N O A H

Two nights have slipped by, and we haven't spoken more than three words to each other. I'm sprawled out on the couch, trying to lose myself in One of Us Is Lying. But my mind keeps drifting.

The show isn't doing its job of distracting me like it usually does. I've already seen this episode twice, but it's better than sitting here alone with my thoughts.

I hear a soft voice from the hallway. I turn down the volume, straining to listen. It's Sarah, talking to someone on the phone. There's a softness in her tone, a kind of warmth I've never heard from her before.

"I love you," she whispers, barely audible.

I sit up straighter, my interest piqued. Love?

Who the hell is she saying that to?

I know I shouldn't care, but the way she sounds makes something twist in my chest. Is she seeing someone? I've never seen anyone come by, and she's been glued to this house since she started working here.

She hangs up quickly, and before I can think too much about it, she appears in the doorway, looking startled to see me.

Her eyes dart around, and there's this quick flicker of something like guilt, but she recovers fast, her usual guarded expression snapping back into place.

"Noah," she says, shifting on her feet like she's working up the nerve to ask me something. "Can I take a three-hour break today? It's my friend's birthday, and I promised her I'd be there."

Her eyes are wide, almost pleading. It's the most animated I've seen her, and damn if it doesn't catch me off guard.

She looks almost... excited.

I lean back, crossing my arms. "Three hours, huh?" I say, pretending to think it over.

I should mess with her, make her sweat a little, but the way she's practically bouncing on her toes, it's almost cute.

"Yeah," she nods eagerly. "I'll be quick, I promise."

I wave a hand. "Fine, go. But if you're not back on time, I'm doubling your chores."

The smile that spreads across her face is instant and genuine, and it does something weird to my chest.

"Thank you!" she chirps, her voice bubbly in a way I've never heard before. She spins around and bolts back to her room, like she can't wait to get ready.

I shake my head, trying to refocus on the TV. Who is she saying 'I love you' to? The thought won't leave me alone. And why do I even care?

She's just a maid, someone to look after the house and keep her nose out of my business. But something about the way she said it-soft and real-it bugs me.

A few minutes pass, and I hear her door creak open. I glance over the back of the couch and almost do a double take. Sarah's stepping out of her room, wearing this tight, low-cut dress that hugs her in all the right places.

It's short. Really short. And suddenly, I can't remember what episode I'm watching anymore.

She catches me staring, and there's this flicker of something in her eyes. Maybe nerves, maybe pride, I can't tell.

"Does this look okay?" she asks, doing a quick spin. "I don't usually dress like this."

I clear my throat, trying to play it cool. "Yeah, sure. Looks... fine." But damn, that dress is a lot more than fine.

She beams at me, looking genuinely pleased. "Thanks again for letting me go." She's practically glowing with excitement as she heads toward the front door.

Before I can say anything, Leelo shows up, car keys in hand. "Ready to hit the party, Miss Sarah?" he says, winking at her. They exchange a look, laughing like old friends, and something sour churns in my stomach.

"What the hell are you doing back here?"

He gives me a lazy grin, twirling the car keys on his finger like he owns the place. "Sarah asked me to drop her off at her friend's party. Figured I'd stick around and make sure she got there safe."

"Sarah asked you?" I repeat, not bothering to hide the irritation in my voice.

Leelo nods, like it's the most normal thing in the world. "Yeah, she was all nervous about going alone. She's not from around here, remember? I'm just being the gentleman you taught me to be." He throws a dramatic bow for good measure.

I roll my eyes, but there's a part of me that's impressed. I didn't think Sarah had it in her to ask for help, let alone from someone like Leelo.

I always pegged her as too proud, too stubborn to lean on anyone. But seeing her so excited, so alive... it did something to me.

"She's got you wrapped around her finger, huh?" I mutter, trying to sound casual.

I watch as they leave together, Leelo chatting her up like he's known her forever. I can't help the way my jaw clenches.

Why the hell is he acting so chummy with her?

Once they're gone, the house feels emptier than usual. I try to get back into my show, but all I can think about is the way Sarah looked in that dress and the fact that she's off with Leelo, laughing and having a good time.

A sudden movement catches my eye through the window. I narrow my gaze, catching sight of a shadow lurking at the edge of the property, just beyond the pool area. My heart skips a beat.

Is someone watching the house?

Watching me?

I shake my head, trying to convince myself it's nothing. But that uneasy feeling settles in my gut, refusing to let go.

Leaning back against the couch, I can't get the image of Sarah in that dress out of my mind. I try to focus on the TV, but all I see is the curve of her waist, the way the fabric clung to her like a second skin.

Damn it, why am I even thinking about this? She's just... the maid. But that dress, the way it hugged her hips and those legs...

I breathe out and look down, realising I'm already hard.

Fuck you, Noah!

I ignore it, trying to focus on the TV, but it's no use. My eyes keep drifting to the front door, half expecting her to walk back in. The thought of her out there, looking like that, with guys leering at her-it bothers me more than it should.

I don't like feeling off balance, especially not because of some girl I barely know.

I get up, moving to the window, peering into the darkness outside. And there it is again-a flicker of movement, like someone's lurking just beyond the edge of the pool lights.

I just keep staring into the shadows, that uneasy feeling gnawing at me. Sarah's gone, dressed like that, and here I am, paranoid and restless. I try to shake it off, but it's like there's this knot in my gut that won't loosen.

"Whatever, it's probably nothing," I finally mutter, forcing myself to turn away from the window.

I try to push it all away, but I can't shake the image of her, the way she smiled, the way her eyes lit up when she thanked me. And damn it, I can't stand that it bothers me so much.

°°°

What do you think of UTBC so far?