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jtargaryen18 · 2 days ago

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The House of Shadowed Roses

CHAPTER 1

Words: 5.4k

Pairing: Edward (Loosely based off a "A Different Man") x Live-in Companion Reader M/F

Disclaimer: The author of this work claims no ownership of characters aside from the reader, and original secondary characters mentioned. This work is not intended for those under the age of 18 due to explicit sexual content and darker themes. By reading this work or any works on my blog (jtargaryen18), you agree that you are at least 18 years of age. I do not consent to have my work hosted on any third party app or site.

"You could have flown away A singing bird in an open cage Who will only fly, only fly for freedom..." - "Walk On" U2

A/N: This is my spin on Beauty & the Beast. Edward, at the beginning of the story, has the condition neurofibromatosis as he does in the film. But this isn't going to be used in a negative way, nor are we going to include depictions of him being mistreated by others as a result. (Edward has structured his life in a way to avoid that.)

As you were reading over the short list of rentals into today's paper, you felt your frustation rising. Were you going to find another place to live before you had to leave your current apartment?

It had been a long few years.

You graduated high school, started college pursuing a degree in business.Your first year in the MBA program was at the smaller Michigan university not far from your hometown. Your grades had been fine. You just realized after five years of business you didn't feel anything about it, one way or another. Did you really want to spend your life like that?

You took a gap year, working part time jobs to pay your bills and to keep your tiny, dark little apartment. You'd started working as a kennel assistant at a local veterinarian's office and what do you know? You found something you loved doing. Sure, you started out walking dogs, scooping poop, and cleaning kennels. But after a few months, you were trusted with other tasks in the clinic. You helped pull kittens or puppies when there was an expectant mother, you looked after animals boarded there. You helped put together prescriptions, sometimes helped the receptionists get vacations or personal days.

It was an easy choice, you were going back to school. The vet-med program was in Virginia but in four years, you'd earn a DVM. It was a job that you knew you'd appreciate and that would allow you to make a real difference.

The problem was, now you were heading for thirty and the student loans were piling up. After two years in the program, you earned a two-year technician's degree. It was as good a time as any to get some work in the field and pay some of that debt down.

The veterinary hospital in the small Virginia town was even nicer than the first one you'd worked in back home. It was female-owned with three female doctors, two other techs who were guys, and a competent staff of receptionists, kennel assistants, and even a couple of volunteers. After six months, your job there just fortified your desire to achieve a career as a veterinary doctor.

The problem? Living spaces.

You knew the apartment in the old -- really old -- boarding house was probably a risk. The building was a hundred and twenty-five years old, there were drafts, creaking floors, and leaks from the ceiling when it rained. The electric wiring needed repairs often.

When you received the notice that the building where you lived was being condemned, you panicked. You had just a month to make other arrangements which meant your living conditions probably weren't safe. But its affordable rent had really helped you put some money back.

Where were you supposed to go now?

When someone called your name the next day in the break room, you walked in to see Dave, one of the other techs, sitting at the table eating the lunch he'd packed and scrolling on his phone. He looked at you expectantly when he spotted you.

"Weren't you looking for a place to live?" he asked.

"Sure am," you told him.

"There's an ad in the marketplace," he told you, looking back to his phone. "Room for rent. Looking for someone to help with shopping and small errands. In exchange, will rent space: a bedroom, office or living room, and full bath. Kitchen and laundry can be shared."

When Dave read the address and the rent price per month, you were floored. It sounded like an elderly person looking for a housemate to help them with shopping or cleaning. That would be perfect for you and it was just fifteen minutes away from the hospital.

"Can you send me that?" you asked him. "When was it posted?"

Dave took another look at the ad he'd read to you. "Says it was posted today."

"Perfect! Thank you," you told him.

Grabbing your phone from your locker, you were going to call right now. Hopefully, it was still available. It had the potential to be a really good deal for you.

Your call went straight to voicemail. A digital voice told you to leave your message at the tone. You did. You probably sounded like an idiot, but you quickly asked if they could call you back about the rental. You left your number and name.

