"I can't believe I forgot to mention it. Historiah, we all know you can't live in an empty house, and you ain't living with me, that's for sure. My entire extended family is here right now. So, since Luke is your legal ESP, he is going to be responsible for you."
"But why wasn't I told about any of this?" Luke asked.
"Oh, come on, Luke! 25 people can live at your house, and you wouldn't even run into them unless a meeting is planned. The Wynknight Mansion is almost as big as the HSA's entire HQ, basement excluded."
He runs a hand through his hair. "Well, I guess it's fine with me."
"What about my opinion here?!" Historiah interrupted.
"Would you rather sleep on the streets?" Mrs. King was stern as ever. "I'm sure Luke's home will be much more comfortable than staying at the HSA's provisional dormitories. I'm simply looking out for you, Historiah."
Tori sighed, "fine." Luke ended the call and walked with her to the parking lot. The only remaining car was the math teacher's Sienna that had been collecting dust for months, and a classy BMW 8-series with a glossy jet-black coat. "Shall we?" He opened the door for her. "I can open a door myself." She sat in the passenger's seat. "It's called being a gentleman." She looked at him for a moment, then looked away and mumbled something under her breath. It was probably an insult. Luke sat and got to driving.
They stop at a traffic light. "You know, when I first heard about you, I thought you were a man." Without looking towards him, she replied, "That's alright. I thought the same of you." Nah, that one cut deep. He brushed it off and gave a smug smile. "That hurt my feelings a bit, Tori." He leaned closer and turned her face towards him. "Do you need proof that I'm a man?"
But her expression was void and her face was blank. She did even blush. "Get your filthy hands off me." She turned to face the window once again. Luke chuckled and continued driving. "You know most girls would've fainted at that." "Did it hurt your ego, Mr. Rizz?"
"No, I actually expected that reaction."
"You're insufferable."
"I love you too, Tori."
Hmph. 'I love you'. She whispered. Those words drove her mad. Saying them felt like swallowing acid. For her, those words were death. insanity. abandonment.
After that, it was a quiet ride till his car stopped in front of massive black gates. It was a stupendous dark blue and white villa with a yard the size of a golf course. Luke escorted her to the door, and the butler greeted them in the lobby. "Good evening, young master Luke. And welcome to our home, madam. Shall I prepare refreshments?" He bowed slightly and spoke in a refined British accent. He looked like he was in his mid-twenties, which is typically uncommon for most butlers.
"When you get tired of that old-timey Shakespeare act, Sin, you'll be normal. And since when are you British?"
"Oh, for Pete's sake Luke, can't you just let me be fancy in front of a guest?" The accent was completely gone, and his demeanour was more casual. "You better get comfortable with Tori here; she isn't just a guest. She'll be staying until further notice. "And you couldn't tell us to prepare a room until just now??" He sighed and turned to Historiah. "Welcome to the Wynknight villa. I'm Sinclair Northington, the head butler. I hope you enjoy your stay, miss..."
"Historiah. Historiah Kurrusso."
"Alright, miss Kurrusso, we will get a temporary guest room ready for you until we can customise a proper room. The young master's carelessness is to blame."
"Me? Careless? The audacity!"
"Of course! 9 years and you didn't even know that I'm British, and you brought your girlfriend to stay here without any prior notice. You'd be cooked if your family were to hear." He said that second part in a lower tone. "First, it isn't my fault that you never cared to mention where you're from, and second, she isn't my girlfriend. She's a patient at the HSA, and I'm supposed to watch over her."
"I'm sure you'd like it if she was, though." He shot him a mischievous smile.
"Oh, shut up, Sin." Historiah was shocked at how friendly and casual they were towards each other. A butler and his master? Hell, they could be brothers! " I'll escort you to your room, Ms. Kurrusso, I'm sure you must be drained after spending a day with him."
"You have no idea..." she agreed. He led her to a spacious, furnished, yet cozy room on the ground floor. "Please make yourself at home. Dinner will be served in two hours, but if you are hungry, you are free to use the intercom to call the kitchen, and they will bring in whatever you would like. I'm sorry the room isn't too big, it's the only one we have thoroughly prepared at the moment, but by tomorrow, we will have your personal room ready."
"Oh, it's fine. Th-thank you." She was still a bit dazed. The house almost looked bigger on the inside than out. Every single article and detail was visibly expensive and had a modern design, but at the same time, it felt like a home. Plus, this room was bigger than her entire apartment, and he called it 'not too spacious'.
I guess that's just what life is like when you come from old money. Living like this must be sweet.