Be a good boy, go for dinner.

Chapter 6

Sam forces himself to move past Georgina's door, though his curiosity nags at him, his embarrassment gets the better of him. He continues down the winding staircase, following the scent of saffron and seafood. The stairs grow narrower as he descends, the grand architecture of the upper floors giving way to what must be the service area of the old house. A final turn brings him to a cramped hallway, where light spills from a doorway on the left, along with the sounds of conversation and kitchenware.

The kitchen is surprisingly small for such a grand house, squeezed into what might have once been a servant's quarters. Modern appliances crowd against ornate tile work, and a hefty wooden table dominates the space, leaving narrow paths between the cabinets, refrigerator, and stove. Copper pots hanging from the ceiling **** taller residents to duck and weave.

"You must be Sam." The voice belongs to a tall blonde woman who moves with athletic grace. She wears black running tights and a loose technical top, her short bob still damp from a recent shower. Her high Slavic cheekbones and sharp features give her a striking appearance, softened by the hint of a playful smile. "I'm Sonia. Let me introduce you to everyone."

She gestures to the stove, where Lisa stands stirring a large pot. At six-foot-one, she has to stoop slightly under the hanging pots. Her naturally red hair falls in a straight curtain to her lower back, and she's dressed in black leggings and an oversized sweater that seems chosen for comfort rather than style. When she turns to nod at Sam, he notices how she makes herself smaller, shoulders slightly hunched despite her height.

"That's Maria," Sonia continues, pointing to a girl perched on the counter, feet dangling. She has wild, untamed brown curls that contrast sharply with striking blue eyes. Multiple earrings catch the light, and her Meshuggah t-shirt has seen better days. She's wearing cargo pants with numerous pockets, likely filled with gaming accessories, as her hands are currently occupied with a handheld console.

Laura, whom Sam recognizes from earlier, sits at the table, still in her riding clothes. Her camel jodhpurs and black riding boots are dusty from the stables, and her white blouse, a size too small, pulls slightly at the buttons. Her blonde hair is coming loose from its earlier ponytail, and she seems completely at ease in the cramped space, automatically shifting her chair to let others pass.

"Georgina will be down eventually," Sonia says, rolling her eyes affectionately. "She's probably changing outfits for the third time." She gestures for Sam to take a seat, navigating the tight space with practiced ease, she squeezes herself between Sam and the table to move to her seat. Her butt gently rubs against his crotch. She seems to linger there a little longer than necessary as she looks over her shoulder and says "The kitchen's small, but we've learned to dance around each other.”.

Sam is not sure what to think. He is a little overwhelmed by all the new names and faces and the quirkiness of the house. He never expected to be the only man in a house full of beautiful women. He has already had the pleasure of ogling Laura’s beautiful butt as she walked up the stairs in front of him, and of feeling Sonia’s spandex clad buttocks rub against him. What he saw in Georgina’s room goes even beyond his wildest imagination. If he had any doubt about staying in this house before, he now felt highly motivated to stay.

The scent of saffron and seafood fills the air as Lisa methodically stirs the paella. Maria's game console chirps, and Laura chatters about her day at the stables. Sam watches them all, these strangers who will be his housemates, each carved into their own space in this tiny room like figures in a baroque painting.

Through the ceiling, they can hear Georgina's footsteps and muffled music. Sam notices how the others exchange knowing looks at each sound, clearly familiar with their housemate's pre-dinner ritual. He wonders what other household rhythms he'll need to learn, what unspoken rules govern this strange, cramped kitchen in this magnificent, unsettling house.