Confusion and aggravation are the emotions I wake up to this morning. The meal that Owen had left on my doorstep last night, consisted of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and asparagus. The plate was still warm when I picked it up after he left. Assuming that the latest his dinner had ended was when his blonde friend left, he had to have reheated the food before bringing it over to me an hour later. Meaning, he consciously thought about bringing me food before he actually did so.

Everything I've learned from observing my insanely studious neighbor, has let me to believe that every aspect of his life is carefully planned and thought out. All except for me. Is that why he's been so fixated on me? Because I don't fit into his neat little box? Because I won't let him help me? And that's what's confusing me. Why does he continue to offer me help? I've never known anyone to go out of their way to continuously offer help to someone who rejects their assistance time and again.

And the fact that this man is constantly on my mind is extremely aggravating. What does it matter why he does what he's doing? It's no concern of mine what stuffy, perfectly handsome, intrusive, 20 something year old men do in their spare time. None at all.

Shaking my head to clear it of all thing's Owen Blackbourne, I get out of bed and walk through the house, making note of what still needs to be done. All of the rooms have been cleaned, except for the study, which has been holding all of my cleaning and paint supplies.

I walk back to my room and change into the dark clothes I've been cleaning in. After pulling my hair up into a high ponytail, I transfer everything from the study into the hall closet that leads to the laundry room.

I might have to install some shelves down there at some point for folding and detergent.

After everything is out of my way, I get to work cleaning the windows and the mantle over the fireplace. I stick my head up the chimney after I'm done, and see that it's been boarded at the top. It makes sense with how long the house was on the market, but it won't do with my needs for it. I plan on spending many nights in front of this fireplace with a good book.

The house isn't that high, so I'm pretty sure I'll be able to reach the roof on the ladder. The clock that I managed to fix and place above the study door reads 8:30am. Everyone should be at work by now, but just in case I'll start working on it after a short break.

Wiping a bit of sweat off my brow, I go to my bathroom and brush my teeth, then head into the kitchen for my menial breakfast of toast and water.

I hate that Owen was right. What little food I did manage to get at the supermarket on Friday is running dangerously low. All except for the water.

I really lucked out on that 24 bottle value pack.

And the taste of Owen's dinner last night made me crave a real meal. Maybe I can go out today and get a few more things now that the fridge is working.

Having now made a solid same plan for the next few hours, I finish up my toast and place my half finished water bottle in the fridge for when I get back. After taking a quick shower, and getting dressed in the only skirt I own, thankful that the bruises are now gone, and a pale pink short sleeved button up. After finishing off my look with my ballet flats, keeping my hair in it's ponytail, I dig in my bookbag for the cash I have stacked away. There's about $500 left from all of the shopping I did on Friday.

I'll have to see if there are any job openings while I'm in town.

I grab $100 for food and some change for the bus, slip it into my ill fitting bra, grab my keys and leave the house. I have to walk a few blocks down to get to the bus stop, but I don't have to wait long for it to arrive. Finding it mostly empty since it's part the morning rush, I find a seat close to the front and sit by the window, watching the beautiful scenery that we pass by.

It's a few stops to the outlet that has the supermarket and when I get off, the parking lot doesn't have too many cars in it.

At least I won't have to wait on any long lines.

As I'm walking through the pathways, a bookstore catches my eye. What's even better is that they have a help wanted sign in the window. Looking over my outfit to make sure I'm presentable enough to try and go for this job, I take a deep breath, and start in that direction.

The overhead bell chimes when I push open the door, alerting the worker to my presence. There's a middle aged woman in the center aisle moving her thumb over the spines of the books in front of her. Her jet black hair hangs in a low ponytail, standing out against her pale skin. She has on a white t-shirt with blue skinny jeans and Doc Marten boots.

Isn't it a bit hot for that?

"I'll be right with you." she calls out to me. Her voice a high alto with a southern twang that I'm used to. "Feel free to take a look around."

Taking her advice, I head over to the right where there's a small reading area set up in front of a small electric fireplace. The store itself isn't that large. Only big enough for what looks like two rows of five shelves.

I wonder if there are more books in the back, or if she takes orders based on customer consumption.

I take a look at the shelve that's closest to the seating area, and see that it's filled with more vampire novels than you can think of. The next shelve over reveals more supernatural based books.

What kind of bookstore is this?

I walk back over to the front of the store just as she's hanging up the phone at the front desk. Her eyes widen as she sees me and a smile appears on her face. As she walks up to me, I see that her eyes are a stunning shade of violet, and I wonder to myself if they're contacts. Her whole appearance is all over the place.

"Hi, I'm Cassie. Welcome to Angel's books." she greets me with a handshake. "I've never seen you in here before. Have you just moved here? Or just gotten into reading?"

"Oh, um. I just moved here. Well, this area anyway. Down by old man's creek?"

"Oh I love going to the creek on a warm summer day. Nothing like a good book and nature to brighten up any day." she gushes.

"Too true. Um, so I saw your sign outside..."

"The help wanted, or the book signing?"

"Oh, the help wanted. I was wondering if I could apply? My name is Sang."

"Well, Sang, what do you like to read?"

"Um, a little of everything really. Fiction, non-fiction, sci-fi, fantasy-"

"And who's your favorite author?"

"Alice Hoffman."

"How do you feel about Romeo and Juliet?"

"Cliche. They knew each other for what? A day? Pass."

"Werewolves or Vampires?"

"Neither. Fae."

"Team Edward, or Team Jacob?"

"Team Alice."

"When can you start?"

"Seriously?"

"I like the way you think. And I'm tootally Team Alice." she gushes. "So, does tomorrow work for you?"

"Yes! Oh my God, yes. Absolutely. There's just one little thing."

"What is it?"

"My paperwork got lost on the move over. I'm waiting for the offices to send over copies but you know how long that can take."

"No worries. I wouldn't be able to put you on the official payroll anyway. The government says that my store is too small to qualify having more than one employee, but we really need the help. I'm thinking of doing an expansion soon if we get a pick up in customers. So cash work for you?"

Wow she talks fast.

"Um, yeah. Cash works fine. I'll be in first thing tomorrow morning."

"Perfect, we open at 7. See you tomorrow Sang."

After leaving the bookstore, I head in the direction of the supermarket. Having a job and a solid plan for what I wanted to do to my house, really put a spring in my step.

Once inside, I grab a few essentials that I know I'll need in the house. Eggs, bread, bacon, cheese, lunch meat, peppers, onions, milk. As I think about dinner options for the next few days, I go over to the freezer section and grab a few meats. I don't grab too much since I have to carry it all back home on bus.

While I'm on the line for checkout, a particularly loud conversation starts that I'm unable to ignore.

"Put that shit down Lucian. We're not here to get you sugar." A gruff voice booms.

I look over and see two men standing around the premade cakes. One of the men is wearing all black and has a scowl fixed on his ruggedly handsome face. A gold hoop earring hangs in his right ear, partially covered by his dark locks.

The man standing with him is his polar opposite. Where the first man is dark and menacing, this man is light and bubbly. He has long blonde hair that's pulled back into a ponytail. He's wearing a light blue short sleeved button up with a pair of light blue cut off jeans. His smile is infectious as he responds to his shopping companion.

"Aww, come on North, it's not for me. Silas's birthday is Saturday, he needs a cake."

"Then make him one. I'd rather that than this crap that's preloaded with way too much sugar."

"Oh yeah, why didn't I think of that."

Their conversation ceases as they move away and I pay for my items. I made out pretty good since I caught a few things on sale. After paying for my purchases, I go back outside and wait for the bus, thankful that so far, it's been a productive day.