Hey, cherry head
The grand staircase was directly opposite the entrance gate. Which divided in east and west part as you climb up. The tiled stairs were covered in royal blue carpet and the railings were made of fine wood and countless thin steel pillars which were painted in white. A large vase with beautiful flowers was place on the decorative round table where the stair case was divided into double staircase. Both of them led to the first floor of the Manor. There was an empty area after climbing the stairs. There was a platform with railing rounding the Great hall which led to the front Balcony of the first floor. After the empty hall area, the bedchambers started. There were more than ten chamber which could be used as bedrooms.
In those the one in the front was a master bedroom. Which was occupied by Greg and Karen. Butler Simon showed them each of their door and relieved himself of the duty so as not to invade their privacy when they open their luggage which was already placed in their respective chambers.
Harper and Raphael's chambers were beside each other. Lana's chamber was just opposite of Raph's and Anna's was opposite of Harper's. Beside Raphael's bedroom there was large empty space where a long couch and some lounge chairs were placed around a large rolling wooden cart shaped coffee table. A rocking chair stood still in the corner. A brown single sitter swing chair hung from the ceiling hook. Cream coloured soft pillows were placed in the swing. There was floor to ceiling glass window with section frames. The upper part of the section started from an adult man's waist to the ceiling. It was a slider. You can slide open the upper part of the window. But lower part of the section was fixed with unbreakable glass.
Carter's chamber was just opposite of this window. He could see the scenery from the window as soon as he opened a door. Teenagers were clearly satisfied with their rooms as they bounced on their feet and ran to their respective chambers.
Harper entered her chamber. The room was actually very luxurious with worthy of being called a chamber as Butler Simon addressed it while showing them around. There was a round bed with low head board and white frame placed in the center of the room. Several soft pillows were arranged messily on the soft dark navy bed sheets. It was large enough for three adults to sleep comfortably. The frame of headboard was wide and low enough that you could sit on it or arrange the decorations on it. The floor was covered with the same dark blue thick carpet. On the left corner was the door of attached bathroom. The walls were painted with golden cream colour and the wall where it was supposed to be the window or ventilation, was fully covered with royal blue and golden embroidered thick curtains. She pulled the belt with a sharp tug, as she anticipated the weight and thickness of the curtain to be much more than normal window sealing curtains.
The wall revealed itself, and her mouth fell open, as she took in the sight in front of her eyes. A clear glass wall just like outside stared at her illuminating herself partially and showcasing the marvelous view of the ocean of trees. Which was layered by the colours like red, yellow, orange and finally green.
Sunlight came rushing into the room as if she welcomed it opening the shield of curtains. The sun was still high in the sky as the afternoon was approaching slowly. A "Nice" fell out of her mouth as she tucked the curtain to the side and started adjusting the clothes and toiletries, while checking everything out in the room. There was a corner desk and office chair in the right corner just beside the glass wall. Harper took out her laptop and other accessories and laid put them on the desk one by one. Her books and reports were placed on the square wall piece which was hung just beside the TV. Thin black screen of TV was installed on the same wall as door. So, once you open the door, you would notice the desk and the window behind it first and half of the round bed.
Harper hung her cloths in the wardrobe which was just beside the bathroom. Then she took her toiletries to the bathroom to take a nice bath and change the sticky cloths with home-wear. The bathroom was huge like a second room itself, and was gorgeous with Jacuzzi bathtub and separate shower cabin. She was not in the mood to take a bath. She took a quick shower and flopped on the bed with her mobile in her hand as she thought about what to make the subject for her research project they had to submit after summer vacation. Her eyes closed as she fought with her consciousness. Well, after-effect of a nice warm shower.
At this side, after taking a quick shower, Lana messaged to Raph.
L: Give my diary back.
There was no reply from the other side. Lana was pacing in her room while tapping her fingers on her other palm. Her room was the same as Harper but it did not have the view of the forest. It was facing the community. She immediately shut the curtains by half with a regretful sigh. She waited for that ginger head to reply but it did not come even after waiting for full six minutes.
