Accepting His Offer

Mariela's POV

I got out of the building in haste, and I never felt so furious with my entire life; how could he let me think he was a girl. And now I could tell even if my heart was still racing because of his effect on me; I couldn't stop myself from feeling so angry with Archer.

Even if he is very famous in our University, I will not give a damn. I know if I happen to be those girls who looked crazy drooling over him every time he is around, I am sure they are already on his unit, and for sure, he already used his charm to any of them.

I didn't expect that he would run after me, and I made my pace faster, but no matter how I tried to walk away from him, he was able to catch up with me because I couldn't run because of my damn suitcase. And I hate to think that I am the luckiest girl right now since Valerie said it never happened that Archer Lopez runs after a girl, and everyone was waiting for that to happen, even his guy friends. I heard they are betting that he will fall in love this semester with some lucky girl, and I am stupid enough to think he was running after me because he likes me, and I don't know what is his deal why he wanted to have a girl for a roommate.

I got tired from walking so fast, and I was gasping for air; I knew I needed to slow down, and when I heard him calling my name, I couldn't stop myself from smiling as I realized I wanted to turn around and look at him, but he couldn't take away the anger that I felt for him. And I couldn't wait to tell Valerie that her idol is such a jerk and let us see if she will still be crushing on him.

When Archer begged me to stop, he sounded so desperate that it made me cease walking. I turned around and looked at him, I couldn't believe I would be looking at his hypnotizing eyes, and I needed to remind myself to get a grip since I am now trying to find a place to stay and not to have a fling with the playboy of the Nagazville University. I couldn't deny when he said I could stay for the night, it was a good idea, and he was right. Maybe there is a reason he wanted to have a girl for a roommate.

"Give me one reason why should I agree to be your roommate?" I asked him, and I could see how his face turned serious, and I couldn't believe I would be in this position facing Archer Lopez, and any girl who would know about this would go crazy.

He looked so hot when he combed his sleek dark hair with his fingers, and I wondered how it felt to touch his hand; oh my goodness, why did I even think such a thing when a while ago I was boiling with anger with him? I should stop this craziness, or I will be at his mercy.

I looked at him, and I could see he looked at my face with curiosity and fascination. And when I peered at his face, I couldn't deny he is so handsome, and I could tell he could be an actor, and I am sure girls would be lying on their beds at night looking at his pictures or posters on their walls.

Yeah, Archer has that kind of aura and physical appearance, and you will never get tired of looking at his handsome face, and I wonder how it felt to be in his arms. And here I am again; how could I be thinking in this way? I am in this situation because I needed a place to stay and not be ogling with the well-known playboy.

"There are a lot of reasons why we should be roommates, but I don't think it would be ideal to talk here on the side of the road; if you allow me to help you with your suitcase and your bag, then we could discuss those reasons at the coffee shop. I could tell you needed a break, Mariella." He said, and I hate that he has a voice that could melt my heart.

"You can't touch my stuff; I can carry my things just fine," I responded, and he smiled. I couldn't believe my heart skipped a beat, and I needed to tame myself and my entire body not to react with him. If he were my roommate, I needed to discipline myself, and I am sure this feeling I felt right now was only natural for a girl like me since it is undeniable, Archer is the embodiment of perfect beauty.

"Okay, let us go back now, and we can have coffee." He said.

"No coffee for me; I am a hot chocolate fan," I said, and his face lit up.

"Really? You remind me of my sister, Andrea," He said, and I could see sadness beneath his smile, and I know I can't judge Archer because of his physical appearance. I wondered what kind of brother he was, and it seemed like he cared about his sibling because I could see how his face brightened when he mentioned his sister's name.

I think giving him a chance to explain his side would be a good idea for now. Maybe he is only a playboy, but he is a good brother. And I don't care about his love life, all I want right now is to have a place to stay, and I felt so sleepy now since I felt so tired from walking from the bus stop since I didn't get off to the exact bus stop since I dozed off.

"Please sit down, Mariela." He softly said, and I was shocked by the tenderness of his voice. I felt guilty for snapping and looking daggers at him a while ago. I couldn't stop myself from feeling so conscious when he sat across from me, and I knew I didn't care about my physical appearance before but right now, as I was facing Archer, how I wished I put on some lip gloss on my lips.

"Please allow me to apologize for what I did, I know I should have texted you that I am male, and I needed a female roommate because I know most girls are tidy and organized, and girls smell good." He said, and I suddenly felt conscious, and I felt glad I changed my working clothes into my faded jeans and BB-Tee, but I know after I got off from work, I always smelled spices and food.

"I am sorry, but I am sure I am not the one you are looking for since I always smell like the kitchen after I get out from my work," I said, and he laughed.

"That is not what I mean, Mariela; besides, you smell great." He responded, and I couldn't stop myself from blushing.

"And I wanted to learn simple things that I didn't bother learning before, I can lift heavy things, but I don't know how to cook and do the laundry. Don't laugh at me, but I am the eldest child, and my parents pampered me so, I needed someone to teach me those things, and that is why I needed a female roommate." He said.

"You could have asked your girlfriends to teach you those things," I responded, and I needed to bite my tongue, and I could see his face fall.

"So you know me?" He asked as he looked into my eyes.

"I may be a freshman, but I can't deny you are popular with girls, and yeah, I know you and your reputation," I said.

"Reputation?" He asked.

"Yes, you are the most popular playboy in Nagazville University history, according to my classmates," I said, and he laughed.

"And I know your girlfriends will not be able to help you because they came from wealthy families, and I could tell your family is well-off too since you can afford to rent a room on this building," I responded.

"And speaking of the rent, I don't think I can afford to stay with you for a long run, and I only needed to stay maybe fifteen days," I said, and he suddenly looked solemn.

"Here is the deal. I will allow you to pay 1/4 of the rent, but you have to do the laundry, the cleaning; and cook our meal; if not, you need to pay half of the rent, and one more thing, you can't fall in love with me." Archer said with confidence, and my eyes widened in disbelief.

"Excuse me, who said I am sharing a room with you and become your maid? How much more to fall in love with someone conceited and self-centered like you? Do you think everyone will like you because of your pretty face? I am sorry to disappoint you, but not everyone at the University is stupid." I snapped at him, and he was shocked with my response, and then I couldn't believe he would laugh that made some of the customers look in our direction.

"Did I say something funny?" I asked, still unable to believe my statement would make him laugh.

"Nothing is funny with what you say, Mariela, but I found it funny that for the first time, someone is not interested in me, and I am glad you are not one of those girls." He said, and I could feel the sincerity in his voice.

"I am a little hurt, but I just want you to know those girls are not crazy, they are sexy and beautiful, and you were right; their families are loaded, but they are not the ones I needed." He added.

"And I am sorry if my statement implies I want you to be my maid, but it is not what I meant, Mariela. I want to help you do the chores, but I already told you, I don't know anything about household chores, maybe you will give me a chance." He continued.

"Help me, and we can compromise, stay the night at my place, and perhaps you will change your mind tomorrow; all I want from you is to help me, and I will be grateful if you will assist me." He said, and I couldn't believe he touched my heart as I realized he needed some help, and I wondered what he was dealing with at this moment.

"Okay, by the way, you can call me Ella," I said as I offered my hand to him, I am not sure if I was making the right decision, but I didn't want to sleep on the street tonight, and the smile I saw on Archer's face was priceless.