When the other line picks up, I immediately say, “I’ll take it.”
Chapter 3
Ellie
“I
hope you find these accommodations to your liking, Miss Monroe. This was the closest house we had to campus,” Dean Ashby explains, walking me through my new home for the next semester. I was able to convince him to let me try it out for one semester before agreeing to anything more than that.
Apparently, Professor Littman has decided that she’s not coming back to Ellington University after her maternity leave, so the position is fully open now. I plan on using this semester as a trial to see if this is something I can actually do, and if it is, maybe I’ll consider doing itfull time.
When I told my mom that I was going back to Ellington, she was ecstatic for me. I knew she would be. It’s an actual job with an actual paycheck. Gwen was sad I was leaving the city, but she was also really happy for me, and my brother was thrilled.
My twin has always been my biggest supporter, and I have always thought how lucky I am to have a brother who cares about me. Of course we fight and bicker as all siblings do, but as we’ve grown up and have had to deal with our family drama, we’ve learned to stick together.
Dean Ashby brings me into a grand dining room that is attached to the large kitchen. This place is almost as nice as my mom’s house, which is crazy since this is a college campus. I guess that’s what you get when you go to a school that charges an arm and a leg for tuition. You can’t get into Ellington University unless you have money, you know someone, or you get a scholarship. Fortunately for Holland and me, our father attended Ellington and was an Elite. Being an Elite meant wealth, power, and brotherhood. Once you’re inducted into said brotherhood, you’re in it for life, and so are your children. Specifically, the sons.
Holland is what they call a Legacy. Since our father was an Elite, Holland is too. We were given no other choice but to attend Ellington. Lainey got in because her parents are richer than God, and Gwen was there on a scholarship.
I take in the space around me, noticing the intricate details in the old wood. The atmosphere is inviting and full of charm, with a sense of history that feels comforting rather than intimidating.
The grand entryway opens into a bright, airy foyer where natural light streams in through tall windows, warming the polished wood floors and highlighting the elegant staircase that curves gently upward.
To the right, a sunny sitting room is equipped with a beautiful area rug and cheerful patterned wallpaper. The fireplace is old and looks like it hasn’t been used in years, but it still serves as a decorative focal point. The framed artwork on the walls looks as if it’s from the late eighteen hundreds era, which gives the room a sort of spooky feel.
The dining room is spacious but comfortable, with a long wooden table that gleams under a simple chandelier. The China cabinets display neatly arranged dishes and glassware. As we make our way upstairs, I notice that each of the four bedrooms are spacious and thoughtfully decorated. I thought there would be more bedrooms, considering how large the house is.
“Yes, this is amazing. I wasn’t expecting something so…”
“Spacious? Yes, well, you’re an alum, and you’re helping me out a great deal. You deserve a decent living space. Of course, you’ll be sharing said space with a roommate, so you’ll be grateful for the extra space,” he explains. My heart freezes in my chest at the mention of a roommate. I couldn’t have heard him right. There’s no way he forgot to mention that I’d be living with someone, right?
“I’m sorry, roommate? You didn’t mention anything about a roommate when we spoke about me taking the position.”
Dean Ashby has the decency to look sheepish, knowing he conveniently left that part out. Running a hand through his grey, thin hair, he looks at me with guilt in his eyes.
“Unfortunately, we hired someone around the same time as you and promised you both housing. An oversight on our part, as we found that there was only one house available. Since the space is so big, I figured you would both have your own space. Your schedules are drastically different, so you probably won’t even know he’s here most days.”
Blood rushes in my ears as I take in everything he’s just said.
“Did you say he? As in a him? As in a guy? As in, the roommate I didn’t even know I was going to have is a male?” Is this even legal? Can he even do this? Dean Ashby cringes at my sharp tone.
“I know this isn’t ideal, but please understand that the intentions on my part were good; we just did not realize the lack of housing until it was too late.”
My blood boils, and everything in me wants to say screw this and walk out, but I need this gig. This could be really good for me, and it could open up a lot of doors.
“Dean Ashby, I’m really not comfortable with this. Isn’t there literally anything else we can do? I’ll live on campus, I don’t care,” I plead desperately.
“Unfortunately, all of our dorms are occupied, Miss Monroe.” His bushy brows furrow, and his cheeks pinken.
“Please, just give this a chance. I’ve met him, of course, and he is quite the gentleman. He’s very professional. He’s here to work and that is all. If you ever have any issues with him, notify me immediately and I will have him removed from our faculty.”
Sighing, I nod. I don’t think I’m going to win this. Maybe there really is nothing he can do. If I want to keep this job, this is something I need to endure. Who knows, maybe the guy will be really nice, and he won’t end up killing me in my sleep.
“Is he aware of this arrangement?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest. Dean Ashby looks at the ground nervously, his weight shifting from one side to the other.
“Not exactly.”
“Oh my god, you can’t be serious." My jaw drops at the audacity of this man to assume two strangers would be perfectly okay living together for an entire semester against their will.
