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Chapter 35 – Walden Mansion

The van swerved to the right upon reaching the highway over viewing Sta. Monica beach, showcasing the white sand against the tranquil ripples of the midnight blue ocean that mirrored the starry night sky.

Kidnap stood on his hind legs and barked at the window so I opened it a bit, giving him just enough gap to stick his tiny muzzle out.

We drove straight, houses thinning to a countryside then turned to a slight slope upon reaching the foot of ravine that stretched almost infinitely ahead, finally proceeding on a bend towards a narrow rock-strewn path lined by tall, lush trees.

Soon, the house came into view. It was a lone structure nestled by tall pine and fir trees. From the outside, it must be three stories high with white walls and midnight blue panels. The front porch was lined with marble railings inside which an old wooden bench stood, centered by a marble table beside the big arched wooden double doors. The most interesting part of the house was the flat-roofed third floor, with glass paneled walls arching into the half-moon-shaped balcony slightly jutting out from the whole of the structure.

“Here we are,” Arthur leaned over from the front seat as the van stopped. Judging by the way he shifted his gaze uneasily, I realized that something was bothering him.

“Wow…” Becky gazed with awe at the house as we let ourselves out of the vehicle.

“I know…” I said bumping into her as we both spectacled on the luxurious house and as I did, Kidnap dove right out of my arm and scurried straight to the door.

The inside of the house was as breathtaking as the exteriors. The living room was spacious, with wooden tiled flooring, warm beige walls, accented by silky sea green tapestries draping over the large arched glass panels.

Centering the drawing room was a huge crystal chandelier set on the high ceiling over a grand concert piano, facing the set of sea green posh sofa just beside the smooth granite fireplace over which framed pictures were placed. To the left was a magnificent winding staircase leading to where more than a few rooms were situated.

There was a spacious study room in the rear of the second floor and I was amazed by the amount of hardbound books that were meticulously arranged in enormous bookshelves that lined the walls. The viewing room at the third floor was like a mini theatre, complete with a blackboard-sized touch screen LCD, sound system, media players and a variety of game consoles.

After the tour which virtually made me distracted, Leon towed me to the balcony while Becky was amusing herself with Guitar Hero.

“This is my favorite part of the house.” He smiled pushing the wooden framed glass double doors of the room.

In a corner was a lounging area with a couple of recliners lying about in addition to an array of musical instruments scrupulously positioned in one section; complete with a drum set, different blue guitars and a baby grand piano at the side near the shelves of records and music sheets. But what captured my eyes the most was the view outside the glass paneled walls.

Leon held my hand and pulled me to the balcony overlooking the luxuriant woods that bordered the house. From there, the breathtaking scenery put an astonished smile on my face. The endless stretch of glimmering black-sapphire ocean reflecting the moon as well as the twinkling lights from the city appeared so vivid to me as though I was in some wonderful dream.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. The air smelled of the sea.

“It’s so… beautiful.” I said while feeling the gentle breeze play through my hair.

“You should’ve seen it from here,” He said sweetly.

Upon opening my eyes, I found him gazing fondly at me. “Surely you don’t mean me.”

“Why not?” He demanded with a halfhearted smile.

“I don’t know. Maybe because the word beautiful could only be an adjective for that teen goddess for a friend you have downstairs?” I blurted letting out a humorless chuckle.

“You mean Elle?” He said with incredulity then burst out in a musical laughter which just about made the fluttering in my stomach worse. “Sarah, she’s like a sister to me. Wait…” He paused curbing a mischievous smile as he leaned on the steel enclosing. “Are you… jealous?”

My eyes widened while instantly becoming aware of the rush of blood to my cheeks.

“I most certainly am not!” I hissed almost too defensively.

The smile on his face widened as though he was not at all convinced. “Right…”

“I said I am not— oh shoot!” I gave myself a whack on the forehead.

“What?”

“I totally forgot to call Mom.”

“Yes, Mom. We just arrived, so for heaven’s sake. Don’t make such a fuss about it.” I muttered exasperatedly on the phone. It had been ten minutes of torture trying to explain to Mom why I hadn’t been able to call sooner.

“Sarah, I specifically told you to call me as soon as you land the airport. How could I trust you now? And it’s just the first day!” Emma sounded hysterical.

