Roommates with Benefits [18+ only]

26. Partners in crime

LUKAS

"Wow, it took a whole Saturday of cleaning to realize how big this apartment really is." I grumbled, plopping down onto the couch, actually more tired than I am after my usual workout.

Tara chuckled. "It took us all day because you kept on distracting me." She stuck out her tongue to me, causing me to laugh.

I grabbed her hand, and pulled her onto my lap. "It was worth it, though." I stole a small kiss. We spent the whole day cleaning the apartment, fixing things, doing regular chores – from sweeping and dusting to laundry, cleaning windows, unplugging this or that sink and so on. It was exhausting, and yet fun.

"I might need a break, you know." She joked, yet unmoving. "All this ... roughhousing takes a toll on my bones."

"Take it as a workout." I teased, pulling her hair back.

"Is that your way of saying I need to slim down?"

I almost rolled my eyes. Well, mentally I did. But she looked regretful already. I usually try to ignore them, but her self-loathing jokes seem to be getting more frequent lately. It might be because she feels more comfortable around me, but the way she sometimes talks about herself, it's kind of sad.

"It's my way of saying that working out is useful." I corrected, not wanting her to think I have any problems with her so-called flaws. I really don't. I may not be blind to them – and thank goodness, because it means I'm not completely lost yet –, but I don't give a shit either.

Tara chose to ignore the topic entirely. She merely stood up, barely fainting a smile. "Well, time for a shower." She vaguely mentioned. "But thanks for the help today, it made everything easier and also less boring."

I half smiled. "Well, technically, you're my landlady, I didn't have much of a choice."

She rolled her eyes, albeit amused. Then frowned for a moment. "I got a message from the actual landlord, by the way," she mentioned, "he says that rent is covered for the next 6 months. Was that you?"

I grimaced. "Uh ... yeah, I've been meaning to tell you that." I sighed. "It's my dad. He decided he should pay for me." I rolled my eyes. "Just another one of his ways to treat me like a child."

"Yeah, but according to the landlord, it's all paid." Tara argued. "Meaning my half, too." She didn't seem too happy about it. "I can't allow that, it's a lot of money."

"I had no idea my dad paid the whole of it, it might have been a mistake. I'll talk to him." It probably wasn't. Larry Bennet doesn't make mistakes, not when it's about money. He does what he does for a reason. The fact that he knew about Tara already tells me he has an angle here, I just have no clue as to what it could be.

"Okay, um ... well, let me know." She took a step back. "Worst case scenario, I'll just pay you back my half." She shrugged.

"There's no need to." I argued.

She shook her head. "I don't accept money from my parents, I would never accept it from a man I don't even know. He's your dad, not mine. He pays for you, not me."

I wanted to argue that 6 months of our rent are nothing to my dad, it's pretty much pocket money for him, but it may have sounded haughty. Plus, it was clear that for her it was a matter of pride. Hence, I merely nodded. And with that, she left, going for a shower. I stood up, heading for the kitchen, to start preparing dinner, since we haven't even eaten today.

While grabbing pots and everything, I called my father. Not very surprisingly, his assistant picked up: "Larry Bennet's phone, how can I help you?"

"It's the bane of his existence." I grumbled. "Pass him the phone."