Anna
The wind is colder than it should be for this time of year. It slips in through the half-open balcony door, lifting the curtains like it's curious about the room. The wind chime makes continuous soft crinkling in the balcony. My study table is messy as always with pens, pages and books scattered all over it. There even lies three books on the bed.
I'm terribly good at keeping my room messy.
Ding
[Ari: We're almost there!]
Today they're coming here for dinner. Or coming here for a show. Mum forced me to call them together. Says, she wants to see them!
[Me: Is Nathan escorting you well?]
[Ari: Don't ask anything stupid unless you wanna die :|]
I laugh.
This is Ari's first time coming here. We don't hold house invitations much. And on top of it, for some reason, Ari seems not to like elite residences. It took me a great deal of an hour to convince her to come.
***
I come downstairs and find an unexpected scene in front of me. My footsteps halt and mouth falls open in awe.
Mum and dad are dancing in the living room hand in hand! The old gramophone is playing in the background. They both look like some royal couple as their steps fall clear and smooth with each other. Mum laughs as dad twirls her once.
I grin at the scene and lean to the wall, crossing my hands as I watch them with dearing eyes. I don't need to film them because dad has already set up a camera in front of the fireplace.
"Take my hand, take my whole life too..." Dad sings along the song. His eyes fixated on mum. A handsome smile playing on his lips. A smile, he's reserved only for her. "For I can't help, falling in love—with—you…"
They finish the dance with a kiss and I break out in applause.
"Woo-hoo! I felt like watching a Shakespearean play!" I clap my hands.
"How long are you here for!?" Mum exclaims.
"Yeah, that's my daughter!" Dad praises.
I laugh heartily at my sweet family. I can't be any happier.
###
Ariana
The car ride felt more awkward than my life! It could've been better, but Anna's text made it bitter! Now I can't even look at Nathan without even blushing. This isn't good!
I know I'm going there with him but the idea of him escorting me somehow feels so embarrassing.
"We've almost arrived." Nathan speaks beside me.
I look out of the Audi window to find the elite enclave glittering with modern villas and manicured gardens, hidden behind those huge iron gates.
Our driver—sorry, Nathan's driver stops the car at the entrance and shows his card to the guards. Only then a green light flashes on the checkpoint and the gates open, revealing a massive cobblestone pathway lined with birch trees on both sides.
"Whoa— Anna lives here?" I couldn't control my wonder.
"Seems like it's your first time visiting." Nathan says in a gentle voice. "It's Silverwood Estate. The property is mostly owned by the city's old business families. Though, Song family owns a mansion in their personal estate in the suburbs."
"You know a lot about the elites!"
He laughs. "That's because… I am an elite Ari. Our old villa is also located here."
Oh right. I'd forgotten he's also old money of Seoul.
Nathan clicks open the door and steps out of the car. And just as I'm about to open my side of the door, it opens from the outside and a hand floats in front of my face. Nathan stands there holding out his hand for me like a pure gentleman.
Is Nathan escorting you well?
Anna's voice ding-ed in the back of my head. No way! I hurriedly got out of the car without holding his hand. "I-I'm fine! Thanks Nathan!"
He looks at me being confused. I sigh inwardly and look at the sight in front of me. 'Beautiful' would be an undertone for this. This is a dream!
A two storied villa coated in wooden motif on the concrete walls and glasses covering half of it. The wisteria and honeysuckle vines hanging in the shape of S around the outline of the structure gives it a fairytale look.
"I've never seen such a beautiful house." I admit slowly.
"Yeah, it's the most lively villa in the entire estate." Nathan takes a few steps ahead of me. "Come inside Ari."
***
The insides are more beautiful. Not only the wooden texture and the beautiful paintings of the walls; this house has a warm atmosphere which makes it all look alive.
Anna's mother puts another spoonful of shrimp on my plate. "Don't be shy dear!" She says as I open my mouth to protest. She's a lovely and beautiful woman. And the most beautiful part is her smile. Now I get it, from whom Anna's got that dimply smile of hers.
"The shrimps are too good, aunt!" Nathan coos beside me.
"Soap opera started." Anna rolls her eyes. She's sitting on the left side of Nathan.
"You should play the orchestra then."
"I'd rather jump into a well than play that thing."
I laugh.
"Ariana you know, your laugh is so cute." Mrs. Norris says from the other side of the table.
My cheeks go red. I give her an awkward bow. She laughs at that. "Oh how adorable!"
I cast a sideways glance at Nathan only to find him smiling. Did he smile at the mention of my laugh? Jesus… noo! A strange feeling of butterflies soaring inside my stomach makes it churn.
"I must say," Mr. Norris speaks beside Mrs. Norris. "Ottawa watches have a fine quality."
I smile at his praise for my father's watch brand. And if Anna's got her smile from her mother, then the whole credit for the rest of her prettiness goes to her father. Even in his 40's, Mr. Norris looks every bit a handsome tv actor!
"I've an admiration for Japanese culture, you know." Nathan says to me.
"You do? That's great! My grandmother's home is in the countryside of Tokyo where the view of Mt. Fuji is clearer than the sky!"
"Is it?" He laughs heartily. "I'd love to see."
"You both look so cute together!" Suddenly Mrs. Norris throws a word-bomb.
"Heuk—" Anna chokes on her food and Nathan's ears turn red.
I look up at the elderly couple to find Mr. Norris shaking his head and sighing, clearly giving up on the idea to stop his wife. On the other hand, Mrs. Norris looks between me and Nathan with amusement glinting in her pretty eyes.
I've never had such a blissful and embarrassing dinner before.