L: Hey, cherry head.
L: Answer to me.
L: Give my diary back. Why aren't you answering?
L: What are you even doing right now?
L: Are you there?
L: Did something happen to you?
L: Nathan.
L: Reply to me.
L: What the f*ck…
R: Was taking a shower.
R: Well, you sure have a way with words.
R: And when did you start cursing? (Shock)
L: Whatever. Give me my diary back.
R: Well, take it back yourself.
L: You took MY diary and invaded MY privacy and now you are asking me BEG you get MY diary back. Awesome.
R: Well, the face drawn in that is mine. I was thinking if should charge some consent fee for using my face in the portrait.
L: What do you want? It's just an art diary. It's not like I'm gonna publish this somewhere. And there are others' portraits too.
R: Well, if you want your diary back, come and get it yourself. I need to get dressed. I might catch cold.
The boy let out a chuckle as he murmured "Cherry Head" while rubbing his damp hair. Raph changed in some casual clothing and started rubbing his hair again. He heard a knock on his door. He hung the towel on his nape to prevent the water drops from sliding into his collar and opened the door.
Lana was standing there with frowning and her fingers tapping rhythmically on other palm. She narrowed her eyes at his annoying face as soon as he opened the door. She barged in his room knocking his shoulder with hers in annoyance. Raph closed the door while raising an eyebrow. This was the first time he found that the sweet little Lannie who was always soft and polite could also act spoiled. Now he knew why she could be best friends with his psychopath sister. He rubbed his shoulder and turned to face her. He saw that she was looking at the view from the glass wall.
"Beautiful, huh?" Raph murmured from behind her.
Lana jerked out of her thoughts as she looked at him absentmindedly. Her eyes were shining when she looked at his face. She was stunned at the view of the forest. She felt her fingers itching to hold the brush and make different shades of colours after long time since she had art block these months. Her inspiration started blinking wildly. When Cherry head disturbed her mental collision of intake, she looked at his face. She had been observing countless faces from when she awakened her hobby of painting and sketching. This face, which was she looking at right now was one of the most perfect faces she had encountered. She imagined him casually leaning on the glass wall in white shirt and khaki trousers with his arms crossed and one leg bent. He would be the perfect model.
A sharp snap brought her to reality again.
"Lana. Are you okay?" The red head was gripping her shoulders while he looked into her eyes seriously.
"I… I am okay. Where is my diary?" She fumbled with her words and found the purpose she came here for.
"Would you mind to explain when did you start drawing?" Raph asked, wanting to know when this girl had found this hobby and how was she so skilled in it.
"In freshman year. When we visited Miranda Solace' Art Gallery." Lana whispered while looking down.
"Oh… remembered. That concept was very creepy. She drew in the memory of her cheating husband. Lannie… How the hell did you find your hobby in that scary concept?" Raph asked softly.
"Not that. I listened to Sir Bardot's speech at her art gallery and then tried some workshops." The brunette narrowed her eyes at him and snapped furiously.
"Why are you asking so many questions? Return my diary. I promise I won't publish or show your portraits to anyone. And I'm sorry I drew you without your consent, this won't happen again." She was annoyed at his inquiries but had also realized her own mistake.
"If I hadn't found the diary, you would continue to draw me. Right?" Raph was unconcerned about her publishing or showing this to everyone. After all he looked so good in those portraits! His eyes softened listening to her whispering apologies.
"I… I probably would have. And there were others' portraits too in the diary." She fumbled and excused herself that he was not alone whom she drew.
"Even if you do not tell me I can tell at a glance that these were drawn by two different people. You have clean and smooth contours in your drawings, while these portraits are randomly drawn with lack of enough practice. How could you lack the practice when you clearly have aspiration? Well, drawing with this perception without any training, that's genius. Who is it? Let me guess. My sister?" Raph took out the diary from his backpack and showed her the clear difference in styles.
Lana looked at him with her mouth open. This cherry head was intelligent. He could tell at a glance that it was not her who drew those drawings. Wait. This means he knows that I drew only his portraits. Sh*t.