Archer's POV
I know this is not the usual me; running after a girl would never be on my list, but something about Mariela made me so desperate to make her my roommate. I know it was pretty early to tell, but as I looked at her face, I couldn't deny she was beautiful, and her feisty personality made me more fascinated by her.
I wondered how it felt to touch her curly brown hair, and I couldn't stop staring at her ideal oval face; her cheekbones and jaw are slightly rounded. Her perfect red heart-shaped lips made her look so attractive, and I wanted to see her smile since I knew she would become more beautiful, and I wondered if she even knew how to smile.
Yes, in one glance, I could tell Ella is my exact opposite; if I spent my spare time partying, I could tell she was working almost all the time, and she had no time to enjoy her life. I wanted her to experience what is the natural beauty of living, and that is why I am so determined to have her as my roommate.
And all I needed to do was convince Mariela to stay with me, and I didn't have any fucking idea how I would do that because I could tell that she was not an ordinary woman. She is so different from the girls I had dealt with, and it is evident she is not bothered with my physical appearance, and I could tell she doesn't care how handsome and well-built I am.
When she walked back with me towards the coffee shop, I could feel that she was beginning to trust me. And the moment we got inside, I could see my cousin on his table drinking his coffee, and he was shaking his head, and I could tell he was mocking me since, for the first time in history, a girl walked out from me. And I was the one who ran after her and begged her to listen to what I've got to say.
And when she offered her hand to me, I couldn't stop myself from feeling so happy, and I took her hand, and I was impressed even if she was busy working, she got smooth skin, and I could feel something the moment my skin brushed against hers, and this is the first time felt some sparks. I needed to control myself because I now can't date someone like Ella, she's way out of my league, and I don't want to give my parents another reason to hate me.
And for me, she is the right candidate to become my roommate because I know she doesn't like me. I could tell the looked she had given me was because she was only curious about my looks, but I couldn't find anything like she was willing to flirt with me like those girls, and I don't think I needed a contract after all. Ella is different, and I give her that, and I couldn't stop myself from feeling so excited to have her as my roommate.
"Please allow me to bring your suitcase, Ella." I pleaded, and when she handed me her luggage, I couldn't stop myself from smiling as I realized I was able to convince her to stay for the night, and all I needed to do was to make her stay for the rest of the night, and do my best to make her wait for good; and I will find a way to work and earn some money.
Ella was silent the entire elevator ride, and I am unsure if she was afraid of me. Still, I don't think she would think that way since I am a gentleman even if I have a reputation with girls, and I couldn't stop myself from smiling as I realized about those girls who made my life quite interesting, but it is about time to stop and think about something for myself. I am not getting any younger, and if my parents continue to do something like this, I need to find a job.
"Wow! This place is great; I couldn't believe that the previous room I shared with Carol would fit in here." She declared, and I could see the excitement on her face the moment she got inside our room, and I smiled as I realized at least she loved the place.
"Do you like it?" I asked in more than a whisper since I felt so afraid if she would snap at me again.
"Are you kidding me? Of course, your place is beautiful and perfect, and I think I can study my lessons here. You even have a balcony." She stated, and I wonder how she will react the moment she sees my penthouse how much more the Lopez estate, and I am sure our beautiful 12,000 square feet mansion with twelve bedrooms on top of the hill of our properties will blow her mind.
How I wish I could take her on a helicopter ride, and I am shocked why I suddenly felt this way towards Ella, and I never felt this kind of urge before to make someone happy, and now I wondered why I wanted to see a smile on her face.
And there is a part of me that I wanted to take her to our place and live like a princess for once. I suddenly felt guilty for doing this to my parents as I realized I am such a lucky son for having a wealthy family. For the first time, I realized I am privileged enough to have my place and have maids around, and I don't need to worry about anything else, and all I have to do is follow my parents' request, which is to go home.
"You can choose which bed you want, Ella; I don't mind where I will sleep anyway," I said, and I wanted to add most of the time, I ended up sleeping on my cousin's place anyway, but this time I will make sure everything will be different; I wanted to feel how to live away from home without maids and assistants who will remind me of my schedule.
"Thanks, I want the one near the window and balcony, if it would be alright with you." She softly said.
"Sure!" I answered, and I brought her suitcase to the cabinet on her side.
"Ella, this closet would be yours, and you can put your clothes, even your books, in here," I said, and she mumbled her thanks again. We both have a study table with a lamp, and I felt glad the place is fully furnished, and that is why it costs higher compared to the rooms without anything, and as of the moment, I don't have enough money to buy furniture and appliances.
"May I know how much is the cost of this room per month?" She asked, and I looked at her in the eyes, and I know it would be too much for her, and I don't know if her income would be enough to pay 1/4 of the monthly rent.
"It is about eight hundred USD exclusive of electricity and water bills," I said, and I knew I could not tell her I would pay one thousand dollars per month, but still, her eyes got so big.
"You could have rented an apartment with that cost," Ella mumbled.
"Well, I am paying for the name of the building, Ella, and not just the space, the security around here is safe, and this room is big and fully furnished," I responded.
"I am sorry, Archer, but I couldn't afford that amount; I already have a hard time to make ends meet, and how can I afford to pay you two hundred dollars a month." She responded.
"Don't think about the rent, Ella, just rest; for now, I can find a way; I will be asking for your help on other matters," I replied right away, and I could see how her face saddened she shook her head.
"No, I know you were looking for a roommate, Archer, so you have someone who can share the rent, and I don't want to be a charity case." She responded.
"Mariela, you will never be a charity case, and I am begging you to please stay even for one month and let me worry about the rent," I said, and she was right. I was looking for a roommate who would share the rent with me, at least one-fourth of the rent, but I don't even know why I am pleading with her to stay with me.
"Okay, if you want me to stay here with you, then I will do all the chores then." She quickly said, and I couldn't stop myself from laughing.
"Ella, you clearly said a while ago, you don't want to be my maid, and I hear it loud and clear, you will not be my maid, I will still do half the chores, but you needed to teach me the basic. I know it is funny, but I don't know about anything." I said as I released a heavy sigh.
"How many siblings do you have?" She asked.
"I have a younger sister," I responded, and for
the first time I saw her smile at me.
"I couldn't imagine her life for having a brother like
you who didn't even know how to cook, and I am sure you don't even know how to wash the dishes." She said, and I nodded my head. Still, I couldn't tell her either that my sister is living like a princess since we have so many maids around the estate, we have lots of household staff from
gardeners, drivers, and housemaids who take care of all our needs, and I know we grew up differently and lived in two different worlds.