And then nothing. At the end of your shift, there were no messages. The next day, no return call. The day after that? Nothing.

Damn, someone beat you to it.

You spent the weekend doing laundry and boxing things up. You did your normal search each day in the papers, marketplaces. Maybe something you could afford would come up. You had two weeks now. You were gettting desperate.

You'd been home for maybe an hour Monday when the chime of your phone had you fishing it out of your purse to see who it was. The number was private but since you'd called to ask about another apartment this morning, you assumed it was them.

A deep, rough male voice asked to speak with you. When you confirmed it was you, he mentioned his house on Garden Street. You were floored! It was the house from the ad Dave told you about, the one where the owner was looking for help and offering a really affordable price.

"Yes," you responded. "I am very interested in your ad."

"Do you live in the area?" he asked.

His voice was strange. He didn't sound old per se. It was hard to tell. His voice was rough and sounded a little garbled. You had a little trouble understanding him. But there was no way in hell you were going say that. You wanted what he was offering.

You explained your situation and the urgency of it. Then you told him you appreciated his consideration. There was a long moment when he didn't say anything. Was he still there? Was he considering your case?

"I'd like to interview you," he said finally. "Tomorrow."

Really? "Okay, I can do that," you said. "What's a good time?"

Whatever you needed to do, you'd do it. Take the evening off from work even.

"Come at eight-thirty," he said after a long pause.

"In the morning?" You wanted to make sure you got it right.

"No, tomorrow evening," he said. "I'll text you the address."

Okay. It was a little odd. But you needed a place to live. "I'll be there," you told him.

When you got off the phone, when you went to bed, you could rest easier. Sure, there was a chance that you wouldn't get the place. But there was just as much of a chance that you would. You got a good night's sleep.

***

Nerves were about to get the best of you as headed down that narrow dirt road in your car, pulling up to what looked like an old southern mansion. Twilight still clung to the deepening colors on the horizon and there was just enough light left to hint at a magnificent old house, a few of the first floor windows were lit up with soft light. There was a huge, elegant weeping willow tree in the front yard and what looked like huge flower beds on either side of the ornate front porch, their colors swallowed by the night.

Summoning your courage, you climbed out of your SUV and headed for the front door. The heat of a hot August day still lingered on the humid air and the chorus of crickets all around you made you feel like you'd entered some enchanting storybook tale.

What a beautiful place. What would it be like to live here?

You had enough time to go home and change out of your scrubs. You went with a strappy summer dress and cute sandals, a soft, summer cardigan lending a demure look to the outfit. You'd ultimately decided to carry a small purse with your phone. If you needed to make notes, you were well prepared.

The soft notes of piano music reached your ears as climbed the stairs to reach the front door. For a moment, you just listened. It sounded like someone was actually playing a piano rather than a recording and you smiled when you recognized the song. "Dream a Little Dream of Me."

You hated to disrupt that but you didn't want to be late either. Your smart watch showed you it was eight-thirty-one.

Here goes.

Three sharp knocks on the door, announcing your presence. And just as you suspected, the music stopped. Footsteps grew louder as they neared the door. You smiled when the door swung open, anxious to greet your host and hopefully your new landlord.

But all you saw was his back as he walked swiftly away from you down a long shadowy hallway.

"Come in!" he called back over his shoulder in that strange voice.

You hadn't expected that, hoping you hadn't done something wrong already. With nothing else to do, you quickly closed the front door behind you and followed him down the hall. He'd turned to the right, light from the room casting a spotlight on the floor. Slowly, you went that same route, peering into the room before you walked into it.

You couldn't help but smile to see all the beautiful antique furniture, a gorgeous Tiffany lamp in delicate shades of pink and purple glass adorning a small table by the window. There were no photos on the walls, which you found strange, but there were gorgeous paintings of beautiful nature views. The floor was polished wood, gleaming under your sandals as you slowly walked further into the room. You also spotted the small piano, it's dark wood catching the soft light around it.

