Somee
While Ryland brought our bags in, I took Rylee inside to take a peek with his words lingering.
This is home for now.
My stay here was temporary; Rylee’s was not. The thought made me sad but I pushed those feelings aside because how could I be sad in a space so beautiful.
“This is a big house,” Rylee signed, frowning as she looked around.
“It is but very pretty. Would you like to go explore?”
She nodded and we started our tour with the living room. The furniture was cozy, made up of large leather sofas that filled one side of the wall forming a U. The leather was unbelievably soft when I ran my fingertips over the arm, in a deep charcoal gray that almost looked black.
“We should test this out.”
Rylee touched one and climbed onto the cushion, scooting all the way back. The seat was so massive her legs didn’t even reach the edge since she was propped against the rear.
Ryland was a big guy so it made sense.
And oh my. As soon as I landed, my body sank into the buttery soft material. The square edge of the sofa did nothing to showcase how comfy it was.
“What do you think?” I signed to Rylee who smiled, running her fingers over the material before she signed back.
“It’s really soft. I like it.”
“Me too. Let’s see what else we’re working with.
” I lifted, extending a hand, and we moved through the other side of the living room which was also open.
We entered a dining room where I noticed the gray and white theme filtered over.
There was a huge gray table that sat twelve.
Place settings on the table in front of leather wingback chairs were the same gray as the sofas in the living room.
A huge glass vase was centered on the table and had to be at least two feet high and wide, filled with clear rocks surrounding the largest white candle I had ever seen.
Two smaller identical vases sat to the left and right, and above head, crystal squares hung from the ceiling housing Edison bulbs that had me imagining how beautiful the space would look at night with the lights illuminating everything.
“Pretty,” I signed to Rylee who nodded.
“Do you think he has a pool?” she signed, bouncing on her toes.
“There’s gotta be a pool,” I signed, then added, “Should we go find it?”
“Yes.”
We navigated back to the foyer and through the house, bypassing several other rooms. I noticed one was a theatre because the rolling barn door was open, allowing a quick glance as we passed.
When we reached the back of the house, I found huge glass panels that overlooked the backyard and, oh wow, Marlee would shit herself to get her hands on this.
The space was massive and gated. From what I could see, there was a pool, basketball court, and a wooden playhouse attached to a swing set.
“Somee, look.” Rylee’s face split into a grin as she pointed to the playhouse.
Ryland came into view beside me and walked to the center of the glass panels, reaching toward the top to pull a lever and one at the bottom before he unlatched the lock in the center and pushed them open.
He moved one side to the left until the glass panels disappeared between two others, then his focus was on Rylee.
“That playhouse is for you. You want to go see?”
“Yes.”
“Go ahead.”
She grinned and ran through the doors out into the backyard, bypassing the pool until she reached the playhouse. She opened the door and disappeared inside.
“You got that for her?”
“Yes, had it built a few days ago. They come prefabricated. You basically pick a model online and it’s assembled right off the truck. Only took them a couple hours. It’s cold as shit, so she won’t be able to enjoy it until the weather breaks, but kids like stuff like that, right?”
He shrugged, as if uncomfortable with being so considerate about making his home accommodating for a six-year-old. I thought it was sweet. Here I was again, not wanting to like him but having no choice.
“You really put a lot of thought into having her here.” He searched my face for a second before he responded.
“Is that a compliment or are you being sarcastic?”
“Why would I be sarcastic?” I signed, narrowing my eyes.
“I’m not exactly your favorite person.”
I smiled. “I disagree. With the amount of money you’re paying me, you are second on my list of favorite people.”
“Second?”
“Second, that’s all you can get. The top spot is filled.”
He frowned hard and I wondered if he assumed I had a man. The thought of him being jealous sent a thrill through me. “Who’s first?”
The person who held the top spot, Rylee, came barreling our way and waved a hand to get my attention. “It’s like a real house. Come see,” she signed enthusiastically.
Instead of answering his question, I followed Rylee into the backyard, shivering from the chill that cut through me, making my way to the tiny house.
It was clearly meant for a child but the roof was tall enough for me to stand inside.
The detail was incredible with hardwood floors and granite countertops.
It must be nice to have the type of money accessible to have a real life miniature house assembled in your backyard on demand in the heart of winter.
