I quickly went out of the kitchen to serve the customer and I was kind of…dazzled. The guy seems to be the same age as Caleb. He has this dark brown hair, deep brown eyes, and a hot sly smile on his face. He looks so elegant in his black suit and pants with a red tie. It's like he just arrived from prom or something. I've never seen someone so breathtaking such as him like he's just a figment of my imagination. But at the same time, there's an eerie feeling around me. I snapped out of my senses and approached him nervously. Oh god, my heart is thumping like mad! Is this love? No, love doesn't come this easily. I'm sure this is one of those stupid puppy love thing again.

"Uh, h-hi. Can I help you?" I asked, my voice an octave higher than the usual.

He smirked at me, the bad boy type that could melt any girl's heart. "Oh hey, I just want to acquire about a lodging place. I kind of need a place to stay for three weeks"

And his voice- it is just so alluring. He can stay at our place for as long as he likes if you ask me.

"Oh okay, well, my grandpa is taking care of some guests. So, you can eat first if you'd like" I suggested.

The guy smiled and takes a seat on the stool while I go behind the counter and put on the apron.

"Sure, what would you recommend for me to eat?" he asked as he leans forward.

Uh-oh. Have I mentioned that I don't know how to cook?

I grinned and felt a little embarrassed, "Well, I'm not really a cook. But I can offer you some pancakes, it's my specialty"

"Pancake sounds good"

"It'll be ready in ten minutes" I said.

I turned around, my heart feeling heavy still, as I take three eggs, flour, and milk and put it all in a bowl. I cracked the eggs then James suddenly looked at me from the small kitchen window.

"Are you okay in there?" he asked. "You look kind of nervous"

I nodded and whisked the ingredients altogether, "Yep, I'm just making some pancakes. Favor, can you call grandpa and tell him that someone is asking about the lodging place"

"Oh sure"

He used the back door, leaving me alone with this handsome customer.

"So"

"Hmm?" I turned around, still whisking, when the guy suddenly spoke. He was looking at the salt and pepper shaker.

"What's your name?" he asked with an intoxicating smile showing off all his pearly white teeth.

"A-Abigail Combs. You can call me Abbey for short" I added. "How about you?"

"I'm Caius"

Wow, just the name itself sounds so classy. Haven't I heard his name before in some book? Well, who really cares about that right now?

I turned on the stove and poured some oil on the pan and the pancake mix. Oh god, I do hope he stays in our place. I'll be delighted to serve him anytime. While waiting for the pancake to be cooked, I suddenly heard Caius chuckle a bit. I turned around curiously and he's covering his mouth with the back of his hand. He really is chuckling, maybe because of some kind of inside joke to himself. Nonetheless, he's still hot. He stopped already and smiled at me again.

"Are you here often?" he asked.

"Sort of" I said. "I live here but, I go to L.A. to study"

"L.A., I'm assuming you have a lot of suitors there?"

I tried not to snort, but I did. Never, in my entire life, did someone showed any interest in me except for my family. Guys from the academy aren't really my type. They're all the neat type while I'm, well, the rebel type. I tucked a few strands of my hair behind my ear and grinned.

"I never dated someone, if you need to know" emphasizing on the word never.

Caius scoffed and placed his chin on his palm, looking eager. "seriously, that's impossible for a beautiful girl like you"

Wait, did he-oh yes he did. He called me beautiful. Other than my dad, grandpa, and Percy, no other guy ever called me beautiful. Even James don't call me beautiful. He feels nauseated just thinking about it. I felt my cheeks burn again and I turned around and placed the cooked pancake on a plate, scooped a vanilla ice cream on top, put a little whip cream around and chocolate syrup. And viola! My pancake is done! I served it to him and he takes a small bite out of it.

"Well, is it revolting?" I cringed when I asked. It's been awhile since I last made pancakes.

I waited for a second for his critic over my pancake. He chewed and then swallowed, then wiped his beautiful lips with the table napkin.

He gave me a thumbs up and grinned, "The best I've ever tasted"

"Really or are you just making me feel happy?"

"It's real" he persisted. "By the way, you have something on the side of your lip"

I tried wiping whatever it is on my lip but, Caius stood up and leaned towards me. He grabbed my arm and the other hand gently wipes off the dirt on my face. His touch was so gentle and I can smell the scent of his perfume.

Just then, the little bell rang again. I quickly moved back from Caius, feeling a bit awkward about that flour incident, then saw that it was Caleb who just came in.

"Hey Caleb, are you all right?" I asked.

He is breathing heavily and sweat trickles down his face. And yet, he still gave me the friendliest smile I have ever seen. He and Caius exchanged looks for a minute and seconds later, James arrived with grandpa. He talked to Caius for a minute while I approached Caleb.

"Come on, I need your help" he said and pulled me out of the diner and back to the house without even letting me speak.

As we both walk up the stairs, I can hear my family having fun in the living room. It must be fun to see a long friend after awhile. I'm sure I'll also be as thrilled as them when Jamie comes back. He led me to their room and Sam is standing beside the window.

"We can't open the window" Sam told me and tries to pull it up again, but it wouldn't budge an inch.

"I'll call my dad to help you open it" I said and walked out again.

I went down to the family room and saw my dad sitting beside mom on the couch, listening to Mr. Walker's stories. I knocked on the wall softly to get their attention for awhile. Uncle Jeep was the first one to notice me.

"Oh becca, your little daughter is here" he pointed out.

And all eyes are on me again. I hate it when everyone is looking at me. It makes me feel like I've done something wrong or I'm some kind of display.

"Hey sweetie, you need anything?" she asked nicely .

I shook my head and pointed at the dad, "I need dad for a sec"

Dad excused himself and approached me with a curious face.

"What is it?" he asked with his usual calm husky voice.

"The lodgers can't seem to open the window in their room. Can you help open it?" I shared.

"Sure, let's go"

I was about to follow dad upstairs when I suddenly heard Mr. Williams ask my mom something I think I shouldn't have heard.

Does she know anything?

It left me stuck where I'm standing. Do I know anything, about what? Are they hiding something from me? What the hell could it be?

"Abigail"

I looked up and realized that dad is already upstairs. I ran upstairs and followed him towards the lodger's room. I stood in one corner along with Caleb while I watch dad try to open the window along with Sam.

"Well, it is stuck" dad declared, "I'll just go get my tools in the garage"

He excused himself and Sam went to lie on his bed first. I was about to leave the room to go back to the diner when Caleb grabbed my wrist again tightly.

I looked at him annoyed, "Seriously, what is it with you and grabbing? It's not like I'm falling from a cliff or something"

"I'm sorry" he said and let go of my wrist. "About that guy from the diner"

"Hm, Caius?"

"Yeah, if he does ever stay here, could you please keep your distance?"

Okay, is Caleb getting weirder and weirder or what?

I folded my arms and scoffed, "Keep my distance? Why, do you know him or some sort? The last time I checked, you're the creepy one that pops out anywhere"

"I just don't trust him and… my instincts are always right"

Dad suddenly appeared from the door with his hammer and other tools and I just left the room without a word.