Finally, you spotted your host sitting in a shadowy corner of the room in a huge leather chair. He sat there so still that it startled you a little at first. It took you only a second to understand why. Your host's face... It was horribly disfigured. Swollen and misshapen, covered with bulbous areas beneath his skin. His hands were normal, telling you he probably wasn't that old. He was dressed nicely in slacks and a black dress shirt, looking ready to curl in on himself under your scrutiny.

Only one eye was really open, the other buried in the odd landscape of his face, and it was blue. That one-eyed gaze was fixed on you and you instantly read the fear and anxiety there.

The poor man. Was it Proteus Syndrome? Or something else?

Instantly, you smiled. Years of seeing all sorts of animal injuries and conditions had you switching into the same objective mode you used at work and school. You noticed a chair sitting off to his left by a beautiful, large window. It was oddly placed several feet from him, but you understood why. You wanted him to feel comfortable with you.

"Thank you for agreeing to speak with me," you said in a tone you would have used with anyone else. Motioning toward the other chair, you asked, "May I?"

"Of course," he said, that fearful gaze on you as you took a seat. "I'm Edward. Thank you for coming out. I appreciate your... kindness."

With a nod, you told him your name, maintaining eye contact as you took a seat.

"So, your ad mentioned needing help with shopping and small errands," you said, realizing why now. "What are you looking for there?"

"Not a lot," Edward replied. "As you can imagine, going out can be difficult for me at times. My condition is called neurofibromatosis. I've always had it so I'm used to people's reactions. It's just, the older I get, the more I just... You'd think I'd be used to it by now."

Your heart cracked a little in your chest. You couldn't begin to imagine what life had been like for the man before you. What did you say to that?

"And forgive me, but," Edward paused for a beat. "You're just so lovely."

Saying "thank you" didn't feel right. You certainly didn't see yourself that way so you waited for the uncomfortable silence to pass.

"I'd like a weekly grocery run," he explained. "During spring, I'd like someone who could run to the garden center for me to get supplies. That would be quite a few trips actually. I enjoy gardening. It's a place of peace for me."

That had you smiling. Everything around you, the home, the landscape outside, looked gorgeous. Maybe his condition had condemned him to a life in the shadows because of his appearance. But it sounded like he enjoyed making his environment beautiful and it really was. You found that inspiring.

"It's a little dark outside," you said. "But the flower beds around the porch are gorgeous. I bet they're even more beautiful by day."

Slowly, he nodded. "Thank you."

"That's mostly it," Edward finished. "I might ask for take out once in a while. Not often. I'll make sure you have plenty of money to get everything on my list and whatever you might want for yourself."

None of that sounded like a problem at all for you. It was incredibly generous.

"You'd mentioned you were taking a gap year from college," he said. "How old are you? If you don't mind my asking."

"I'm turning twenty-nine soon," you said.

Edward nodded, seeming to consider this. "How long do you plan to be here?"

"Oh, a while I'd think," you explained. "I'm about three months into my gap year right now. I'm going to the vet-med college. I still have two or three more years to get my DVM."

"The goal is to be a veterinarian?" he asked.

"It is," you told him. "I really love the hospital where I work now. I'm kind of hoping once I finish my degree that maybe I can stay and work there."

"So you're planning to live here," it wasn't a question, "instead of just passing through."

"I'm hoping to, yes," you said. "I work there full-time as a vet tech. I'm there by six in the morning and I get out around four. Most days. Some days we have last miute emergencies that keep us longer but it's not often. Maybe a couple of times a month. It shouldn't interefere with getting you what you need when you need it. If I get the accomodations that is."

Edward nodded, seemingly considering your words.

"Do you have any pets?" you asked him.

"Not at the moment, no."

That was a shame. The love of a pet could be good for someone like him.

"If you ever decide you'd like to adopt a dog or cat, let me know. We work closely with the county shelter and a few different rescue leagues. There are a lot of pets in need of good homes."