Everything was decorated to emulate a real house but with plastic furniture. There was a mock kitchen, a living room with a TV setup on the wall that I assumed was real, and play sets of dishes, plastic food, and a table set up for a tea party.
A little girl’s dream. This little girl’s dream. Ryland had gone all out but had the money to do so. Regardless, I was impressed that he’d invested the time. Money didn’t always mean or match effort. Ryland was doing the work and making the effort.
Unfortunately, it was too cold to stay out here, so we made our way back into the house and continued our tour.
This time with Ryland. By the time we reached the upper level where the bedrooms were, I was in love with this house and never wanted to leave.
If I had to decide on a dream house, this would be it.
Rylee’s room was on one end of the hall, with Ryland’s on the opposite.
They were separated by two rooms on each side of the hallway, one of which was mine.
Rylee spent all of five minutes in my room, needing to know where she could find me before she got lost in her own.
There were art supplies, stuffed animals, and everything a little girl’s heart could desire.
The child in me loved this for her.
“Do you approve?” Ryland signed after he brought my suitcase in and left it by the door.
“Are you seriously asking? Look at this place.” I grinned, motioning around the room.
“It’s nice but that doesn’t mean it meets your approval. There are four other rooms you could choose from. This one was closest to Rylee. Figured you would want that.”
“I don’t think she’s all that worried about me after seeing her room.”
He smiled. “It’s just new. When the thrill wears off, you’ll be back in her top spot.”
“Maybe.”
“Do you need anything?”
“No, I’m fine. I’m going to unpack.”
He stared at me for a minute before nodding.
“I would like your help choosing the staff since they will be around my sister, but we can work on that tomorrow. I chose a chef for a trial basis. She will start tomorrow. When you’re ready for dinner, let me know and we’ll get something.
It’s been a long day, so we can order in if you’re cool with that. ”
Staff? I couldn’t even wrap my brain around needing staff but we could tackle the conversation another time.
Ryland had money and access, so hiring a staff to make his life easy and more functional made sense.
I would bet my ass he didn’t clean this big ass house.
I would not object. I was here to live the luxurious life, albeit temporarily, and would not complain.
“Ordering in would be perfect.”
He nodded and left me to unpack. I removed my phone and tapped Marlee’s name for a video call.
I smiled widely as soon as her face was onscreen.
I waved and held up one finger, signaling for her to hold on.
She nodded and I flipped the camera and moved around the room, giving her a virtual tour of everything in the main space, then the bathroom and closet.
Both were beautiful. Once I was done, I flipped the camera again and placed my mini-tripod on the dresser so I could use both of my hands to talk to her.
“I love this house,” was the first thing I signed.
“Shit me too.”
“All you’ve seen is one bedroom, which is a guest room,” I signed with a grin.
“True, but based on that room, the rest of the house is amazing.”
“It is. I’ll show you later. He chartered a jet to bring us here too.”
“Oh so you’re fancy now?”
I laughed and rolled my eyes. “Pretty much. Talk to me nice.”
“Speaking of, are you talking nice? How are things with you guys?”
“Good. He really went all out for Rylee.”
“Not Rylee, friend. You and him. Did he go all out for you too?”
My eyes rolled once more. “It’s not about me.”
“Yes, it kind of is. You’re in his home. You have to play house for the next couple months.”
“We’re fine.” I shrugged. “Did you get your plants?”
I decided to switch the subject because I didn’t want to talk about the man who’d had my panties soaked since I woke up this morning.
“You know I did. Got them at half price and secured a job too.”
“Boss T-I-N-G-Z.”
“And you know it. You talked to your mom?”
I shook my head. “Not yet. I’m not ready to deal with her.”
“So you’re hiding?” She smiled smugly.
“Pretty much. I miss you already.”
“I know, me too. I’m coming to visit, whether he wants me there or not.”
“I told you, he won’t mind. Just let me know when.”
“You gonna tell him to send me a jet.”
I grinned. “Absolutely not but I will get you a first class ticket because he’s paying me enough to afford it.”
“Aww, friend. You love me.”
“Love you more than matcha and you know I love me some matcha.”
“Love? More like obsessed, Somee.”
I shrugged. “They’re good. I’m going to unpack. I’ll text you later.”