After we both emerged from the house, Dad was already seated in the passenger seat, beckoning us to hurry up and get in. We swiftly settled into the backseat as the transport agent initiated the vehicle's engine.
Noticing no transport vehicle trailing behind us, I couldn't resist asking, "Dad, what about our belongings? Are we leaving them behind?"
"No, this gentleman beside me will accompany us to the location of the new house I purchased in Martinia. They'll handle the relocation of our items by tomorrow evening."
"Ah, I see!"
Only silence filled the vehicle during our journey until water droplets began pouring from the clouds, eliciting at least a smile from Sarah. She kept gazing out of the window as the rain intensified, causing our traveling speed to decrease.
The rhythmic patter of raindrops on the windowpane provided a soothing soundtrack to our slowed progress.
..........
After traveling all night, we finally reached our destination at 9 A.M. Sarah, who had fallen asleep during the rain which stopped after 5 hours, woke up rubbing her eyes after I gently shook her.
As we entered through the front gate, the first thing that caught our attention was the front yard adorned with lush trees and colorful flowers.
In the midst of it all stood a magnificent three-story house, towering over us and taking us by surprise with its grandeur.
Sarah began jumping with excitement and turned to her dad, asking, "Dad, is this where we're going to stay?"
Meanwhile, her dad was engrossed in conversation with the transport agent, discussing the specifics of the items that needed to be shifted.
Upon hearing Sarah's question, he turned to her with a smile and replied, "Yes, my dear Princess. This is our new home from now on."
I still can't believe that we're finally going to move into our own house after years of living in a flat, but deep down, I'm truly ecstatic!
"Let's head inside; I'm eager to introduce you both to some of the people who will be sharing our new home with us."
We both followed him inside, already aware of the woman we were about to meet, with hopes that she would treat us like family.
As we entered, he led us through the hallway into the living room, passing through a door situated in the center. To the right, the kitchen was attached, while to the left, there was a small area with shelves filled with books and a comfortable sofa.
Directly ahead, a dining table stood in front of the kitchen. Despite the various furnishings, the living room was spacious enough to accommodate them all without appearing congested.
Both of us were eagerly scanning the surroundings, poised to thoroughly explore every nook and cranny within the house at a moment's notice.
Suddenly, a woman of Asian descent, her blonde hair fashioned into a ponytail with tendrils framing her forehead, strode in through the doorway.
She stands at the same height as Dad, clad in a crisp white shirt and snug jeans that accentuate her ample chest, slender waist, and well-defined curves.
Just by the glance she exchanged with Dad, both of us grasped her identity as Maria. Dad approached her, and they shared a side hug as he introduced her, "Kids, meet your new mom, Maria Jenkins."
"Nice to meet you both, Jack has been telling me a lot about you guys," She said with a light smile on her face.
"Nice to meet you too, I'm Ethan/Sarah Miller," We both said at the same time feeling a little awkward about the situation.
Just as the discomfort was intensifying, the door swung open once more. Stepping into the room was a girl of our age, her blonde hair cascading freely down her back, reminiscent of Maria's.
She bore striking Asian features and a slender frame, accentuated by the glasses perched delicately on her nose.
A gentle smile graced her lips as she entered, clad in a one-piece purple dress that reached down to her lower thigh, adding a touch of elegance to her appearance.
"Mom, Amy has left," she said, turning to us with a warm smile. "Hi, I'm Laura Jenkins, the eldest daughter of the family."
"Sigh~... Amy will be the death of me someday. Sorry about her, Jack," Maria said, rubbing her forehead wearily.
"It's alright; youngsters these days often act out. Isn't that right, Ethan?" At my dad's comment, I managed only a dry laugh, acknowledging the truth in his words.
After that, we exchanged greetings and pleasantries for a while. Suddenly, Laura proposed giving us a tour around the house. Enthusiastically, we both agreed, eager to explore every nook and cranny of the premises.
Just as we were about to embark on our exploration, Maria intercepted us, exclaiming, "Hold on! Where do you think you're headed? Come, sit at the dining table; breakfast is ready."
Upon hearing her, we gathered around the dining table to enjoy our breakfast before embarking on an exploration of the house alongside Laura.
After thoroughly exploring every nook and cranny inside, as well as the backyard and front yard, which consumed nearly an hour of our time, we stumbled upon the delightful discovery that our property boasted its own swimming pool nestled in the backyard.
So, on the ground floor, we have a beautifully appointed living room, which we've already explored, a convenient laundry room, a generously sized bathroom with modern fixtures, a door that leads to an underground garage for parking, and a staircase that ascends to the upper floors.
Moving up to the 1st floor, right beside the staircase is a neatly tucked-away toilet to the right. On the left side of the staircase is Amy's Room, followed by Sarah's adjacent to Amy's, and then Maria's room beside Sarah's. Directly in front of Maria's room is Laura's Room, creating a cozy arrangement of sleeping quarters.
Ascending further, there's a staircase leading to the 2nd floor, where you'll find only one room, and that's mine—a personal space where I can unwind and recharge.
We also have a housemaid named Isabel Gracia, who possesses a well-toned physique and stands at a height of 5'5". She diligently carries out her duties from 8 A.M. to 9 P.M.
Additionally, after bidding farewell to Sarah and Laura, I proceeded to inspect my sparsely furnished room, which mainly comprises a bed, table, wardrobe, and a wall-mounted monitor.
................
In the afternoon, around 3 P.M., the travel agent's team members assisted in relocating our belongings. This task consumed much of my time as I endeavored to ensure my room was presentable, while also setting up and connecting various devices such as the PS5, desktop computer, speakers, and more, before dinner.
At the dinner table, Maria's younger daughter was conspicuously absent, yet observing the neutral expressions on Laura and Maria's faces, it seemed customary for them.
As I had savored my meal, I decided to test the functionality of my computer to ensure everything was in order.
Just as I was adjusting the speaker's sound, my bedroom door abruptly swung open with the resounding voice of a woman echoing through the room.
"Brother! My TinyMon cards are missing!" Sarah exclaimed, her voice filled with panic as she burst into the room.
"Goodness gracious, Sarah, you nearly gave me a heart attack," I replied, placing a hand over my pounding chest. As she continued to shake my other hand vigorously, I inquired, "What's going on, Sis? What happened to your TinyMon cards?"
"My cards—th-they a-are g-gone, my Tinymon cards are missing," she exclaimed dramatically, as was her usual manner.
"Have you checked all the boxes thoroughly?"
"Yes, I did, but they seem to have vanished into thin air. Please, dear brother, you have to help me. I must participate in the upcoming tournament, pretty please?" she implored, her face contorted in a pleading expression, tears welling up in her eyes.
I know she is faking it but....she is FAMILY. and You never turn back on your family.
With a sigh, I agreed to help her find some cards from the shops in the neighborhood.
"You are the best" She happily pecked my left cheek and ran away while humming.
I couldn't help but sigh~ again seeing her antics.
After Sarah left, I meticulously checked all the devices, ensuring they were in proper working order, before finally allowing myself to sink into the comforting embrace of the bed.
..
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To Be Continued......