The next morning, Hugo, still drowsy from sleep, headed toward the bathroom. But the door was locked. He knocked, and Charlize's voice immediately came from inside, "I'm in here."
Hugo instantly woke up halfway. He finally realized that all three rooms in the house were occupied, and the third tenant was a lady none other than Charlize Theron. Hugo cleared his throat lightly and politely said, "Take your time, I can wait." Then he leaned against the wall beside the door, arms crossed over his chest, and began to wait.
After a short while, the door across from the bathroom also opened. Alex stood at the doorway, his hair a total bird's nest, eyes bleary as he stared at Hugo. It took him a moment to realize that Hugo was also here to use the bathroom but someone beat them to it. So Alex pointed to the bathroom, frowning slightly, his half-open eyes casting a confused, questioning look.
But Hugo understood Alex's silent question. He nodded and pointed his thumb toward the bathroom door. Alex, surprisingly, got it. He leaned on the wall beside Hugo and shut his eyes to rest.
From inside the bathroom came intermittent sounds of water, and not long after, the splashing of wastewater running into the drain. The sound was oddly irritating, especially when Hugo's bladder began sending urgent signals to his brain. He opened his eyes to look at the bathroom door, still no sign of it opening. Hugo slapped his forehead how could he forget that women always take forever in the bathroom?
He finally gave up and walked straight to the living room couch to sit down. Without the sound of water teasing him, he felt slightly better.
Alex tried to stay by the bathroom door, but he didn't last long either. He hobbled over, hunched, and collapsed on the couch like a corpse. After a while, Alex couldn't hold it anymore. He leapt up and ran to the bathroom door, knocking, "Charlize, are you done yet?"
"Sorry, sorry! Almost done!" Charlize's hurried voice came from inside, probably flustered.
Alex stood there for about thirty more seconds, then gave up again and shuffled back to the living room. This time, he didn't lie down. He obediently sat on the couch. With a gloomy face, he asked Hugo, "Are all women this much trouble?"
Hugo shrugged, "You shouldn't be asking me."
Alex immediately looked more miserable, "So it's going to be like this every day from now on?"
Hugo nodded. He looked just as upset. Sharing one bathroom was clearly an issue. "Unless you want to draft a bathroom schedule?"
Alex scoffed dramatically, rolling his eyes in disdain a rare expression from him after days of interacting with Hugo. Looks like even idols have to back off when nature calls.
Click the sound of the bathroom lock turning. Hugo and Alex instantly dashed toward the door. As it opened, they both slammed the brakes. Charlize's flushed face peeked out, full of apology and embarrassment. "Sorry, I took a little longer. Next time—"
"No need to be polite. I might not survive the next wait," Hugo cut her off with a grumpy tone. Charlize blinked in surprise and moved aside. Hugo darted in, beating Alex to it, and shut the door behind him. Alex stood outside fuming, growling, "Hugo!"
Charlize, watching Hugo's desperation and Alex's misery, couldn't help but giggle. But when she caught Alex's glare full of resentment, she quickly stifled the laugh. "Today was special, I promise it won't happen again." Last night she only rinsed off quickly; this morning she had to get familiar with everything, so it took longer.
Alex couldn't really complain. They had just met Charlize yesterday. Even as roommates, some gentlemanly manners had to be maintained. "I'll be praying," Alex muttered in a woeful tone that made Charlize laugh again.
Then Hugo's voice came from inside, "Alex, should I brush my teeth first?"
"Hugo!" Alex shouted in panic. Guys obviously finish their business faster, but Hugo was clearly teasing him now.
Hearing Alex's anxious tone, Hugo chuckled loudly. Even outside the bathroom, the muffled laughter was clear. "Okay, okay, maybe I'll just wash my face. Gotta look presentable in front of a lady."
Charlize looked at Alex's messy bird's nest hair and couldn't hold back anymore. She burst into laughter. But Alex didn't have the energy to care about his hair. He just pleaded to the bathroom door, "Hugo, seriously, I can't hold it anymore."
Before Alex could finish, the bathroom door opened. He bolted inside without even waiting for Hugo to exit, clearly ready to handle his business immediately. Hugo scurried out in a panic and closed the door behind him. Seeing Charlize still chuckling, he also couldn't help but smile.