"I'll keep that in mind," Edward said.

You nodded, feeling a little awkward. You felt like he was smiling. There was no way to know for sure because his face...

"My offer is this," Edward said, pulling you out of your thoughts. "You live here. Like the ad said, you get a bedroom, living room, and full bath. They are very spacious rooms. The kitchen is here on the ground floor and it should be equipped with anything you need. The laundry is in the basement. Washer, dryer, ironing station."

An ironing station? That had you smiling.

Thinking about room in this house, you felt a small spark of excitement growing. Not yet. You didn't know how much he was going to ask for rent. You could just hope that if you were willing to run errands and shop for him, he'd take the price down a little. His house was incredible.

"You run errands for me, help me when I need you, and do the shopping," he went on. "We'll call it even."

What?

"Even?" you asked.

"I don't need your money," Edward said. "I have enough for a couple of lifetimes. My father left me quite an inheritance."

From the looks of everything around you, that appeared to be true. But you could stay for free?

You knew your confusion had to be showing on your face. Edward made a rough sound. Was it a chuckle?

"I have a couple more rules," he said after a moment.

"Of course," you said, still waiting for the punch line. This man didn't know anything about you and he was just going to let you live in his old-fashioned mansion for free? Just for running his errands and getting his groceries?

"I enjoy a peaceful life here," Edward said. "No loud television or music."

That wasn't an issue. You enjoyed peace yourself. You nodded.

"I don't mind if you have deliveries here," he went on. "But no visitors."

No one at all? That wasn't a huge problem. Still, there was your sister Monica, her husband and your nephew Lucas. They stayed so busy with work and Lucas's little league games that a visit wasn't something you had to worry about right away. But if they wanted to visit? Were you were supposed to just meet them in town?

"Does that pose a problem?" Edward asked, his gaze with that one blue eye intent on you. "Is there a boyfriend?"

"No," you said instantly. Dating was hard these days with an endless array of guys on dating apps looking for Miss Right Now and tasteful nudes. You weren't into one-night stands. You were hoping one day to find someone to be friends first because friendship was the foundation of every great relationship you'd ever witnessed. With the right person, intimacy and love came later, building a beautiful life on top of that all-important foundation. That was what you wanted. And you weren't in a big hurry. Not right now while you were still in school, building an occupation and a life for yourself.

Was that a hint of surprise in that single blue eye?

"No?"

"No," you repeated. You didn't elaborate. You didn't know Edward but for some reason, you sensed that your relationship - or lack thereof - was important to him.

Edward studied you for a long moment. "I'm surprised."

Okay, you were a little uncomfortable being put on the spot about your personal life. You were looking for a place to live for a while. That usually involved signing a lease and a credit check. But this?

"I've been busy between school and work for a while now," you explained awkwardly.

"You're beautiful," Edward was blunt. "That's why I was surprised."

Beautiful?

You blew out an exhale. See? He was just being kind.

"Do you accept the offer?" he asked.

Wouldn't you be stupid to refuse him? Free rent would help you put back money for school that much faster. If you wanted to see your sister, you could go visit her. If you did meet someone? Well, you could evaluate your situation then.

"Yes," you told him. "Thank you... Is there an agreement or lease or something you want me to sign?"

"There will be," he said. "I'll have my attorney put it together for us."

Just like that, huh? No one else was competing with you for this?

"When can I expect you to move in?" Edward asked.

"Well, I only have two weeks left," you explained. "I don't have a lot so I should be able to get everything packed up this week. I could maybe move in this weekend. If that's okay with you?"

"That sounds perfect," he said in his strangely distorted voice.

"Would you like for me to run errands or shop for you this week?" you asked, grateful for the offer he made you. He was lonely man and you understood that. Compassion for a beautiful place to stay sounded like a good deal to you.

"No." You sensed he was smiling again. "Make your preparations. You can move in this weekend and we'll sign the agreement then."

"Thank you," you told him. "I really appreciate this."

