Two weeks and I was no closer to getting a job than when I first arrived. It was boring work to find one. I surfed the net on job posting websites, but usually got distracted by online videos about halfway through the day.

Cleaning had lost its unique charm as well. I still managed to work on at least one room on each of the two days I was supposed to clean. I didn't get rewarded again like the first time. I guess that was just a teaser to thank me? I wasn't sure.

There was no telling what was on that enigmatic man's mind. He would just kiss my forehead before he left in the morning and give me a hug when he came home in the evenings. He looked tired some days. I didn't want to pry too much into his business yet, so I didn't ask.

I had gone for a few walks around the neighbourhood to see what was nearby. I understood why he didn't have a car. Just about everything was within walking distance or subway ride away from there. No point in having one if you rarely ever use it.

The employment agency was about five blocks away and up in a tall building. I went there a couple days a week. They wanted to put me on a construction crew, but I didn't want to do that kind of work.

I saw how tired, dusty, and overworked the crew guys I passed looked. I was lazy. Lazy! So why would I sign up for back breaking labour if I could avoid it? I wouldn't. Ever. I was spoiled and if that meant taking a minimum wage position in some small business with no perks, whatever.

Ames and I were still chatting back and forth now that school was over. I appreciated that. She was going to be working at her mother's office in a temp summer position to help with paperwork until she went back to school. It had already started and she loved to complain about it.

When I heard she had a day off, I just figured it was time to reconnect and invited her over to the apartment. I needed a day off from doing nothing but looking over boring jobs anyways.

"Hey, are you going to let me in or what?" Her voice on the other end of the intercom was amused more than annoyed. I laughed and buzzed her into the building. It would be a few minutes before she could get to our door, so I tossed my breakfast dishes in the sink and brushed my teeth.

"What's up girl friend." I smirked as I let her in the door. She looked around curiously and took off her sneakers.

"This is a nice place. Is Sasha home?" She asked politely. I shook my head.

"No, he has work most days. Just me by my lonesome self. Glad you could keep me company for today." I showed her the kitchen, living room and bathroom. I didn't take her upstairs. I didn't think Sasha would like that.

"So what do you want to do?" She sat on the couch and I hummed as I flopped into the chair. My laptop was set up on the coffee table from when I was searching before she came.

"I dunno. You want to play video games?" I shrugged. She grinned at me.

"Sure. No complaining if I kick your butt though." She teased me. I laughed and set everything up. We played pretty furiously for a couple hours, then she called for pizza. I still wasn't very good at feeding myself, or others for that matter.

It was still bright outside when Ames finally called it a day and left. We hugged and promised to do it again. It was sure a fun day. I flopped on the couch and yawned, looking at the mess we made with an apathetic glance.

I still had lots of time to clean up before he came home, was my thought as I dozed off on the comfortable couch. But those are famous last words, aren't they? Yeah. They are. When I finally blinked my eyes open, it was already dark.

I jumped up in a panic and rushed into the kitchen to grab a garbage bag. I was still throwing our cans, wrappers and food containers into the trash when Sasha walked into the living room. His face was blank and his arms crossed.

"Sasha... I'm so sorry. I had Ames over for a bit and I just lost track of time. I'll clean it all up, Sir. I promise." I rushed out the words. There was a slight tick in his cheek as he stared at me dispassionately.

"What is the rule Lukas?" His unimpressed voice rang out in the room. I was sweating.

"I'll... I'll make it perfect. Just give me a few minutes, Sir." My hands were shaking as I wiped crumbs off the coffee table into my hand and put them into the bag. He didn't move, just looking at me with those disappointed eyes.

"What is the rule?" He growled in a low voice. I closed my eyes and stopped what I was doing.

"The apartment is to be how you left it." I whispered sadly. I really meant to clean up before he got home. I did. But I fell asleep and I didn't do it. I looked at the room with his eyes and hung my head in shame.

"Do you know why, Lukas?" His low voice asked me. I looked up at him and nodded hesitantly.

"Because you work hard all day, Sir, and want to come home to a clean house." I replied sadly. His eyes narrowed at me.

"Not want, Lukas. I need to come home to a clean space. Do you understand? I am going to go upstairs to shower and change. When I come back down, this room is to be spotless." His firm tone of voice, fierce eyes, and tense body all told me I was still in big trouble.

"Yes Sir." I answered as he stalked out of the room. I rushed around to pick up everything and put it back where it belonged. I had to get a cloth to wipe down the coffee table and ran the small handheld vacuum over the spot in front of the couch to remove any crumbs.

I pulled the bag into the kitchen so he couldn't see it and flinched at the dishes still in the sink from this morning. I scrubbed those clean and wiped down the counters. Then I hauled the bag of garbage to the chute down the hall.

I went back to the apartment with slow steps. Sasha was sitting on the couch watching the news. I wasn't sure what to do with myself. Did he want me to come in? Was I supposed to stay out?

"Are you going to stand there and stare at me all night?" His dry voice came from the couch without him moving a muscle. I blushed and slunk into the room. I moved to the couch and looked at him sheepishly.

"Sorry Sir." I whispered. He just looked up and me and raised a brow.

"Sit." He commanded, then turned towards the television to continue watching. I moved forward to sit down next to him, but he shoved my butt forward so that I slid down to the floor. I looked at him in shock.

"Dogs don't sit on the couch."

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