Chapter 5 Live With Three Men?!

Calista

"Calista? Are you done? You need to hurry up; they'll be here soon," Zane urged, his voice urgent as he stood just beyond the door. My heart thudded in my chest, each beat echoing through my body, a symphony of nerves.

The thrill surged through me, a heady mix of fear and exhilaration, as I whispered back, my voice tinged with panic, "You have to leave the moment he's gone." My hand pressed against his mouth, muffling any response, while I hastily wrapped myself in a towel, his eyes ablaze with anticipation.

"I'll be out in a flash!" I called out to Zane, my voice trembling with adrenaline. "Just a moment longer, I promise!" My words rushed out a desperate reassurance.

"Fine. Just keep me posted," his words sliced through the tension, his footsteps a fading echo down the hallway.

I relax my grip on Cedric and sucked in a breath, the rush of adrenaline still coursing through my veins. "Shit, that was way too close," I muttered, the weight of the moment settling heavily on my shoulders. "You need to get out of here, like now," I urged, urgency lacing my tone.

"Find another damn place to shower!" I demanded, my frustration palpable in the air. Cedric's expression fell, disappointment clouding his features like a storm rolling in. He shrugged and began to dress, the fabric of his clothes rustling softly in the otherwise silent room.

I turned away, unwilling to let my eyes linger on his form as he covered himself.

The unexpected encounter left me reeling, his words hanging in the air like a heavy, unwelcome fog. "You have delicious lips, Calista. Looking forward to tasting you again," he remarked a brazen declaration that pierced through the stillness before he made his swift exit, leaving me stunned in his wake.

"No chance!" I exclaimed, my voice booming with disgust even as the door closed behind him. With a sharp, resounding slam, I shut out the remnants of his presence, but his words lingered, a bitter taste staining my thoughts.

"That will never happen again!" I admonished myself, feeling mad for letting him do what he wanted.

After my shower, feeling refreshed and ready for the day, I make my way to the living room, anticipation bubbling within me. But as I step into the room, my smile fades, replaced by surprise at the sight of a stranger standing there.

He's not Zane or Cedric, but a man of striking appearance. His rimless glasses lend an air of intellect, while his attire speaks of old-money sophistication. He exudes a timeless elegance, the kind you'd only expect to find in the pages of a magazine or on the silver screen. I find myself momentarily transfixed by his presence, struck by the realization that there are other inhabitants in this place besides Zane and Cedric.

I can't help but admire the clean lines of his hair, the subtle fragrance that drifts my way, drawing me in. His dark eyes lock onto mine, holding me captive in their gaze, and for a moment, time seems to stand still.

"H-Hi-"

"Who are you?" His interruption, delivered with a frigid tone, catches me off guard. Despite my efforts to come across as friendly, I hadn't anticipated such a chilly reception.

I swallow nervously, forcing a smile. "I'm Calista. Zane graciously offered me a place to stay for a while... He mentioned I could use the study," I explain, hoping to diffuse any tension with a cheerful demeanor. "I've been going through a rough patch lately, and Zane's sister happens to be my best friend. She helped connect us," I add, offering a wide grin to lighten the mood. "And what about you? Who are you?" I inquired softly, eager to strike up a conversation and learn more about this mysterious man.

His hands emerged from his pockets, fingers deftly adjusting his glasses as he launched into a series of directives with unwavering authority. "Listen carefully," he began, his tone brooking no argument. "You are expressly forbidden from laying a finger on anything that belongs to me. I cannot tolerate the thought of my belongings being dirtied. My room is strictly off-limits to you. Should you dare to use the study overnight, you must ensure it is cleaned and aired out afterward. I have a profound aversion to filth. Failure to comply will result in severe consequences."

His commands hung in the air, leaving me speechless and uncertain. It was painfully evident that he had no interest in getting to know me; his focus was solely on asserting his authority and maintaining order. I stood there, stunned into silence, grappling with the awkwardness of the situation and struggling to find the right words.

His eyebrows arched expectantly as he demanded confirmation. "Are we clear?" he pressed, his tone growing harsher, the weight of his gaze bearing down on me. I felt a surge of intimidation wash over me, unable to muster a response as I searched for the words to convey my response.

"A-Ah-"

"No worries. You're not required to say a word. You still need to oblige them, anyway. You're not allowed to live here if you're not able to follow simple rules that is a bare minimum to me." His words, delivered with unwavering confidence and devoid of any emotion, hang in the air, leaving me feeling small and insignificant. And then, just as the tension threatens to suffocate me, Zane and Cedric stroll into the room, their presence a welcome distraction.

Zane's warm smile washes over me, though I can't shake the embarrassment of knowing he likely heard everything.

"So, Calista, that's Draven. He's one of the guys who lives in this apartment. We're three: Draven, Cedric, and I," Zane explains, his tone welcoming as he introduces us. I shift my gaze to Draven, offering him a tentative smile, still reeling from the abrupt exchange moments ago.

"So sorry for forgetting to mention that," Zane adds, his apology genuine as he attempts to smooth over the awkwardness of the situation.

I smiled at him. "No problem at all," I echoed, my gaze shifting to Draven, who regarded me with a cool indifference.

"So, you're Draven..." I began tentatively, only to be cut off by his dismissive remark.

"I don't care who she is or whether she'll be living here. I just hope she's smart enough to follow my rules," he interjected, his tone devoid of warmth or welcome. His words landed like a punch to the gut, a silent rejection that left me feeling out of place in the apartment I had hoped would offer sanctuary.

Cedric intervened, his voice laced with optimism as he attempted to bridge the gap between us. "Oh, come on, Draven. There's no need to be so harsh. We're all going to be living together, after all," he reasoned, his eyes sparkling with a warmth that I found both comforting and disconcerting. "You should try to be a bit more welcoming to our new, beautiful roommate. Who knows, you might even enjoy it," he added with a playful wink, a gesture that sent a jolt of discomfort coursing through me, prompting me to quickly avert my gaze.

And now, I feel awkward standing in the middle of all of them... I'm not just living with the hot Zane, the flirty handsome Cedric, but also with a cold, handsome man.

I'll be living with three men!