"I'm hoping this situation is one we will find mutually beneficial," Edward said softly.

You nodded, rising to leave. Smoothing the skirt of your dress as you stood, you felt his gaze on you. Again, that sense of foreboding hit you. But why? Edward didn't feel like a threat to you. He was a lonely man looking for companionship maybe, some help in getting the things he needed.

"I'll call Friday," you told him, "to arrange a time for this weekend."

Edward shook his head. "No need. Come anytime you want this weekend."

"Thank you," you said, ready to go. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

You turned to leave, the piano catching your eye as you approached it. That had you turning back.

"You were playing the piano earlier," you said.

Edward nodded.

"Your playing was beautiful," you admitted.

Some emotion flashed in his eye. It was a little frustrating because you really couldn't read his expressions. You only had intuition to go on. But you sensed that you pleased him.

"Thank you," he said, adding your name. "Be careful on your way back to your apartment."

Nodding, you turned back to make your exit. When you walked out the door of Edward's mansion, you felt the cool night air wash over you. It was darker now but the moon was bright overhead. It lit the way back to your SUV. The night was gentle, peaceful when you climbed back into the driver's seat and started the engine.

With one last look, your gaze roamed over what was going to be your new home. A beautiful old house and a gorgeous southern landscape. Free rent all for being quiet and getting whatever your new landlord needed.

It was more than you could have hoped for.

You didn't notice Edward standing in the window, watching you leave.

#Sebastian Stan #A Different Man #Edward Lemuel #Frank Adler #Chris Evans #House of Shadowed Roses #Edward Lemuel x reader #Frank Adler x reader #Dark fics

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jtargaryen18 · 2 days ago

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The House of Shadowed Roses ~ Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

Words: 3k

Pairing: Edward (Loosely based off a “A Different Man”) x Live-in Companion Reader M/F

You're a vet-med student taking a gap year to work in a local animal hospital. When the very old apartment building you've been living in is condemned, you have to find another place to live fast. You find a beautiful mansion where the owner, a man with an unfortunate disfiguring condition, says you can live if you agree to run errands for him on occasion. There's a hot handyman who also lives there who doesn't seem to like you, but Edward couldn't be nicer. It's just too good to be true.

What's the old saying? If it's too good to be true, it usually is...

"White demon, where's your selfish kiss? White demon sorrow will arrange Let's not forget about the fear Black invitation to this place that cannot change While strangely holy, come for a rain Darling" - A White Demon Love Song, The Killers

As you suspected, Edward's home was a sight by the light of day. The stunning white mansion, its pristine walls glowing softly in the sunlight, stood proudly in the center of a sprawling, perfectly manicured lawn. The lush green grass was so uniform and so well maintained that it looked almost like velvet. Surrounding the house were elegant flower beds, bursting with color - roses, hydrangeas, and tulips arranged in perfect harmony, a vibrant contrast to the mansion's crisp white facade.

Strategically placed among the winding stone pathways were intricately shaped topiaries, each sculpted in artful designs, some shaped like spiraling towers, others like playful animals. The scent of fresh blooms fills the air while the towering oak trees at the edge of the property provided a sense of quiet privacy. Looking around, you didn't see any other homes, even off in the distance.

Your heart swelled with hope in your chest as you took in the combination of white mansion, colorful flower beds, and perfectly-formed topiaries that evoked a sense of elegance and timeless beauty. This was your home now and it was a massive upgrade from the sad, now condemned building you just moved out of it. Edward's home, honestly, looked like paradise.

"Can I help you?"

The sound of that deep voice had you turning to find a tall, handsome man with a strong, muscular build that hinted at years of hands-on work. His short sandy hair was slightly tousled, perfectly complementing the well-groomed beard that added a rugged charm to his appearance. What truly stood out to you where his striking blue eyes, the kind that caught the light and held depths of both intensity and warmth. They reminded you of a clear sky on an autumn day. His fitted gray T-shirt clung to his muscular chest and arms, his worn jeans and work boots had a couple of greasy smudges. The toolbelt slung low on his hips completed the look, made you realize that he was a worker here. The man stood there eyeing you too, carrying the confidence of a man who was good at what he did.