Hugo wasn't doing much better his wavy hair had curled even more from tossing in bed all night, now messily styled in all directions. His face was oily and unwashed, looking quite disheveled.
But Hugo was unfazed. He smiled at Charlize and said, "We're roommates now. You were bound to see this side of me sooner or later. Today's just a little early. As for the shock value, I trust you can handle it."
His calm and composed attitude almost made Charlize laugh till her stomach hurt.
Because she got up first and freshened up, Charlize looked refreshed and radiant. When Hugo met her the first time, she wasn't wearing makeup and her natural beauty was obvious. Today was no different: her delicate features, flawless skin, golden hair tied into a ponytail, wearing a plain white T-shirt and gray sweatpants, with a towel draped over her shoulder. Yet none of it diminished her beauty in the slightest.
Hugo quickly looked away. Since they'd agreed to just be friends, there was no need to overthink it.
Charlize noticed Hugo's composed demeanor. This kind of interaction reminded her of their first meeting a little awkward, a little fresh, but also a bit comfortable and a bit pleasant. Yes, being friends really did suit them. "What time are we heading to Burbank?"
Hugo glanced around for a clock, but realized he didn't have a watch and there were no clocks in the house. Figuring out the time was harder than expected. "We're supposed to arrive by ten. What time is it now?"
Charlize, wearing a watch, glanced at it. "Five minutes to nine."
"Oh, God." Although Burbank was only twenty miles away from here about a thirty-minute drive—nine o'clock was rush hour, and no one could predict how bad traffic might be. Hugo immediately turned around and started pounding hard on the bathroom door. "Alex, hurry up, I'm going to be late!"
Alex immediately opened the bathroom door, still holding a toothbrush in his hand clearly in the middle of brushing his teeth. But Hugo didn't care. He rushed in directly, quickly brushing his teeth and washing his face, even taking the opportunity to rinse his hair. During this time, Joseph finally came downstairs. Charlize opened the door for him. Seeing the busy Hugo, Joseph didn't stand idle either he went straight to the kitchen and took out the toast, bacon, and other things they had bought yesterday from the fridge.
Charlize did want to help out, but since she wasn't that familiar with Joseph yet, she decided not to interfere. Instead, she started brewing coffee on the side, hoping to contribute in some way.
Hugo hurriedly changed into a shirt and slacks. At the last audition, he had dressed simply because he hadn't unpacked his luggage, and it had accidentally matched the restaurant's vibe. But today he was meeting the crew, so he couldn't be sloppy. Finally, with a tie and suit jacket in hand, Hugo rushed into the hall. "Joseph, let's go!"
Joseph had just finished pouring coffee, but in his haste couldn't catch up. Charlize immediately said, "Take the coffee with you." Then she quickly grabbed some cling film, wrapped up the sandwich Joseph had just made, and handed it to Hugo.
Hugo slung the jacket and tie over his arm, took the sandwich, flashed Charlize a smile, and quickly walked out. Joseph followed closely behind with a cup of coffee in hand. The two of them rushed out in a whirlwind. Charlize and Alex stood dumbfounded at the doorway for a moment before walking together to the living room window. They saw Joseph and Hugo getting into the car Hugo tossed the suit and tie into the back seat, held the sandwich in his right hand and the coffee in his left, then carefully climbed into the passenger seat.
Hugo seemed to sense the gaze above him. When he looked up, he saw the silhouettes of Charlize and Alex. The two of them waved at him in unison. Hugo smiled, lifted the coffee cup slightly, and shouted loudly, "Good morning, roommates!" Then he climbed fully into the front seat.
Joseph quickly started the car and drove off in a flash.
Charlize and Alex, still standing by the window, finally let out a sigh of relief. That's when Alex realized he still had the toothbrush in his mouth, and he was only halfway through brushing. Foam residue clung to the corners of his mouth and was starting to dry. He quickly dashed back toward the bathroom, his messy bedhead swaying freely in the wind.
Charlize glanced around the somewhat empty living room. On the dining table, there was still a pot of coffee. The toaster dinged as it finished toasting two slices of bread that popped up just then. Looking over at the entrance, Hugo's house slippers were still lying on the floor in a messy heap. From the doorway to the bathroom, faint traces of water could still be seen.
Charlize stretched lazily. At this moment, it finally sank in: her acting career was truly taking its first step forward now.
.....
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