“Mom, look. It’s not like I got kidnapped or something.” Though that had happened before, I thought but shook my head to get back to the topic. “I was with Arthur the whole time.”

“I’m coming first thing in the morn—“

“No Mom! I swear it’ll never happen again. So don’t. Do me a favor and trust me on this. Please?” I said panicky, sitting weakly on one of the lounge chairs in Leon’s music room. Mom was being unreasonable.

There was a long pause and I knew she was thinking about it.

“Mom? You still there?” I murmured flinching a bit.

“One more chance.” She sighed deeply. “If you break my conditions even once then the deal’s off. You go home with me.”

“Okay Mom. Bye.” I replied before hanging up before Mom could change her mind. Sighing, I got to my feet headed downstairs with a sinking feeling in my chest. One chance and that could be it.

As I trudged heavily down the staircase, I saw Leon and Louella sitting side by side on the couch, laughing and pinching each other.

“Midget,” Leon bickered with a smile trailing on his lips.

“I am so not!” She grumbled rolling her pretty eyes then let out a soft giggle. “Nerd!” said she swiping the glasses off his face.

“Hey, give it back!” Leon pinched her cheeks as Louella stretched her tiny arms to keep the glasses away from him. “Mop-hair!” said he when he finally snatched his glasses back.

Just then, the smile on Louella’s face faded. With a sigh, she sat grudgingly back on the couch. “I don’t like it.” She said looking intently at Leon who answered her with a bewildered look.

“What?”

“The whole idea of you having to live in that small town, the new geeky look; I just hate it. It’s so not you. You said it was hard, didn’t you? Then why don’t you just… come back?” Louella sighed glumly.

A serene smile shone on Leon’s face. “That was before. But now, I like living in that small town. Being a nerd wasn’t so bad. And school—“

“You’re such a bad liar, Leonard Daniel Walden.” Louella grumbled cutting him in mid-sentence, frustration evident on her voice. “I know you.”

“You knew me.” He muttered with a hint of sadness as he met her gaze.

Louella sighed again, closing her eyes as she said the word with difficulty. “Sarah?”

“Sarah.” Leon nodded echoing my name as though it suggested some deep meaning that only the two of them understood.

It struck me again how much they knew each other. How they knew what each other was thinking or feeling. It made me feel out of place. Like an alien in an unknown planet where only beautiful beings were allowed to exist. And I was nothing but a flaw to the perfect picture.

I never understood how Leon really felt about giving up his prestigious life. Leon had always seemed contented. But then, I never really bothered to ask him and somehow, the sinking feeling brought a twinge of guilt in my chest.

Selfish cow. Blah blah, your needs.

I nagged at myself as I sneaked back up to find Becky in the entertainment room.

“Are you okay?” said Becky, putting down the guitar console and sat beside me looking worried.

I shook my head with a sigh and managed a smile to hide the gnawing feeling in my chest.

“No. I’m just bored.” I said, clearing my throat of the lump that had just surged in.

Becky gave me a dubious glare. “We’re living in a huge house with two super stars downstairs and you’re bored? You must’ve a secret adventurous life you’re not telling me.”

Louella’s beautiful. They’re both superstars. They belong in the same world. Maybe they were better off with each other so Leon could get back to his old life.

I never wanted him to leave me so I made him promise. That wasn’t fair. It was suffocating how the horrible feeling creeping its way into my chest little by little.

“You’re such a bad liar, Sarah.” She muttered. “You know, you can always talk to me if you want to.”

We both trailed into silence and I knew she kept waiting for me to start telling her what had been bothering me. The whole while, I stayed silent. The truth was, I didn’t want to ruin the trip for both of us.

I shook my head again and snatched a joystick from the padded seat beside me. “You got some wild imagination, Becky. Let’s kill some zombies instead.”

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Hi you there! If you're still reading this then let me give you a million thanks! I've been on a block lately, thus the late updates. I think I'll be gone for a week, hopefully shorter, since I have tons of work to attend to. But I'll be sure to write every now and then and I promise an update when I come back :) So yeah... do me a favor and vote or leave a comment and I promise to get back to you ASAP... BTW I'm having thoughts on changing the cover and I'll be posting them with every chapter so let me know what you think about them... THANKS! :)          ~jaaa! shim xoxo