Kapitel 17: The House

The next day, Skye was in the shower when I woke up. As I was fixing my bed, she came out with a towel around her head like a turban, wearing jeans and her fluoro pink shirt. Her face looks fresh and clean without makeup.

"Hey girl, you're awake. The shower is yours when you want it. Dad wants to head off early because he's got an emergency meeting at lunch time with his client. He's taking me and Aunty to the shops to buy some clothes. He'll just come back and pick us up after." she related.

"That's great, have fun!" I said.

She went and turned into the vanity mirror and started to rummage through her bag of makeups. I left her and had a shower.

When I got out of the bathroom, Skye is still in front of the mirror, perfecting her eyes with an eyeliner then finishing up with a mascara. She blinked her eyes and look at me in the mirror.

"Wynter, keep your mobile with you at all times, did you charge it up? Give me a ring anytime, if he makes you feel uncomfortable or anything bad happens, I will get to you straight away, wherever you are." she promised with a concerned smile.

"My phone is charged up. I will keep it with me and will not hesitate to disturb you if something happens." I assured her as I dry my hair.

I sat down the edge of my bed thinking and deciding what to wear. I stood up and picked up my small back pack and put some stuff I might need for the day, which includes a towel, undergarments my pepper spray and a sunscreen. I already wore my swimmers under my clothes.

After that, I went and sat down in front of the vanity mirror, where Skye was sitting earlier. I watch Skye in the mirror as she was picking up her doona from the floor, and casually dumping it on top of her bed. She's not very popular with fixing her bed in the morning. In fact, her room is always messy, everytime I go to their house, her rooms feels like a tornado went through it.

I just put a light touch of powder, lippy and darkened my eyebrows a bit. Then I'm done. I'm never a fan of makeup, especially foundation, it makes my face itchy.

Skye and I went down to the kitchen that exudes opulence and sophistication, featuring carved wooden cabinetry, elegant tapware and glass-fronted display cabinets.

This functional kitchen allows free and unhindered movement between the oven and sink. It's a great kitchen with an island bench with clever and effective positioning of large appliances.

It's got European-styling with gold tapware, carved cabinetry, rich marble benchtops and ornate lighting that creates a luxurious feel.

The aroma of freshly made coffee invites us in. We found Hazel and Peter sitting at the island bench having a cuppa. Peter was reading today's paper, while Hazel is browsing pamphlets. They both look up when they heard us approaching.

They both greeted us and offered us breakfast. We had breakfast with them, Skye acts normal, like nothing is amiss. They all seem to be on good terms, I observed.

After we had breakfast, they all said goodbye to me and be careful, told me to lock up, gave me a spare key, just in case I came home before them. They told me to feel at home and feel free to look and roam around the house and grounds and off they went.

I took their advise and went out their backyard. I went out a sliding door and what greeted me took my breathe away. A combination of hardscaped pathways, architectural elements, and boxwood hedges, which transports you to a classic English garden. The hedges looked like high maintenance, the way they keep them in tip-top shape.

As I walk further, an elegant pergola, with turned posts and scalloped roof and beams provide shade for dining al fresco at a delicate, wire bistro set. The floating stained-glass window adds a subtle pop of color, while the climbing vines offer lush greenery to soften the architectural lines.

Next to the pergola feels like a woodsy retreat, made of native plants and wildflowers surrounding a small pond. There are boulders that provide an added element to the mix within the serene environment. It's got a wild feel to it but the seats are so inviting, it would be nice to relax here and read a book. I sat down and enjoyed my surroundings, not caring about anything.

After a while I stood up and walk around the corner, when I turned, there is a marbled stairs going up a balcony, my steps slowed down as I admired the walled balcony which morphs into a luxe haven, with trellised climbing roses and trim planters.

Pastel chaises covered in outdoor fabrics that would make a lavish place to lounge in and have morning coffee and the paper. This space boast a garden look, though it's a relatively small area, like having the feeling of being in a backyard, but also an extension of the house.

The small round table carries out the soft pink theme, but the balcony's showpiece is the surprising reuse of an antique chandelier, turned upside down and set in a stand.

There is a whimsical fish statues that nod to the nearby ocean. I'm in love with this balcony.

I went back the way I came and went inside. Lock up the glass sliding door and went back to our room to check my phone for any messages.

I was shocked to see I got twelve missed calls and a couple of messages. I checked the time and I panicked. It's fifteen past eleven. Guess who it's all from? Ash.