Hailie came back home feeling exhausted after a long day of lectures at college. She had two more essays and she had no idea what to write about.

First time since their meeting Pride hasn't welcomed her at the door. She wondered where she went, but she had other things to do rather than walking around the house and looking for a ghost.

She sat at the table and turned on her laptop just when her cell phone vibrated.

"Hey sis, how is it in your haunted palace?" It was a text from Molly, her sister.

They haven't talked for a while but Hailie wasn't mad. She knew that Molly had work, besides they've never been super close. Their relations could be named just fine.

"I love it here. Already made friends with the ghosts."

It was funny that telling the truth had no consequences. Because who would believe her story? It sounded like a joke.

"Haha, and have you talked with that cute policeman?"

She recalled yesterday's date. They've spent a lovely time together. Deep down Hailie hoped that Shane would meet with her again.

"We went out last night."

"Wow! That's a surprise. How was it?"

She was happy to talk with her sister but it was bad timing. She had to at least start writing this essay.

"I don't have my hopes high, but it was pretty great."

"I'm sure he was delighted with you!"

Hailie put away her phone and tried to concentrate on work. It was hard cause Molly made her think about Shane. Again. She spent the entire night thinking about him - she even dreamed about their date which was a nice change, cause usually she had nightmares about Jayson.

When she heard a doorbell she thought that the world just doesn't want her to write that essay. She sighed with irritation and came to the door.

"Hello, have I chosen a bad time to come?" asked Lucien, who was standing outside with two big bags on his arm.

Hailie tried to be more positive, cause she probably looked the way she felt. It was not Lucien's fault that she had so many things to do.

"No, no, I'm just in the middle or rather beginning of a stupid essay as my college work."

"I sympathize with you. Want any help?"

Hailie let him inside and he put his bags on the ground.

"Oh, I can't ask you that. Surely you have some better ideas on how to spend your free time."

"Not really to be honest." Lust thought that maybe with Hailie he had to take things slowly. She was cagey. "I have only two bags for now. I'll come tomorrow in the morning with other stuff."

"I have lectures so here," she gave him a second pair of keys, "after all you're living here now."

"Thanks."

It was funny for him, pretending not only to be human but also that he just moved into this house. If she only knew how long he was living here.

"Having a roommate is new for me, so... I'm not sure what I'm supposed to say. Just let me know if there's anything you need. I can show you around or... Well... Anyway I'm here if you need me."

That wasn't professional. She was a little bit embarrassed like always while speaking with others.

"That's nice of you, but I can show myself around. Unless you'd like to spend some time with me?"

She blushed and looked at the floor so she didn't have to see his charming dark eyes. There was something addictive about this man. He seemed like someone with a lot of faces and that's why it was wiser not to fall for his charms. She didn't need to be scared, she knew that Pride would smash him if he tried to do anything bad to her. But she could be scared of getting too involved. She just felt so many mixed up feelings she didn't understand while being next to Lucien.

"So would you like me to help you with your essay?"

Her mind was screaming 'yes' and 'no' at the same time. She wasn't sure what would come out of her mouth until she said it, "Thanks, but I'm fine."

He was again surprised she rejected him. He dealt with hundreds of people, but never with a case like hers. His charms always worked. Always.

"I'll be upstairs then. Feel free to come whenever you like."

She nodded with an instant desire to catch his arm and make him stay with her longer. It was stupid, so she tried to shake it off. Leaving Lucien at the door, she came back to the living room and her work.