Edward hadn't mentioned anyone else.

"Hi there," you said, giving him your name. You held out a hand but he just crossed his muscular arms across the wide expanse of his chest. Awkwardly, you pulled your hand back. Apparently, Edward hadn't mentioned you to him either.

"Can I help you?" he repeated.

"I'm the new tenant," you explained. "I met with Edward about the rooms this week and we agreed I'd move in this weekend."

He rolled his eyes. "Of course he did." You thought he muttered "fuck" beneath his breath.

You weren't sure what this was about. Maybe it didn't even have anything to do with you personally. But his low-key animosity threw cold water on your excitement about moving into your new home.

"I don't expect you to help," you said, in case that made any difference. "He said I didn't need to call and I could move in this weekend... I don't mean to be a bother."

Still looking put out, he marched off in the direction of the house. No welcome. No 'please, let me show you around.' Nothing.

What were you supposed to do? Call Edward to let him know you were there? You didn't know who the handsome bastard that walked away was - he did have a nice ass. But was he about to mess up your arrangement here? If this fell through, you had nowhere else to go.

You stood by your SUV like an idiot in the long elegant drive in front of the house. Did you start moving stuff in? Should you drive back to your current apartment - you only had two days left there - and try to call Edward, speak to him about it.

The man you'd just talked to slammed his way through the front door of the mansion. You'd seen no sign of Edward. Nerves were starting to get the best of you. You were just about to climb back into your car when the front door opened and Edward stepped out onto his front porch, calling your name. Hoping this meant good news, you walked around your vehicle to join him on the porch. His condition made it hard to read his expressions, but you were hoping he'd come out to clear things up.

"Are you ready to move in?" Edward asked. It sounded like he was smiling.

Edward was taller than you remembered, his broad shoulders nearly as wide as the doorway behind him. His long-sleeved T-shirt was pushed up to his elbows, showing off muscular forearms and hinting at strength and power. Another look revealed his entire frame was athletic. Why did that surprise you? Yes, his face drew most of the attention - a face covered in countless small, bulbous tumors that greatly distorted his features. They clustered around his cheeks, chin, and forehead, creating uneven ridges that made it impossible to even guess what his face might look like without the disease.

In the light of day, you realized his left eye was only partially hidden by the overgrowth of skin at his brow. His right eye was striking, a deep, dark blue.The rest of him was untouched by the condition, his thick neck, powerful chest, and heavily-muscled arms gave him an almost unsettling duality.

"Yes," you said, smiling awkwardly. "I met uh..."

"You met Frank Adler," Edward explained. "He helps me around the house, with the cars. He's been my handyman for a couple of years."

Trying to be polite, you nodded but didn't say anything.

"Normally, he's even charming," Edward went on. "Not sure what got into him today." Turning back to the house he asked, "Would you like to see your rooms?"

That's better.

"Yes, please," you said, smiling at your new landlord.

Edward paused, his gaze locked with yours, his holding so much intensity. You weren't sure what the moment meant to him, but you felt like it was significant.

Leading you into the house, your host paused in the foyer, seeming to enjoy the way you stared with wonder at the opulence that surrounded you. You'd seen homes like this on TV but never in real life. The air was rich with the scent of polished wood and aged books, hinting at the decades of history nestled within its walls. There were beautiful flower arrangements everywhere. There were freshly-cut roses in all shades from snowy white to deep blood red. There were other potted plants strategically placed that added life to the dwelling, as if they proved the mansion was a living, breathing entity.

Edward took you from the foyer to a beautiful spiraling staircase that was just beyond it. The wooden stairs gleamed in the sunlight from the high window of the first landing. At the next floor, he turned to the left and stopped in front of a beautiful, heavy oak door.

