Chapter 4

"I'm pretty sure it is more comfortable inside", said Dad smirking at our awestruck face. He was bemused from our reaction. Getting out of the car and grabbing our overnight bag, he opened the door for me and Rock. The inside is as beautiful as outside. The door opens into a beautiful hallway leading to a spacious living room with contemporary and rustic decor. The living room ends into yet another hallway, from where stairs leading to the second floor of the house are peeking through.

Did I mention how beautiful the place is? It may seem overdramatic to some, but for our family it is perfect. Dad is all about old styles, Rock loves the natural touch, and for me, I like a mixture of aged and modern. And this house screams all of it. " Okay, so tour or do you guys want to rest?", Dad asked with a mischievous smile. "Tour", me and Rock all but screamed together. " Thought so. My dear sire, my lady, if you would follow me", he said with a very badly done posh accent and a little bow. "Why thank you, kind sir. Please lead the way", I replied playing along, with a little curtsy at the end. " Ya ya, let's get it over with?", Rock asked rolling his eyes at our exchange.

"Well as you can see we all are standing in the living room, and just down the hall, behind those stairs is the kitchen.", Dad said while leading us to the said place. " The kitchen had wooden cabinets, with granite countertops and nice multicoloured tiles as backlash. All the appliances were updated and they are stainless steel. It also has an inbuilt wooden refrigerator! How cool is that." Dad said in the real estate kind of way. " I like the fridge.", I said in awe with it's built. Rock and Dad just laughed my love-filled gaze.

"Right in front we have the formal dining area, and just behind is the door leading to the backyard and outdoor storage," Dad told, proceeding to open the door and show us the storage unit. The place was average-sized, with a lot of natural light coming in. "I was thinking it would make good gym," Dad commented on as we kept exploring the place. "I agree, the backyard is big enough for a quick run and this place is ventilated and illuminated enough to exercise", Rock added his two-cent, agreeing with him, while I just nodded my consent.

All of us went in and Dad led us through a seemingly invisible door at the end of the hall. "This is the master bedroom. It's a bit isolated from the house, but has its own patio and en suite.", dad said opening the door to his 'invisible room'. I say invisible cause the door is painted royal blue which appears to black and almost none existent in the darkness towards the end of the hallway. "This place is cool.", Rock said looking around, and truly the place was good, it had a 4 poster king-sized bed in middle with a recliner overlooking the patio. The room even has it's own fireplace. It is really comfy and cosy. "It's beautiful", I said to my happy and content Dad. "You got lucky old man. Now, where is my room?" Rock asked or more like demanded with a mock impatient look. "Follow me, peasant," Dad ordered snapping his fingers. We both just chuckled or giggled in my case, and followed him to the first floor of the house.

The floor had two rooms on either side, one overlooking the mountain and other the forest. Both of them had their own bathrooms. "Pup, would you like to do the honours," Dad asked and motioned towards the dark blue door. Rock hummed making his way towards the gate in slow motion, like the drama queen he is. "Behold", and with that cry, he pushed it open. Rock's room is very him. It's been painted grey and white, with a twin-sized bed in middle. It has got a white desk, grey walk-in closet and white storage unit. The bed is placed facing the ceiling length windows, showcasing a stunning scenery of the mountains above and the greenery below. The view just made it seem like the house is literally on the clouds. " It's perfect", Rock whispered. "Come on, I wanna see mine now", I said, getting tad bit eager. Wordlessly Dad and Rock followed me to the opposite room. The door is painted an elegant black. Inside, it has a purple and black theme, with a hanging bed in middle, a sleek black desk with a white chair on one side and an inbuilt bookshelf on other. The room has a lot of windows, a small one in front of the desk, a big one in front of the bed, and even a window seat, overlooking the dense forest. This room just screamed me. "I love it. Thank you Dad", I said, getting a bit overwhelmed. "Oh Champ, I'm glad you like it. But the best part is still left," Dad replied walking us out of the room. "What best part?", Rock asked inquisitively, and all he did was motion us to follow him.

He walked towards the end of the hall, up to another flight of stairs, towards the second floor of the house. It had a guest room also with attached full bath, on one side and a big enough deck on another. The place could be used as a sunroom or extra space. Just near the deck was a small storage space. Hmm, kind of odd. " A closet is your best place?", Rocky asked, a bit mocking and a bit apprehensive. "Tsk Tsk. I think I raised you better than that Pup. Never Judge a book by its cover. Open it" Dad said with the ever-present mischievous glint in his eyes. "Wow", I said bewildered. Inside the closet was a small ladder leading into an opening in the ceiling. What are you waiting for? Climb along! Do watch the steps", he instructed while letting us go first. Quickly recovering from the shock, both of us followed him to what appears to be an attic. And yes, it is an attic. Though the opening is just inside the doorway, facing a nice open window. "Welcome to our library aka reading room," Dad said to your confused faces looking at the barren place. "Look at the doorway", Dad said smirking. " Holy Goddess," Rock exclaimed looking at the remodelled bookshelf doorway. While me, well one again I was rendered speechless. The entrance had been rebuild to resemble bookshelves, though the door appears to be seal packed. The big window I mentioned earlier, was letting in natural light and giving the attic a warm welcoming feel. "This is my safe haven. My absolute favourite place in the entire house.", I mumble to no one in particular. "And here I was thinking of hanging a punching bag in the gym. Guess that's not needed now." Rock said, with a playful frown. "What?", I shrieked. I've been asking for a punching bag since my 11th birthday. I love boxing, it's my passion. I first started at the age of 5 while in the orphanage at the local gym, then in here with Rocky, as he is equally passionate about the sport as me, though he is more into WWE style while I prefer the kickboxing."Thank you, thank you, thank you.", I exclaim jumping on him and hugging him as tight as I could. "Calm down girl.", he said in mock seriousness nevertheless hugging me closer. We both broke apart to the click of the camera shutter. "Dad", both us wailed, while mine was like a whine, Rock's was like a growl. "What", he asked playing innocent. We both just rolled our eyes and made our way back to the living room.

"Oh, the place also has a finished basement, which I've been thinking to reform as a house office/ art studio.", Dad abruptly spoke up, as if he had forgotten about that piece of information. "Ya, it's cool. No one can disturb you in there.", Rock said, massaging my scalp. I had laid on his lap as soon as he took residence on the couch. "You sleepy Champ", Dad asked in a soft voice seeing as I was on the brink of slumber. I just hummed, relaxing more and more in Rock's magic hands. "The moving guys are just a few minutes away from the home, and the pizza should be here in few. Why don't you both go and freshen up in meantime?", Dad asked, promoting me to sit up and soon all of us were going on our separate ways. New bedrooms, here we come.

After a thorough examination of my new found room, checking ever nukes and crooks, I made my way towards the bath. The bath was great, especially cause it had a freaking bathtub. Sooner than later, I finished my shower. By the time I was done, Mover guys were already here and unloading the boxes upon boxes of our things. Also, the dinner had arrived too. As quickly as possible the unloading was finished and we had dinner with barely open eyes. After dinner, we called in an early night, the day's events taking a toll of all three of us. Bidding each other goodnight, we made our way towards our new room ready to try out the new beds and sleep today's exhaustion away.

Our new home was truly more of a mansion than a house, and the luxuries it comes by, justify that. It's not even been a day, and I'm already in love with this place. Who wouldn't with its unique architecture, vintage charm, contemporary decor and a history of its own. I just hope to warm up to the new town just like I did with this new home. With that thought in mind and the oddly alleviating sound of the wolves howling in distant trees, I slipped into the cocoon of darkness.