THE BILLIONAIRE HOUSEMATE

Chapter II

Phoebe's POV.

I stared at the memo in my hands, and for the first time in a long while, I felt my heart sink deeply. It was all becoming too overwhelming for me, having to attend to so many expenses at the same time, and at this point I was beginning to lose it.

I'd recently graduated from law school, and while it was a real struggle to pay my way through school, I was greeted by the harsh reality of the outside world as soon as I was done. My parents had died in a ghastly car accident while I was in my third year in college, and all I was left with was our home.

Maintaining my home and catering for my daily needs was difficult enough, almost herculean, but paying back the loan I got from the student loan scheme made my whole situation financially draining. I'd applied at different law firms and establishments with hopes of getting a job, but all I got were tons of rejection letters, and at best, offers of unpaid internships, asides the freelance legal works I did here and there.

So when I got back to see the mail pasted by my doorpost, my heart skipped a bit, because I already guessed what it was. And I was right. It was the third mail in two weeks, and it was from the student loan scheme, a reminder of my unpaid debt. At this point, I was in desperate need of help, and I was absolutely clueless as to what to do.

I'd initially considered putting up an ad for a housemate the first time I got the mail, but I'd fought the thought off. I love my personal space so much, so it was a “no, no” for me. But right now, the house seemed too big for me. It felt more like a burden than a home, and taking a quick glance around me, the memories came rushing back in, my mothers hearty laughter in the kitchen, and my father's gruffy voice in the small study just by the living room. But it was just me now, me and me alone, left to cater to the stacks of bills.

I got up and took a quick walk through the house, my footsteps echoing as they touched the cold tiles beneath me. I paused in the kitchen, and my fingers brushed the countertop where my mother used to prepare dinner. I felt hot tears brimming in my eyes, and with a quick blink, I fought them back. The reality of things was clear — I needed money. More than I needed the memories.

I knew what I needed to do, it seemed like the best thing, the only thing to do, under the circumstances. Fortunately, the house was cool enough to get a reasonable amount as rent for a year. The thought of sharing my apartment with someone I didn't know sickened me, and deep down I wished I had a different alternative.

I walked back to the sitting room, mail and envelope still in my hands and picked up my bag and phone. I ran up the flight of stairs into my bedroom, dropped the paper and envelope in my hands on my reading table and grabbed my laptop. Opening a new browser tab, I began typing. My fingers hesitated on the keys for a moment, but I forced myself to press on.

Housemate Needed Urgently: Spacious Home In Quiet Suburb.

I paused and stared at my screen, and I felt my chest tighten at the words that stared right back at me. I was really doing this. I added the details, and after I was done typing I took a moment to go over it again. I kept staring at my screen, unsure of what to do with myself now that I'd made this decision, unsure of what to expect henceforth. But I knew I just had to do it. I needed to get out of this financial hole. My fingers hovered over the “Post” button for a while, and reluctantly I sent the text. My ad was live.

My heart was heavy, and my head became filled with scary thoughts. What if I had to live with someone I couldn't cope with? Someone who I'd always have to avoid? I was terrible at handling crises, so I usually preferred to stay away from whatever was gonna involve me in one. At this point, I felt spurred to pull the ad off, to change my mind. But I felt like lead, and I couldn't even lift my hands to touch the laptop which was right in front of me. Resignedly, I hoped against hope.

I didn't hear the email notification at first. It was only a few minutes later after I'd changed up that I picked my phone and saw the alert. I brought my phone closer to my face, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw the first line: Interest in your property.

I tapped my screen, and I noticed my fingers shake slightly as I opened the message.

Hi, Phoebe.

I came across your ad for the need of a housemate, and I'm very much interested in viewing it. Would it be possible to check it out today, since I'm around the neighborhood? I look forward to getting your response soon.

Greg Sawyer.

I heaved a heavy sigh, feeling relieved. It was the first inquiry I'd received, and I didn't expect a response that fast. But my relief slowly drifted to anxiety as I realized something. I read the name again. Greg Sawyer. A man?

I was shocked, astonished even. I never thought of the possibility of getting a male housemate in my wildest imagination, and somehow, I'd not even considered the possibility even while I put up the ad. A huge part of me wanted to decline, but the other part was unwilling to. He sounded very interested and convincing, and if he was able to pay, I'd at least get the cash I needed to sort my bills and pay off my loans. What was it gonna cost me to live under the same roof with a strange guy? Rules? Boundaries? I could do that.

I stared at the email again, and knowing I couldn't turn back now, I hit the reply button and began typing out a response.