As Edward opened the door, a shiver of anticipation ran down your spine. "These are your rooms," he said, his voice deep and resonant.

Your new home was done up in varying shades of cornflower blue and elegant, dark wood. Sunlight streamed through the tall, arched windows casting a warm glow over the plush velvet sofa and intricately carved tables around it. You couldn't help but admire the paintings that adorned the walls, each magnificent landscape views with colorful gardens in frames guilded with gold, catching the light in mesmerizing ways. Edward gestured towards the fireplace dominating one corner of the room.

"Nothing like a crackling fire on a chilly night," he said. "It's in good working order and Frank will make sure you always have firewood."

"That's wonderful," was all you could say as you looked around in amazement.

If you thought the living room was something, you weren't even prepared for the bathroom. The clawfoot bathtub was the first thing you noticed, it's gleaming porcelain looked so inviting. In your work as a vet tech, you were often on your feet for hours. How good would it feel to relax in a bath some days, with your favorite scented bath salts and an audiobook playing while you relaxed? Yes, there was a shower unit attached along with a privacy curtain all around it. The best of modernity and old-world charm. The marble countertops shined under the soft lights from the crystal light fixture above.

Finally, he showed you the bedroom, saving the best room for last. It was a sanctuary in royal blue and old gold with a four-poster bed draped in luxurious silk curtains , billowing gently in the breeze from the tall windows on either side. Sunlight filtered through sheer lace curtains, casting patterns on the polished wooden floor. The furniture was beautiful dark wood, a bedside table, a huge wardrobe, and a vanity with heart-shaped mirror and a bench seat that an embroidered cushion top.

"What do you think?" Edward asked as you glanced around.

That it's too good to be true.

You'd be living here with Edward and in exchange, you'd be running errands for him? It didn't seem real.

"Your home is so beautiful," you said in amazement. "And these rooms? I've never seen anything like this in real life."

Edward took a deep breath at your praise. It was obvious he was proud of his home and he should be. Yet, he was studying you hard.

"I feel like there's a 'yes, but' answer coming," he said after a moment, wariness in his right eye.

Truth was best, especially since he'd be your landlord.

"It's just... Are you sure I can't give you something for rent?" you pleaded. "My running errands for you in exchange for living here?"

It was just you... you couldn't read his face. And he didn't have an answer for that. The last thing you wanted to do was insult the poor man. Maybe he was just lonely and looking for companionship? Making someone an offer they can't easily refuse in the way of such a lavish living space didn't hurt. And you needed a place to live.

As the uncomfortable silence stretched out, you knew you had to end it. Be grateful.

"Thank you so much," you told him, smiling. You meant it. "I love these rooms. I'm very grateful I'll be living here with you."

You sensed that answer pleased him. Edwarded nodded, making his way to the door. Before he could leave, you did have a question.

"You mentioned Mr. Adler works for you," you started.

"That's right," he said turning back.

"You said he was a handyman for you? Worked on the cars?" Considering how poorly your first meeting with Frank Adler went, you didn't want to piss him off further. "Is there anything else he does around the house? I'd like to help out as much as I can. I just don't want to step on anyone's toes though. You know?"

"I understand," Edward said quietly. "But I have a cleaning service that comes twice a week. Frank and I usually fend for ourselves in the kitchen. We're not bad. If you want to cook here and there, I'm sure that would be appreciated. But I don't have any expectations for you for any of that."

A cleaning service? For real?

"That's great," you told him. "That answers my question. Thank you!"

"Why don't you get settled in and Frank and I will bring in your things?" Edward asked, heading back into the living room.

You followed him. You didn't have a lot of stuff, but it didn't seem right to not help them. "Thank you. I'm pitching in."

Edward stopped at the top of the stairs. "You don't trust us?"

Something about the way he asked that question made you think he was teasing you. "I trust you," you said with grin. "I'm not sure about Frank though."

The easy sound of his laugh was a warm sound, made you feel better. "Come on."

