filling the walkway with conversations, laughter, and the occasional complaint about assignments.

My phone vibrated in my pocket.

Brent: Did you go to that job yet?

I smiled slightly.

Me: I'm going now.

His reply came almost immediately.

Brent: Don't embarrass me 😂

I shook my head and put my phone away.

"Idiot."

I adjusted my backpack and headed toward the university gates.

The address Brent had given me was saved on my phone. According to the map, the estate wasn't too far from campus, but far enough that the neighborhood changed completely.

The further I travelled, the quieter everything became.

The busy streets slowly gave way to wide roads lined with tall trees and enormous houses hidden behind gates. The kind of houses where the lawns looked professionally trimmed and the cars parked outside probably cost more than my grandmother's entire house.

I stared out the window as I travelled.

I wasn't intimidated.

At least, I didn't want to be.

I was here for a job.

Nothing more.

After nearly thirty minutes, I finally arrived.

I got out and stood in front of the enormous gates.

I checked the address again.

This was definitely the place.

The property stretched farther than I could see, surrounded by perfectly maintained hedges and tall stone walls. Beyond the gates was a long driveway disappearing between rows of trees.

I swallowed.

"Okay, Blake."

I adjusted my backpack.

"Go ask for the job."

I approached the gate and pressed the intercom.

A voice answered.

"Yes?"

"Hi. I'm here about the gardening position."

There was a pause.

"One moment."

The gates slowly opened.

I stepped inside.

The driveway seemed to go on forever.

As I walked, I noticed how carefully everything had been maintained. Flowers bloomed along the edges of the path in neat arrangements, bushes had been trimmed into perfect shapes, and the grass looked like someone had spent hours making sure every blade stood exactly where it belonged.

I could understand why they needed a gardener.

There was enough greenery here to keep someone busy for weeks.

Eventually, I reached the mansion.

Calling it a house felt almost disrespectful.

It was enormous.

Cream-colored stone covered the exterior, while tall windows reflected the afternoon sunlight. Two large columns framed the entrance, and flowerbeds surrounded the front steps.

I climbed the stairs and knocked.

Nothing.

I knocked again.

Still nothing.

I was about to turn around when I heard footsteps.

The door opened.

And there she was.

A girl stood on the other side.

She looked around my age, maybe nineteen. Her long hair fell naturally around her shoulders, catching the warm light coming through the hallway behind her. Her features were soft but defined, with expressive eyes and neatly shaped brows. She wore a simple outfit that somehow still looked expensive, the kind of thing that probably cost more than everything in my wardrobe combined.

But what caught my attention wasn't her appearance.

It was the fact that she looked completely comfortable standing in a mansion as though the entire place belonged to her.

Which, judging by everything around me, it probably did.

She looked at me curiously.

I cleared my throat.

"Greetings. I'm here about the garden boy post."

Her lips curved into a small smile.

"Oh."

She stepped aside.

"My parents aren't back yet."

I nodded.

"Okay. I can come back another time."

"No."

She shook her head.

"You don't have to."

She walked toward the sitting room, then turned around when she noticed I hadn't moved.

"Consider yourself hired."

I blinked.

"Excuse me?"

She laughed softly.

"I said you're hired."

I stared at her.

That was... surprisingly easy.

"I haven't even had an interview."

She shrugged.

"My parents aren't here to interview you, and honestly, I don't think they would want the garden getting any worse while they're gone."

She pointed toward the side of the property.

"Mom's flowers are dying anyway. I'm sure she'd be happy if you started already."

I glanced toward the garden.

"Today?"

"Why not?"

I looked down at my clothes.

I was still wearing what I'd worn to university.

"I didn't bring anything."

She shrugged again.

"You have hands, don't you?"

I laughed despite myself.

"Yeah."

"Then you're prepared."

I shook my head.

She was strange.

Not in a bad way.

Just... different from what I'd expected.

"Alright," I said. "I'll start."

She smiled.

"Good."

I stepped away from the doorway and looked toward the garden.

I had come here because I needed a job.

I needed the money for my grandmother.

I didn't care about the mansion.

I didn't care about the expensive cars or the enormous property.

And I definitely didn't care about the wealthy girl who had just hired me without asking a single proper question.

At least, that's what I told myself as I walked toward the garden.

For now, I was just the gardener.