The Bad Boy Next Room (Charlie and Taylor)

For a second, they froze, tangled up in pillows and breathless from laughter. Charlie huffed, pressing her hands against Taylor's bare chest.

"What are we doing here, Charlie?" Taylor finally asked.

"What do you mean? We were having a pillow fight,” Charlie responded.

His eyes landed on her lips, asking, "No, not that. This, what we are doing, is not a normal roommate relationship."

Realizing what Taylor was asking, Charlie became uneasy. She gulped and asked him, "What is this to you, Taylor West? Is this a game you are playing?"

"I'm not that kind of guy," Taylor seriously answered. "Don't you know that by now?"

"Honestly? I don't know," Charlie said. "I know some things about you, but not enough."

"Then, we better start getting to know each other fast," Taylor said. He got up quickly, carried Charlie, and threw her over his shoulder!

"Ahh! Taylor!" All Charlie could do was scream in shock as he brought her to the living room!

Taylor settled her on the couch, and he sat across from her. He did not spare a second before reintroducing himself, "Let's restart, shall we, Charlie? My name is Taylor Carrington West. I am the eldest son of Grayson and Savannah West. You have met my brother, Tristan. I was born and raised here in Luxford. We live in Westwood Estate, 1725 Evercrest Lane -"

"Wait," Charlie stopped him. "Are we going to do this now? Because I am hungry."

"You are hungry?" Taylor asked. "Can you be hungry a little later?"

"Taylor!" Charlie objected.

"Fine. You sure know how to pick a time." He looked disappointed but got up anyway, saying, "Okay, let's cook."noveldrama

Together, they prepared a simple egg and toast for a late breakfast. Still, while doing so, Taylor kept telling Charlie about himself, "My mother's side of the family is into politics."

"Oh, interesting," Charlie said, already forgetting about their recent pillow fight and the rest of that morning's incident.

"That's how my dad became the city

engineer; it was through the

influence of my mother's side," Taylor said. "My dad is a Civil Engineer and inspired me to be one. Although I wanted to play basketball, I knew I couldn't possibly play it all my life. Hence, the engineering course."

"But what if you do succeed as a basketball player?" Charlie asked.

"Then, I'd be thrilled," Taylor said, turning to Charlie with a smile.

She looked at him, her face faintly burned because Taylor was shirtless, only wearing his shorts and an apron.

"But, on average, basketball players retire in their mid-thirties. I can't be a couch potato after that," Taylor said. "Besides, I like engineering too."

After cooking, they both sat in front of the table and ate. Even with his mouth full, he kept talking, "As you know, I like sports -"

"Why don't you eat first. You'll choke," Charlie suggested before digging in herself.

"I just want to get through this quickly," Taylor said, chewing really hard and fast. "I like basketball, as you know, but my second favorite sport is swimming -"

Charlie's eyes lit up. She asked, "You like swimming? I miss swimming! There is no beach here in Luxford, and the nearest pool resort is always crowded."

"You love swimming?" Taylor reconfirmed.

"Very much. I'm good at swimming. My dad is an excellent swimmer, and he taught me well," Charlie said. "I might even beat you at swimming!"

"What? No way! I am a man!" Taylor objected. "I'm way taller than you. You can't beat me."

"Well, just maybe," Charlie said, smiling as she resumed eating her meal.

Charlie could feel Taylor watching her from the other end of the table.

Soon, she heard him say, "If I can

bring you to a private pool wienet

you can freely swim on your

would you, Charlie Rae King, go out on a date with me? A real date, not this fake relationship."

ет

Hearing his suggestion, Charlie's heart raced Finally, she thought, Taylor was making his intentions clear! Before she could even consult Guardian Angel and her Inner Devil, she said, "Okay, but the pool better be worth it."

Yet again, Taylor smiled. He said, "I won't disappoint you. Hurry up because you're meeting my parents."

"What?" Charlie asked. "I thought we were going to a pool?"