T's & C's (don't) Apply

39. (No) Such Thing as Knocking

I didn't sleep much the previous night. I tossed and turned, and the day's events played back on a loop in my mind. Kai was so different from what I was used to. I couldn't help but worry about him.

By ten AM the next morning, I sat on my bed and stared at Kai's contact on my phone. I knew he liked to sleep in, but it had been almost twelve hours since he told me he was going to bed. I wanted to call and check in but was also annoyed at how he kicked me out the previous night.

I eventually pressed call and with each ring, I grew more anxious. I was about to curse him out, but he finally answered.

"I'm alive," Kai spoke huskily.

"I'm aware," I responded dryly. "Are you still asleep?"

"Yes, and I plan on sleeping in longer so don't disturb me."

"It's almost midday."

"So?"

I took in a breath. "You should get up and at least eat something. You didn't have your din-"

"I can take care of myself," Kai cut me off. "And before you march over here to lecture me. I'm not going to a pub or drinking myself into a coma."

"Kai-"

"I'm hanging up now."

Before I was able to get another word in, the call went dead. I stared at my phone blankly and brought it to my ear once more to make sure he didn't just hang up on me.

"That bastard," I muttered in disbelief.

I tossed my phone aside and rolled up my sleeves. I made my way to the kitchen and told myself that it was Sunday and I was off the clock. Kai wasn't my responsibility until Monday morning.

I put on rubber gloves before I filled a bucket with water. I grabbed a sponge and made my way to the living room windows to clean them. The best destressing method for me was cleaning and the windows were starting to look a little dull.

"Arrogant piece of shit," I muttered under my breath as I washed the window. "Just who does he think he is?"

"I'm hanging up," I mimicked his voice.

"It's not like I want to see him," I carried on talking to myself. "I'm just being human and trying to make sure he eats."

Once I was done with all the living room windows, I moved to my bedroom. I was only satisfied once the windows were squeaky clean. I then moved on to scrub the bathroom.

I scrubbed the tub, the shower, and the floor before I moved on to the sink and toilet. I made sure the bathroom was sparkly clean before I moved on to mop the entire flat floor.

"Why does he make me feel like I'm stalking him or something?" I glided the mop against the floor.

"Ugh! I should just let him wallow in his self-pity!" I shoved the mop in the bucket of water. "It's not like Rosalind was a huge loss. She's good riddance!"

When I looked at the clock it was around two o'clock. Time seemed to fly by and there was nothing left to clean. My attempt to clear my mind didn't work either because I spent the entire time ranting to myself about the rude arsehole from next door.

My face was flushed red, and I felt icky after scrubbing and cleaning. I needed a shower and perhaps something to eat.

Just as I was about to head to the bathroom, the front doorbell rang. I stared at it for a long moment and contemplated opening it or not.

I knew it was Kai because no one ever visited. If Ethan wanted to come over, he always called first.

"Pfft," I scoffed and chose not to open the door.