E T H A N

When I finally walked inside, my eyes widened when a small dog ran in my direction — barking loudly and growling at the sight of me. It was a Shih Tzu and judging its reaction to my appearance, it thought that I was a potential danger to its owner. 

My eyes then went towards Claire's direction — who was too busy telling me where the laundry was.

"This dog is relentless. Can you tell him to stop barking at me?" Her eyes went back toward her dog and gave me a look as if I was crazy. I could tell that she was almost telling me that I'm too old for whining.

"Why can't you tell him then? My dog's nice," she replied before shaking her head. "The laundry's here for pick up."

When I tried moving, her dog barks more loudly and kept on snarling at me. Frustrated, I gave the dog a glare and mumbled to myself. "Not from my perspective."

"Well, I can't move on my spot with him always blocking me," I opened up to her as I try to move and take it one step at a time. There were a few struggles until I almost got to where she was.

But, I could already tell that she was annoyed. From the look on her face, she probably wanted to yell out that I should walk faster than being scared of her dog.

"Just come over here already."

"Be nice. I'm just the laundry boy. Chill."

As soon as she noticed that I wasn't going to even take a single step, she then decided to take a treat for her dog and called its name. When the dog finally hears her voice, it then followed her, and didn't even hesitate to take the food from her hands and eat it gladly.

Claire looked at me and almost laughed at my reaction. "See? He stopped."

"Maybe because you gave him food and not the fact that I talked to him," I told her as a frown stayed up until she walked towards a door and opened it.

When I finally walked inside, I gave her a raised eyebrow. "Now, where's the laundry basket?"

"There." She pointed to a blue basket filled with T-shirts and even dresses that were used. It was stacked and I couldn't really count them with my fingers so I guessed that she really wanted to punish me.

"I need to wash all these?" She gave me a nod before I let out a loud sigh. This is going to be tough. I don't even know how many clothes are in that basket.

"That's part of the deal," she replied with a teasing grin. There was a slight pause in our conversation before I decided to ask her. I can't just let this be. There are too many dirty clothes in this basket.

"Are you sure your friend didn't put hers in this?" Her eyebrows raised in shock as I kept my lips pursed shut right after that.

"No. Why? Do you want her to?" She asked me before I started shaking my head. That's the last thing that I want her to do.

I couldn't help but give her a dead look in the eye before frowning. "I didn't say that."

Claire gave me a nod before she waved her hand to shoo me. "Then, get started. That laundry won't wash by itself. Remember, this is your punishment."

"Right now, I do wish that they did." That was the first thought that came to mind as I looked at the laundry basket that I got. Having no choice but to start, I took the basket outside with her dog just looking at me.

As soon as I got outside, I couldn't help but mumble to myself in annoyance. "How can I be sure that this girl isn't using me to avoid chores?"

Since I didn't want to wash it by hand, I went back to find her and asked. "I'm pretty sure that you have a washer in there. I'll use that one—"

"No, as punishment, no washer," she answered as she turned to look at me with a smile. "You can use your hands."

"You're kidding."

When I saw her raise her finger and waved it to disagree, my mouth went agape, and just gave a nod. "Oh, you're not."

Walking back outside, I say in a monotonous voice before taking the basin and filling it with water. "She's definitely using that washer. She doesn't know how to do her laundry."

"Anyway, I'll just make you some snacks and you can eat those after you've done the laundry. After that, you can leave." I almost jumped when she suddenly appeared right beside me. I just gave her a thumbs-up and she then went back to what she was doing.

As soon as she went inside, I let out a sigh. "If I knew sooner that I would be a laundry guy, I would've already run away from that woman."

"What snacks are you going to prepare?" Since I was curious about what she was cooking, I decided to ask her. After a few seconds, I was left without a reply.

Lips pursed, I almost rolled my eyes and just nodded. "Thanks for replying. Geez, that woman."

A loud ringtone interrupted my thoughts and my hands almost let go of the blue T-shirt that I was about to start with. The caller's id startled me and my hand acted on its own — taking it in a matter of seconds.

"Love?" Now's not the right time." She was silent on the other line as I answered her like this. Knowing Vanessa, she probably wasn't used to me declining her call all of a sudden.

Her voice hinted at a bit of surprise and disappointment. "You don't have time for your girlfriend? That's new."

"Are you cheating on me?"

"I'm just busy today, love. No, I'm not cheating on you. I can't tell you everything right now, that's all."

There was no hint of anger in her voice after that. I guess she let me off the hook this time. I was about to sigh in relief but my convenience only lasted for a while as soon as Claire's voice rang out and can even be heard on the call.

"Is chicken pops and soda alright?"

Vanesa was silent for a minute before she gave me this deadly voice that could kill me right on the spot if I didn't answer. "Did I just hear a girl's voice?"

"That's the tv," I lied while closing my eyes, hoping that she'd let it go and believe me. Well, that is, not until Claire loudly called my name out.

"Ethan!"

At that moment, I wanted to end the call so Vanessa won't be able to ask me again. Since she was my childhood friend, however, I know that she won't back down easily and would find a way to make me open up.

"I swear that I heard a girl," her voice was like venom once she mumbled under her breath. Since I was nervous, I couldn't think of any other way but to sound like a woman and just try.

"That's just me," I answered in a feminine voice that sounded like Barbie at that time. Vanessa was too quiet so I had to make sure to cut the connection when I have the chance.

"Let's talk next time, alright? I'm quite busy today."

Without her answering, I told her those three simple words that she wanted to hear before ending the call. Claire suddenly went outside, leaning on the wall as she gave me a serious look.

"Do you even want snacks or not? I'd gladly stop what I'm doing," she told me as I shook my head in disagreement before taking one of the shirts that I was washing and giving her a forced smile.

"Yeah, chicken pops and soda are fine."