Edward Lemuel leaned back against the sink, enjoying a tall glass of ice water. They'd just finished moving in his new tenant and it wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been. She didn't have many things to move in. No furniture pieces. Mostly clothings, boxes of decorations and accessories. Three heavy boxes of books which made him happy because it suggested that she was an avid reader. Yeah, he'd broken a sweat helping her and Frank move everything upstairs but it was totally worth it.

His moment of contentment didn't last. Frank stomped into the kitchen, a surly expression on his face. Edward had an idea of why his employee, partner in crime, and sometimes friend was so pissed off. But he had a feeling he was about to learn exactly why. Stopping in front of him, sweaty and with his hands on his hips, Frank glared him down.

"What the fuck is this?" Frank asked, emphasizing each individual word. "You didn't even let me know about this one." Jerking a thumb roughly in the direction of her rooms, Frank's gaze searched his face.

"That doesn't give you the right to be rude to her," Edward told him calmly. "And it sure doesn't help our cause, does it?"

"Your cause," Frank pointed out. Dropping his head for a moment, he seemed to be collecting his thoughts. "What sort of deal did you make with her? What do you even know about her?"

Edward smiled. Frank was interested. And why wouldn't he be? On top of all of her other impressive qualities, she was beautiful. Very beautiful. Yeah, they were going a different route this time, building on the knowledge they'd been building with the last three girls. Edward was hoping it would be worth it, that he'd finally get everything he'd ever wanted. And he'd make sure Frank was more than compensated for his time and effort.

"She's not from this area," Edward explained. "She works locally. She's taking a gap year from school."

Edward moved to allow Frank to grab a glass from the cabinet by the sink and filled it with water from the tap. "Where does she go to school?"

"The vet-med college," Edward replied. "I think she's studying to be a veterinarian."

Frank's blue-eyed gaze didn't leave him as he downed his water in greedy gulps. Placing the empty glass on the counter, Frank swiped the back of his hand across his mouth. His expression was one of perplexion. "Are you fucking kidding me? A veterinarian?"

Edward nodded.

"This isn't going to work with her," Frank warned in a lowered voice. "Yeah, we've had some luck with a handful of young women I found at the shelter or on the street. That is not this woman. She isn't going to be naive or desperate like them. She sure doesn't look like any sort of addict. It won't work."

Edward didn't agree. "I think with a different approach, things might be just fine."

Frank shook his head. "A different approach?"

"Yeah," Edward said. "She is more... refined. She's exactly what I've been looking for."

Staring at him like he had two heads and six eyes between them, Frank marched around him and back out the kitchen door. "Whatever."

Frank didn't understand right now, but he soon would. The lovely new tennant was perfect, everything deep in his heart that he'd been hoping for. Yes, there'd been other "tenants" and they couldn't have been more different than her. The previous ones were convenient, transactional. But they had shown him that what he wanted wasn't completely out of his reach despite his condition. With the right resources, most people could be bargained with. Maybe, with the right woman, this time would be different.

His new tenant looked at him with such kindness. At times, he could almost forget about his appearance. Maybe...

Edward drained his glass, looking longingly in the direction of her rooms. He would tell himself that he didn't want to get his hopes up, but damn it, his hopes were already up. The young woman in question had more than just surface beauty. She was kind, thoughtful, intelligent. She was everything he could ask for in a relationship if he could just navigate the situation. And he was convinced he could with Frank's help.

She kept asking if there was more she could do to contribute. To feel like she was earning her keep. Edward smiled just thinking about it. His new tenant represented so much more to him than tepid female companionship and parlor tricks in the dark. Edward didn't know a lot about her at the moment but prided himself on being a good judge of character. It was the basis of his infatuation with her and there was no other word for it.

#House of Shadowed Roses #Edward Lemuel #Reader #Frank Adler #Chris Evans #Sebastian Stan #A Different Man #Gifted #Reader x Edward Lemuel #Reader x Frank Adler #You x Edward Lemuel #You x Frank Adler #Dark fics #Capture fantasy

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