As we entered the grand gate of the mansion, I became immediately struck by its opulence and grandeur. The spacious foyer welcomes me with its marble floors, adorned with a stunning chandelier hanging above the high ceiling. The walls are adorned with exquisite artwork, adding a touch of elegance to the space.
I must say this place looked gigantic like one of the event center I used to see on the television back home.
" I see you are in love with your new home already". My dad, who had been standing beside me all these while whispered to me with a grin. He looks a bit tall and thin with his short and straight black hair combed to the back.
"Of course dad. This place looks elegant and I really love it. You did a great job dad". I said to him with excitement. He gave me a warm smile.
"By the way, this is our living room". He added.
I found myself fantasizing the lavish living room we stood in. The room is filled with comfortable sofas and armchairs, arranged around a grand furnace.
Adjacent to the living room, I discovered an extravagant dining area. A long, polished dining table is on the center with elegant chairs surrounded by it. The table was set with fine china, crystal glassware. A beautiful light fixture hanged above the table, casting a warm glow on the surroundings.
My dad led me through a grand staircase that is curved with wood and glass design. We walked to the top of the staircase and he led me through a colorful modern made design hallway with large number of room on each side. We came to a halt in front of a room that has a design of a phoenix curved on the door. He opened the door and entered. I went after him before I hear him announce that this was going to be my room.
"Thank you so much dad" I said with a grin.
Studying my new room, I discerned that my belongings had already been conveyed into the room. My clothes had already been arranged in the wardrobe for me also.
I smiled while I widened my eyes upon seeing the huge bed in front of me. When I say huge, I mean very huge, more than what is being referred as a king sized bed.
"Wow!" I exclaimed louder.
"Ana…"my father called out while standing in front of the doorway.
"Dad" I responded in a whisper.
"Take out the clothes you won't be needing anymore and give them to Catherine to dispose them for you. I will be taking you out for shopping tomorrow." He enunciate while he stretches his hands towards the woman who is almost done with the arrangement of my shoes in the stacking drawer beside the wardrobe. She turn a little at me with a grin before she proceed with her work.
"Okay dad"
"Alright. We will be waiting for you downstairs for dinner".
I sneered at him and saw him go out of the room.
"Huh…!" I steeled myself while I removed my boots and threw myself on the huge bed that was decorated with blue bedspread. I lied down a little and saw the made, Aunt Catherine walked out with my torn hand bag and some garbage.
I woke up after a while to get myself ready for shower before I heard a knock on my door. I pause and went to see who it was. A young man with a razor fade pompadour hairstyle with a tattoo of an ocean and a merman holding a staff with seven wings on top of it. 'Karl'.
'How on earth did he know where my room is located? Of course I nearly forgot he is a resident of this mansion and also the rebellious son of the owner of Hood-In group of companies.' I thought to myself.
"Hello…." I called out to him with a wave of my right hand while he stared at my bed.
"Yeah, I came to check how you are handling your new room. I know you have never been in luxurious room like this before. If you don't feel comfortable being here, you are free to move to the storeroom if you don't mind". He winked.
'What! Did he really just affronted me?'
"Well, Karl or whatever your name is, I must say you are very intrepid".
"Is that a compliment?"
"You can call it a compliment if you want. To be honest I haven't been happy around you since I came here. You seems to not like me or that's how you welcome strangers in your life?" I looked him into the eye.
"Ana or whatever your bitch name is, I don't care about whatever you think about me with your dumb noggin. But I need you to think about what I said and also, I want you to respect me as your big brother". He ignorantly supplied.
"Thanks for caring much about me 'big brother'. I'm also sorry to say that I love this room a lot and I won't be leaving here". I said with much boldness
He looked at me with a black look and stormed off. ['_'] ' Jess, what on earth was that?'
*********
After taking my shower, I looked at the two black short dress that was staring at me from the bed and contemplated on the one that will look nicer on me for the family dinner. I took the fitting one that has a bare shouldered sleeve with a grey roselike design beneath it.
I quickly put on the dress and got t ready for the dinner. Looking at myself on the mirror, I must say I looked much different in the dress. It looked cute on me though.
*********
"Wow what a great night!" I exclaimed while I threw myself onto my closest friend now, which is my bed, and thought about what awaits me in this big city of New York.
The dinner with my the hood family was a rapturous affair. The table was beautifully set and adorned with elegant dinnerware and fresh flowers. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, creating a sense of affinity.
During the dinner, we engaged in buoyant conversations, sharing stories and getting to know each other better. The air was filled with laughter as we learnt about each other's interest.The delicious aroma of the meal prepared by my new founded family was filled in the room and caused my appetite to arouse.
As the dinner came to an end, I expressed my gratitude toward them for welcoming me and accepting me into the family, I also thanked my dad for his decision to make me officially a Member of the Hood family.
Before the night became obsolete, we gathered in the living room for a cushy moment of relaxation. We watched the fourth part of the movie Jumanji, on the grand Titan Zeus television hanging on the wall like a wallpaper, and filling our mouth and bellies with a bowel of popcorn.
In this new environment I have found myself in, I feel like I have been here for a very long time and have known this family for more than decades too. 'How I wish mum was still alive and was with me today.' I thought to myself.
I undressed myself and read a novel I took from the book shelves along the entrance to the hallway. I read some few pages and fell asleep under the blue bedspread.